Banana Date Smoothie

• ¼ cup soaked almonds  (soaked overnight)
• 1 frozen banana
• 4 dates (soaked)

Soak ¼ cup of raw almonds in water overnight.  Skin the almonds by simply popping them out of their skins.  Split the dates, remove the pits, and soak for at least an hour.  Peel the frozen banana.  Throw out the water (or use it on your compost or garden).

Cover almonds with filtered/purified water in a blender and blend until smooth.  Looking for some of our top-selling blenders at decent prices? Check out the link! Now, continue: add banana and dates and blend.

Click here for the nutritional benefits and other recipes for bananas.

Click here for the health benefits of almonds and almond milk.

Digestive Benefits of Date

The versatile date

The date is an action-packed fruit when it comes to nutrition, and it’s a beneficial addition to any diet. Dates are considered the royalty of sweets for their ability to balance the body’s energy and blood sugar levels.  They are high in fiber and enhance the functioning of the entire digestive system.  Basic digestive benefits of the date include:

• A Natural Laxative: if you’re suffering from constipation, then dates are sweetest way to bust a smooth move.  Soak the dates for 12 hours in water, then consume the soaked dates first thing in the morning. The dietary fiber of dates adds plenty of other health benefits alone.
• Intestinal Disorders: that discomfort can be alleviated through continuous intake of dates over time. The content of ‘nicotinic’ in dates helps keep in check pathological organisms in the digestive tract and promote the rise of friendly bacteria.
• Prevents Diarrhea: the potassium levels in dates helps maintain the water balance in the digestive tract.

Other Nutritional Benefits of Date

• Tannins: dates contain tannins. Tannins have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic properties.
• Vitamin A: dates have Vitamin A, which is an antioxidant and essential for vision. They say eating a date a day will help with overall vision and help prevent macular degeneration.
• Antioxidants: they also have some antioxidant flavonoids – lutein, and zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene – which protect the body from oxygen free radicals. Dates protect against cancers that attack the colon, prostate, breast, endometrials, lungs, and pancreas.
• Minerals: dates are rich in calcium (good for the bones and teeth), manganese (vital for energy production), copper (for red blood cell production), and magnesium (for bone growth).
• Iron: dates are a fantastic source of iron, contributing about 11% of the recommended daily value.  Like copper, iron is an essential ingredient for the production of red blood cells.
• Vitamin B: dates are rich in the B-complex group of vitamins.  The dates B-vitamin wealth helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Selection and Storage of Date

Choose dates are that are organic and well-processed and packed.  The sticky surface of dates can pick up a lot of impurities, so care should be taken in the selection.  Wash the dates thoroughly before consuming or using in recipes.  Store dates in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.

I have waxed poetic about the benefits of wheatgrass, because let’s face it, wheatgrass is amazing. But I have had many people ask me why I love wheatgrass so much and they’ve even gone as far as to dispute it merits. But I’d like to pare the message down to the facts.

Just one shot of wheatgrass is all you need!

Most juices require that you have one to two cups on a consistent basis, but just one shot of wheatgrass a day will change the way you feel from the inside out, and here’s how:

• One ounce contains 103 vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
• One ounce of wheatgrass juice represents as much nutritional value as approximately 2.5 pounds of fresh green vegetables.
• Wheatgrass juice is high in chlorophyll.
• It is very high in vitamins A, B-Complex, C, E and K.
• Wheatgrass juice is a natural source of laetrile (B-17).
• It contains beta-carotene, which is found in red, green and yellow pigmented fruits and vegetables.  Beta-carotene acts as a scavenger against harmful molecules flowing naturally through the body or through toxins inhaled from cigarette smoke, air pollution and other damaging sources.
• Wheatgrass cleanses, purifies and feeds the body by activating the white blood cells, which boost the body’s immune system.
• Wheatgrass juice is also beneficial for people who need to lose weight or cleanse their bodies.

Worse than a shot of warm Goldschläger

But the taste, right? Well wheatgrass doesn’t have to taste awful! When wheatgrass juice is mixed with fresh fruit juice, it goes from blah to bam! Wheatgrass juice pairs particularly well with:

• Watermelon juice
• Grape juice
• Orange juice
• Apple juice
• And very surprisingly, carrot juice

Wheatgrass juice, despite its reputation, plays very nicely with an assortment of fruit juices, proving once again that a wheatgrass juice shot is the health drink to end all health drinks.

Regardless of the juice, juicing yields amazing benefits for the body. But if you aren’t including wheatgrass juice, you are seriously missing out.

Green Smoothie Goodness

This bright green smoothie is a pleasant pick-me up.  Use after your morning workout or in replacement of afternoon caffeine.

Yum! Green Smoothie

• 1/2 or 1 banana (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ – ½ cup of pineapple (fresh or frozen). Here are some nutritional benefits of pineapple
• 3-5 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• ¼ tsp (or one serving) of dehydrated wheatgrass juice or 1 oz fresh wheatgrass juice.  Here are some nutritional benefits of wheatgrass juice
• 21 drops of Chlor-Oxygen¹
• Optional: 1 teaspoon of Almond Butter
• Optional:  1 tablespoon of Chia Seeds.  Here are some nutritional benefits of chia seeds
• Mix with purified water  (add purified ice if using fresh fruit  rather than frozen)

¹Chlor-Oxygen is a concentrated chlorophyll supplement. Click here for information on Chlor-Oxygen.  Any concentrated chlorophyll supplement can be used.

Banana Health Benefits

Fantastic Fiber:  the great thing about smoothies is that all the fiber is retained in the drink.  One medium-sized banana offers 16% of the daily value of dietary fiber.  Fiber  rich diets are great for overall health and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Marvelous Muscles:  Bananas have a high concentration of potassium (10% of our daily value) which keeps the heart and nervous system operating at peak performance. Potassium is a salt that is essential for muscle health. The contraction action of our muscles is regulated by potassium.  From our heart to our glutes to our deltoids to our digestive tract, the muscle contraction is part of potassium’s purview.  If you’re an athlete, a banana (or two) a day keeps muscle cramps away.

Cool Calcium:  the banana helps kidney and bone health, because the potassium suppresses calcium excretion through urine.  The potassium also helps reduce the risk of kidney stones.  Due to potassium’s ability to reduce calcium excretion, banana consumption is a great way to combat osteoporosis (the loss of bone density).

Trippy Tryptophan:  Bananas are a mild source of Tryptophan, an amino acid that acts as a stress-reliever.  Tryptophan is essential to the production of serotonin, which calms the brain and induces a more positive mood and mindset.  Tryptophan also acts as a mild sedative.  Eat a banana if you need to calm down after a work-out or need a nap.

Bodacious Blood: Bananas have a high concentration of Vitamin B6 at 20% of the daily value.  Vitamin B6 helps the body to produce hemoglobin which is an essential part of our blood.  Vitamin B6 also helps in the production of anti-bodies and our immune response.  This vitamin is well-rounded as it also converts carbohydrates to glucose to maintain healthy blood sugar level.  While bananas are higher on the glycemic index than say, an apple, the Vitamin B6 in the fruit acts as a balance for our blood sugar.

Oh, and last, but not least:

Centered C:  A medium sized banana contains 16% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C.  Vitamin C is an essential element in good health and immune response.  Vitamin C is one of the most recommended supplements for the body and is a proven part of optimum health.

The Gaia Green Smoothie is optimized to re-energize and invigorate your mind and body so you can sail through your day.

Most fruits and vegetables are suitable for juicing, with the exception of items such as avocado and bananas, which will only serve to clog your machine. But the following list of ingredients are, in my opinion, the best and most versatile for juicing.

Pineapples

This tropical fruit adds a great flavor to many juice combinations. They are anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial, and they help to dissolved blood clots. Pineapples also contain a digestive enzyme called bromelain with is really important for the body to digest protein.

Tomatoes

This fruit is one the best for juicing. They are fantastic for your health. Tomatoes can help lower the risk of cancer (especially testicular cancer in men), since they’re good for the heart thanks to a high concentration of lycopene.

Tomatoes blend very well with just about any vegetable and are when in season, are extremely pleasant tasting. Cooked tomatoes become rather acidic, so if tomato sauce bothers you, don’t assume that juice would do the same. It’s a completely different taste when eaten raw!

Berries

Packed with antioxidants, berries do so much for your general health. They are antiviral, antibacterial, and good for the blood. Blueberries and blackcurrants help fight diarrhea and urinary infections, and raspberries are good for menstrual cramps.

Strawberries contain heaps of lycopene which help the cardiovascular system. While berries aren’t the easiest to juice on, they should become a staple in your juicing regimen.

Carrots

Carrots are surprisingly (and deliciously) sweet when juiced. A veggie high in beta carotene content, carrots are great for your skin, brain, in helping to ward off disease and cancer, in protecting arteries, fighting infections and boosting the immune system. Many doctors believe that they help to eliminate putrefactive bacteria in the colon and can rid intestinal parasites.

Spinach

This green foliage is full of many important vitamins and minerals. It contains oxalic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body. Limit this plant to 2-3 times a week.

Melons

Melons are excellent for juicing because of their high water content, and many are natural diuretics which make them powerful cleansers and detoxifiers. Cantaloupes are high in beta carotene (the orange gives that away), and all of them are antiviral and antibacterial.

Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits are one of the most popular of the best fruits to juice. They contain carotenoids, bioflavonoids and tons of vitamin C which help to boost functional organ systems and fight disease. They also lower your blood pressure and help to reduce plaque from your arteries.

Citrus are antiviral, antibacterial and, of course, delicious. They had a burst of flavor to almost any juice. You’ll want to make sure your citrus fruits are not picked until ripe, as they can be acidic if eaten too early.

H.e.ll.o my friends!  I had my good friend Raj Lahoti of DMV.ORG (yup…two internet nerds in one place is a scary thing…) crashing at my place a couple of nights ago and it was perfect timing because I had a bunch of green-goodness that I was going to have to toss if I didn’t juice it that next morning!  By the way, I use the Debbie Meyer Green Bags and this set of veggies lasted me well over a week in the fridge without losing crispness.   Really, seriously.  If you get them and they don’t I’ll buy them back from you for my personal use!

Raj has adopted a healthy lifestyle like nobody I have ever seen before.  When we first met his diet was similar to many other Americans and his health suffered from it.  He had a great desire to change for the better and he did!  I hadn’t seen him in quite some time, and before you knew it he had lost somewhere near 80 pounds, looked years younger, had more focused energy and you could tell his already positive outlook on life was even greater.  True story.  Anyhow, the point of this is that I had a friend over who was down to get green.

Sooooo…here is my Green Juice Recipe!  It isn’t anything fancy or revolutionary, but for those of you who are stuck with “what the heck do I juice?” this should help as a guide

First, I setup my Omega VERT Juicer…which I have written about before.  I like it.  It is a great.  Clean-up is a bit of a chore, but on a scale of 1-10 cleanup falls in the lower half of pain-in-the-ass.

Ingredients:

• 1 Bunch of Dinosaur Kale (Dino Kale..if you can’t find this variety just use regular)
• 1 Handful of Cilantro
• 1 small bunch of spinach
• 1 head of red leaf lettuce

Now – be sure to wash ALL of your items thoroughly.  There are some folks out there that think that eating the dirt that is still on organic items is somehow good for you.  IT IS NOT!  Just imagine how long these items take to travel, and the trucks they share sometimes have..ehhmmmm…fecal matter from animals on them.  So, ya, turn on the hose.

Juice away!  This will yield just about 2 full cups of fresh green juice.  Cilantro (checkout this article for the Cucumber Cilantro Cooler recipe) has some amazing powers and Kale, Spinach and the Lettuce are power packed with vitamins.

CHEERS!

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is primarily known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is so good a combating inflammation, it’s been suggested as a replacement to pharmaceuticals, without the side effects.  Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, which is what gives turmeric its notable color.

But Turmeric is a giant when it comes to health:

• An antiseptic and antibacterial agent you can use to disinfect cuts and burns.
• Naturally detoxifies the liver.  Regular use combined with a liver cleanse will keep this vital organ at peak condition
• A treatment for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.  Turmeric has been shown to reduce swelling, stiffness, and enabled arthritic suffers to move and walk longer.
• Can be used regularly after athletic endeavors to keep the muscles supple and the joints lubricated.
• Used as a treatment for depression by Chinese medicine.
• Has a deep research history in the treatment of cancer from either stopping tumor formation or destroy cancer cells. The research includes data on breast, prostate, pancreatic, and childhood leukemia.
• Is thought to protect against the advent and/or progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing the plaque build-up from the brain.
• May reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Used in Chinese and Indian medicine to also treat jaundice, chest pain, bruises, toothache, hemorrhage, bloody urine, flatulence, and menstrual issues.

Turmeric can be taken in raw, powder, pill, or tincture form.  It’s typically used either raw or as a powder when cooking.  As a general supplement, you can take turmeric as a pill or tincture.

Contraindications: If you have gallstones or a bile obstructions or are pregnant, please consult your health practitioner before using turmeric.

Nutritional Breakdown of Turmeric

A 2 teaspoon serving of turmeric contains only 16 calories, and:

• 18% of the daily value of manganese. Here’s some great recipes for getting your daily dose of manganese!
• 10.4% of the daily value of iron
• 4% of the daily value of Vitamin B6
• 3.3% of the daily value of potassium

Sun Milk

• ¼ cup turmeric powder
• ½ cup purified water
• 1 cup of almond milk (need to learn how to make almond milk?)
• 1 tsp almond oil
• Honey or agave nectar to taste.

In a small saucepan, mix the turmeric and water until it boils.  Reduce heat, stirring constantly, until a paste forms.  The paste is good for up to 40 days stored in an air tight container that’s placed in the refrigerator.

After making the paste, blend together 1 cup of almond or other nut milk with 1 tsp of almond oil, ¼ teaspoon of turmeric paste.  Add honey or agave nectar to taste.

Raw option: add turmeric to nut milk or raw milk and serve cold.

A Little History

Turmeric has a long history in its native Indonesia and India where it has been used for over 5,000 years.  While used as a textile dye and in cooking, turmeric is hailed as primary member of ancient pharmacopeias and used in both Indian (Ayurvedia) and Chinese medicines.

Introduced to Europe as early as the 13^th century, Turmeric was largely ignored by the West until recent research about its amazing medicinal properties gained public awareness. Turmeric has been called ‘Indian saffron’ due to its deep yellow-orange color.

Selection and Storage

Because Turmeric is an Eastern spice, check local ethnic markets to see what varieties of turmeric are available.  They may have the raw rhizome or a wider selection of turmeric. The color of turmeric differs per variety, so it’s not an indicator of freshness.

For the full benefits of turmeric, choose raw or powdered turmeric rather than a curry powder mix.  There is typically little turmeric in curry mixes.

Store the turmeric powder in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, and dry place.  Fresh turmeric should be stored in the refrigerator.

I am a sunscreen warrior. I reapply the stuff numerous times a day, whether rain or shine, in hopes to stop the clock – or better yet -to turn it back.

With the beauty industry being a formidable multi-billion dollar business, and one of its most profitable niches being anti-aging products, I know I am not alone in my desire to beat father time.

The skin is a living, breathing organism that needs as much care and attention as the heart. I’ve often wondered why people slather on creams and potions for hundreds of dollars a bottle, when true health comes from within. The logic of these “miracle creams” is slightly off. As with most of the organ function within the body, it’s the natural nutrients we ingest that play a key role in the anti-aging process.

Anti-aging cucumber?

And as effective as these expensive products claim to be, the best and most effective way to ensure that the skin stays healthy is through ingested nutrients and, of course, sunscreen. Collagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals, and it’s responsible for the supple appearance of skin. When the amount of collagen in the body begins to decrease, that is when skin starts to sag and look, well, old.

One of the best juices for the skin and for collagen production is cucumber. With a water content of almost 75%, cucumber is a natural hydrant, and its juice is as light in flavor as water, making cucumber juice easy to drink and effective in any collagen production quest.

Leafy greens and other green vegetables are known for their high nutritional content and they have been found to contain agents which help in collagen production. Some examples of the leafy green vegetables that contribute to the cause are spinach, asparagus and kale. Not only do they help in the production of collagen, but they also help the body use collagen more effectively.

Another anti-ager: tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a great amount of lycopene, which helps fight collagenases. Collagenases are enzymes that destroy the collagen in your body. Aside from tomatoes, red fruits and vegetables are considered good sources of lycopene; beets and red peppers when juiced together make an especially tasty addition to any juicing routine.

And aside from lycopene, these red natural foods also contain plenty of antioxidants which promote collagen and battle other signs of aging.

The jury is still out as to whether any of these creams and serums in fact work to reverse signs of aging. The best and most effective way to fight aging and ward off collagenases is with a well rounded diet, including juices made from leafy greens and red colored fruits and vegetables. And of course, sunscreen!

Flushing the liver seasonally is great for overall health.  The liver is one of the hardest working organs in our body.  It helps maintain and support bodily functions.  It handles all sorts of toxins assisting our body’s natural cleansing mechanism.  And if something else stops functioning, the liver is known to step to the fore and fill in.

The Liver Flush Smoothie

• ¼ tsp whole cloves
• 3-5 sprigs of parsley
• 2 oranges or tangerines, peeled
• ½ lemon, peeled
• ¼ cup filtered water
• 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled.
• ½ grapefruit, peeled
• 1-2 inches of fresh ginger, peeled
• 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

Start with the water and then add ingredients one at a time to optimize the blend.  Add the oil last.  If the smoothie is too thick, add more water.  Drink first thing in the morning.  If you are sensitive to oranges, use 2 grapefruits.  Do the liver flush for three days once a season.  For optimum results, surround your liver flush days with an all vegetarian and whole grain (such as quinoa) diet to facilitate cleansing.  One of the most important ingredients in the liver flush is the parsley:

The Power of Parsley

Parsley is a well-loved herb.  Native to the Mediterranean, parsley has been well cultivated throughout the world.  Parsley is easy to grow and once established in your garden will return year after year.

Parsley is more than a pretty garnish.  Parsley has a huge presence among other herbs in term of nutrition and health. Parsley adds positive nutritional impact when used in small amounts. Parsley is a blood builder and a kidney cleanser.  Parsley eliminates toxins from the body, and therefore it’s the perfect addition to a liver cleanse.

More Reasons to Love Parsley:

Cancer Fighter: parsley has an organic compound called ‘myristicin’ that inhibits tumor formation and helps fight against oxidized molecules (i.e. it’s an antioxidant).  Myristicin can also neutralize carcinogens found in cigarette smoke.  Myristicin’s tumor fighting front is typically the lungs.

Antioxidant Power: parsley contains luteolin whose job it is to search out and destroy free radicals. Luteolin also helps the body metabolize carbohydrates. Parsley contains a nice quantity of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, both of which provide antioxidant support.

Anti-Inflammatory Action: the aforementioned luteolin and Vitamin C also helps to reduce inflammation. When regularly consumed, these two nutrients combat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Immune Booster: Vitamin C and Vitamin A are immune boosters.  Vitamin C accelerates the body’s ability to repair itself.  Vitamin A fortifies mucous membranes, the lining of the eyes, and the respiratory tract.  Vitamin A also directly feeds our white blood cells, our frontline fighters against infection.

Heart Health: parsley has folate (vitamin B9) which converts the amino acid and homocysteine into harmless molecules. When homocysteine levels are too high, the blood vessels of the body become threatened.  Ward off heart disease with the regular inclusion of parsley in your diet.

Bone Building: Just a two tablespoons serving of parsley provides over 153% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin K.  Vitamin K helps to synthesis osteocalcin which builds our bones.  Vitamin K also prohibits the build-up of calcium deposits assisting us in the fight against atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart disease.  Finally, vitamin K assists in the creation of a healthy nervous system by providing support for the maintenance of the myelin sheath that covers our nerves.

Add parsley to any juice or smoothie recipe to enhance the nutrition.  Eat parsley daily as part of your healthcare regime.  Your body will thank you.

What do you use parsley for? Add a comment, become a friend!

So, I figured I would just throw up (not literally…err) my quick and delicious juice recipe that I just tried!  It was a completely random mish-mosh of items as I was shopping for the week at the grocery store.  I basically took the freshest looking items and started ‘imagining’ what they would all taste like together!

I just started using the Omega VERT Juicer and figured I would give it a go with some of the softer varieties of items.  I had been using it on all green juices for several weeks (kale, spinach, cilantro) and it has performed incredibly well.  It is, however, a bit hard to clean because of the screen inside – alas, if you juice up a bit to save (I use the Nutri-Vac juice container system which is pictured in one of my photos!) then you are good to go for at least a couple of days.

Without further adieu, I present to you the JuicyJosh Pineapple MishMosh Juice Recipe:

• One super ripe Pineapple
• Three fresh Valencia Oranges
• 1 Red Plum
• 2 Apples
• This should yield just around 56 Ounces of Fresh Juice!

The rest of it is a cinch!  Just prepare all your goods for juicing.  The feed-chute in the Omega VERT is of decent size so it doesnt require that much work to prep the items.

I did put the pulp through the machine twice just to make sure every last bit was squeezed, but overall, I’m satisfied and happy we are selling this juicer! (Note: you will see some bananas, cherries and a cantaloupe in my picture…these were NOT included in juice mix..they were just my snacks!)

Cheers!!  Would love any feedback on how you enjoy the recipe!

Recently, I have been experiencing headaches. The sensitivity to light starts mounting around mid afternoon, and by the dinner hour, it’s an official full blown headache.

After a few days of this recurrence and the subsequent retreat to bed, I decided to approach the problem naturally. I’ve become disheartened with popping mass amounts of over-the-counter pills.

Headaches can arise due to several factors. One of the most common triggers is over-tired eyes. Looking at a computer screen or television for extended periods of time tires the eyes out, resulting in what is referred to as overuse headaches.

Another reason for headaches affects those who wear contacts or glasses. If your eyes have changed, the headaches could be a sign that you need to update your prescription.

Another and more common culprit of headaches is dehydration. It’s amazing how many people are dehydrated without even knowing it – by the time you feel thirsty, the sign your body is giving to your brain that it needs fluids, you’re already partially dehydrated.

Drink juices with either active nutrients or sheer hydration factors

So my research, I’ve found several juices that declare to help alleviate symptoms of headaches in two ways: active nutrients and sheer hydration factor.

• Grape Juice
• Spinach Juice
• Cucumber Juice
• Lemon Juice
• Orange Juice
• Celery Juice
• Tart Cherry Juice
• Carrot Juice
• Beet Juice
• Warm Apple Juice

There are so many juice combinations that can be created with this list, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Carrot and Apple Juice
• Orange, spinach and grape juice
• Beet and Cherry juice

I’ve both enjoyed these juice combinations and found them to be helpful. By drinking water and fresh juice consistently throughout the day, I was able to stave of dehydration, which I’ve deduced was the culprit of my discomfort.

If you experience headaches, and have tried everything under the sun including resting your eyes periodically when working in front of screens, staying hydrated, and have an up to date ocular prescription, then maybe consider consulting with your physician as headaches can be a sign of  something more serious.

But in the interim, try your favorite juice recipe using the fruits and veggies above.

What do you to help alleviate your headaches? Post your comments below!