Wheatgrass Birthday Cake Yummy!!! LOL Day 3

Hi Everyone, today is my birthday and instead of cake I am juicing!  Guess what I got for my birthday!  Yep a Flat Of WheatGrass WOO HOOO.  So I made a Wheat Grass Slushy and yes I added a little extra (shhh) hahaha.  Well I combined wheatgrass, baby spinach and lime! Packed a super punch! I have been so overwhelmed with all the birthday wishes and it has just been an awesome day!  I still haven't showered (ewww) lol I have been busy all day with my website and getting ready for a fund raiser party on Friday.  So, I want to thank my dearest friend Melissa Sobrin of SeekingSitters in Orlando Florida for opening her heart and her home to help raise money for Isabella Dean.  Isabella Dean is a 2 year old recently diagnosed with Leukemia.  I found about her through a friend I met through my juicing blog, Stacey and her mom Senaf.  When I heard Isabella's story from Stacey I couldn't help but tear up!  This beautiful baby girl was going to endure so much and her family must be so distraught with this recent news.  I have 3 children and tried to put myself in their shoes and just couldn't deal with it.  The strenght they will need, comes from everyone praying and banding together to help heal this poor child get the treatments she needs to continue life.  The love has been pouring in and I cannot express how awesome that has been.  So, I felt I need to do something!  Please visit my web page http://www.wowbrightsmiles.com/uncategorized/raffle-for-sweet-little-2-year-old-izzy-recently-diagnosed-with-leukemia/ and you can purchase your raffle tickets or share this link with your friends and family!  All the proceeds will be donated to Isabella and her family to help with ongoing medical needs to help Isabella continue to live and happy and healthy life. 

Health Benefits of Limes

Cholesterol Reduction Limes and other citrus fruit have also been associated with reducing cholesterol. In lab tests, it has been found that human liver cells produced less apo B, a compound associated with higher cholesterol levels, when exposed to limonin.

Cancer Laboratory tests of both animal and human cells have shown that citrus limonoids (found in lime and other citrus fruits) can help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach, and colon. Limonen works on the body to increase the levels of liver enzymes involved in detoxifying carcinogens. New research at the Agricultural Research Service in northern California, has shown that humans can easily use the limonoid called limonin, and therefore enjoy all its health benefits, simply by biting into citrus fruit. One of its main features is that it can stay in the body for up to 24 hours after consumption, making it an effective way to reduce the growth of cancer cells.

Cholera Studies have shown that the high acid levels in limejuice are very effective in both inhibiting the growth of and killing cholera in food. In a cholera epidemic in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa in October 1994, lime-rich meals acted as a preventative for patients who consumed them. In a laboratory controlled preparation of ceviche, large masses of cholera in contaminated fish were eliminated after immersion in limejuice. After 5 minutes of immersion there was a 99% reduction of the initial bacterial mass and after 2 hours no cholera was detected. Thus limes and limejuice are greatly recommended to add to food and sauces in areas where the possibility of cholera is high, like rural and slum populations in the tropics and subtropics.

Mosquito repellentThe volatile oil components extracted from Kaffir lime contains five sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and two sesquiterpene alcohols. Translated into English, lime extract has been shown to be effective as a mosquito repellent for up to three hours.

Nutrients Limes are an excellent source of vitamin C. They are a good source of vitamin B6, potassium, folic acid and flavonoids.

Cholesterol Reduction Limes and other citrus fruit have also been associated with reducing cholesterol. In lab tests, it has been found that human liver cells produced less apo B, a compound associated with higher cholesterol levels, when exposed to limonin.

Cancer Laboratory tests of both animal and human cells have shown that citrus limonoids (found in lime and other citrus fruits) can help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach, and colon. Limonen works on the body to increase the levels of liver enzymes involved in detoxifying carcinogens. New research at the Agricultural Research Service in northern California, has shown that humans can easily use the limonoid called limonin, and therefore enjoy all its health benefits, simply by biting into citrus fruit. One of its main features is that it can stay in the body for up to 24 hours after consumption, making it an effective way to reduce the growth of cancer cells.

Cholera Studies have shown that the high acid levels in limejuice are very effective in both inhibiting the growth of and killing cholera in food. In a cholera epidemic in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa in October 1994, lime-rich meals acted as a preventative for patients who consumed them. In a laboratory controlled preparation of ceviche, large masses of cholera in contaminated fish were eliminated after immersion in limejuice. After 5 minutes of immersion there was a 99% reduction of the initial bacterial mass and after 2 hours no cholera was detected. Thus limes and limejuice are greatly recommended to add to food and sauces in areas where the possibility of cholera is high, like rural and slum populations in the tropics and subtropics.

Mosquito repellentThe volatile oil components extracted from Kaffir lime contains five sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and two sesquiterpene alcohols. Translated into English, lime extract has been shown to be effective as a mosquito repellent for up to three hours.

Nutrients Limes are an excellent source of vitamin C. They are a good source of vitamin B6, potassium, folic acid and flavonoids.

Day 1 has gone 5lbs down, Watermelon anyone?

WOW couldn't believe my eyes 5lbs off the scale in one day!!  I know it mostly water but that goes to show just how much water our bodies can hold!  I made it throught the day and I did get a headache last night I think mostly because I shocked my system once again lol.  I feel great this morning!  Woke up refreshed had me a glass of pure watermelon heaven.  Some people I have talked to about juicing say they can't get over the gross taste of juicing.  I had to question what they were juicing...lol I have made some amazing juices and yes some were yucky, but I wont repeat the yucky ones lol.  Its a matter of what you like.  I do like the wheatgrass but only when i make it in my blender not the juicer.  It seams to not juice well so instead I found a youtube video showed how you can juice your wheatgrass in a blender and add lime and spinach.  Well, today is start of day 2 and I look forward to feeling energetic once again! 

1 quart size of watermelon
1 apple
8 strawberries
1 mango

Watermelon is a natural source of most powerful antioxidants provided by nature. It is a good source of the antioxidant vitamins C and A to protect us from diseases. It reduces the risk of dehydration.

Summer and watermelon are inseparable. Watermelons are found almost everywhere in the world. Although we can find watermelons in our markets throughout the year, the season for watermelon is the summer when they are sweet and of the best quality. No other fruit can we find so crunchy and thirst quenching like watermelon.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF WATERMELON

1. The health benefits of watermelon are really great. No matter how it is sliced, it is packed with some of the most important antioxidants found in nature.
2. It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, particularly through its concentration of beta-carotene.
3. The beautiful red watermelon is also a source of the potent carotene antioxidant which is called lycopene. These antioxidants travel throughout the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that can cause much damage to us. They are able to oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to blood vessel walls and thicken them which can lead to hearty attack or stroke. The lycopene which gives fruits the attractive red color that we find in watermelon can help reduce the risks of prostate cancer.
4. It is a surprising fact that watermelon is the only fruit that contains higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable.
5. Watermelon is a fruit that is rich in electrolytes sodium and potassium that we lose through our perspiration.
6. Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Food experts recommend watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1 and magnesium. Because of its higher water content approximately ninety percent and calorie value it is ranked more valuable than other fruits.
7. Watermelon has a special cooling effect and is exceptionally high in citrulline, an amino acid that our bodies use to make another amino acid, arginine, which is used in the urea cycle to remove ammonia from the body.
8. The antioxidants help reducing the severity of asthma. It also reduces the risk of colon cancer, asthma, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and prostate cancer.
9. Watermelon is a good source of thiamin, potassium and magnesium which protect our body from so many diseases.
10. Watermelon is fat free but helps energy production. It protects against macular degeneration.

 When the heat of summer tires us with thirst, eating watermelon is a safe alternative to taking energy drinks. Since it contains high water quantity it can hydrates us whereas other drinks are caffeine filled energy drinks which can easily dehydrate us. Nothing can be more satisfactory on a hot, dusty day than a crisp, juicy slice of watermelon!

Juicing can be a battle, but it feels so good.....

Man oh man did I slack off and boy did I feel like crap.  Juicing can get to you, well to me anyway.  So for a whole week while I was fretting hurricane Irene hitting NJ & NY where 95% of my family lives, I went on a binge!  I didn't excercise, I didn't juice, and I was glued to the tv almost having a heart attack.  Well after everything was over I got on the scale and gained 4 lbs!  I felt like crap!  My ankles swelled, my back was aching and I had no energy.  I had given up! Then I thought no... you can do this, you proved you can so stop feeling defeated and start again!  So back to basics I am doing the 10 day juice fast once again.  Today is day 1 and this is what I am starting my day with.   This juice was so delicious!  Make this as a treat you will love it.  Mangos are full with so many nutrients and benefits, that i had to post them all below.  Now I need to go and start my exercise again.  I will post each day and hopefully I will stick to it this time.  So, for anyone struggling with juicing my advice is DON'T GIVE UP.  I know sometimes it just don't taste good but play with it and you will find combinations that are yummy.  Plus you will feel so much better thats a guarantee. 

Mangoes are full packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain like all fruits very few proteins, fats and calories. They are perfect to replenish salts, vitamins and energy after physical exercise.

* * *

Mangoes are full packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain like all fruits very few proteins, fats and calories.

Mangoes are perfect to replenish salts, vitamins and energy after physical exercise.

The famous Unani physician Hakeen Hashmi teaches that mangoes strengthens and invigorates the nerve tissues in muscles, heart and brain and other parts of the body.

The enzymes of the Mango, such as magneferin, katechol oxidase and lactase, clean the bowel of the "filth" within and are an ideal antidote for all toxic effects inside the body. They provide also sufficient resistance to fight any germs and afflictions.

Hartwell claims in his book "Plants Against Cancer," that the phenols in mangoes, such as quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat, as well as the abundant enzymes, have healing and cancer-preventing capacities. In gall bladder cancer a protective effect of mango consume has been proven (Pandey).

Mangos contain also a lot of tryptophan, the precursor of the "happiness-hormone" serotonin.

A pap made of Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), peanuts (Arachis hypogoea), and mango (Mangifera indica) has been proven to be a good complementary food for children of weaning age. It meets the vitamin and energy requirements of children of 6-24 months of age at three servings a day and at the FAO average breast-feeding frequency (Mbithi-Mwikya)

Mangiferin from the leaves has been reported to possess antiinflammatory, diuretic, chloretic and cardiotonic activities and displays a high antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria. It has been recommended as a drug in preventing dental plaques.

Mangiferin shows antiviral effect against type I herpes simplex virus which could be useful in anti-herpes ointments (Unani Herbalist).

The bark of the mango tree contains 16 - 20% tannin and also mangiferine. It acts ad stringent and is believed to possess a tonic action on the mucous membrane. It is anathematic, useful in hemoptysis, hemorrhage, nasal catarrh, diarrhea, ulcers, diphtheria, rheumatism and for lumbrici. It is also used in diphtheria and rheumatism (Unani Herbalist).

The average content of one Mango (250 g) is (compared with other fruits):

1,5 g protein

1 g fat

30 g carbohydrates

3 g carotenes (only muskmelons have more). One Mango supplies more than the daily need of this precursor of Vitamin A

110 g vitamin B1

125 g vitamin B2 (only passion-fruit has more)

2 mg vitamin B3 (only passion-fruit and guava have more)

90 ?g folic acid (only oranges and grapes have more)

90 mg vitamin C (only orange and papaya have more)

30 mg calcium (only mandarine and orange have more)

45 mg magnesium (only papaya and banana have more)

1 mg iron (granadilla, grapes, banana, guava and apricots have more)

295g zinc (muskmelon, watermelon, papaya, guava, granadilla and bananas have more)

0,5 g potassium (muskmelon, granadilla and banana have more)

Vitamin A deficiency

The FAO estimates, that about 250 Million people - mainly small children and pregnant women - are threatened by vitamin A deficiency. Lack of vitamin A is associated with malnutrition and leads to break down of body defense and partial or full blindness (Xerophthalmia). Dysenteria or measles complications and mortality decreases significantly when vitamin A is given. The WHO advices the supply of vitamin A in every case of measles.

Vitamin A plays an important role in the development of the placenta and the fetus. It influences the growth, the metabolism of skin, mucus membranes, teeth and retina.

Mango is an excellent natural source for pro-vitamin A; the content rises even after being picked before ripening (Aina). Improving the consumption of mangoes would cover the needs of the population in third world countries (Favaro). The content of carotenes is very high also in the dried fruit, and retains high levels over at least six months after harvest (Pott).

The FAO and the WHO use three strategies to fight lack of Vitamin A:

Food fortification - e.g. margarine containing vitamin A in the Philippines

Supplementation: Administration of high-dose vitamin A-capsules twice a year

Food based projects - e.g. in Bangladesh (vines, beans, pumpkins, bottle-gourds), in Thailand (ivy gourd) an in many African countries (dried mango slices).

Carotenes are a strong antioxidants and scavenges radicals which otherwise could lead to cancer.

Anemia from lack of iron

The vitamin C in the mango enhances the absorption of iron from vegetable food like e.g. rice, and so prevents anemia in vegetarians (Ballot)

The following mango remedies are partially adopted from the Unani medicine system:

Beauty Aids

Taking Mango regularly makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining

Bleeding

Because of it's content in Vitamin C and Calcium the Mango tightens the capillary vessels and prevents oder cures bleedings of inner parts.

Burns

Burnt ashes of Mango leaves applied on the burnt parts give quick relief

Children's eating soil

Feeding the powder of dried kernel of Mango seeds with fresh water cures the habit of eating soil in kinds

Diarrhea

Sun dried Mango leaves powdered, 2-3 x a day half a teaspoon with water

Dry cough

Roast a ripe Mango on hot sand in a pan. Draw out the the juice of this Mango eliminates all the bronchial congestion and gives relief in cough. According to Hakeem Hashmi sucking the juice and not eating cut mangos is better for health and some note of caution about Mango eating

Fever

Paste of Mango roots applied on palms & soles cures fever

Gall & Kidney Stones

Dried and powdered Mango leaves, 10g a day in water (kept overnight in a tumbler) helps throwing stones out

Gastritis

In India a decoction of the mango peel is given to people with inflammation of the stomach mucus membranes.

Mental Weakness over come with mango juice

Mango contains a lot of glutamine acid - an important protein for concentration and memory. Taking _ cup sweet Mango juice with 25 grams curd and tsp. Ginger juice 2 or 3 times a day controls loose motions. Boil 20 grams powder of Mango bark in a liter of water and reduce it to 250 gram. Taking this decoction with 1 gram of black salt cures diarrhea.

Pregnancy

A pregnant woman should eat at least one mango a day - the calcium and magnesium of the mango relaxes the muscles, relieves stress and prevents abortion.

Teeth Problems

Dried Mango seeds is a good toothpaste, strengthens the gums and helps in curing dental problems foul smell pyorrhoea

 

Let me know if your juicing and what struggles you have come across.  For my friends in Florida Publix sometimes has a 25 lb bag of organice carrots for only $14.99.  They are very sweet and make juicing taste much better lol just and FYI.

My Fresh Start Journey: Day 17 - Why Is Cantaloupe called "The Wonder Foo...

My Fresh Start Journey: Day 17 - Why Is Cantaloupe called "The Wonder Foo...: This is not going to be my regular blog. I took a day off from juicing but I kept on my diet. I did not lose any weight but I stayed th...

10 Juicing Tips You Need To Know

Juicing is about changing your lifestyle to improve your health, prevent disease, heal degenerative health conditions and live a longer, happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.

Whether you are new to fresh fruit and vegetable juicing or are a seasoned juicing veteran.

Here are a few tips you need to know in order to enjoy a lifetime journey of successful fruit and vegetable juicing.

1: Important—Seek a physician's advice prior to juicing if you have blood sugar or yeast infection problems.

Very important of the juicing tips. Drinking fruit juice causes a rapid rise in blood sugar. In a healthy person, drinking fresh fruit juices should not pose a problem since the sugars in fruits are easily assimilated and digested.
However, if you have low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia) or are diabetic do not juice fruits without consulting your doctor. There is a risk you could have a blood sugar crisis or even fall into a coma and die.
If you are diabetic or have yeast infections such as thrush or Candidiasis you should not drink fruit juice until these problems are resolved...you should only drink vegetable juice instead. Vegetable juicing should actually help to heal these problems.
Pay attention of this of all juicing tips.

 2: What to expect as you continue juicing:

Pay attention to this and all the other important juicing tips. If you have been eating processed and cooked foods for years and years, your body likely has a serious nutritional deficiency and as this deterioration has been happening, it is likely that your body has been diverting energy away from cell and tissue repair to simply digesting and eliminating the foods you do eat. You may feel exhausted most of the time or have begun the decline.

When you begin ingesting the superior nutrition of fresh fruit and vegetable juices your body may first go through a detox reaction as it gets to work eliminating toxins with its new nutritional building blocks and energy sources.
You may feel increase fatigue initially headaches, or feel increased joint pain, or even muscle weakness. Any such symptoms are due to your body detoxing itself.
Just know that these symptoms are temporary and will eventually disappear altogether leaving you in a state of greatly improved health. Ultimately due to the superior nutrition your are now providing your body with it will begin building new and healthier cells, glands, organs and tissues.
When you encounter "detox" symptoms, do not give up. Your body is going through a regeneration process, which on average may take about seven days to a couple of weeks, depending on the toxicity level in your body. Take this period to rest, as your body recuperates and prepares for better health ahead.
Be patient and persistent and wait out this period. When these symptoms happen, know that your choice to improve your diet is the right thing to do, and that a renewing is happening within you. If it should get too intense, reduce the amount of juice you are drinking and even stop if you are feeling sick as this is a sign that you are detoxing too fast and are overloading your liver and kidneys.
Your success starts here, and as you understand the process which likely will include this detox phase, you can be confident that you are on the way to a new and healthier you.
This is very important among juicing tips, but don't let it stop you.

3: When to drink your juice:

Big among juicing tips that affects your success. The best time to drink your fresh juices is on an empty stomach—at least half an hour before a meal.

This is when your body is most able to absorb all this fantastic nutrition.
When you drink a nutritious healthy fresh juice, your body quickly absorbs all that you drink, wasting nothing and doing so with the smallest amount of digestive energy taken from your body possible. Likewise, when you eat something harmful on an empty stomach, it would all be as quickly absorbed. So choose wisely.
You may have been told not to eat a citrus fruit or drink its juice on an empty stomach in the morning, because of its acidity I suggest you try a little bit and see if it does give you any problem. But I can assure you that once your stomach is conditioned to drinking fruit and vegetable juices, you should not encounter any problems drinking citrus juices.
As a general rule, drink fruit juices mostly in the morning up until Noon or 1 pm since this is when your digestive energy is the lowest it will be until just before bed when it is low as well.
I repeat myself here from other pages, but Fruit juice virtually digests itself, since it contains all the the enzymes it needs to digest itself. So, you gain in energy via the juice and your body does not expend energy in digestion...So, guess what? You gain energy big time!

4: Drink your juice emmediately for better nutritional value:

With good juicing equipment, preparation of fruits, cutting them up, juicing and washing up should take only about 15 minutes (not including any "de-pesticide" soaking, washing and rinsing time).

Once juiced, fruit and vegetable juices do not keep as long as when in their natural whole form. When juice gets exposed to the air, it starts to lose its nutrients rather rapidly and begins to spoil, so must be consumed almost immediately after being juiced.
If you must juice and keep it for 'later', (and I often do this myself) you can do so by keeping the juice in a thermos flask, or an air-tight glass jar. Fill the juice to the brim, leaving very little space for air as the oxygen in the air can oxidize the juice.
If using a glass jar, store it in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. Take the juice out 15 to 20 minutes before drinking as it will absorb better if it is not real cold.
If you are busy like me...do what I do. I make a quart of juice every-other day. I put half the juice in the refrigerator.
Hey, you may want to be a purist and if you do and have the time that is wonderful. But again, if you are busy like me...I think you can rest assured that even drunk on the day after they were juiced you will be getting vastly more nutrition than you would if you bought and drank any supermarket juice even if it is "all-natural".
Because most of supermarket or store bought juice is pasteurized and the heat of the pasteurization process destroys all enzymes and most of the nutrition.
Don't forget this among juicing tips. Each of these tips is important.

5: Can you atrt juicing without a juicer?

 Don't wait to get started you can start your juicing program by making Fruit Smoothies using an inexpensive blender.

You may already have a blender. You can make smoothies out of peeled bananas, pineapple, strawberries, peeled and cored apples, lemon and orange juice fresh squeezed preferably, just make sure not to include any seeds as they won't enhance your smoothie experience.
And perhaps you could afford to get and use a less expensive centrifugal juicer to begin the vegetable juicing part of your "Juicing For Health" program and still greatly enhance your nutrition and improve your health.

6: Juice what you like most first:

If you are new to juicing, try to start with the fruits you already enjoy eating.

Step 1: Start with the more common fruits first which are easier on your stomach, like apples, bananas, pineapple, oranges or watermelon.
Step 2: After juicing these fruits a few times, and when you feel ready to add something new to your menu of fruit juices, try adding lemon, and some of the more exotic fruits you enjoy.
Step 3: When you are ready to start juicing vegetables or vegetable fruit blends start with carrot, celery, cucumber, and or Romaine lettuce. Vegetable juices may not be palatable to some people in the beginning and takes some time to get used to, but their health properties are immense.
Step 4: You are well on your way when you have achieved Steps 1, 2 and 3 above. You may now start to experiment with all other kinds of fruits and vegetables. But first, check out the list of fruits/vegetables and their health benefits; then try out the combination recipes.

7: Mix up your juicing routine:

To maintain and promote optimum health, our bodies need adequate amounts of the following:

• Essential amino acids
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Enzymes
• Essential fatty acids
• Carbohydrates
• Fiber
• Water

We need all these sufficiently, constantly, and varied in order to help accelerate and enhance the process of restoring nutrients to our nutrient-starved tissues.
When we regularly eat a mixed-variety of these fruits and vegetables, the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and all the abundance of health-building elements from these juices work together in a synergy. The results of these combinations on your health can be simply amazing!
While we may not get all the above-mentioned essential nutients from fruits/vegetables alone, there are some other healing foods that you may add to your dietary to ensure balance.
Here are some suggestions of other healing foods that you can add to your diet:
Cod liver or fish oil: The green vegetable juices that you drink is abundant with vitamin K which helps to "stick" the calcium to your bone matrix. But, in order for this to happen, you need some fats (from cod liver or fish oil) to assist with the vitamin K absorption.
Chlorella and spirulina: Fruits and vegetables contain very little or no vitamin B. You may add Chlorella and/or Spirulina in tablet or powder form as a supplement. These two algae have very high vitamin B content.
Seeds and nuts: Many seeds and nuts contain protein and fats that are needed to fuel the body. They also contain important amino acids for the brain and the immune system. These can be eaten as they are, or ground and blended with your juices.

8: Brush your teeth when juicing:

Natural fruit sugars and acids can, if left in your mouth and on your teeth, soften and even erode your tooth enamel.

Therefore, it's important to brush your teeth or wipeyour teeth after drinking fruit juice as soon as possible. 

9: Listen to your body:

Juicing should be a pleasant experience. The juice should taste pleasant and not not be nauseating. You really must listen to the feedback your body gives you after drinking your juice, especially some new combination or recipe.

After drinking juices, your stomach should be calm the whole day long, not churning and growling and leaving you with a queasy feeling.
If this happens, your body is telling you that you have consumed something which your stomach is not accustomed to.
You can condition your stomach by taking the same thing in smaller amounts in the future, and slowly increasing the amount.
When you start noticing pains and aches with your new juicing dietary, do not stop juicing. Read Tip 2 again and understand what your body is doing.

10: Clean your juicer after every use!

One of the more important juicing tips...factors when you choose a juicer, is that it must be easy to assemble, dismantle and clean.

Fruit/vegetable residue left behind on your juicer can be easily contaminated with mold growth. To prevent this microbial proliferation, clean your juicer as soon as you can, after use.
To clean, dismantle the juicer parts and brush them with a vegetable brush and rinse them under running tap water.
For the strainer, use an old toothbrush to get the remnants out.
If your juicer has a stainless steel basket like most centrifugal juicers do, clean it with a vegetable brush and rinse it with tap water.

When you juice citrus fruits, the juicer tends to have a slight oily feeling. Simply clean this with a mild detergent solution. Rinse well.

Need a juicer here is one on Ebay that I use and works great, easy to clean and inexpensive.  Retail cost is $269.00 save $180.00 Look here ONLY $89.99

My Fresh Start Journey: Day 11 - Why Is Mango Called The "King Of Fruits" ...

My Fresh Start Journey: Day 11 - Why Is Mango Called The "King Of Fruits" ...: This is wonderful news..I lost another pound. Total now is 11 lbs in 11 days. I seem to be keeping that record. Will see how tomorrow go...

Lemon Ginger Green Beauty Tonic

At first sight this juice appears intensily green, but it's mild and delicious! (In a healthy way). Both cleansing and fotfying, this tonic flushes and hydrates the system to grow bautiful skin, hair and inner glow. 

Romaine lettuce is ild and juicy, parsley is rich in antioxidant vitaminC, minerals and chlorophyll: cucumber is full of silica for beautiful skin and hair: celery contains an optimum balance of potassium and sodiumto promote nutrient uptake in cells: ginger fires up digestion: and lemon is full of vitamin c and electrolytes to hydrate the body.  Some may prefer tart green apples for their bright taste and lower sugar contant, although any firm, organic apple will work.

1/2 head f romain lettuce
3 celery stalks
1/2 cucumber
1/2 bunch parsley
2 organic apples
1/2 lemon
1 inch fresh ginger

Drink it while juice is fresh this is not good to keep fo long.  It will loose it nutrients quickly. 

Health Benefits Of Eating Romaine Lettuce 

• Romaine lettuce contains vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are highly beneficial for the heart. It prevents the oxidation of cholesterol, which builds up in the artery walls in the form of plaque and blocks off the blood flow. This creates a clot, which leads to heart attack.
• The lettuce has fiber elements, which help in keeping the digestive system healthy. It helps in lowering the cholesterol level by helping the body make more bile. It does so by binding to the bile salts in the colon and removing them from the body, which in turn gears up the bile production.
• Romaine lettuce contains folic acid, which is as much beneficial for the heart as vitamin C, Beta-carotene and the fiber elements. It helps the body convert homocysteine into other benign substances. Homocysteine is a dangerous chemical, which if not converted, can directly hamper the blood vessels. This can, in turn, enhance the risk of heart attack.
• The lettuce is rich in potassium, which helps in bringing down high blood pressure, another cause of heart disease.
• Romaine lettuce is extremely helpful in fighting the fatal disease cancer. The American institute for Cancer has listed it in its group of foods that fight cancer.
• The lettuce is extremely low in calorie content and has high water volume. It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, manganese, chromium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and the minerals like potassium, molybdenum, iron and phosphorus. Romaine is, thus, rich in so many vital elements for the body and is a highly nutritious food.

Caution

•  Romaine lettuce may contain a considerable amount of pesticide residues, which are highly detrimental to health. They can seriously affect the liver’s function of processing other toxins. They also affect the cells’ production of energy and hamper the nerves’ capacity to send messages. In order to avoid the pesticide-related deadly effects of the lettuce, it is advisable to consume only the ones that are organically grown. 

Choose wisely only use organic when juicing or make sure you thouroghly wash and clean all veggies and fruits and remove skin if not organic. 

Amazing Grass... Wheatgrass restores aalkalinity to the blood!

This was yesterdays meal.  It was on the bitter side but I added some green apple and lemon.

4 leaves red kale
bunch of wheatgrass
2 golden beets
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
half cucumber
1 scallion
1 inch of ginger
some chinese herbs I do not know the names of lol

This was a power house of nutrients!  Yesterday I also had some bean sprouts and yellow squash with portabella mushrooms. 

I sauted the sprouts and mushrooms with alittle sesame oil and soy sauce just alittle.  It was a delicious meal. 

I lost 3 1/2 pounds just unbelievale how much better I feel after one day of fresh organic fruits and veggies.  My ankles are skinny again.  One thing I did notice was I was urinating alot yesterday lol So these foods pulled alot of water out of me.  I did also do my workout with Just Dance 2 a 2500 calorie burn felt good!

Look at how amazing Wheatgrass is... This is definitely one of the Super Super powerful plant foods!!!

Benefits of Wheatgrass

WHEATGRASS JUICE...

Increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass also stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It also aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

Restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice's abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract.
Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants.
Fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.
Contains beneficial enzymes. Whether you have a cut finger you want to heal or you desire to lose five pounds...enzymes must do the actual work. The life and abilities of the enzymes found naturally in our bodies can be extended if we help them from the outside by adding exogenous enzymes, like the ones found in wheatgrass juice. Don't cook it. We can only get the benefits of the many enzymes found in grass by eating it uncooked. Cooking destroys 100 percent of the enzymes in food.
Has remarkable similarity to our own blood. The second important nutritional aspect of chlorophyll is its remarkable similarity to hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen in the blood. Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, president of the Hagiwara Institute of Health in Japan, is a leading advocate for the use of grass as food and medicine. He reasons that since chlorophyll is soluble in fat particles, and fat particles are absorbed directly into the blood via the lymphatic system, that chlorophyll can also be absorbed in this way. In other words, when the "blood" of plants is absorbed in humans it is transformed into human blood, which transports nutrients to every cell of the body.
When used as a rectal implant, reverses damage from inside the lower bowel. An implant is a small amount of juice held in the lower bowel for about 20 minutes. In the case of illness, wheatgrass implants stimulate a rapid cleansing of the lower bowel and draw out accumulations of debris.

Externally applied to the skin can help eliminate itching almost immediately.

Will soothe sunburned skin and act as a disinfectant. Rubbed into the scalp before a shampoo, it will help mend damaged hair and alleviate itchy, scaly, scalp conditions.
Is soothing and healing for cuts, burns, scrapes, rashes, poison ivy, athlete's foot, insect bites, boils, sores, open ulcers, tumors, and so on. Use as a poultice and replace every two to four hours.
Works as a sleep aide. Merely place a tray of living wheatgrass near the head of your bed. It will enhance the oxygen in the air and generate healthful negative ions to help you sleep more soundly.
Enhances your bath. Add some to your bath water and settle in for a nice, long soak.
Sweetens the breath and firms up and tightens gums. Just gargle with the juice.

Neutralizes toxic substances like cadmium, nicotine, strontium, mercury, and polyvinyl chloride.

Offers the benefits of a liquid oxygen transfusion since the juice contains liquid oxygen. Oxygen is vital to many body processes: it stimulates digestion (the oxidation of food), promotes clearer thinking (the brain utilizes 25% of the body's oxygen supply), and protects the blood against anaerobic bacteria. Cancer cells cannot exist in the presence of oxygen.

Turns gray hair to its natural color again and greatly increases energy levels when consumed daily.

Is a beauty treatment that slows down the aging process when the juice is consumed. Wheatgrass will cleanse your blood and help rejuvenate aging cells, slowing the aging process way down, making you feel more alive right away. It will help tighten loose and sagging skin.
Lessens the effects of radiation. One enzyme found in wheatgrass, SOD, lessens the effects of radiation and acts as an anti-inflammatory compound that may prevent cellular damage following heart attacks or exposure to irritants.

Restores fertility and promotes youthfulness.

Can double your red blood cell count just by soaking in it. Renowned nutritionist Dr. Bernard Jensen found that no other blood builders are superior to green juices and wheatgrass. In his book Health Magic Through Chlorophyll from Living Plant Life he mentions several cases where he was able to double the red blood cell count in a matter of days merely by having patients soak in a chlorophyll-water bath. Blood building results occur even more rapidly when patients drink green juices and wheatgrass regularly.

This is some powerful grass did you have yours today? 

I was a bad Girl.....

Ok, so I was so depressed at myself.  I totaly just wrecked 15 days of super foods, feeling great and exercising!  Friday night is poker night, I planned to just drink water but I didn't get enough juice in me so I was hungry and that started the bad weekend.  I ate chese and salami and crackers,,,felt like crap!  Then Sat we went to Port St Lucy for a Birthday party and I had sweets, MD hamburger and fries and a Pina Colada! It didn't end there...then leaving and on our way home we stop to get gas and right next door was Burger King,,,(Yep I got a Whopper and Fries) I thought it was going to taste sooooo good but it didn't and Sunday I felt sick all day!  That is why I did not blog I was a bad girl.  I got more down on myself because I gave into temptation.  My lack of will power was gone.  I was defeated by food.  OMG, this can't be so.  I watched another documentary Food Matters and you know what?  IT DOES!  I am back to my juicing and healthier choices and so what I had a bad weekend it's ok as long as I get back up and start again.  So, todays blog is going to be about the documentary Food Matters.  It really woke me up as far as how important fresh organic foods are to rebuilding our bodies cells and curing many sickenesses without using chemical drugs!! 

Here is a little clip you can watch it for free on Netflix. 

Using cutting-edge technology you can watch the feature length documentary film 'Food Matters' online. In a collection of interviews with leading Nutritionists, Naturopaths, Scientists, M.D.'s and Medical Journalists you will discover...

• How to use food as medicine
• Who needs vitamins
• Is organic better
• How safe is our food
• Natural treatments for lowering Cholesterol
• Foods that fight Anxiety and Depression
• Natural therapies for Cancer
• Which drugs might do more harm than good
• The best ways to detox, lose weight and keep it off!

About the Film

"Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food" - Hippocrates. That is the message from the founding father of modern medicine echoed in the controversial new documentary film Food Matters from Producer-Directors James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch.

With nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and our tendency to rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what's wrong with our malnourished bodies, it's no wonder that modern society is getting sicker. Food Matters sets about uncovering the trillion dollar worldwide 'sickness industry' and gives people some scientifically verifiable solutions for overcoming illness naturally.

In what promises to be the most contentious idea put forward, the filmmakers have interviewed several world leaders in nutrition and natural healing who claim that not only are we harming our bodies with improper nutrition, but that the right kind of foods, supplements and detoxification can be used to help with chronic illnesses as fatal as terminally diagnosed cancer.

The focus of the film is in helping us rethink the belief systems fed to us by our modern medical and health care establishments. The interviewees point out that not every problem requires costly, major medical attention and reveal many alternative therapies that can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than conventional medical treatments.

I will continue to post my recipes this morning I had green juice.

2 Kale leaves

1 cup baby spinach

1 carrot

half cucumber

I small apple

1/2 small lemon

Was delicious!  I feel I need another detox from all the garbage I ate.  Back to my dancing as well!

Vitamin C is such a crucial vitamin in our lives.  Even if you are juicing you should still take 100 natural vitamins such as vita c , d, b they promote new cell growth and strengthen your body!

Day 14.... Juicing Fast Again...Pineapple heaven!

Today is solo juicing once again.  It is so amazing how great I feel when I do this and I am making it a part of my life.  Swelling is still down in my legs and I want to keep it that way.  Today I will start off with the collards form yesterday and mix in some cucumber, spinach and green apple and pineapple. 

Pineapple is one of those foods that is heaven to eat. A good, juicy ripe pineapple can satisfy a sweet craving as well as any chocolate bar. In addition to being a delicious food, there are many health benefits of pineapple.

Pineapple Strengthens Bones
One of the benefits of pineapple is that it helps to build healthy bones. Pineapples are rich in manganese, a trace mineral that is needed for your body to build bone and connective tissues. Just one cup of pineapple provides 73% of the daily recommended amount of manganese. The benefits of pineapple can effect the growth of bones in young people and the strengthening of bones in older people.

Pineapple is Good for Colds and Coughs
While many people often take extra vitamin C or drink extra orange juice when they have a cold, few consider eating pineapple. The benefits of pineapple when you have a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice, but there is an additional benefit of pineapple. Bromelain, which is found in pineapples, has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus.


I will continue my just dance workout today!!!  God Bless and love to all!

Need a juicer ...........   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320738653529&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

This is on Ebay and shipping is 2-9 business days normally get it within 5 days in USA ONLY. 

Please check out one of my FaceBook Friends who just started her 3 day juicing!!!  Please support and help her with her journey! 
http://myfreshstartjourney.blogspot.com/2011/08/preparing-for-my-first-day.html?showComment=1313072356407#c3784364336303057396

Good Luck Senaf!!

Day 13.... Collards promote brain function

Ok so, today I had juice in the morning and ate chicken, mixed berry nut salad and collards and a mix of baked potatoe, carrot and sweet potatoe.  The Idea is to fill your plate with 3/4 veggies and 1 quater protien or starches.  I also made fresh bread and corn bread....MMMMMM  I prepared a yummy desert Chocolate to die by... (Sugar free pudding was used in recipe)  I had a little tablespoon size taste lol

Weight is the same no loss today still down 15.5 poundls in 13 days.  Day 14 I will fast with just juice again. 

I also did not work out it was my day off...(plus I had company and I slaved in the kitchen all day and sweated enough lol

Collards, I put the stems aside for juicing...

Citrus chicken in the Newave machine!

Carrots, sweetpotatoes, and potatoes... in lemon, tyme and rosemary with a little olive oil.

Chocolate to die for...Kaluha fudge cake, chocolate putdding, cool whip, fudge frosting, cocoa powder and confectionay sugar with shaved dark chocolate!!! Gazillion Calories lol this is a treat... Can only have it once a year lol

Baked fresh artisin bread and corn bread!

Collards, also called collard greens, have a mild flavor that becomes more bitter as they grow. They also become more bitter once they begin to wilt.
Collards can last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. To prevent wilting, store them wrapped in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag.

Collard greens are packed with nutrition.  As other vegetables in the cabbage family,
collard greens provide anticancer properties.  They offer an excellent source of
vitamins B6 and C, carotenes, chlorophyll, and manganese.  One cup of collard greens
provides more than 70 percent of the RDA for vitamin C.  Collard greens are also a
very good source of fiber, and several minerals, including iron, copper, and calcium.  
They also offer a good source of vitamins B1, B2, and E. 

Serving size:	100 g (about 3 cups)
Region:	Brazil, Portugal, Brazil, Portugal, the Southern United States, many parts of Africa, Montenegro, Spain, Africa, and the Southern United States

Health benefits of Collard greens

• Wonderfully nutritious collard leaves are very low in calories (provide only 30 cal per 100 g) and contain no cholesterol. However, these greeny leaves contain very good amount of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre that helps control LDL cholesterol levels and also; offers protection against hemorrhoids, constipation as well as colon cancer diseases.
• Widely considered to be healthful foods, collards are rich in invaluable sources of phyto-nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as di-indolyl-methane (DIM) and sulforaphane that have proven benefits against prostate, breast, cervical, colon, ovarian cancers by virtue of their cancer cell growth inhibition and cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.
• Di-indolyl-methane has also found to be effective immune modulator, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties by potentiating Interferon-gamma receptors and production.
• The leaves are also an excellent source of folates, provides about 166 mcg or 41.5% of RDA. Folates are important in DNA synthesis and when given during peri-conception period can prevent neural tube defects in the baby.
• Fresh collard leaves are also rich in vitamin-C. Provides about 59% of RDA per 100 g.  Vitamin-C is a powerful natural anti-oxidant that offers protection against free radical injury and flu-like viral infections.
• Collard greens are also an excellent source of vitamin-A (222% of RDA per 100 g) and flavonoid poly-phenolic anti-oxidants such as lutein, carotenes, zea-xanthin, crypto-xanthin etc. These compounds are scientifically found to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is also essential for vision.  Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• This leafy vegetable contain amazingly high levels of vitamin-K, provides staggering 426% of recommended daily levels per 100 leaves. Vitamin K has potential role in the increase of bone mass by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bone. It also has beneficial effect in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.
• Collards are rich in many vital B-complex groups of minerals such as niacin (vitamin B-3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and riboflavin.
• The leaves and stems are good in minerals like iron, calcium, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Culinary uses

Both stalks and leaves are edible. Tough stalks and thick leaves are trimmed using paring knife. The leaves should be chopped in to smaller sections to aid quick cooking.
Extensive cooking may result in loss of some amount of vitamins like folates and vitamin-C. 

Here are some preparation tips:

• Collard greens blend very nicely with either salads or with cooked meat or fish dishes.
• The fresh leaves can be also used as fresh juice along with fruit juice.

Safety profile

• Like other members of the brassica family, collards may contain goitrogens which may cause swelling of thyroid gland and therefore, should be avoided in individuals with thyroid dysfunction. However, it may be used liberally in healthy person.

• Should be used sparingly with people suffering from oxalate kidney stones.

• 100 g of raw collard greens provide more than 500 mcg of vitamin K well above daily recommended value; it is therefore, should be used cautiously in people taking anticoagulants like warferin.

This information is not to treat any medical issues someone may have it is only to help you understand the importance of power foods and how they work.