Couldn’t resist sharing this great recipe with you! This recipe was given to me by one of my Mother’s friends who saw a demonstration of it (phew that is a long line of connections!)

Without further adieu, I present the Healthy Margarita Recipe. Alcohol is optional

• 1/2 cup frozen lemonade
• handful of grapes
• handful of spinach
• 1/2 lime with peel on
• 1 1/2 cups ice

Use a Vitamix Blender for best results

These are some of the funniest fruit pictures ever!  Get ready for a good laugh

 

 

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!

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!

OK – so we had a team meeting here at 877MyJuicer.com and noticed a lack of a well researched, cited article describing the History of Wheatgrass, What Wheatgrass Is,  The Benefits and Uses of Wheatgrass, the Scientific Analyiss of Wheatgrass, Side Effects of Wheatgrass and Growing Your Own Wheatgrass.  If you have 10 minutes, really read this article. Not only is it very interesting, but it answers all of the questions we have received since 2004 when we launched the business!

So – what do you do when you see a problem?  You solve it.  877MyJuicer sought out a professional research writer to gather all of the latest and reputable information on wheatgrass, consolidate it and put it in an easy to read article!  Here you go!  The full description.

Wheatgrass: One of Nature’s Finest Creations

Wheatgrass is an edible grass, grown from wheat seeds that has, for many centuries, been a nutritionally dense supplement used by humans and animals alike. Many different civilizations have been known to use wheatgrass – both the blades themselves, as well as the roots – for medicinal purposes. Many health food “junkies” also swear by wheatgrass juice as the ultimate feel-good, cure all for pretty much anything. But what is wheatgrass exactly, where did it come from, and is there any supporting evidence behind all the health claims surrounding this mysterious grass?

Throughout history, this humble common wheat plant has been purported to cure any number of ailments, as well as serving the purpose as a high quality nutritional supplement. The plant is easy to grow oneself, and is alsoreadily available in a number of forms, most often as a juice – either served in “shots”, or in a mixture of fruit and vegetable juice – it can also be found in powder and pill form. Gaining popularity in the United States during one of the first natural health movements, wheatgrass has a storied history and has continued to be propped up as one of the world’s best superfoods.

A Brief History of Wheatgrass

There are implications from far back in history, with reports as far back as the Egyptian Empire, to the use of wheatgrass for the enhancement of wellbeing and vitality, and this was some 5,000 years ago. Wheatgrass – in terms of its use for basic nutritional supplementation, as well as a cure for many different health anomalies, has been seen in many other contexts as well, with references to this special grass found in the Old Testament of the Bible. However, the first modern “discovery” of wheatgrass occurred in the early 1900s. According to Creighton School of Medicine, Edmund Bordeaux Szekely discovered a religious text that purported wheatgrass to be “the perfect food for man” (Parker, S. Creighton School of Medicine. wheatgrass: History, 2007).

Empirical, scientific study of wheatgrass really began in the 1930s, when food chemist, Charles Schnabel (Olguin, K. The History of wheatgrass. 2009.) started to look at the chemical composition and nutritional benefit of this grass that, throughout history, has been seen as the world’s first superfood. In groundbreaking studies done on common hens, Schnabel’s

research seemed to back what many had been saying for centuries – that wheatgrass has many beneficial properties, far in excess of pretty much any other vegetable.
Schnabel was trying to rejuvenate ailing hens, and the hens regained their health and then some (Seymour, K. Illinois State University. Wheatgrass. 2011.). These hens, due to the reduced level of their health and well being, were also incredibly poor egg producers. What Schnabel found was that when feeding fresh wheatgrass to the hens, along with their traditional feed, was that not only did the health of the hens improve significantly, but their egg production went from a paltry 38%, to an amazing 94% (Olguin, K, et al.). These levels were higher than that of his healthy and unaffected hens (Seymour, K. et al.).

With this discovery, Schnabel started a campaign to increase the popularity of this very special grain.

But What Is Wheatgrass Exactly?

Wheatgrass is grown from either hard red winter wheat or spring wheat seeds. When the plant is grown, in “grass form”, it is considered to be a “green” on the same lines as spinach, kale, and cabbage. As there is growing concern about wheat allergies, gluten allergies in particular, many wonder about the safety of wheatgrass for those with gluten allergies. The good news is, wheatgrass, when consumed in juice, powder, or any other form, is gluten free. When wheatgrass is grown, the gluten breaks down through the soaking and sprouting process, thus leaving it gluten free when it gets to the stage of its growth process that humans would consume it. The broken down components actually make the nutrients in the wheatgrass easier for the body to digest.

Another great thing about wheatgrass is that it is considered to be a live food. Living foods have far more nutrients and health benefits than any sort of processed foods, and even fruits and vegetables found at the store. The process of growing wheatgrass is the process of sprouting the seeds and consuming the live young shoots.

Uses and Purported Benefits

There are many claims that surround the consumption of wheatgrass – particularly in juice form. According to the Hippocrates Health Institute, wheatgrass can boost your metabolism, lower blood pressure, and even has blood purification properties. Many who consume wheatgrass juice claim that doing so gives them feelings of vitality, energy, mental clarity, and happiness. With many claims of such a wide range, the consumption of wheatgrass juice has become a phenomena amongst the natural health and whole foods communities, and is used as a daily maintenance aid, or to cure a particular ailment.

It is most often consumed orally in the form of juice. Bunches of the wheatgrass are processed by a wheatgrass juicer and two to four ounces is the general “dosage” for the average individual (Hippocrates Health Institute, 2009). Remember that you need a specific wheatgrass juicer to actually extract juice.  Not any juicer can work!  The Manual Healthy Juicer ($44.95) or the Electric Healthy Juicer ($179.99) (both available at 877MyJuicer.com) are perfect for this.  While it can also be consumed in powder or pill form, as with most vegetables, consuming wheatgrass juice in its fresh state is the most beneficial way to get the nutrients available in the plant.

It is used for the above stated reasons, as well as for improved vascular and respiratory functioning (Dufault, M. 2006. wheatgrass). Many claim that is has detoxifying properties, and can even improve mental clarity (Dufault, M. et al). It is also said to aid in the healing process of wounds, infections, and more  (Parker, S. et al). All this sounds well and good, and there are many first hand accounts as to the supposed benefits of this humble juice, but is there any science to back up these claims?

Scientific Analysis of Wheatgrass

Based on analysis, wheatgrass is shown to be incredibly high in nutrients. According to Illinois State University professor, Kent Seymour, wheatgrass is one of the best ways to get living chlorophyll in the plant kingdom. As the chemical structure of chlorophyll is incredibly similar to that of the human hemoglobin (blood) cell, it is shown to aid in the purification of the blood and spurn the production of red blood cells (Olguin, K. et al).

Foods that have a high alkaline value are helpful in maintaining the proper pH balance of the body. A proper balance is a good indicator of overall health and wellness. Wheatgrass has been shown to be the best alkaline food from the plant kingdom – better than broccoli and spinach, which were thought to be leaders in that category (Olguin, K. et al). The alkalinity of wheatgrass helps to restore the balance to the blood.

Analysis has found that wheatgrass contains the full spectrum of B-complex vitamins, which are vital to many bodily processes including brain functioning and proper cell development. Wheatgrass is also very high in amino acids, which are known to help aid in the repair and renewal of cells (Parker, S. et al).

The American Cancer Association shows that the consumption of wheatgrass has been found to be very useful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, or the inflammation of the large intestine. The study they cite used a test and control group of individuals suffering from ulcerative colitis, the test group was given 3 ounces of freshly “squeezed” wheatgrass juice a day, the control group was given nothing. Those who consumed wheatgrass were found to have fewer bloody stools, and less pain when compared to the control group.

WebMD states that while the evidence supporting the many health claims about wheatgrass is limited, it has widespread use for a huge array of different conditions. While the evidence is still needed to really be sure, to be able to make heads or tails of these claims, what we do know is that wheatgrass is incredibly high in nutrients, as well as antioxidants, which are vital to a healthy immune system and bodily repair.

Potential Side Effects of Wheatgrass Consumption

For the most part, wheatgrass is considered to be a very safe plant to consume. There has not been a good deal of empirical research done on wheatgrass, but according to WebMD, when consumed in “medicinal levels” (that range of 2 to 4 ounces a day) is said to be “likely safe”. There is relatively little research about any long-term effects of sustained wheatgrass consumption, but there is also no evidence that should warn anyone off from consuming it as a preventative or supplemental aid.

Those who have reported side effects, according to WebMD, tend to complain of minor gastrointestinal difficulties such as constipation. Reports of appetite loss and nausea have also been reported, but these appear to be in a minority of users and is minor in nature.

This information about the potential for stomach discomfort should be caveated with the fact that many of the cases of stomach discomfort are a result of “bad grass”. This would be wheatgrass that wasn’t grown properly, was allowed to mold, or otherwise improperly handled and cared for. This is a great case for growing your own – and it is simple as can be too.

Growing Your Own Wheatgrass

Growing your own wheatgrass is an incredibly easy thing to do. Using a simply wheatgrass sprouter does the trick.  Not only is there therapeutic value in growing living things, but you have complete control over the process. This means that you can arm yourself with the information you need to grow your wheatgrass in the optimal conditions and ensure that it is as sweet and delectable as it can be. Wheatgrass can be easily grown in the home – even those with the smallest of free spaces.

For a bit of advice on proper soaking, planting, watering, and when to harvest the grass for optimal sweetness and nutritional benefit, look no further than the internet. There are many great sites out there that will give you all the information you need, as well as sources for hard red winter or spring wheat seeds.

Properly grown wheatgrass will always be sweet – never bitter. It will have a pleasant “grassy”, but very sweet flavor. To get the most benefit from it, swish it around in your mouth a bit before swallowing, as allowing it to mix with the enzymes in your mouth make it easier to digest, and makes the juice all around more effective. Wheatgrass juice is tasty and shouldn’t need anything to cover up the flavor as most do not find it in any way offensive. If anything, a glass of water afterwards for some added hydration is all you need.

Conclusion

Throughout history, wheatgrass has been consumed as both a nutritional supplement and an aid to healing and treating all number of conditions. Many different peoples have relied upon, and swear by wheatgrass. While empirical scientific evidence to back up the claims made by wheatgrass users is lacking, the number of reports of increased vitality, as well as a whole host of other beneficial effects should give us pause, and the evidence tells us that it doesn’t hurt to consume it. Science has shown wheatgrass to be a safe substance to consume, high in essential vitamins and nutrients. And the first hand accounts tell us that it has the potential to do a good deal for our health and wellbeing.

References

American Cancer Society. 2008. wheatgrass. Accessed from

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/DietandNutrition/wheatgrass>.

Dufault, Melanie. 20 September 2006. wheatgrass: 1 Shot of wheatgrass Juice = 1 Kilogram of    Vegetables? Accessed from <http://healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/WheatGrass.htm>.

Hippocrates Health Institute. 2010. Benefits of wheatgrass. Accessed from             <http://www.hippocratesinst.org/benefits-of-wheatgrass>.

Olguin, Andrea. 28 August 2008. The New Way to Grow Wheatgrass: Using Bio Technology to Grow       Wheatgrass with the Highest Nutrients. Version 41. Knol. Accessed from             <http://knol.google.com/k/andrea-olguin/the-new-way-to-grow-wheatgrass/1sitjsg5s3ol5/2>.

Parker, Sarah. 2009. History of Wheatgrass. Accessed from <http://altmed.creighton.edu/wheatgrass/history.htm>.

Seymour, Kent. 2011. The Nutraceutical Garden : The Grains & Legumes Component

. Accessed from          <horticulturecenter.illinoisstate.edu/gardens/documents/grain.pdf>.

WebMD. 2011. wheatgrass. Accessed from <http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-        supplements/ingredientmono-1073-WHEATGRASS.aspx?   activeIngredientId=1073&activeIngredientName=WHEATGRASS>.

 

THIS ARTICLE IS COPYRIGHT 2011 BY 877MYJUICER.COM – ANY REPRODUCTION MUST BE CREDITED!

 

While not my favorite form of exercise, running is one of those things I wish I loved to do. I usually save that particular heart-pumping workout for when I am super stressed and need to get some energy out.

Well, it’s either running up and down the hills around here or beating the crap out of my punching bag, which, by the way, does wonders for my attitude after a bad day.

Whether I’m on my toes, dancing around the punching bag for 20 minutes or I’m pounding the pavement, I need replenished after such a workout.

I came across this article by Coach Joe English, a marathon coach in Portland, Oregon. Now keep in mind, his advice is for after a marathon, but he gave a recipe for a smoothie that caught my attention. It not only sounds good, it made me think about bananas as an after-workout boost.

I’m not fond of whey powder, so I replace it with an egg. Give this smoothie a try and tell me what you think!

Coach Joe’s Recovery Smoothie for Runners
In a blender, mix together:
One banana, peeled
One peach, halved and pitted
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 serving powdered vanilla whey protein
8-12 ounces milk
4-8 ounces yogurt
1/2 cup crushed ice

*Note – if you freeze the banana or use frozen fruit, you can omit the ice

It was while I was at a graduation this past weekend that I realized it – that time of year is upon us.

Reunions.

Time to reflect on years past, a world of difference from the innocent hopeful you once were, cheesing widely for your parent’s 300 photo ops in your cap and gown, to the older and (theoretically) wiser you in the mirror.

Is this year your 15th year reunion? Or your 30th? When was the last time you cracked open your dusty yearbooks?

Whether the changes you see in the mirror are for the better or worse, everyone wants to look their best while they reminisce about prom (were sleeves really that painfully puffy?), hairstyles (the sleeves were obviously meant to match the hair), music and fads that were cringe-worthy. Class reunions, NOT a form of a torture despite what you think, are really meant to be about fun and enjoying the past. Stop comparing yourself to how you want to be seen. Embrace who you are and focus on the good things about you.

And stop taking yourself so seriously. That Vanilla Ice haircut you sported looked great in your class picture.

If, when you look in the mirror, there are a few things you want to change for your reunion and maybe recommit to the New Year’s resolutions you’ve left in the dust after the first few months of 2011, here are a few suggestions:

Drink more water – There is nothing better for your skin than drinking 8  8 oz glasses of water a day. If that means less Coca Cola and other sugary liquid offerings, all the better.

Eat more whole foods – You are in luck. More and more farmer’s markets are opening up this time of year. Take advantage of them by putting your juicer or blender to good use. Processed foods do a number on the human body, the least of which making you age prematurely. Fight back with a host of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants offered in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Get off your duff – Even walking around your building at work several times a day can make a big difference. It gets your blood pumping, your heart rate up and keeps you more energetic. Ever heard, “An object at rest stays at rest”? Hold on to that the next time you think up an excuse to stay in your seat.

Get more sleep – Studies show a lack of proper rest triggers the hormones that make you hungry and slow down your metabolism. This means you reach for quick fixes such as donuts or sugar masquerading as an energy drink and your system burns the excess calories at a slower rate.

Stop stressing – Life is tough enough without adding worries to the mix. Stress can cause an increase in appetite for some (stress eating when you are so preoccupied you don’t realize you’ve just consumed three platefuls of spaghetti) or lack of sleep in others (racing mind that just won’t shut down). Or a nasty combination of both. Do yoga. Go for a run. Whatever helps you take your mind off your problems. Or simply lets your mind free to come to a solution instead of stewing endlessly.

Reunions can be terrifying for some and a blast for others. Either way, use this reunion season as a chance to renew your goals to lead a healthy lifestyle.

I am not a morning person. There is just no way around it.

I’ve tried to be, I really have.

I’ve made sure I get enough sleep the night before. I’ve stopped using the darn buzzer on my alarm so I don’t wake up angry (every nine minutes for an hour). I’ve set

my clock 10 minutes ahead in hopes that it’ll get me moving faster. I’ve even tried to put my alarm clock across the room so I have to get out of bed to turn it off. It doesn’t seem to matter if I wake up late or

wake up with the sun, excited about the day or dreading a coming event. It always takes me a good amount of time to become conscious, like I’m fighting a deep fog. When I finally do wake up, I stumble around and do my best not to talk to anyone for fear I’ll accidentally bite someone’s head off.

In theory, mornings are supposed to be wonderful. I have a little round table in my kitchen where I can sit facing the big window, watching the green grass and the birds flitting around it, playing games with each other and the worms. I can picture me clutching a mug of hot tea in my hands, or maybe I’ll break out my grandmother’s pretty tea cup and saucer I have used once in the last three years. I picture me praying, thinking over my day and letting the peace of the moment roll around and through me.

It never works like that.

If I do get breakfast, I’m usually running late. As I’m busy stuffing my face with cereal, I struggle to clear my brain.What day is it? Where did I put my phone last night? Can I get away without a shower this morning?

If this sounds anything like you (and I will try not to resent those of you who are morning people), I have the perfect breakfast for you that is fast, easy, delicious and filling. And because it’s healthy and fresh, it seems to perk me up on even my worst foggy mornings.

Berry Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

3/4 cup frozen berries (I use a triple blend of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries)

1/2 cup yogurt

1 Tablespoon honey

1 egg*

Put it all in your blender and mix until desired consistency. I halved this from the original recipe, though I’m not certain where I got it from. You may prefer more for your breakfast, so feel free to double it without guilt.

*I probably should add a warning here that consuming raw eggs can be hazardous to your health, so add them at your own risk. Having said that, I use eggs from a local farm who raises free-range chickens thus I’m not as concerned. But again, use your own discretion.

So drink up, fellow anti-morning people! And if you can’t be entirely awake for your breakfast, at least practice safe blending.

What do you think when you hear the word “sprouting?”

For some reason I have a vague recollection of someone once telling me that sprouts can be grown in feces. Not sure where that idea came from, but it stuck with me.

Unfortunately.

I couldn’t look at a sprout without thinking of cow manure.

Over the years, I overcame that mental image and tried sprouts on my sandwich and in my salad but they didn’t do much for me. I mentally filed it away as a fringe health thing and ignored it.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It’s a common ailment in the U.S. according to the NIH, with one in five Americans suffering from the symptoms. It involves cramping, bloating and a host of other unpleasantness I’ll spare you. I had it relatively light and learned I could control it with stress management and diet. While I was told more fiber and water should limit my “episodes”, it didn’t seem to stop the constant bloating.

The first time I came across a book that mentioned sprouting as easier on the stomach, I dismissed it. That was a great deal of work for something I wasn’t even sure would fix things. And what if they were just being paranoid? A few years and a few other sprouting books later, I picked up Sally Fallon’s book, “Nourishing Traditions” and became convinced.

“Phytic acid [in the bran of whole grain] combines with iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc in the intestinal tract, blocking their absorption,” Fallon wrote. “Whole grains also contain enzyme inhibitors that can interfere with digestion. Traditional societies usually soak or ferment their grains before eating them, processes that neutralize phytate and enzyme inhibitors and, in effect, predigest grains so that all their nutrients are more available.”

Suddenly it all made sense to me. As a (very) amateur gardener, I knew that to start growing anything from seeds, you have to make sure it has plenty of water. This releases the enzymes inhibitor in

the seed, telling the vitamins and minerals it stored they are free. If you don’t soak them, the nutrients stay locked inside and the good stuff stays hidden (aka no growth). It makes sense to me that this is the same concept in my stomach. Some people have no digestion problems and can eat whatever suits their fancy (I miss you, Pizza Hut!). Me? I have to watch out. But I like to think of it as my body’s way of keeping me uber healthy.

Whatever makes me feel better, right?

I think I’m finally brave enough to try sprouting. Of course wheat is my main concern, so wheat berries will be my first experiment. But there are so many other options. Have you looked through the literature section? There are several books on sprouting, like Ann Wigmore’s book and Steve Meyerowitz’s book.

Are you thinking of sprouting? Have you been sprouting? I welcome any and all advice!