Need a pick-me-up? Try this power-packed wowzer of a juice full of greens and citrus. Wheatgrass offers a much needed dose of energy at just the right times. Click here for more posts all about wheatgrass, and then try this afternoon energy booster:

• 1 handful of freshly picked wheatgrass
• 1 handful of organic spinach
• 1 spear of pineapple

Juice it up and feel the jolt! Click here for our nutritional profile on pineapple.

The spinach in this recipe offers some of the essential nutrients our bodies need to keep running, and if you’ve been reading this blog with any regularity, you know that at 877MyJuicer our credo is the greener the better!

Nutritional benefits of spinach

Spinach, no bones about it, is one of the most nutrient dense foods around. Filled with vitamins and minerals from K to A, from manganese to magnesium and from iron to calcium—spinach is a vital addition to any diet.

Antioxidant Power: Spinach ‘brings it’ when it comes to antioxidants. The power nutrients of the antioxidant world are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and manganese. Spinach is an excellent source for all of these nutrients, from 29% daily value of Vitamin C to 84% the daily value of manganese.

Spinach also offers zinc and selenium at 9% daily value and 4% daily value, respectively. These two minerals are known power houses of antioxidant goodness.

Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory: A recent study on the relationship between prostate cancer and vegetable consumption concluded that “only spinach showed evidence of significant protection against the occurrence of aggressive prostate cancer” (aggressive being considered stage 3 or stage 4).

The study looked at spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard greens, turnips greens, kale, collards, and brussels sprouts. Spinach is a must-have addition in the male diet. Other cancers such as stomach and breast cancer have also been shown to be positively affected by the consumption of spinach.

Strong Bones: A cup of raw spinach provides about 200% of the daily value of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for bone density and overall health. Spinach also contains calcium and magnesium which are also bona fide supports for our skeletal system.

Dieter’s Delight: Spinach has only 41 calories per raw cup. Those watching their weight can eat spinach all day and not worry about blowing their calorie count. But more importantly, the nutrient richness of spinach will ensure that as you diet, you are properly nourishing your body.

Fun spinach lore

Spinach is part of the chenopod family, which also include beets, chard, and the grain quinoa.

Persian (today’s Iran) in origin, spinach traveled to China and onto Europe via Spanish explorers. It was referred to as “the Spanish vegetable” by Britons.

The famous Catherine de Medici of 16^th century Florence, Italy, was known to adore spinach. So much so, she not only included it in every meal, but imported her own cooks to have it prepared to her preference. To this day, dishes prepared on a bed of spinach are called “a la Florentine” in honor of this regal woman.

Some would say spinach was popularized in the United States by Popeye. Though it was unfortunate that he ate it out of a can in our eyes, since canning the vegetables reduces its nutritional ‘oomph.’ Eating spinach raw or lightly cooked helps this green goddess of a veggie retain its super powers.

Selection and Storage

Spinach should look alive and vibrant with deep green leaves and stems. The leaves should look tender. Fresh looking spinach leaves have higher concentrations of vitamin C.

Avoid any spinach that is yellowed, bruised, or wilted. If the spinach looks a bit slimy, compost it as it has begun to decay.

Store unwashed spinach in a plastic bag that has as much air squeezed out of it as possible. Fresh spinach usually keeps for up to 5 days.  Don’t bother keeping cooked spinach; it doesn’t store well.

Wash spinach before juicing or cooking. Trim any roots and separate. Wash by placing into a bowl of lukewarm water and swish the veggie around. Repeat until the leaves are clean. You can pat dry the spinach with a towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess water.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t see some anti-aging claim splashed across my television screen. These days people are on a quest to douse themselves in the Fountain of Youth, chasing promises of serums and potions claiming to have captured that magical formula that can turn back the hands of time.

And although I do believe that creams and potions can help the cause, I think the “glow” associated with youthful looking skin comes from within – and what we put within!

It’s about putting the right stuff in your body – like wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is one of the best things that anyone can put into their body; not only for healthier, more youthful skin, but for a vivacious feeling of energy. So what is it in wheatgrass that makes it such a powerful anti-aging combatant?

The answer is simply that wheatgrass contains chlorophyll (not bora-phyll, as Billy Madison has insisted), amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes that all aid in the body’s processes.

Chlorophyll is very similar in structure to hemoglobin, the substance in human blood that makes it red and facilitates the delivery of oxygen to human cells. People who swear by wheatgrass juice as a daily tonic insist that the high concentration of chlorophyll provides the greatest anti-aging benefit.

Further, wheatgrass drinkers also report increased energy, better digestion, better sleep, and improved circulation.

Recent studies on probiotic bacteria, which play a major role in healthy digestion and the prevention of disease and cellular aging, have shown that colon health is much more important to whole body health and youthful cells than was previously thought. You can read a whole article I wrote on probiotics by clicking here!

Wheatgrass juice is rich in vitamin B12 because those very same probiotic microorganisms live on the wheatgrass too! It’s a scientific blow to the magical cream distributors, and 1-point for the argument that enzymes and minerals found in the foods we put in our bodies have a bigger impact on our overall health, and therefore the aging process we all inevitably undergo.

OK. How do I get wheatgrass in my body? Does it come in cream-form that I spread on my face?

Sadly, no. But there are a variety of ways to include wheatgrass into your diet. Of course you can take your wheatgrass straight with or without a chaser in its most popular consumption method as a shot.

Pickup our most popular wheatgrass juicer, the Lexen Healthy Juicer, by clicking here. It’s electric and it rocks! It also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee and it qualifies for free shipping!

You’ll also need a wheatgrass grow kit – snatch up an easy and affordable grow kit by clicking here. It’s simple, easy to use, and best of all, in just a few days, you’ll be taking shots of wheatgrass and turning back those hands of time yourself!

Groovin’ on the Wheatgrass Super Food Channel is a great way to increase your energy and vitality.  As with anything labeled ‘super’, it’s important to know what the benefits and considerations are.  You can click here to find out the super-duper benefits of wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass Considerations

The  considerations are simply ways you can better use wheatgrass to get the most benefit for your body.

Drink First. Wheatgrass juice should be taken alone or with other juices only.  Combining wheatgrass juice with other solid foods may cause nausea.  Always take the juice/juice combo on an empty stomach.  First thing in the morning is best.  Don’t eat solid foods for about an hour after consuming the juice.

Detoxification. It’s what wheatgrass does best as a super food.  Because it removes bad fats, heavy metals, carcinogens, and metabolic waste from the human body, there can be uncomfortable side effects.  Expect that you might have a headache, a bit of nausea or G.I. upset.  Once the toxins are removed, the side-effects should no longer occur, while energy and vitality levels will increase.

Wheatgrass and Mold. There are a few varieties of mold that can grow on wheat grass.  The most common is what looks like ‘blue fuzz’ which is a non-pathogenic mold.  It isn’t harmful to the body and does not penetrate the plant.  Simply cut this blue fuzz off and rinse the grass off before juicing.

Care should be taken if the wheatgrass has a white or brown coloring to it.  Both of these are types of mold are harmful to both the plant and the body.  These molds effectively spoil wheatgrass, just like any other food.

Enjoy a one-shot of wheatgrass in any of your smoothie or juice recipes.  Take care to notice how it is affecting you and go with the flow until you feel as if you are on top of the world!

Wheatgrass Juice Recipes

Hula Grass

• 2 cups fresh pineapple (peeled)
• 1 orange  (peeled)
• 1 papaya  (peeled and seeded)
• 2-3 inch round of wheatgrass or 1 oz shot

Citrus-Berry Wheatgrass

• 2 oranges
• 1 banana
• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• 2-inch round wheatgrass
• 1-2 cups ice cubes

Juice the orange and the wheatgrass and then place the juice and other ingredients in a blend till smoothie-like

Click here for additional wheatgrass recipes

Don’t see the one recipe you love? Share your wehatgrass recipes with us in the comments below!

Recently while rifling through my freezer for smoothie ingredients, my hand brushed the giant Ziploc bag where my wheatgrass pulp resides, and that’s when it came to me: wheatgrass smoothies!

I have been dying to use all the wheatgrass pulp I have accumulated over the summer, so I jumped at the chance to use it in yet another unique way.

Wheatgrass smoothies, yes!

I love smoothies and I love wheatgrass, so it’s shocking to think that I am just now making wheatgrass smoothies. Heck, I’ll put anything in a smoothie – fruits, vegetables, everything but the kitchen sink.

But up until now I hadn’t even thought of using my mass amounts of frozen wheatgrass pulp in one of my daily smoothies.

Why they’re the perfect combination

The beauty of a smoothie is that you can pack in as many fruits or vegetables as the blender will allow, making them one of the easiest ways to meet daily nutrient requirements.

And it’s perfect for those who find vegetables hard to swallow. I know a few vegetable haters myself, and I have managed to sneak some into their lives thanks to smoothies. The beauty of wheatgrass is that it is one of the most nutrient rich foods that Mother Nature has blessed us with, and using it in a smoothie takes it to a whole new level. Wheatgrass completes it!

A quick note on why wheatgrass rocks

I will never grow tired of professing my love for this grass’ ability to blend so well with other ingredients. It’s very rapidly becoming my number one favorite anything-ingredient, and I am having a blast exploring it!

But, I’ve been so focused on using up all my wheatgrass pulp that I haven’t been juicing it all that much. That’s resulted in a wheatgrass pulp shortage around here, which is why I’ve decided to upgrade my sprouting system.

Up until now I had been growing a very small supply. But with my newfound love for wheatgrass pulp, my setup can no longer feed my needs.

On 877myjuicer.com, there are so many options for people looking to sprout their own wheatgrass, from small setups that fit easily on the countertop, like The FreshLife Automatic Sprouter, to something more suitable to my demands such as the Sproutman Wheatgrass Grower. The Sproutman grows three racks of wheatgrass in one shot, which makes this girl very excited!

I think it’s fairly safe to say that I am in love with wheatgrass. But even if your love doesn’t run as deep as mine, I promise that you will love it in a smoothie!

Wheatgrass Smoothie

• ½ cup frozen wheatgrass pulp
• ½ cup frozen peaches
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• ½ cup orange juice
• ½ cup water

In blender mix all ingredients until smooth.

The versatile wheatgrass…

There are so many ways to enjoy wheatgrass – fresh, dried, frozen or baked, and yes, that’s right, I said baked. Wheatgrass, although very versatile, can seem kind of one-note, unless of course you are willing to throw away the rule book and think outside of the box.

When I think of wheatgrass, I certainly think of it as a restorative shot, as most people do too. But wheatgrass can be so much more if you let it. I liken wheatgrass to my favorite greens, like spinach or kale, and therefore I feel it’s appropriately placed in some of my favorite recipes. What can I say – it’s the chef in me.

Thinking outside the box with wheatgrass

I’ve made a basil pesto with wheatgrass, and it was absolutely delicious. Seeing first hand just how versatile wheatgrass can be ignited a fire in me, and this fire only wants to cook with it!

This past weekend I felt like baking, which was a bit out of the ordinary as I generally have more of a salty tooth. But this weekend my sweet tooth was begging to be tamed. So I decided on zucchini bread. And with a bag of frozen wheatgrass pulp staring me right in the face, the chef brain in my head started to spin her wheels; “why not use the pulp in the bread?”, and I learned a long time ago to listen when she speaks. However, when she starts telling me to do evil things, I’ll consult my priest.

Although I have cooked with pulp before, I am continually surprised at how well it blends in recipes, yielding completely to the desired flavor. Pulp is quickly becoming my new “it” ingredient. A friend of mine recently commented that soon I would be making smoothies with it, to which I replied “I just might, I just might…”

Zucchini and Wheatgrass Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift together:

• 1 ½ cups sifted all purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

Add:

• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 beaten eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp salt

Blend in a few swift strokes:

• ¾ cup grated zucchini
• ¾ cup wheatgrass pulp

Bake in a greased pan about 1 hour. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto a rack for further cooling.

Wheatgrass juice has the most nutritionally dense form of chlorophyll.  At 70% living greens, wheatgrass qualifies as a super food. Click here for more on the nutritional benefits of Wheatgrass juice.

When you’re finished with this page, click here to read about the power of one shot of wheatgrass juice.

Wheatgrass has a distinctive taste. Some acquire it and some still cringe at the thought. The beauty of this versatile juice is how it can be added to juices and smoothies to make it more palatable. Wheatgrass juice will not destroy the taste of the blend or juice, but add to it.

Great Green Grass

• 3-5 stalks of celery
• 2 cucumbers
• A handful of spinach leaves
• A handful of parsley
• 1 shot of wheatgrass juice
• water for blend

Juice all of the vegetables and herbs. Add the wheatgrass juice and water to taste.  Drink it as an alternative to your usual green drink.

Apple-Lemon-Grass

• 3 organic apples (medium)
• 1 lemon, peeled
• 1 shot of wheatgrass juice
• water to taste

Juice the apples and lemon.  Add in the shot of wheatgrass juice.  Add water to adjust the taste as desired. A fantastic afternoon pick-me-up.

Carrot Grass

• 3-5 carrots
• 1 shot of wheatgrass juice
• Water to taste

Juice carrots.  Add a shot of wheatgrass juice.  Use water to adjust the taste as desired. Get your beta-carotene shot here.

Smoothie Citrus Grass

• 2 oranges, peeled
• 1 frozen banana, peeled
• 1 lime, peeled
• 1 shot of wheatgrass juice
• 6-10 ice cubes

Juice oranges and lime. Place all ingredients into blender and give it a whir. Add water to dilute as necessary or to adjust taste.  A great way to start your morning!

Cleansing Grass

• 3-5 carrots
• ½  beet
• 2 -4 celery sticks
• 1 lemon
• 1-2 shots of wheatgrass juice
• Handful of parsley and/or mint

First thing in the morning! Juice all ingredients and drink immediately.  The cleansing grass recipe is strong and serves two.  Adjust portions as necessary. A great way to begin your cleanse.

Add a shot of wheatgrass juice to any juice or smoothie to enhance the natural benefits of juicing and blending.  Filled with vitamins and minerals, wheatgrass juice is a power pack to your day.

As we all know by now, a good day starts with a great breakfast. And this past weekend I played maid of honor at my best friend’s wedding, a day in which we would not only need a good breakfast, but a great one!

One with the power to keep us going ALL day long. With makeup, hair, pictures, ceremonies, receptions and everything else that comes along with such a big day, energy was a must.

As the high matron, I took it upon myself to ensure that all the bridesmaids were ready for the long day ahead of us.

The Solution: A Smoothie

I wanted to prepare something for the bridal party that was celebratory, as a wedding day deserves nothing but celebration. But it needed to be a real breakfast, and I already knew that we would be indulging in more than our fair share of champagne, so I wanted something that would keep us going until we sat down at the head table for the wedding feast.

So in between the makeup session and the salon trip, I stepped away to make us ladies a treat! Blueberries, cashews, coconut milk and honey are all healthy yet perfectly indulgent ingredients for this amazingly special day.

The filling nature of the cashews, paired with the super duper food that is blueberries gave us enough energy to last until the last record was spun and the bouquet had been tossed. I wish I could tell you that I caught the lovely bouquet, but I was far too misty to see anything coming in my direction…weddings do that to me.

But regardless of whether you are attending one of the best days of your best friend’s life or simply looking for a filling and indulgent way to brighten your morning, this smoothie fits the bill!

Blueberry Cashew Smoothie
Makes 4 servings

• 2 cups frozen blueberries
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup cashews
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• graham crackers for topping
• 1 tbsp fresh blueberries for garnish

Combine berries and honey or simple syrup, cream cashews and coconut milk in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Pour into serving glasses and top with crushed cookies and fresh blueberries.