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!

We all know that broccoli is a healthy addition to our diets, but do you know just how healthy? The nutritional benefits of broccoli abound. From fiber to all of the vitamins and minerals, broccoli is indeed a tasty treat and a winner.

Nutritional Benefits of Broccoli

Detox: broccoli helps the body detoxify with a special combination of 3 phytonutrients: glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, and glucobrassicin. These goodies support the detoxification process from activation, to neutralization and elimination. Broccoli helps to control the detoxification process at a genetic level.

Vitamin A and K for Vitamin D: this green goddess of a food has more than ample amounts of both of these vitamins. At over 194% of the daily value of K and 45% of A, the combination of these two help the metabolism balance of Vitamin D. For those with a Vitamin D deficiency (which research finds is just about everyone), including broccoli in your diet will help you retain this vital vitamin.

Anti-Allergen / Anti-Inflammatory: as a rich source of kaempferol (a flavanoid), broccoli assists in reducing the impact of allergens on the body. This in turn gives broccoli unique anti-inflammatory properties.

Antioxidant: broccoli is a leader in amongst cruciferous vegetables for its concentration of Vitamin C. As an antioxidant, Vitamin C provides long-term support of oxygen metabolism when accompanied by recycler flavanoids – which of course are also contained in this vibrant green package. Other antioxidants that broccoli provides are Vitamin E, manganese, and zinc.

Heart Health: the spectrum of B vitamins in broccoli contributes to a healthy heart. Broccoli’s concentration of folate, B6, and the other B-complex vitamins fights the formation of homocysteines which increases our risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack.

Stomach Health: eating raw broccoli and broccoli sprouts is a great treat for your stomach and stomach lining. Broccoli assists in the reduction of a bacterium called heliobacter pylori. When this bacterium overgrows it causes G.I. upset. Broccoli (especially raw broccoli) helps to keep this bacterium in check. This is due to broccoli’s high glucosinolate content which focuses directly on the stomach lining cells.

Low in Calories: 1 cup of broccoli is only 44 calories while the health benefits are endless.

How did broccoli come to be?

Broccoli was developed from a wild cabbage in ancient Rome. In Italian, broccolo, means “cabbage sprout.” This green goodness traveled to the Near East and then back to Italy for further cultivation. Italian immigrants brought broccoli to the New World.

Selection and Storage of broccoli

Choose broccoli with florets in tight, compact clusters. The floret clusters should have a uniform color ranging from dark green, sage, or purple-green. If the floret clusters are yellow or if there are any yellow flowers blossoming, the broccoli is overripe. Stalks and stems should be firm.

Store in a refrigerated plastic bag with as much air removed as possible. Broccoli will keep for about 10 days. It’s best not to precut nor wash broccoli before storage, as it causes the Vitamin C will degrade.

Green Broccoli Machine Smoothie

• 1 cucumber
• 3 -5 broccoli florets
• 1 kiwi (peeled and frozen)
• 1 bunch of green grapes (frozen)
• Ice and water

Click here for the health benefits and additional recipes for cucumbers.

Juice the cucumber and broccoli. Place in a blender, add the fruit, ice, and water. Enjoy!

Wheatgrass is a great way to powerpack your morning with energy in anticipation of all your daily superhero activities.  Known as a ‘superfood,’ wheatgrass juice offers amazing nutritional benefits to your diet. Also regarded as a booster for general health and well-being, wheatgrass juice is one easy way to ramp up your game.

Including Wheatgrass Daily

Wheatgrass is a great addition to your nutritional life, O.K. But exactly how does one do that?

Below are the pros and cons of adding fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried wheatgrass to your health regime:

Frozen wheatgrass

Often termed as “fresh-frozen,” this type of wheatgrass is grown on the producer’s farm either in trays or in the ground.  It’s then harvested, juiced, flash-frozen, and delivered to you.

• Convenient Yet Nutritious:  Frozen may be the best way to preserve wheatgrass juice nutrition and enzymes while at the same time not compromising your schedule.
• Easy to Use: Frozen wheatgrass juice comes premeasured in .5 to 1 oz shots.  Simply pull it out of the freezer and let thaw for a minute.  Add to water, juice, or a smoothie.  Always add 3x the amount of water (or juice) to 1oz of wheatgrass juice.  Avoid heating frozen wheatgrass juice on the stove or in the microwave as it will destroy the nutrients.

The downside:

• Expensive: The downside of frozen wheatgrass juice is typically the price tag.  Delivered to your door, the price per ounce can vary from $1.50 to over $2.00.  If you’re drinking a shot a day at $2.00, then you’re looking at an additional $60 a month to add to your budget.

Fresh wheatgrass

The idea of growing wheatgrass may seem daunting, but in the end it may be worth it for you to become a DIY wheatgrass grower.

• Easy to Start: there are easy-to-use Wheatgrass Starter Kits that provide all the basics for growing wheatgrass at home. The time between the sprouting and growth stage, when you can juice the grass, is about 10 days.
• Overall Savings: The price tag including the starter kit and manual mastication juicer is $85 (may not include S&H).  In the end, you save by being able to put what you would normally spend on buying juice away.  Do the math and compare to the cost (both money-wise and nutrition-wise) of both frozen and fresh wheatgrass.
• Immediate Nutrition: Growing your own wheatgrass gives you all the ‘right now’ benefits of wheatgrass juice nutrition.  You can’t get any fresher than clipping it from your own wheatgrass garden, juicing, and drinking.
• Versatile: If you have the space, you can transplant wheatgrass from your trays and plant it into the ground, creating your own home-grown wheatgrass garden.

The downside:

• Time-Consuming: Unless you’re a gardener or enjoy puttering around in the kitchen, growing your own wheatgrass may not be for you. Growing, harvesting, and juicing takes time, energy, and effort.

Freeze-dried wheatgrass

• Nutrition—Hmmmm:  With wheatgrass in freeze-dried (powdered) or pill form,there is a general consensus that the nutrition has been compromised (i.e. fresh is mo’ bettah).  The jury is still out on this one, so anyone drinking or eating freeze-dried wheatgrass juice please weigh in the comments below!
• Convenient: Needless to say, freeze-dried or pill form is absolutely the most convenient way to take wheatgrass.  If you’re traveling or just need to carry it in your purse or pocket, it’s  much easier to be mobile with these forms.
• Middling Price tag: Freeze-dried wheatgrass typically comes in a 1 oz package that has about 56 servings.  At $29.99 per package, you’re saving from the cost of frozen, but still spending more than if you were to grow your own.

Ultimately, home-grown or flash-frozen offers the best and most viable nutrition.  But that’s only if you can decide which option both your wallet and your schedule can handle.

Weigh-in: How do you take your wheatgrass, and why? Tell us in the comments below!

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.

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.

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.

Cucumbers are related to the watermelon, pumpkin, zucchini, and other types of squash.  There are a number of varieties of cucumbers providing a lot of flavorful juicing options.  From slicing to lemon to pickling cukes, the cucumber is a versatile veggie.

Cucumbers are exceptionally full of water and low in calories.  A one cup serving has only 13 calories and provides needed hydration.  Cucumbers are a great addition to a cleanse or weight-loss practice.

Beauty is Skin Deep

The flesh of the cucumber contains ascorbic acid a.k.a Vitamin C and caffeic acid, both which soothe skin irritation and reduces swelling. So when you’ve seen or experienced a cucumber slice on your eyes, the point is to reduce swelling (bags) under the eyes.

The cucumber also contains silica which promotes healthy connective tissue such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.  Silica combined with the high water content provides hydration for healthy, glowing skin.

You can also apply cucumber juice to sunburns.  The healthful properties will assist in reducing inflammation.  Therefore the phrase, “cool as a cucumber” indeed holds true.

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Hot summer days and nights mean lighter bites. Summer soups are an easy way to explore fresh, fun, and flavorful fare.

Why use raw food?

Cooking chemically alters foods.  In some cases, cooking food can destroy vital nutrients and enzymes that are better used by our bodies in their raw form. Cooking can also create the much dreaded free-radical and other toxins.

A raw food diet typically consists of 75-100% uncooked and unprocessed foods. The foods are nutritionally dense in their unaltered form and are best when organic. Choose organic, because pesticides are not food and can cause harm to your health. Raw food is naturally alkaline, which is great for the body. Cooked food reduces the alkalinity and creates acid. Also, certain types of food such as meat are naturally acidic.

Since our bodies are alkaline based, it’s  important to keep our bodies on the alkaline side of the pH balance to maintain homeostasis. The alkaline pH normal for our bodies is 7.35 – 7.45.  As you can see, there isn’t a lot of room for movement, so a .10 of a difference can have huge effects on our body’s health. Often this is indicated as an overly acidic blood level, poor digestion, or weight gain.

Biggest obstacles to raw food: time, money, and nutrition

Including more raw food into your diet or going totally raw is often thought to be time-consuming and very expensive. The truth is that raw food is actually fairly easy to prepare, has ‘grab and go’ convenience (prepare and store in the fridge), and is more economical than other diets.

Because raw foodists typically adhere to an organic diet, the food they consume can be 80 – 300% denser in nutrition than non-organic food. This means your body can better use the food for energy and power. It will burn clean, and the benefits for the consumer are less hunger and more energy. You will eat less therefore reducing your food costs. Not to mention what a raw food diet does for reducing healthcare costs over time.

Two Summer Soups to Tempt Your Palate for Raw:

Carrot Ginger Soup

• 2 cups carrot juice (reserve pulp)*
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• 1 ½ – 2 Tablespoons ginger juice (according to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:  Juice carrots reserve the pulp.  Juice ginger.  Mix all ingredients together and chill.  Serves 4

Gazpacho

• 2/3 cup cucumber juice,  reserve pulp to add some back in for texture
• 2 ¼ cups tomato juice
• ¾ cup carrot juice, reserve pulp to add some back in for texture
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 Tablespoons of finely chopped fresh herbs:  basil, oregano, thyme
• Freshly ground black pepper

Juice and reserve pulp as desired.  Mix all ingredients.  Chill before serving.  Serves 4

*For more ideas on what to do with juice pulp, check out this article from a few weeks back!

So whats your favorite raw foods meal or snack?

Share it in the comments below!

Summer is in full swing and it is hot, hot, HOT!  Cool down by making your own frozen fruit pops. Homemade frozen fruit pops combine freshly fruit juice and the juice pulp to bring a taste of summer to your own backyard.

Pineapple is a fruit that’s exceptionally juicy and therefore makes a great frozen treat. Plus, pineapple brings a taste of the tropics which lets us dream of sandy beaches and enjoying frosty treat under a palm tree.

Pineapples are unique in that they are an amalgam of many blooms whose solo fruitlets fuse together around a core. The fruitlet is identifiable by its “eye” marked by the spiny marking on the pineapple’s surface. Pineapples are cylinder shaped with a scaly green, yellow, or brown skin topped by a spray of  blue-green leaves. Even though the fruit may look sort of ‘scary’, it’s the inside that counts – a vibrant and fibrous yellow flesh that is tender and sweet.

Preparation of the Pineapple

Place the pineapple on its side and slice off the stem. Set the pineapple upright and slice off the skin as close to edge where the flesh and the skin meet. Cut away any ‘eyes’ that need removed. Cut the edible flesh away from the core.

Juicy Pineapple Pops – add more juice than pulp

• ½ cup fresh pineapple juice
• 1 tsp pineapple pulp

Fruity Pineapple Pops – add more pulp than juice

• ½ cup pineapple pulp
• ¼ cup pineapple juice

To Make Frozen Treats

• Juice the pineapple (and other fruits as desired). Remember to reserve the pulp as needed.
• Mix the fruit and pulp in a liquid measuring cup that has a pour spout.
• Pour the mixture into paper cups or popsicle molds. Put popsicle sticks into the cups/molds and freeze.

Other Options

• Add an equal amount of both fruit and juice (1/2 cup of each)
• Mix more than one flavor, for example ½ cup pineapple juice and ½ cup strawberry juice. Try any and all combinations that strike your fancy.

Pineapple Nutrition

One cup of pineapple has 75 energy packed calories. Dense in manganese, the pineapple provides over 120% of the recommended daily value.  Our mitochondria, i.e. our energy production factories, require manganese to stay at top performance. With the pineapple’s quality dose of Thiamin (Vitamin B1), the pair further promotes energy production and antioxidant defenses.

Of course, Vitamin C is a big part of the pineapple’s allure, containing over 40% of the daily value. Need more Vitamin C? Simply eat a 1 cup serving of pineapple.

Due to a complex mix of substances collectively called “bromelain”, it’s believed that eating pineapples can improve digestion. Though bromelain exists primarily in the stem and core, those with digestive issues may wish to talk with their healthcare provider about bromelain extract.

Pineapple History – A Sweet Tale of Travel

The pineapple is thought to have origins in South America, but this fruit came to European attention when it was discovered on Guadalupe Island in the Caribbean. While cultivation in Europe failed due to climate, the fruit spread throughout Asian, Africa, and the South Pacific where conditions were just right.

Pineapples are highly perishable. American colonists typically had to make do with sugar-coated pineapples since transportation of foods was exceptionally slow. So, fresh pineapples inevitably became a status symbol of wealth and class.

The pineapple was a symbol of hospitality in the Caribbean. European visitors soon recognized their welcome if a pineapple was placed outside a village. This tradition spread to Europe and then to colonial North America. You can still see carved pineapples and pineapple statues on top of gates and columns in North American historic homes.

Selection and Storage

Choose a pineapple that feels heavy for its size. The only difference in size is that a larger pineapple has more edible flesh. Size does not typically indicate sweetness or juiciness. Avoid fruits with soft spots, bruises, or darkened ‘eyes’. Pineapples with a fragrant sweet smell at the stem are the best choice.

The pineapple can be left at room temperate for a couple of days. Allowing it to sit out for two days will give the fruit more time to become softer and juicier. Do watch the pineapple closely to make sure it doesn’t spoil. Otherwise, wrap the fruit in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 3-5 days.

Store cut up pineapple in an airtight container in the fridge. Retain some of the juice when you cut the pineapple as this luscious fruit retains its flavor best when it marinates in its own juice.

The Citrus Sharp

• 1 pink or red grapefruit (peeled)
• 1 orange (peeled)

Put both in your juicer and enjoy. This is a fantastic morning wake-up and will give you more energy than any cup of coffee.

Grapefruit is a Vitamin C storehouse with over 74% of the recommended daily value. Mixed here in this recipe with the orange (provides over 100% of the daily value alone), you can start your morning with extra alertness and sharpness of mind.

Why Citrus in the morning?

Vitamin C is a powerhouse for health. Not only does it supports the immune system, but also has anti-inflammatory properties. With Vitamin C, your body takes what it needs and flushes the rest. High doses of Vitamin C have been shown to increase the body’s vitality, disease fighting capabilities, and overall health. The combination of the two has high antioxidant activity.

Grapefruit has a high concentration of lycopene, which has anti-tumor properties. Lycopene is well-known for its ability to fight oxygen-free radicals. Choose grapefruits that are a rich pink or red to get the most in lycopene.

For men, the addition of lycopene in their diet may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.  Fruits and vegetables that are high in lycopene include the pink grapefruit, tomatoes, apricots, watermelon, papaya, and the guava.

Citrus Juice and Prevention of Kidney Stones

If you are prone to kidney stones, then be sure to drink grapefruit, apple, or orange juice daily. The Citrus Sharp gives you two out of three, providing extra protection against calcium oxalate kidneys stones. Drink ½ to 1 liter of these juices daily.

Citrus Juice and Prevention of Lung Cancer

Studies show that drinking three 6 ounce glasses of grapefruit a day is truly the best way to keep the doctor away. Grapefruit juice reduces the activity of an enzyme that activates chemicals found in tobacco smoke that cause cancer.

A Brief History of Citrus

Grapefruits are relatively new to the flora scene, having been discovered in Barbados in the 18^th century. It’s said that the grapefruit is a natural cross between the orange and the pomelo. The pomelo was brought to Barbados from Indonesia in the 17^th century, and the term “grapefruit” refers to how the fruit grows by hanging in clusters just like grapes. In the early 19^th century, the grapefruit came to the United States and became one of Florida’s major crops.

Selection and Storage of the Grapefruit

Grapefruit that has a tough skin and discoloration, scratches or scales matter not to the taste or texture of the inner flesh. Signs of a grapefruit past its prime include an overly soft spot at the stem end or a water-soaked appearance. Ensure that the fruit feels heavy for its size, as the added weight ensures it will be juicy and tasty. Choose grapefruits that are firm, yet springy. You can keep grapefruit at room temperature or in the fridge. But do not refrigerate before the fruit has ripened.

Got any GREAT grapefruit recipes? We want to hear them!