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How to Juice – Top Tips and Tricks

June 20, 2021 by msondesigns@gmail.com

These Top Juicing & Smoothie Tips Make It Quick, Easy & Nutritious

Here are the top tips for the best fresh juice and smoothie. These tips make juicing and smoothies quick and easy, help you avoid costly mistakes, and insure that your juices and  smoothies are healthy and nutrient rich.

Go Organic

Fruits and vegetables absorb whatever chemicals are used to grow them. Thus, if it’s affordable you should use organic fruits and vegetables because they insure that your juice or smoothie is pesticide-free. If you’re on a budget, you only need to go organic with the ‘Dirty Dozen.’

Choose The Right Machine

“Slow” juicers get more juice from your produce, especially greens. Great models are made by Hurom, Omega and Breville. The best smoothie maker is the Vitamix. See my juice and smoothie machine reviews for the best!

Don’t Save It

It’s best to drink your fresh smoothie or juice right away as it will spoil in hours, even less if you juice melon, broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage.

Juicer Vs Blender

Your kitchen blender will make you a great soup but not a juice or smoothie, unless you want a lumpy gritty drink! If you can’t afford a juicer or high speed blender, you can use your kitchen blender and then filter the blend thru a coffee filter.

Go Green

Vegetable are super foods, particularly wheatgrass.  Add just a small handful to all of your juice recipes – more and you are likely to upset your stomach.

Some Don’ts

Avocados and bananas will clog your juicer unless you have a commercial model. Put these in a blender and then add them to your juice. And don’t place really dry or hard parts of fruits and veggies in your juicer or blender such as the skin of the pineapple or pomegranate or large seeds – these won’t add any nutrients.

Use The Skin

The skin of most fruits and vegetables contains the highest amount of nutrients. The problem is that the skin doesn’t taste good. Try adding just a bit of the skin. For instance, I leave 50% of the skin of the carrot in my juice or smoothie it tastes just as sweet.

Use The Pulp

The pulp is a great source of fiber so I put a spoonful or two back into my juice. Or use the pulp for a great mock tuna salad by just adding mayonnaise!

Use The Pith

Juice that white fleshy stuff between the rind and the fruit – it has tons of nutrients!

Be Creative

Make up your own juice recipes. Tailor them to your own taste and health needs. When I first started making fresh juices and smoothies, it was helpful to know what fruits and veggies taste particularly good so I didn’t waste time and money making terrible tasting combinations. A good recipe book can also save you time hunting for special recipes that target particular health concerns, such as low energy, memory loss, diabetes, high blood pressure, weight loss, and asthma to name just a few! My favorite recipe book is not only complete but also costs less than any other recipe book available today, proving that there really are some great bargains! It’s Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available in the box on the right. For Kindle, Nook and iPad users you can purchase the book thru Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Filed Under: About Tagged With: How to Juice

Juice and Smoothie Benefits

October 19, 2020 by msondesigns@gmail.com

Juicing & Smoothie Benefits Include Fighting Diseases!


I began seriously juicing a couple of years ago. I wish I started decades ago, because I can’t believe all the benefits of fresh juice, such as nutrients you just can’t get from commercial juice, even the best organic brands! You’re about to be equally amazed!

Get All Your Fruits and Veggies


Growing numbers of adults and children are not eating even the minimum daily requirement of fruits and vegetables. Consequently, obesity and many chronic illnesses that stem from an unhealthy diet are on the rise all over the world, even in Scandinavian countries where weight problems are historically rare.

As a result, more and more people are trying to compensate for their poor diets by consumingcommercially made vegetable juice such as V8. It’s a step in the right direction, reflecting a growing recognition that we need more fruits and veggies in our diet, and it’s certainly convenient. But store-bought fruit or vegetable juice is not the best answer since it is neither fresh nor chemical-free. Let’s explore the many more amazing benefits of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Perhaps the greatest of all the juicing and smoothie benefits is that just one tall glass gives you all of your daily requirements of fruits and vegetables – quickly, conveniently and easily! Just one cup of a fresh juice or smoothie is over a pound of fresh produce. The USDA considers a serving to be approximately a half cup. So getting your recommended daily amount of fresh fruit and vegetables is easily done with just one fresh juice or smoothie.

No Need For Supplements


Fresh fruits and veggies are so packed with nutrients that just one glass gives you all the vitamins and minerals you need daily. You can stop purchasing expensive supplements – you get it all in a fresh juice or smoothie.

And one wonders how effective a dried and processed nutrient in pill form really is compared to the fresh nutrient in its natural form. 

Nutrients Found Nowhere Else


Every plant contains certain vitamins and minerals, but also many more nutrients called phytonutrients. These are nutrients that are not vital to keeping us alive. Rather, they play an important role in fighting diseases, delaying aging and boosting energy. Each plant has hundreds of these phytonutrients, and we have yet to discover the nutritional benefits of most of them.

This field of nutritional research is exploding with new discoveries, so keep checking back as I update this site with breaking news. Or go to my Facebook Page where I provide the latest news and tips each day for free.

Many of these phytonutrients are lost in processing, preserving and storing juices and smoothies for commercial sale, especially enzymes which are key to the health of all functions in the body. Many enzymes last less than a minute!   

Better Than Bottled


Commercially bottled juices, even organic brands, simply do not provide all the healthy benefits of fresh juices and smoothies. Most commercial juices are made from fruit concentrates and not whole fruit juices. Plus, commercial juices and smoothies must by law be pasteurized before they can be sold. Part of the pasteurizing process includes boiling the beverage to prevent bacterial growth. However, the boiling process also destroys many nutrients, especially enzymes.

Convenient


You can easily make nutritious fresh juice and smoothies at home and even modify juice and smoothie recipes to meet your personal taste.

Fight Disease


The most amazing benefit of fresh natural juices and smoothies is that you can use it to prevent and even help cure many medical conditions. Fruits and vegetables are filled with essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that are vital to fighting many common disorders. Here are just a few examples.
 

Recent research indicates that cabbage juice helps to treat peptic ulcers. Another study shows that keracyanin, which is found in cherries, eases gout by increasing the movement in fingers and toes. We know that cranberry juice prevents kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Grapes contain a compound called trans-resveratrol, and by drinking at least three glasses of grape juice a day, you can prevent heart attacks just as effectively as taking an aspirin on a daily basis. Grape seeds contain powerful antioxidants called proanthocyanidins, which are considered even more potent antioxidants than vitamin C or vitamin E.

Juicing grapes gives you all of these benefits because when you put them into the juicer you get all the nutrients including those found in the seeds. For particular juicing recipes that target a variety of illnesses the best resource is Ultimate Juicing Recipes & Tips found in the “Juice Away Illness!” box to the right.

Summary

  • Get all your minimum daily requirements of fruits and veggies qhickly, easily, and conveniently.
  • You can stop buying expensive nutritional supplements.
  • Get more nutrients than you will find in any supplement.
  • Conveniently make your fresh and nutritious juice or smoothie in your own home or office.
  • More nutrients that bottled beverages with no preservatives or added sugar.
  • Prevent and even cure many diseases.

Start with just one glass of fresh juice each morning to boost your health and energy – you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel!

More recipes can be found in Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available here in the box on the right, and for Kindle, Nook and iPad users at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Filed Under: About Tagged With: Juice and Smoothie Benefits, Juicing, Juicing Benefits, Smoothies

Juice and Smoothie Recipes for Better Sex

May 29, 2019 by msondesigns@gmail.com

Certain Compounds In Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Enhance Sexual Performance

 

Exciting News!

Several compounds in fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and spices boost sex drive, performance, and pleasure. This article reviews these compounds and what foods contain the highest concentration of these sexually stimulating nutrients. Plus my own favorite juice and smoothie recipes for better sex.

Important Time

These discoveries come at an important time. Supplements and prescription medications to treat ED (erectile dysfunction) are incredibly popular. A female Viagra is being developed. Few people realize that these drugs have serious side effects such as memory, hearing, and even vision loss. So toss out those pills and start juicing the following foods for a healthy and natural enhancement of your sexual experience.

The Older Body

Great news for the older body, too! Both women and men begin experiencing decreased hormonal production starting as early as age 40. Not only that, the oxidation of blood plays a major role in a healthy and vibrant sexual drive. This starts to decrease at a relatively young age, further impairing sexual performance and satisfaction.

Certain raw foods help to counter the aging process and increase the nutrients vital to enhancing and maintaining a healthy sexual experience. Juicing is not just a great way to improve your health, strengthen muscle, and reduce weight. Juicing is the healthiest way to have more fun!

Male Enhancement

The following is a list of foods that increase the sex drive in men:

Bananas

Rich in potassium, bananas assist the body in reducing levels of sodium. Sodium increases the retention of water which lowers libido by decreasing blood flow.

Blueberries

Abundant in antioxidants, blueberries cleanse your system of free radicals. Blueberries increase blood flow and deliver nutrients to muscles. This is achieved through the production of nitrogen monoxide (nitric oxide).

Cherries

Like blueberries, cherries are rich in antioxidants which remove harmful ‘free radicals’ and increase blood flow. This is accomplished by ‘bioflavinoids,’ compounds found in plants which trigger the natural production of nutritional enzymes necessary to heart health and the prevention of disease.

Ginger

Ginger is rich in nutrients that increase the flow of blood. Just a
little in your juice two or three times a week is all you need. Ginger is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which cleanse blood vessels and help to prevent erectile dysfunction.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a rich source of the amino acid citrulline, which the body converts to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide, in turn, increases blood flow.

Onions

Now this would be an experiment, because I have not yet found a way to add raw onion to juice and have it taste good. However, recent research discovered that onions are a true aphrodisiac, at least for rats! Rats fed onion juice increased their testosterone level over 300%.

Try this juice and smoothie recipe about an hour before sexual activity:

Watermelon – without seeds and rind
15 Cherries – without pits
1 slice of fresh Ginger – with the skin

Add 1 or more of these foods to your fresh juice for added benefits:


Almonds

This nut is rich in vitamin E. This, too, increases nitric oxide in the body which increasing blood flow. Add about a 1/4 to 1/3 cup to your juicer 2 or 3 times a week for excellent results.

Black Tea

This is a traditional Chinese remedy for erectile dysfunction. It increases testosterone in the body.

Eggs

Abundant in vitamin B compounds, eggs reduce stress in men and women. Sex drive is greatly reduced by stress. In fact, stress is considered by many doctors to be the greatest cause of lowered libido. Consider adding a beaten egg to your juice once a day. While there has been much ‘to-do’ about eggs and cholesterol, in fact, it’s more ‘hype’ than truth. Eggs are a natural source of protein and nutritionally beneficial compounds.

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is another food which increases blood flow. It’s a rich source of omega-3 compounds. These encourage the creation of nitric oxide, which is critical as an antioxidant nourishing the blood and preventing erectile dysfunction.

Garlic

Only a small amount of garlic added to your juice assists the body in the production of nitric oxide. For those uneasy about the smell of garlic, odorless garlic powder and supplements are available at your local health food store.

Nutmeg

This is a wonderfully flavorful addition to your juice or smoothie. It is a
factually-based aphrodisiac (research published by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine). It increases the male sex drive by creating nitric oxide.

Olive Oil

Filled with Omega-3 and six (healthy) fatty acids. It increases levels of testosterone.

Pistachios

They are a rich resource of the amino acid ‘arginine,’ which increases blood flow by stimulating nitric oxide in the body. Just a 1/2 cup added to your juice is enough.

Walnuts

This is the richest source of the amino acid arginine which creates nitric oxide. A 1/2 cup is recommended for best results.

Whole Milk

Whole milk is not only a great source of calcium and Vitamin D. It also increases the levels of testosterone in the body. I personally believe based upon material I’ve explored from the Weston Price Foundation that unpasteurized milk is much better primarily because you get nutrients that are destroyed by the pasteurization process. Local farms are a great source for unpasteurized products.

Female Enhancement

The following fruits and veggies help increase female sexual drive, response, and satisfaction.

Avocado

Avocados increase drive, stamina, and energy due to their high amount of folic acid. Remember to use your blender to add avocados to your juice so as not to clog your juicer.


Bananas

This fruit is a rich source of the enzyme ‘bromelain’ which assist in the body’s digestive health and healing, and increases female libido.

Carrots

The abundance of Vitamin A in this vegetable increases tissue sensation in a woman’s body.

Celery

Celery intensifies a woman’s libido due to its high concentration of the natural hormone aldosterone.

Dark Green Veggies

Add just a few of these leaves to fresh juice increases the female sex drive due to their rich source of zinc.

Pineapple

Pineapple creating the hormone vetrogen, produced by the abundant presence of manganese. Women especially require vetrogen for their libido and sexual satisfaction.

Here is a great juice recipe – try it about 2 hours prior to sex:

8 Carrots – only half peeled
2 Celery stalks
1 cup Pineapple – without the skin

The following are other additions to increase female libido and pleasure:

Cloves

Studies show that cloves are one of the very few true female aphrodisiacs.
Cloves amplify a woman’s sexual desire and ability to be sexually satisfied.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate assists in the flow of blood and increases sensation by enlarging blood vessels in the body. It also contains phenyl ethylamine. This compound affects the brain both as an ‘analgesic’ (pain reducer) and anti-depressant. It also creates a sense of well- being. All of these have been shown to increase libido and satisfaction.

Eggs

An abundant source of vitamin B compounds, eggs reduce stress, thus increasing sex drive and desire.

Figs

This fruit is especially helpful in augmenting the sexual drive and stamina in women. Figs are a rich source of amino acids used for centuries, particularly in the Middle East, to enhance female libido.

Ginseng

Ginseng has been used for centuries by Chinese medicine to increase a woman’s sexual desire and drive.

Foods To Stay Away From

These foods lower libido in both men and women, and should be avoided:

Sugar

Processed sugar is unhealthy for many reasons. One of them is that it diminishes testosterone in men which lowers libido.


Trans Fats

Not only are trans fats nutritionally unhealthy, they lower blood flow. This diminishes sexual performance in women and men.

Canned Foods

Most cans are lined with ‘BPA.’ This is a substance which causes erectile dysfunction as much as four times more often in men who eat canned foods frequently. Look for “PBA FREE” labels on cans.

Soy

Estrogen-like compounds in soy decrease testosterone which lowers male libido.

Salt

Large amounts of sodium are a source of erectile dysfunction which even medication cannot undo.

Alcohol

Though it diminishes inhibition and lessens stress, alcohol actually lowers our ability to perform and to feel sexually satisfied.

Fresh juiced fruits and vegetables with added nuts and spices are not just a great way to increase your health, strengthen muscle, and reduce weight. Certain combinations as listed above will truly enhance your sex life. No matter what your age, juicing is one of the best ways to increase your pleasure!

More recipes based on exciting new research can be found in Juice and Smoothie Recipes That Heal.

Filed Under: About, Recipes Tagged With: juice and smoothie recipes, Juice recipes for better sex, juicing and sex, juicing for sex

Grow Wheatgrass at Home – It’s Easy!

April 21, 2019 by msondesigns@gmail.com

Grow Wheatgrass for Pennies Plus Recipes!

 

Wheatgrass Is Considered One of the Most Nutritious Foods

 

Wheatgrass is becoming more and more popular as a key ingredient in fresh home-made juices and smoothies. It is incredibly rich in nutrients – vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other phytonutrients. It is gluten-free. You should seriously consider adding a little wheatgrass to all of your juice recipes.

A Little History

Wheatgrass can be traced back in history over 5000 years to ancient Egypt and early Mesopotamian civilizations. There is some evidence that ancient Egyptians used wheatgrass for medicinal purposes.

Fast forward to 1900. Edmund Bordeaux Szekely claimed to have discovered an ancient biblical manuscript which upon translation revealed that Christ taught the Essenes that wheatgrass is the perfect food. He founded a society devoted to a new way of eating which included wheatgrass.

In the 1930’s Dr. Charles F. Schnabel studied the amazing nutrition in wheatgrass and produced a powdered wheatgrass pill which became the most popular nutritional supplement of his time. Schnabel was not alone. Other scientists, medical doctors, hospitals, and health practitioners produced a significant volume of research on wheatgrass and other cereal grasses during the two decades between 1930 and 1950. Schnabel is considered the ‘father of wheatgrass.’

In the 1960’s Ann Wigmore was a major contributor to the popularization of wheatgrass by curing her own ‘untreatable’ colitis by consuming wheatgrass, raw greens, seeds, and grains. She shared wheatgrass with several sick friends and claimed that each recovered from their sickness. She co-founded the Hippocrates Health Institute which is the leading advocate for more raw foods in our diet.

Amazing Benefits

Studies show that wheatgrass juice has a multitude of health benefits. According to the Hippocrates Institute, wheatgrass is the most nutritious food with these benefits:

  • cleanses the blood
  • improves skin and hair
  • builds muscle and endurance
  • fights infection
  • lowers blood pressure
  • fights tumors
  • lessens the effects of radiation
  • increases energy
  • neutralizes toxins including nicotine, cadmium, strontium, mercury and polyvinyl chloride.
  • acts as an appetite suppressant by stimulating the thyroid and metabolism

Wheatgrass contains as much as 70% chlorophyll, which is higher than most vegetable greens. Some researchers have even recommended that a diet high in chlorophyll can significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer.

With its high content of chlorophyll, wheatgrass juice is more like the composition of our blood than any other plant substance. Chlorophyll is considered the “blood” of the plant world due to its similarity to our blood in molecular framework. Once you consume wheatgrass, you can feel it almost immediately. Many say that drinking wheatgrass first thing in the morning is as energy boosting as a cup of coffee.

wheatgrass juiceWhere To Get It

You can find fresh wheatgrass plants sold at your local health food store and farmers market, and now in many supermarkets. You can find bottled, frozen, powdered, and pill forms of wheatgrass, but these do not have all the nutrients – especially enzymes – of fresh wheatgrass juice or a smoothie.

How To Grow It

Anyone can grow wheatgrass at home. It’s as easy as growing grass. Don’t be fooled by anyone who makes it sound complicated and expensive, and don’t be tempted by special trays and kits. None of that is necessary. All you need is seed, soil, and a pot or cut-off plastic container.

Try growing 2 or 3 pots in intervals so when you’ve harvested one, the next pot is ready and you never run out.

Purchase wheatgrass seed at your local garden store or online. I purchase seed in bulk on Amazon. A pound will last a year. Don’t make my mistake of buying more than a pound because even though extra seed will keep well in your refrigerator, seeds have a lifespan of about a year. A seed packet from your local garden store will give you about three small pots of wheatgrass. Look for “certified organic” seed and soil to avoid harmful chemicals.

Fill a pot or small plastic flat with soil and spread the seed liberally on the surface. Then cover the seed with about 1/8” of soil. Water and place anywhere near sunlight. Be sure that your pot or other container allows water to drain.

Here’s a little trick for watering the dry soil the first couple times to avoid uncovering the seeds. I cover my dry soil with a napkin. Then I just discard this cover after watering. This covering is not necessary, just convenient.

Seeds will sprout in about 3 days and grow 5-7 inches for harvest within another 2-3 days.

The best time to harvest is when the nutrient content is at its peak. This is any time after the grass is about 4” tall but BEFORE the “jointing stage” which is when the initial stalks of grass divide and start to brown at the base. This occurs in about 10 days, so you have a comfortable amount of time to harvest.

When it’s ready to harvest, I gather together a mass of grass about the thickness and length of my thumb and snip it off with scissors. This is just enough to get all the wonderful benefits without upsetting my stomach or creating a bitter taste.

After about 3 of these ‘harvests,’ compost the remaining crop and soil and start over. By 3 cuts you’ve pretty much depleted the nutrients in the soil.

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Add Wheatgrass to Fresh Juice and Smoothieswheatgrass juice recipes and benefits

You can simply add wheatgrass to your smoothie blender. Juicing is another matter. You need a special juicer for wheatgrass or any leafy greens.

“Slow” juice machines are currently the most popular that start at about $300. There are very inexpensive hand operated wheatgrass juicers available on Amazon.

I use a slow juicer made by Hurom though last I looked, an equally fine one made by Omega now has a better warranty.

How To Drink It

You can drink juiced wheatgrass by itself or as an ingredient combined with other fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Few people enjoy the flavor of wheatgrass by itself. But it’s easy to make it very tasty by combining it with carrot, cucumber or apple. Add a little honey as a sweetener. You can also add other greens like kale, parsley, dandelion, alfalfa sprouts or celery. Try adding some ginger or garlic for a delicious surprise!

wheatgrass juice and smoothiesWheatgrass Juice and Smoothie Recipes

For a smoothie add to each recipe a 1/2 cup of your favorite liquid such as rice, almond, soy, or dairy milk.

1 Orange
2 large Carrots
1 thumb of Wheatgrass

1 bunch of Grapes
1/4 Beet
2 stalks of Celery
1 thumb of Wheatgrass

1 Papaya peeled, sliced
1/4 cup of Pineapple
½ cup of Coconut, fresh or dried
½ cup peeled Mango
1 thumb of Wheatgrass

2 Oranges without the peel
1 Banana – juice the other ingredients then blend it with place the banana
½ cup fresh Brries of any kind
1 thumb of Wheatgrass

More great wheatgrass recipes based on exciting new research can be found in Juice and Smoothie Recipes That Heal.

One Caution

Drinking wheatgrass must be done with care. The juice from most greens is powerful on the stomach. Too much can cause nausea. Drink only about 4 ounces of wheatgrass each day, preferably in 1 ounce portions throughout the day. This is due to its powerful cleansing effects. If you have a sensitive stomach, simply reduce your intake as I do to 1 ounce a day, and I never drink it on an empty stomach.

Filed Under: About, Recipes Tagged With: grow wheatgrass at home, juicing wheatgrass, wheatgrass, wheatgrass juice recipes, wheatgrass recipes

Juicing for Your Blood Type

March 8, 2019 by msondesigns@gmail.com

New Research Has Found a Scientific Basis for This Fascinating Idea!

 

New Breakthrough Research

For many years the idea that certain foods are better for certain blood types has been championed by Peter D’Adamo, N.D. in his book, Eat Right for Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution to Staying Healthy, Living Longer & Achieving Your Ideal Weight.

A recent discovery in the field of nutritional research has turned this theory into fact. Scientists in Finland found that blood molecules are effected by different nutrients depending on the blood type. More study is underway, but this fascinating new finding suggests that certain foods – juicing and smoothie recipes included! – are better for certain blood types.

How Does Each Type Differ

To briefly review his book, there are 4 blood types: O, A, B and AB. People with type O blood do best with a high protein and low carb diet. Type A folks do best with vegetarian diets. And type B and AB people are particular combinations of O and A diets. The amazing point of all this is that finally we can understand why diets work fine for some people and not for others! When you eat – and juice – according to your blood type, not only do you feel better, but you can cure a whole host of digestive problems. More importantly it can be the difference between success and failure in your weight loss efforts.

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This hardly does justice to his fascinating book so I highly suggest purchasing a copy and reading it. The fascinating history of blood types, their particular digestive strengths and weaknesses, and what foods to eat and not eat are fully detailed. Here I cut to the chase and list the best fruits and veggies for each blood type and then provide my favorite juice recipes for each.

Let Peter D’Adamo explain it for you himself:

Now let’s take a look at how we can apply his theory to juicing recipes for your blood type.

Type O

Type O’s do best with the following fruits and vegetables: blueberries, mangos, figs, plums, cherries, bananas, broccoli, kale and spinach. Try these great juice recipes for O’s:

1 pint Blueberries
1 Banana – remember to blend bananas and then add them to your juice
1 spear Broccoli
Add a little water as needed

20 Cherries – pitted
1 Mango – with skin, without seed
2 leaves Kale


Type A

The best Type A fruits and veggies are plums, figs, avocado, berries of all kinds, pears, peaches, carrots, broccoli, collards, spinach, kale, garlic, soy and pineapple. These juicing recipes are wonderful!

2 cups Pineapple
2 Peaches
1 leaf Spinach

5 Carrots
2 leaves Kale
1 slice fresh Ginger

Type B

Fruits and vegetables that do best in the type B digestive system are beets, leafy greens, carrots, peppers, sweet potatoes, eggplant, grapes, bananas, cranberries, plums, papaya, watermelon and pineapple.

20 Grapes – seeds and all
1 Banana
1 leaf Kale

5 Carrots
1/4 Beet
3 Collard Greens
1 slice fresh Ginger

Type AB

And finally, the fruits and veggies best suited to AB folks are green vegetables, sea kelp and pineapple. You can also play with dairy and spirulina in your juice recipes. Try these recipes for starters:

4 cups Pineapple
1 leaf Kale
1/8 teaspoon Spirulina

5 Carrots
1 Beet
1” Wheatgrass
1 slice fresh Ginger

Let me know great recipes that you come up with so I can share them here. More recipes can be found in Juice and Smoothie Recipes That Heal.

Filed Under: About, Recipes Tagged With: Eat Right for Your Type, Juicing for Your Blood Type, Peter D'Adamo

Juice and Smoothie Dangers

February 28, 2019 by msondesigns@gmail.com

Easy to Avoid If You Know What They Are!

How to Avoid the Dangers of Juicing and Smoothies

 

There are wonderful benefits to a healthier diet, but few realize that there
 are dangers as well, even in juicing and smoothies! The good news is that these risks are rare and avoidable. But it’s sobering to learn that our health-conscious efforts to improve our nutrition can sometimes lead to problems!

As fresh juicing and smoothies becomes more popular, it’s important to know that there are a few minor risks. I stress that these are VERY minor, and nothing that should discourage anyone from juicing or smoothies with all the amazing benefits including better health, more energy, a delicious alternative to sugary drinks especially for children, and my favorite, the most convenient way to consume all the recommended daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, a fresh juice or smoothie is just about the healthiest thing you can do for yourself, your family, and your friends! So let’s be aware of these concerns, but keep a healthy perspective!

Food Borne Illness

The CDC reports that leafy greens are the leading cause of food poisoning in the US (although more hospitalizations are due to dairy products and more deaths are attributed to poultry). 

The CDC and FDA recommend rinsing your produce in cold water, don’t buy pre-cut veggies and fruits, and grow your own sprouts. Washing with soap is not recommended. For easy guidelines see this article by the University of Maine.

Add a little vinegar for additional protection. A study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that washing apples with vinegar and water reduced bacteria significantly better than water alone. The premier food magazine, Cook’s Illustrated, sponsored a similar experiment and found that vinegar killed approximately 98% of bacteria on the surface of fresh fruits and vegetables. No soaking required. And no vinegar taste. Just spray white vinegar on your produce and rinse.

But let’s put this in perspective I know folks who rarely rinse their produce and have never had a problem. I’m one of them. However, if you’re pregnant or you’re making juices or smoothies for your children – both have a greater risk of infection and illness – I’d surely rinse all produce. And every time I read something about the working conditions of huge farms that grow and harvest commercial foods, I start rinsing all my produce! Unlike packaged beverages which undergo pasteurization to eradicate harmful organisms, fresh juice can only be made less risky by rinsing your produce. Also, storing fresh juice makes it more vulnerable to bacteria so it’s best to drink it right away.

Toxic Substances

Some seeds, rind, and leaves of common fruits and vegetables contain harmful substances! This will likely surprise you as much as it did me. The seeds of apples, peaches, apricots, cherries, and raspberries, as well as the leaves of carrots, rhubarb, parsnip, and Queen Anne’s Lace (wild carrot) contain toxic compounds, but the amounts are so minute as to be of no real concern.

The compound that freaks people out is known as amygdalin which produces cyanide, but the amount is so small that your body easily neutralizes it. There are claims that amygdalin has positive uses including cancer treatment. The American Cancer Society reviews this claim in a thorough and balanced article. The bottom line is that you would have to eat handfuls of these seeds or pits AND DIGEST THEM to experience serious illness. The seeds and pits have a tough coating impervious to digestion by most mammals. Symptoms of amygdalin toxicity are severe stomach cramps, headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and seizures. However, if too many seeds were eaten and digested, one would likely vomit a few times and not develop any other symptoms.

The rind of orange and grapefruit has a small amount of a toxic compound now used as an insecticide. Ingesting a small amount is absolutely safe for you and your pets, but several orange peels will definitely upset the stomach.

There are also toxic substances in some sprouts. This is another one of those pieces of info that’s interesting but of no real health concern. In the interest of awareness here’s a brief review of toxins in sprouts.

  • Lathyrogen is found in an inedible species of bean in the genus Lathyrus.
  • Saponins are found in bean sprouts and are not harmful, though some dispute this claim because in test tube conditions saponins kill red blood cells. They are not only harmless in the body but extremely beneficial for lowering cholesterol, protecting against heart disease, and fighting certain cancers.
  • Canavanine is a toxic compound found in alfalfa seeds. However, as with the toxin in apple seeds, it is so minute as not to be an issue. An adult would have to consume 14,000 milligrams of canavanine at one time to feel any toxic effects. A large helping of alfalfa sprouts gives you a few milligrams. For more about these compounds in sprouts go to this link.

Digestive Issues

While we’re on the subject of stomach upset, certain fruits and veggies are so powerful that you may experience some stomach distress if you drink too much of them. Too many leafy greens or wheatgrass can do this. For others, too much beet will do the same.

For those with sensitive digestion, mixing raw fruits and veggies can do this. I mix them every day with no ill effect. Standard nutritional rules state that in generally fruits and veggies should be eaten separately, though certain fruits go well with certain vegetables. In fact certain mixes are highly recommended for juice fasting and dieting, and for fighting diseases. The most common ‘ill effect’ of mixing fruits and veggies is gas, because fruit digests faster and uses different digestive enzymes. Carrots and apples are considered exceptions – carrots go well with any fruit and apples go well with any veggie.

Nutritional Deficiency

This is a concern only for those who limit themselves to juice or smoothies alone for long periods, especially if you’re pregnant, a young person still growing, and women in or past menopause.

It’s important to realize what vegetarians have long known and nutritional science confirms: you CAN get all the nutrients the body needs by only eating fruits and vegetables. It just takes a little extra attention to insure that you get enough of the nutrients that are difficult to find in fruits and veggies alone. So this article is not meant to discourage anyone from following a vegetarian or vegan diet. These diets and lifestyles are a great choice for some people. It is also better for the environment since growing fruits and vegetables is much more sustainable than raising animals. The bottom line is that when it comes to poor eating habits, change is good, if done wisely.


According to Dr. Nicole Sundene, a physician who specializes in natural remedies to treat the root causes of disease, patients who make dietary changes, particularly those who eliminate animal products, may experience the following symptoms: fatigue, dry hair, dry skin, brittle nails, hypoglycemia (anxiety, sweating, intense hunger, palpitations, nausea and weakness), frequent colds and infections, and osteoporosis. All are due to nutrient deficiencies.

Additionally, there is a greater risk of gum disease and tooth decay. According to Dr. Ludwig Leibsohn of the Academy of General Dentistry, nutritional deficiencies that lead to gum disease and tooth decay are greatest among children and teenagers who decide to become vegetarians without knowing enough about their nutritional needs, and among vegans who neglect critical nutrients that are not easily found in a strict fruit and veggie diet.

There are 5 nutrients to be concerned about: iron, calcium, zinc, Omega 3 and B12. You may be surprised that I didn’t list protein since many people think that protein is a common deficiency among those who reduce or eliminate meat in their diets. Not true. Protein is found in all plant food, and most vegetarians have no problem eating enough protein. Surprisingly, meat eaters tend to eat too much protein which is also a problem. High protein intake of more than 30% of your diet can actually cause bone loss and fat gain.

  • Iron – The primary symptom of iron deficiency is anemia, and it’s interesting to
    note that anemia is prevalent in the general population especially among children. Studies show rates that range from 10% to 50%, and rates among vegetarians are not significantly different from the general population.

    Dr. Sundene lists the following vegetarian sources of iron from highest to lowest: tofu, black strap molasses, amaranth, lentils, Swiss chard, dulse, lima beans, potato, wheat germ, pinto beans, kidney beans, dandelion greens, kale, pumpkin seeds, black beans, spinach, broccoli, almonds, pumpkin, beet greens, brewer’s yeast, quinoa, teff, figs, raisins, prunes, green beans, millet, whole wheat, parsley, kelp, oats, corn, peanuts, cashew butter, almond butter, blueberries, bananas and raspberries. Note that the veggie form of iron needs vitamin C in order to be absorbed by the body, and the very best source of vitamin C is fresh fruits and veggies. An additional non-meat source of iron is cooking in iron pots and pans.
  • Calcium – As with iron, calcium deficiency is prevalent in the general population, particularly among women over 40 primarily due to a poor diet. Osteoporosis, gum disease, and tooth decay are symptoms. The best vegetable sources of calcium are cooked leafy greens. Those that are highest in calcium are turnip, collards, and spinach, but all greens are good. Other non-dairy sources of calcium are rhubarb, oatmeal, tofu, broccoli, molasses, almonds, filberts, oranges, kale, tahini, and garbanzo beans.

  • Zinc
     – Skin problems and increased colds and infections are most likely an indication of zinc deficiency. The RDA of zinc is 15mg daily. Non-animal sources of zinc will provide 2-5mg of protein per serving such as toasted wheat germ (1/4 cup), Swiss chard, lima beans, baked potato, oats, mustard greens, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, rice, kidney beans, ginger root, wild rice, peas, leeks, lentils, cashews, sunflower seeds, and lima beans.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Almost all Americans are deficient in Omega 3, and it’s critical for a healthy nervous system and for fighting inflammation. The best vegetarian sources are flaxseeds and raw walnuts. Don’t cook them. Rather, grind them in your coffee grinder and add to your juice, soups, salads, brown rice, smoothies, applesauce or yogurt.
  • B12 – This vitamin is difficult to get in a diet that’s free of animal products. In fact, most vegans take a B12 supplement. Symptoms of this deficiency are anemia and nervous system problems. The recommended daily allowance as established by nutritional science is 3 mcg. You can get your RDA from non-meat sources by eating the following on a daily basis: two eggs and 2 cups of milk, or 2 eggs and 2 servings of cheese or yogurt, or 3 tablespoons of brewers yeast, or a teaspoon of spirulina or chlorella, or three sheets or nori seaweed.

So eat more fruits and veggies! And be wise about it too. I want to thank Alison Buck, a classical homeopath who first brought to my attention the concerns about tooth decay.

Here is an excellent brief video on this issue – just be aware that this trained nutritionist is not quite accurate about fiber in juice or protein in vegetarian diets – you can get adequate fiber – soluble fiber – from juice, and you can get adequate protein from plant sources. The rest of this video is quite good.
 

 

Medical Issues

Grapefruit juice is contraindicated if you take certain medications. Talk to your physician or pharmacist if this is a concern.

If you have any thyroid issues, compounds in raw cruciferous vegetables can interfere with your treatment. Again talk with your physician because thyroid and other health problems can be effectively improved with certain fruits and vegetables. Cruciferous veggies include kale, broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, cauliflower, turnips, arugula, Brussels sprouts, radishes, collard greens, kohlrabi, rutabaga, and watercress.

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Another medical concern is diabetes. The old rule of thumb is that anyone who is diabetic should stay away from fruit and sweet veggies such as carrots, beets, etc. Recent research has overturned this with the discovery that many fruits and veggies have compounds that actually help regulate sugar levels better than cooked food. This is exciting news for diabetics so talk to your physician right away!

There is concern about the issue of fiber. Fresh juice separates ‘pulp’ from juice. The pulp is primarily insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber remains in the juice. Nonetheless, juice provides less fiber than the whole food unless one returns the pulp to the juice. For those who need more fiber in their diet, blended drinks (popularly known as ‘smoothies’) may be a better choice since they do not separate pulp from the juice. Pulp is also added calories so for weight loss, juice is a better choice.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation points out that compounds in dark leafy vegetables (kale, spinach, etc.) can interfere with calcium absorption. They recommend that these rich foods be added to your juice recipes 2-3 times a week instead of every day.

Spinach is also high in oxalate, a compound that can lead to the formation of kidney stones. People with calcium oxalate kidney stones should avoid overdoing this veggie.

Don’t juice too many tomatoes or oranges if you have acid reflux since the high acid content can aggravate and even lead to acid reflux.

Plus 1 More!

I’ve just added this concern based on new information I’ve learned about sugar.

We as a culture over-consume so much sugar, whether from healthy raw organic fruit or from processed foods, and the effects are far worse than we know. So I am seriously advocating as does the leading proponent of raw foods, the Hippocrates Institute, that we eat less fruit and more vegetables. For a complete look at shocking facts that the sugar industry doesn’t want you to know, see this article.

Oh by the way, here is a fascinating video by experts in the raw food world about raw foods to stay away from!
 

 

Filed Under: About Tagged With: dangers, Dangers of Juicing, Juice and smoothie dangers, juice and smoothie risks, juicing risks, risks

Watch Out for Added Sweeteners

January 2, 2019 by msondesigns@gmail.com

Too Much Sugar, Even Natural Alternatives, Is Not Healthy

added sweetenersIf You Think Artificial Sweeteners Are the Answer, I Have Bad News for You!

In the juicing world added sweeteners are rare because most recipes are naturally delicious without adding sugar.

Smoothies are different. In the smoothie world, added sweeteners are the norm because using the entire veggie or fruit – skin, seeds, and all – while adding nutrition and fiber, also adds tartness to the taste. Added sweeteners make smoothies taste good.

We try to add only ‘healthy’ sweeteners such as agave nectar, raw (turbinado) sugar, honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. We also use ‘natural’ low calorie sweeteners such as stevia, xylitol, and yakon syrup. This is because they are much healthier choices than any artificial sweetener. More and more research indicates that artificial sweeteners are linked to obesity and diabetes.

The Hard Truth

Sugar, whether it’s white or one of the healthier alternatives, is still sugar. And those of us who live in the US have a real sugar problem. We eat too much of it. On average each American eats 19 teaspoons or more of added sugar every day for an additional 285 calories.

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Health experts say that’s just too much. According to the American Heart Association a healthy amount is 6 teaspoons daily for women – 100 calories – and 9 for men which is 150 calories. For comparison, a can of Pepsi or Coke is a bit over 9 grams of sugar.

Read the Labels

These common sweeteners are all sugar even if the label doesn’t call them sugar:

  • Agave nectar
  • Brown rice syrup
  • High-fructose corn syrup
  • Dextrose
  • Evaporated cane juice
  • Glucose
  • Lactose
  • Malt syrup
  • Molasses
  • Sucrose

If the label lists a sweetener in the first few ingredients it’s probably too much! Same goes if the label says more than 4 total grams of sugar.

Cut Out Added Sweeteners

Fresh juices and smoothies can be absolutely delicious without added sweeteners. So many of our natural foods are packed with healthy sweetness. A carrot is sweet but only about 25 calories. A beet is about 60. An apple 90, banana 100, orange 45. So let’s go natural with no added sweeteners.

Juice and Smoothie Recipes

This is why I do not offer any recipes with added sugar, even my smoothie recipes. I keep tweeking a recipe until it tastes delicious without added sweeteners. My recipes have absolutely no added anything but the fruit, veggie, green, herb, and spice. Nothing else.

Personally, I’m so concerned about the ill effects of too much sugar, I encourage you to consider taking a further step beyond no added sweeteners in your juices or smoothies. Try using less fruit, the sweetest of our foods, in juices and smoothies to reduce your overall sugar intake!

What Do Added Sweeteners Do To Your Body

Take a look at this excellent brief video for what exactly sugar does to your body and why too much is so harmful.

 

 

Filed Under: About, Recipes, Sugar Tagged With: added sweeteners, sugar

Juice and Smoothies Recipes for Kids

March 19, 2018 by msondesigns@gmail.com

Delicious Fresh Juices and Smoothies Are Better Than Any Supplements for Kids!

We as parents can no longer ignore the problems associated with giving our children so many sugary sodas and drinks. Hyperactivity, tooth decay and obesity are just a few of the terrible results. Let’s take better care of our children with fresh juices and smoothies that are so delicious that they’ll prefer them to sugary drinks!

Fresh or Bottled

If you want to give your child the best, know this fact, fresh juiced fruits and vegetables will give your child nutrients found nowhere else – not in any bottled juice, even the best organic brands, not in any cooked food, even your best homemade recipe, and not in any vitamin or mineral supplement, even the most expensive all-natural brands! Surprising but true.

The special nutrients found nowhere else are enzymes and phytonutrients. What’s so special about these nutrients?

Enzymes

These are responsible for all the proper functioning of every organ in the body. We need enzymes not only to eat and digest food, but also to see, hear, smell, taste, breathe, move and think. Enzymes are critical. And only raw, juiced and blended food contains them.

Phytonutrients

These are only found in plants. They are all the nutrients left over when you take away vitamins and minerals, and there are hundreds in every plant. They turn out to have incredible disease-fighting powers. We are just beginning to identify them. You can buy a pill form of several known phytonutrients, but to get the hundreds more we haven’t discovered yet, the only place you’ll find them is in fresh fruits and veggies.

Synergy

This may be the most incredible benefit of all! Nutritional synergy is an astonishing property of certain nutrients that when mixed together deliver more benefits than each one alone. There are many known examples such as vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene and zinc. Synergy suggests that if you eat or drink the whole fruit, scores of benefits arise that we have yet to uncover, and all of them are good for our health.

The trick is to give your child the tastiest juiced or smoothie so he or she will come back for more! The sweetest vegetable is the carrot. Peel the skin and it’s even sweeter. Other favorites are apples, oranges, grapes, cherries and watermelon. Purchase organic brands. They cost a bit more, but they insure that the produce is free of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.

Required Fruits & Veggies

Just one glass (2 cups or more) of a fresh juice or smoothie is a convenient way to insure that your child receives the recommended 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day – the “minimum daily requirement” or “MDR”, as established by nutritional science. With fresh juice you can finally stop worrying about your child eating enough fruits and vegetables.

Fresh juice or a smoothie gives your child so many nutrient benefits including a boost in their immune system by as much as 70%. That means fewer illnesses, and no need for expensive vitamin and mineral supplements.

Raw or Juice

“But my child eats raw carrots and fruit – isn’t that as good, if not better, than a juice or smoothie?” This is a great question, and you will be amazed by the answer! When your child eats a raw carrot, they absorb about 1% of the available beta-carotene, but when your child drinks a fresh juiced carrot, they get 100% of the beta-carotene! This is because our digestive system does not fully break down the raw form of most fruits and vegetables. The juicing process extracts juice from indigestible fiber leaving liquid that is more quickly and completely absorbable. Thus fresh homemade juice is the best food we can possibly eat – and give to our children!

Filed Under: About, Recipes Tagged With: Juice Recipes for Kids, Juicing for kids

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