I. C. Summer!

I've just come from Bikram Yoga--104 degrees to 9 degrees.....brutal!!!  I needed a boost. This Vitamin C packed blend is sure to help fight the wintery colds floating around the office and school. I, like many people, am WAY over winter, so yellow summer squash is just the right touch of brightness. While the squash is bringing the sunshine, the superstar of this juice blend is KALE. The more I read the more I love it!!!


KALE
A nutritional powerhouse, kale is a great source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and cancer-fighting phytonutrients. It has a mild cabbagey taste but none of the bitterness of other winter greens.


http://www.worldofdiets.com/benefits-of-kale-a-real-superfood/

Other beneficial components contained in significant quantities in kale are vitamins B6, manganese, potassium, and copper.

There are only 36 calories in a cup of kale, but it supplies 192% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A and approximately 90% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in preventing damage to cells because it removes free radicals from the body. Vitamin C also helps oxidize cholesterol, renews and strengthens collagen in the skin to give you a young and healthy appearance, fights infections, and reduces damage from inflammation, a chief cause of autoimmune and heart diseases.

Manganese is a mineral used in the production of fatty acids which are needed for the nervous system and for sex hormones. It also is an effective fat-burner because it aids in metabolizing and using energy from carbohydrates and protein.

Calcium, working in unison with vitamin A and vitamin K2, found in butter from grass-fed cows, strengthens bones and even helps reverse osteoporosis. Including calcium in your diet is an effective means of strengthening teeth and bones and cleaning blood vessels.

Just so you know what to look for, kale is a leafy vegetable with a dark blue-green color that has firm stalks and curly leaves. Don’t buy it if it is wilted or limp. Select kale that has smaller leaves, because they are milder tasting.

KALE is a superfood!!

Beat the Blizzard with Beets!

I'm loving my new juicy lifestyle. I've been juicing since Sunday, January 23. During week 1, my energy levels were definitely up, my thinking was clearer, ........and I lost 13 lbs. While dropping weight is definitely part of my "get healthy" goal, I'm more excited about the mind shift I'm having towards food. I'm waking up each day thinking about what healthy blend I can make to heal my body. I spend a lot less time focused on foods I need to avoid.  
Each day I've been drinking a 3 different blends--red (beets), orange (butternut squash and sweet potato) and green (leafy veggie).  I drink one during the mid-morning, two at lunch and one for dinner. I'm also getting eating low-fat proteins---protein shakes, cottage cheese, and greek yogurt.  I did have chicken breast twice and half of a kobe burger. I'm really surprised by the cut down on meat.  I like meat, but with all the juices flowing I didn't really have time or space. 


Anyway, why BEETS?
Okay, so most people have not been digging my Beets crusade. So, I plan on giving you weekly reasons why beets will save the world or at least improve your health.  :)


BEETS: Instant Energy Source
Beets are rich in carbohydrates, which is why they are termed as instant energy sources. They can be regarded as body fuel. Besides being zero trans fat and zero saturated fat, they are also low in calorie, which means beets serve as foods that pacify one's hunger. Moreover, the sugar content (highest among vegetables) satiates one's sweet tooth as well without harming the body. 

Getting Started....Getting Juiced!

Today's Juice:
Beets, Baby Carrots, Celery Stalks, Gala Apples, Fresh Ginger, and a splash of Orange Mango Juice!

Gotta Love Ginger!!

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ginger-root.html

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale)

Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Common Names: Black ginger, Canton ginger, Cochin ginger, Common ginger, Garden ginger, Gingembre, Imber, Jamaican ginger
Properties: Anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-viral, carminative, circulation-stimulating, detoxifying, diaphoretic, digestive, lymph-cleansing, mild laxative, perspiration-inducing, warming.
Uses: For nausea and the nausea of pregnancy and travel sickness. For wind, colic and irritable bowel. Chills, cold, flu and poor circulation. Menstrual cramps. Dyspepsia (bloating, heartburn, flatulence). Indigestion. Improves circulation. Gastrointestinal problems such as gas or stomach cramps. Lowers cholesterol.
Indicated for: Arthritis, fevers, headaches, and toothaches, lowers blood cholesterol and blood-pressure and aids in preventing internal blood clots. Coughs or bronchitis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, improves the complexion, eases tendonitis. There is some evidence to suggest that it helps to combat skin, ovarian, colon and breast cancer.