Gone RAW!

RAW for almost a week now and feeling great! After a lot of research, I'm now in Green Smoothie Bliss - Raw Meals later. I felt I needed to completely cleanse, and I also wanted to lose some weight.

I've been a long-time Vegan - but have finally taken the TOTAL RAW FOOD plunge thanks to buying a wonderful new Cuisinart blender/food processor to replace my overworked dying blender. In order to make a smoother smoothie, (if you don't have the more expensive Vita-mix or Blendtek) blend the greens with water first for 30 secs, then add everything else you want.

I've started with GREEN SMOOTHIES - they don't have to be totally green - they just need GREEN's in them. Some added fruit will change the smoothies color.

GREENS need to be varied over the month. Mix and match. Some combinations might be
•Spinach and Kale • Lettuce and Swiss Chard • Bok Choy and Spinach • Kale and Beet or Carrot tops
To ALL these add your favorite fruits in season - or frozen. Greens no less than 40%.

Drinking a Green Smoothie every day is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body!

Greens and fruits rich in chlorophyll, vitamins A and C, fiber, calcium, iron and antioxidants will make you feel satisfied and amazingly healthy. You will actually crave more greens - with NO yearning for unhealthy processed foods.

I'll start experimenting with RAW FOOD Recipes soon!

SMOOTHIES vs. JUICING (with a blender)

GREEN SMOOTHIES are my preference for nutritional value, fiber, and a full and satisfied feeling.

Perhaps you don't want that full feeling, but want a quick chlorophyll boost. You can still use a blender, but you'll need a strainer of some sort. An inexpensive way to go is to buy paint strainers at any store that sells paint.

Try Kale (torn off of the stem) Spinach, Carrot greens, and water - about a cup. Blend. Then pour it into the strainer over a bowl. Then SQUEEZE and SQUISH . . . There's your GREEN JUICE - light and tasty!

Some uses for the left-over pulp, which contains nutritious dietary fiber:
• add bulk to recipes and help retain moisture
• fruit pulp can be added to home made ice cream, sorbets, dessert toppings
• veg pulp in RAW food like lasagna, etc.
• great compost
• birds love carrot pulp
• and best of all, if you have a dehydrator, a whole new world will open to you and your pulp uses.

SUPER FOODS!

Superfoods are concentrated sources of nutrients and extra protein - giving you greater strength, energy, vitality and immunity. Superfoods help your body stay healthy and 'fight back' against disease and stress while reducing the side-effects of environmental pollution on your body. Anti-oxidants counter excess oxidation by destroying free radicals which can be damaging to cell walls and DNA.

TOP SUPERFOODS
• Chia seeds - calcium for endurance, strength
• Hempseed oil - immunity, protein - the 'most perfectly balanced oil in the plant kingdom'
• Spirulina - energy, strength
• Bee pollen - longevity, mental acuity, endurance
• Acai berries - antioxidant, high concentration of anthocyanins - energy, stamina, well-being, mental acuity, digestion, libido
• Goji berries - protein, 21 essential minerals, 18 amino acids - immunity, longevity, energy
• Maca - (raw, powdered herb) hormone balance, stamina, vitality, libido
• Cacao - antioxidant flavonoids, energy, focus, well-being
• Dulse - cleansing and detox
• Mesquite - Nutty flavor - balances blood sugar - lysine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, fiber
• Lucuma - Fragrant flavor, blends with ice cream - beta carotene, niacin, iron

More healthy foods that are especially high in powerful combinations of nutrients include:

• Beetroot - blood cleanser and tonic - helps the liver and digestive system, aids uptake of oxygen, boosts the immune system
• Capsicum - (pepper plants) vitamin C, beta-carotene, iron and potassium
• Broccoli - rich in iron and vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, believed to be protect against cancer
• Apples - Aid digestion, help manage cholesterol levels
• Bananas - 'good mood food' - high in tryptophan which helps the body produce the tranquilizing brain chemical seratonin. Good for digestion.
• Garlic - boosts immune system, benefits the cardiovascular system
• Ginger - enhances digestion, helps treat motion sickness
• Spinach - as cancer-fighting caretenoids. High in chlorophyll and iron
• Parsley - high in chlorophyll. Also vitamins A and C, minerals iron, calcium and potassium
• Sprouts - high in protein and nutrients

How to add Beet Root using a blender

If you don't have a Vita-mix of Blendtec you can still add raw beets or any other very 'hard' and dense vegetable to your smoothie without destroying your blender.

First you peel the beet root, then grate it using a mandolin or cheese grater - but be careful! Beet juice will stain both your skin and your clothes. Wearing rubber gloves is a good idea.

Lacuma - a Superfood!

Lacuma is a Superfood!
Organic lacuma powder from Peru fills you full of nutrition, and it’s also an incredibly tasty flavor addition to just about any dish.

MACA Smoothie - Superfood

Want an energy boost? Try Maca - an herb from Peru. You will discover an increase in energy, stamina, strength, and your libido.

Maca root contains calcium, iron, magnesium and selenium as well as essential fatty acids and 19 amino acids. Maca contains phytochemicals that act on the central nervous system. It also contains gluconsinolates (also found in broccoli, cabbage and radishes).

Maca has a distinct flavor, so only add a tablespoon. It has a sort of nutty, butterscotch smell and taste, so it doesn't go well with all fruits. Here's a recipe with bananas:
Maca powder
Cacao powder
Almond milk
Banana
Almond Nut Butter
Raw Honey
Hemp Seeds
Avocado if you like

All about Walnuts

Walnuts are one of the best plant sources of protein. They are also rich in fiber, B & E vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants. Walnuts are also high in plant sterols and fat.


• Cardioascular protection - omega 3
• Rheumatoid arthritis alleviation
• Cancer prevention - ellagic acid
• Relieves Constipation
• Muscle Building
• Prevent liver disease
• Speeds Metabolism

Let's Talk Almonds

• Cancer and Disease Prevention - high in calcium, folic acid, phosphorus magnesium and Vitamin E
• Phytochemical Powerhouse -
• Reduces Heart Attack Risk
• Lowers Cholesterol
• Rhizveritrol - anti inflammatory agent
• Protein Packed
• Prevents Osteoporosis

Today's Smoothie Recipe

Today's Green Smoothie (2 servings) was made with

• Kale
• Bok Choy
• Carrot Greens
• Red Leaf Lettuce
• Red Chard
• Apple
• Banana
• Aloe Vera
• Water (filtered)

I'm happy with my Cuisinart Smart Power Duet, but sometimes a larger diameter straw seems a good idea. If you can afford a Vitamix, Green Smoothies would be creamier.

Aloe Vera

Grow your own aloe vera plant, slice open and use the gel for an excellent addition to your Green Smoothie. Aloe Vera is the most impressive medicinal herb created by nature. We all know about using it for burns, cuts or any skin ailment while hydrating the skin so it heals faster. Here are more of the plants specialties:

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs "sludge blood" and reverses "sticky blood".
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn's disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.
• Protects the kidneys from disease.
• Functions as nature's own "sports drink" for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.
• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/021858.html#ixzz1TiM58RqW