Confession time: I love musicals. I grew up in the theater, and I adore everything about it. When NBC introduced their hit new show “Smash”, I couldn’t have been more excited.

Uma Thurman has been a guest star in the last couple episodes as the celebrity Rebecca who is taking over the lead role in the shows musical. And Uma’s celebrity character has a huge demand – for SMOOTHIES!

Have you ever noticed how many celebrities love smoothies? Have you noticed how fabulous celebrities look? Is there a connection? YES – I believe so, anyway.

In fact, there is even a 1,200 calorie a day juicing/smoothie diet plan that celebrities like Gwen Stefani are fans of. If smoothies work to keep celebrities looking stellar, then it could work for you too!

Can I have my kale, coconut water, flaxseed smoothie please?!

These are the key ingredients in Uma Thurman’s characters smoothie! So what are they, and why do they work?

Kale: A super green powerhouse food that is quickly taking over in popularity. At only 35 calories a serving, it’s loaded with nutrients including, vitamin K (1,020%), vitamin A (180%), and vitamin C (200%). This leafy veggie also contains 40% of your daily required magnesium and 15% of your daily calcium and vitamin B6.

Kale is also a good source of minerals like copper, iron, potassium, manganese, and phosphorus. Plus, it has 5g of fiber in a single serving – which we all know keeps you feeling fuller longer and helps clean out your gut!

With all the nutrients, phytonurients, Carotenoids and flavonoids (antioxidants) Kale is a cancer fighting machine, which also lowers your cholesterol and promotes normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity, and bone health. It’s also great for your eyes thanks to lutein and zeaxanthin compounds.

Coconut Water: Naturally low in calories and fat-free, this electrolyte packed beverage will quickly hydrate your body! Coconut water is the liquid found inside young coconuts before they mature. It contains almost twice as much potassium as a banana.

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, which in turn helps to prevent related issues like stroke, heart attack and hangovers! Coconut water also has a small amount of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, and is low in sodium.

Flaxseed: By simply sprinkling this little seed into your food, you are helping to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Rich in Omega-3’s, Fiber and Lignans (they can contain up to 800x as much lignans vs. other veggies! Wow!) flaxseeds also helps out with inflammation and hot flashes!

Make your own version of Uma Thurman’s Smoothie today!

Using the three primary ingredients above as the foundation, you can add different fruits to create your own adaptation of the SMASH smoothie!

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup kale
• 1/2 banana
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 tsp flaxseed

Tear kale leaves off of stems and tear into small shapes. Put coconut water in the blender followed by all the other ingredients. Blend until smooth and enjoy!

I was born with a love for chocolate. A strong, deep down love. It soothes a part of my soul that is very hard to reach. When I started to change my diet to follow a healthier guideline, I was THRILLED to discover that chocolate can still be incorporated into my day!

Dark Chocolate is approved on most diet plans. I love to end my day with a little nibble of 60% (or more) cocoa dark chocolate. Even though dark chocolate is diet approved, the calorie content can still get a little high, so I started searching for an alternative.

That’s when I discovered just plain old cocoa powder and started adding it to my coffee and smoothies. Or now I’ll end my evening with a good ol’ fashion mug of steamy hot chocolate.

What can Cocoa do for you?

Harvard Researchers have released their analysis from 21 studies where the participants who consumed cocoa regularly showed improved blood vessel health, a decrease in blood pressure and an improvement in cholesterol levels. This is believed to be in thanks to due cocoa’s high content of flavonoids.

Cocoa contains polyphenolic flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that are commonly found in fruits, veggies, wine, coffee and tea. Cocoa is so packed with this rich nutrient that researchers at Cornell University have found that 2 tbsp of cocoa powder contains nearly three times more antioxidants then a cup of green tea.

Flavonoids found in cocoa are believed to not only help with heart disease but they also reduce risk factors for diabetes and cancer (especially colon cancer). Research has shown that those who consume cocoa regularly have less than 10% chance of having a stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes. PLUS, flavonoids help our skin look good!

Magnesium is another key nutrient in cocoa, which will benefit you in the bathroom. It helps to promote digestion and will keep you regular, avoiding constipation. Ladies, the high magnesium also helps relieve the dreaded pre-menstrual symptoms (PMS). Another benefit of the magnesium is its ability to reduce risks with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cocoa has been found to help reduce inflammation. It’s also found that it helps soothe problems with the trigeminal nerve, which helps with migraines and issues with the temporomandibular joint.

If you’re a nursing mother, cocoa increases your milk supply. It has also been shown to increase libido.

Best of all, cocoa contains phenylethylamines, which is a mood enhancer. Cocoa is a powerful tool in the battle of depression. It helps reduce stress hormones and lifts spirits.

Make a smoothie with Cocoa today!

Cocoa Crush Smoothie

• 1 cup milk (soymilk or almond milk work too)
• 6 oz non-fat or low-fat vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1cup frozen blueberries
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 TBSP Cocoa

Add liquids to blender, followed by the fruits. Blend together and enjoy!

I’m always looking for new smoothie recipes to try with Cocoa. Please leave me a comment below with yours!

My body is the type that happens to look better when I omit carbs. When I walk by a loaf of bread, I gain a pound.

You can always tell when I’m having a “no carb” day though because I’m on edge! I might physically look better, but on the inside I’m a crabby, lightheaded, jittery mess!

This sent me on the hunt for the proper balance of carbohydrates that will keep me slim, yet functioning happily.

But first, I had to understand…

What are carbohydrates and how do they work?

Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient that we consume in a variety of different products.

There are three different types of carbs; Fiber (the good stuff that keeps feeling fuller and takes longer to digest), Starch (my booty is not a fan of this kind) and Sugar.

Now, there are three main types of sugar, too: Fructose – from fruit; Sucrose – a.k.a. table sugar (my booty isn’t a fan here, either!); and lactose – from milk.

Often times carbs occur naturally, like in our grains, milk, nuts, seeds, legumes, veggies and fruit. Other carbohydrates are added to our food and beverages in the forms of starch and sugar by food manufactures.

Our bodies use carbohydrates as its main energy source. When we digest high amounts of carbs, our bodies turn most of it into glucose (sugar). Our bloodstream transports the glucose throughout our bodies.

When our body detects a rise in our blood sugar (glucose) levels, then our pancreas starts to produce the hormone insulin to help moderate the glucose level. The insulin absorbs the glucose and transports it out of our blood stream. The glucose is then either used as energy or is stored, either as fat or as glycogen in your muscles.

It’s important to note that our bodies can only store half a day’s worth of glucose.

What are “net carbs” and what is a “glycemic index”?

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these two terms, so there’s no proper definition for them. But here is what most diet plans and doctors mean when they refer to them.

Carbohydrates that are not absorbed into our blood stream are fiber and sugar alcohol (Splenda is an example of a sugar alcohol). When figuring out products “net carbs” you would subtract the fiber and sugar alcohol from the total carb amount. This remaining number is your “net carb”, giving you an idea of the number of carbs that would increase your blood sugar level.

The glycemic index classifies carbohydrate-containing foods according to their potential to raise your blood sugar level. A GI value of 55 and below is low, 56 to 69 is medium and 70 and above is high. The health benefits of a low GI diet include weight loss, maintaining weight, prevention of cardiovascular disease and prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Most (but not all) naturally occurring carbs are on the low glycemic index side. Higher GI produce you might consider avoiding while dieting include: potatoes, parsinps, pumpkin, watermelons, and dates.

Any questions or anything to add, class? Share with us in the comments below!

The green smoothie movement is growing like a weed, but if you’re a first-timer, visions of chia seeds, hemp milk, dandelion greens, and garlic extract might make you feel a bit woozy and intimidated.

If you want to pack an extra serving of greens into your day, but you’re way too scared to find out what blended parsley tastes like, try this ultra-simple, foolproof green smoothie. It’s delicious—and totally intimidation-free.

 The Ingredients

• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup milk (your choice: cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, etc.)
• 1 banana
• Ice
• Optional – 1 tablespoon flax (okay, we couldn’t resist throwing in a slightly fancy ingredient)

The Directions

Plop the spinach (and flax, if you’re bold) into your blender, and top with the milk and banana. Blend until smooth. Add ice and blend again. Pour, sip, and enjoy your beginner’s green energy!

The Benefits

Green smoothie fans cite increased energy, clearer skin, stronger hair and nails, and natural weight loss as a result of their smoothie addiction. The smoothies themselves are full of fiber and chlorophyll, are readily digestible, and their blended state means the nutrients are easy for your body to absorb.

And of course, green smoothies offer a convenient way of packing more fruits and vegetables into your diet, which—let’s be honest—we all need.

 The Nutrients

Spinach is one of the easiest greens to add to your smoothie. You can find organic spinach at almost any grocery store, you won’t taste it once it’s blended, and it’s packed full of vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and flavonoids.

Notable nutrients include vitamin A, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B2, calcium, and potassium. Note: when picking out your spinach, choose the brightest green leaves you can find. Studies show that paler spinach leaves have less vitamin C than their more vibrant siblings.

Bananas, as you probably know, are a great source of potassium, which helps maintain normal blood pressure and heart function. But don’t overlook their other nutrients—a surprising amount of vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and fiber can all be found in these creamy yellow fruits.

Photo attribute: gimmesomeoven.com

 I first discovered tofu when I was learning how to calorie count, which had me paying attention to other food options available at restaurants. I realized that tofu vs. meat had less calories, less fat, less sodium, and almost the same amount of protein.

I fell in LOVE with tofu, though when my baby was diagnosed as anemic and was put on a high iron diet.

Tofu is an excellent source of iron, providing 33.7% of our daily requirement (in a 4oz serving). While tofu is low in fat, it does provide 15% of our daily requirement of Omega 3’s! It’s also high in calcium at nearly 40%.

100g of tofu contains an average of 17g of protein!

What are other health benefits of Tofu?

While some adults and children should be aware that they might have a food allergy with tofu due to soy (just like some people can’t handle gluten), the health benefits of tofu can’t be ignored. Tofu contains isoflavones, which are plant hormones that does our body good, including fighting breast and colon cancer.

The FDA just approved packing of tofu (with quantities of 6.25g of soy per serving) to be labeled as a HEART HEALTHY FOOD with the ability to help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease thanks to its ability to lower your bad/lousy LDL cholesterol.

Isoflavones can directly scavenge free radicals, which prevents premature aging. It also may help prevent bone loss, which lowers your risk of osteoporosis. And ladies take note: it’s believed that isoflavones may play a role in the reducing menopausal symptoms. Yahooooo!

Isoflavones are so fantastic that they were the primary ingredient in University of Minnesota’s scientist “smart bomb” drug which has the potential to cure childhood leukemia.

Blending with Tofu!

The thing that I love the most about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you’re mixing (or cooking) it with. This makes tofu extremely versatile in the kitchen. We add tofu to our smoothies to up our nutritional content and add great texture!

Orange Breakfast Dream (pictured)

• 1 1/2 cups orange juice, chilled
• 1 cup milk, or light vanilla-flavored soy milk, chilled
• 1/3 cup silken tofu or soft tofu
• 1 tablespoon dark honey
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 ice cubes
• 4 peeled orange sections

This tastes just like an old-fashioned Creamsicle! Remember that the orange sections at the end are going to add pulp, so it you’d prefer a chunk-less smoothie, than simply omit the orange sections.

Tofu Energy Smoothie

• 1/2 cup of soft silken tofu
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries (sliced or quartered)
• 1/2 cup of low fat milk, or light vanilla soy milk
• 1 large banana (peeled, sliced, frozen)
• 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice concentrate (frozen)

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth!

Tofu can be saved up to a week in your refrigerator by submerging the tofu in water inside an airtight container with a lid. Make sure you change your water daily.

I’m always looking for new tofu recipes. Leave me a comment below with yours!

When you take a look around at the waist lines of America, what’s the one of the main things you notice? For me personally, I notice that the “muffin top” is no more. Instead of a little extra fluff flowing over the sides, the whole stomach is round and solid. We’ve lost our top.

Did you know that the belly is actually the WORST place to store your fat? Fat stored here isn’t simply surface deep (also known as subcutaneous fat). Belly fat actually goes below the muscle line to build up around our organs (known as visceral fat).

Visceral fat is dangerous because it produces hormones and other substances that lowers your good/healthy HDL cholesterol, increases your bad/lousy LDL cholesterol (and remember that heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women!) It also raises our blood pressure, and makes it harder for our body to properly use insulin. All fat leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or worse.

The real kicker about belly fat is even if your weight falls within the healthy BMI range, if you have a thicker midsection, then you have an increased chance of premature death.

To find out if you’re at risk, take a soft tape measure and wrap it around your waist just below your belly button. Relax and exhale. If your measurement is 35 or above for women, or 40 and above for men, then it’s time to trim the belly.

Get your blood pumping!

 The quickest and easiest way to break up belly fat is to get moving. You need to feel your heart pounding and shortness of breath. Interval training is a great way to go about this. When exercising, try 4 minutes on, 4 minutes off. Run for 4 minutes, and then walk for 4 minutes. If you don’t want to time it, jog a song and then walk a song. Aerobics classes follow this timing technique and it proves most effective.

Take a look at your diet.

Juicing, blending and dehydrating are perfect place to start when it comes to lowering your belly fat. Those who eat primarily plant-based diets (fruits, veggies, and whole grains), lean proteins and calorie count are thinner in the middle. Whenever friends of mine are struggling with their midsection, I always suggest one other thing – cut out Partially Hydrogenated Oil and Hydrogenated Oils. 

This food ingredient is created by adding hydrogen to oil. It’s done so to extend the products shelf life, which unfortunately leads to trans fat. This ingredient is being added to more and more of our food, yet most countries in Europe have now banned its use. Look for it in margarine, shortening, crackers, cakes, cookies, chips, peanut butter and coffee creamers (boo!)

Especially watch out for Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil because it depresses your thyroid, which lowers your energy. Also, look out for Mono-and Di-Glycerides, which is a fancy new name for trans fat that don’t have to be reported on the labels.

What are your favorite tummy trimming tricks? We’re all in this together, so leave me a comment below!

Blending is a daily affair in our household. It’s a quick and easy way for me to trick my family into eating their fruits and veggies. We’ve discovered some super delicious smoothies that I can even pass off to my kiddos as dessert. Once I realized they had a taste for my creations, it was time to boost up the nutritional content.

Bring on the add-ins!

While certain add-ins like vitamins can take away from the flavor of your smoothie, there are many other ingredients that are ah-mazing!

So, here it is: my top 5 favorite smoothie add-ins!

Flaxseed

Ground flaxseed adds healthy fat (Omega-3!!!) and fiber to your smoothie! Flaxseeds also contain Lignan, which is a huge help in the fight against cancer. There is also some evidence that flaxseeds may help reduce your risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Wheat Germ

Wheat Germ is one of the best sources of folic acid. For those of us who suffer from anemia, or are pregnant, folic acid is a must!  Wheat germ also contains a phytonutrient called L-ergothioneine, which is a powerful antioxidant. And hurray for another source of fiber!

Cocoa Powder

Researchers at Cornell University have found that 2 tbsp of cocoa powder contains nearly three times more antioxidants than a cup of green tea. Cocoa also contains magnesium, which is key for battling diabetes and high blood pressure. It’s also been used for centuries to help breast milk production, and increase  libido!

Tofu (soft or silken)

Tofu adds a rich, creamy texture to your smoothies and a ton of protein! It’s great for lowering your lousy (LDL) cholesterol, and it can even help alleviate symptoms of menopause. Tofu also contains isoflavones, which prevents premature aging! What I love most about tofu though is that it’s flavorless, so it takes on the essence of whatever you’re mixing it with.

Protein Powders

The three main versions of protein are whey, hemp, and soy. They are sold in plain and flavored powered versions and can be mixed in with any smoothie. Whey protein is milk based and is my personal favorite. According to Dr. Mike Moreno, a dietician, it’s the best protein out there. Whey protein is loaded with amino acids and thanks to its high levels of leucine, it promotes fat loss, all while keeping your muscle lean.

Simply sprinkle the powders into your favorite smoothies, or try one of these recipes!

Flax Tofu Mango Peach Smoothie 

• 2 servings of silken or soft tofu
• 1/2 cup rice milk
• 1/2 cup soymilk
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1/2 cup frozen peaches
• 1 teaspoon flaxseed

Add liquids to blender, followed by the tofu, frozen fruits and flaxseed. Blend and enjoy!

Wheat Germ Smoothie (from Dr. Oz!) 

• 6 oz Greek yogurt
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1 cup blueberries
• 4 strawberries
• 1/4 banana
• 1 tbsp wheat germ
•  A few ice cubes

Add Greek yogurt, almonds, almond milk and ice to blender and blend to desired consistency.

Add berries, banana and wheat germ and re-blend until smoothie is completely mixed.

Coconut is the newest health food darling, with it being used in everything from cooking to hair care. And coconut milk, used for centuries in eastern food cultures, is now hitting the mainstream in North America, where it can be found weaving seamlessly into our diets – and for good reason!

Coconut, whether in oil, milk or water form, is effective in destroying intestinal parasites, which are a byproduct of suspect food consumption. With the northern American diet rich in processed foods, coconut detoxifies the kidneys and urinary tract and can be a godsend for women who suffer chronically from the dreaded urinary tract infection.

A terrible side effect of a nutritionally devoid diet is stomach ulcers. By ingesting coconut, we help repair the damage. With its incredibly high lauric acid content, coconut makes an effective natural antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal remedy, helping to naturally boost our immunity. And with some harsh winter weather still ahead for some parts of the country, coconut is essential in any cold and flu fighting arsenal.

For those among us undertaking a strenuous exercise regime, the juice of coconut has a high resource of electrolytes, facilitating quick exercise recovery and reducing pain associated with working out. In addition to reducing pain and recovery time, it also increases the metabolic rate of our bodies – meaning that energy is consumed faster and excess body weight is burned off!

This makes coconut, in its many forms, an excellent addition to any weight loss oriented endeavor.

Coconut is a friend to our skin, as it balances our PH levels and therefore supporting the chemical balance that our skin so heavily relies on. Coconut’s high antiviral content also makes it an effective remedy for mild acne, psoriasis and even eczema, helping to calm even the most reactive skin types from the inside out. And to keep teeth gleaming, the consumption of coconut water and milk have both been proven to prevent tooth decay and mouth disease.

On a far more serious note, heart disease claims more women than any cancer, including breast and cervical, and the consumption of coconut milk improves cholesterol ratio and protects the arteries from injury causing atherosclerosis. And fellas can benefit from coconut milk too, as we should all be doing what we can to reduce our chances of heart attack and stroke.

Get your coconut on!

Smoothies – gotta love ‘em! They are single handedly the most efficient way to infuse nutrients into our bodies, and you know very well by now that my love for them knows no bounds. They enable even the pickiest of palates among us to meet our daily nutritional requirements.

Any smoothie effort can be supercharged with coconut, which boasts all of the aforementioned health benefits. Sweet, cool and smooth are words that describe this smoothie recipe perfectly, making it an excellent introduction to the smoothie way of life for any blending novice!

Coconut Blueberry and Peach Smoothie

• ½ pint blueberries
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut
• ¾ cup frozen peaches
• 240 ml coconut milk
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt, vanilla flavor

Combine all ingredients in a blender, reserving 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut. Blend on high until completely free of lumps. Garnish with shredded coconut and a blueberry.

So, how do you take your coconut? Tell us in the comments below!

We all know that we can stock up on our beloved omega-3 fatty acids by chowing down on salmon and walnuts, but if you’re looking to amp up the omegas in your diet (or if the thought of salmon tar-tar makes you queasy), try some of these more surprising sources.

Omega-3s reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, give benefits to the skin, boost the immune system, and control inflammation (which in turn helps out our joints, bloodstream, and tissues). And most of us don’t get enough.

The Other Fish: Sardines

Yes, sardines are oily. Yes, they come tightly packed in a can. Yes, you probably thought they were gross as a kid. But you’re all grown up now, so give them a try—they’re not as fishy as you think.

One 3.25-ounce can of sardines contains over half of your daily recommended omega-3s. And when drained and layered between two slices of good bread with mayonnaise, chopped cornichons, avocado slices, curly frisée lettuce, a sliced hardboiled egg, with a little salt and pepper, you’ll be loving your omega-packed lunch.

The Tex-Mex Gem: Avocados

Did you just put a sliced avocado on that sardine sandwich? We thought so. Turns out, the bright green “alligator pear” is another rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, which rings in at about 160 milligrams per cup. If you’ve also got salt, a lime, and a fork, you’re about 45 seconds away from a delicious bowl of fresh guacamole.

The Saucy Seeds: Flax and Chia

Flax seeds are absolutely bursting with omega-3s; according to the World’s Healthiest Foods, two tablespoons of the seeds contain almost 200% of your daily requirement. You can also get the omegas in a more concentrated form from flax oil, though you’ll be missing out on flax’s fiber.

Chia has even more omega-3s packed into its tiny little seeds (about 5 grams per ounce). The seeds turn gelatinous when soaked, and can be used for all sorts of vegan deserts as an egg supplement.

Both seeds are nutty and delicious, and tossing a few spoonfuls onto your morning smoothie (or drizzling flaxseed oil into your juice—you won’t even taste it!) is an incredibly easy way to get more fatty acids into your diet.

The Unexpected Spice: Cloves

Yes, cloves. You probably only pull them out around Christmastime, when you’re filling your kitchen with dense, spicy cookies, but believe it or not, cloves are a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Two teaspoons of ground cloves hold about 7.5% of your daily requirement, according to the World’s Healthiest Foods report. Juicing apples? Add a few teaspoons of ground cloves to your juice for a spicy, cider-inspired drink to warm you up when it’s cold out. Add ground cloves to soups and curries, or sprinkle it (along with raisins and—omega alert!—walnuts) onto your morning oatmeal.

Photo attribute: ifood.tv

During my pregnancies, I didn’t have Morning Sickness – I had All Day Sickness that lasted the entire nine months.  There wasn’t much that would bring me relief, so I was willing to try anything and everything. This is when I discovered a little root called ginger.

You can find ginger root at your local supermarket or specialty store. It typically costs about $1.99 a pound and will survive for up to 3 weeks if stored in a plastic bag in your refrigerator.

To relive my nausea, I’d peel the root and slice a one inch chunk into 15 pieces, then boil the chunks in water for 30 minutes, and viola! I had a tea that settles the tummy. Little did I know that the power in ginger was oh so much more than it’s awesome soothing abilities.

What else can ginger do for you?

•  In addition to helping with nausea, ginger also relives bloating and gas!
•  Ginger contains antioxidants and phytochemicals. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory that helps arthritis, asthma, and even migraines.
• In the battle against heart disease, it prevents cholesterol from oxidizing and lowers your LDL (lousy) cholesterol. Ginger also lowers your triglycerides, which are important as a mechanism for storing your unused calories.
• Ginger helps prevent blood clots, which then lowers your risk of stroke and heart attack.
•  In the home, ginger is used to treat coughs, colds, and congestion. Ginger also acts as an antihistamine to help with allergies.
•  Ginger juice can also be used on snake bites. As a natural pain killer it provides immediate relief for tooth aches and minor burns!
•  The University of Minnesota conducted a study that found ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells (colon cancer).
•  A study conducted at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that when ginger powder was applied to ovarian cancer cells it induced cell death.
•  Heartburn sufferers can find relief in the root. It also helps protect against ulcers and gall stones.
•  And ladies…ginger can help with those awful menstrual cramps!

Impressive, right? My husband calls it the miracle spice!

Juicing with ginger!

Ginger can be added to almost all your favorite juicing recipes! The daily recommendation is 5g, so I usually use recipes that call for 1 inch of ginger.

Kick start your morning with this simple recipe (pictured above):

• 8 medium Carrots
• 3 Apples
• 1 inch of Ginger

Remember to wash your fruits and veggies before juicing, especially fruits that have a wax coating – like apples. The ginger adds a nice finish to the juice and you’ll find yourself with a boost of energy!

Here is a yummy recipe that will also get you going. Literally.

• 3 medium Apples
• 3 large Pears
• 1 inch of ginger

This recipe is a mild laxative, so it’s great for regulating bowel movements.

For a sweet green juice, try this:

•  1 cucumber
•  1 carrot
•  1 green apple
•  1/4 cup parsley
•  1/4 cup mint
•  1 stalk of celery
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 1/2 lemon (peeled)

Cucumber is great for your skin and the celery is a natural diuretic, helping with the unwanted water weight!

What is your favorite Ginger juicing recipe?

Tell us in the comments below!