21 Raw Questions

I have seen a few of my favorite raw food bloggers doing these 21 raw questions so I thought I would give it a whirl…

1. Favorite Raw Vegan milk? Almond Milk… we drink it straight up, put it in cereal, and add it to fruit to make ice cream, and of course we make yummy smoothies, usually banana chocolate with Amazing Grass Powder.

2. What are the top 3 recipes you are planning to make? Hmmm… this summer I am looking forward to raspberry and blackberry sorbet, watermelon smoothies, and fruit salad. We like to keep it simple.

3. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure? The first time I made raw key lime pie it came out lumpy and REALLY sour because I just peeled some key limes and threw them in the blender. The next time I just juiced regular limes instead.

4. How do you organize your recipes? I keep them on my computer in text files, or bookmarked from web sites… it is not a very good system and I need to figure something else out.

5. Compost, trash, or garbage disposal? Compost definitely. We throw everything in a bowl on the kitchen counter and when it gets full we toss it into the compost pile in our back yard.

6. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods…what would they be? Strawberries, watermelon, and snow peas. Delicious!

7. Fondest food memory from your childhood? Probably my mom’s prime rib. I LOVED prime rib with a passion. Pretty sad that my fondest food memory is of eating a dead cow.

8. Favorite raw ice cream? Raspberry Lime Sorbet. I have always loved sweet and sour.

9. Most loved kitchen appliance? My Vita-Mix… life would be incomplete without it!

10. Spice/herb you can’t be without? Cilantro! I spent over 20 years in the Southwest so Mexican food is soul food to me and salsa with tons of cilantro is the heart if it.

11. Recipe (Cook) book you have owned for the longest time? Joy of Cooking. My Mom gave it to me but I don’t ever use it.

12. Favorite flavor of jam/jelly? Not crazy about jams and jellies generally but Blackberry would probably be the most appealing.

13. Favorite raw (vegan) recipe to serve to an omni-friend? A green smoothie because when people drink their greens and enjoy it, it is like Christmas.

15. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking. Almonds, Walnuts, and hemp seeds.

16. Favorite grocery store? Whole Foods.

17. Food blog you read the most.Yikes, that is like asking which tooth I brush the most.. I read TONS of foods blogs!

18. What is one ingredient that you’ve become familiar with that you can’t imagine you ever lived without? Chia seeds.

19. Most coveted condiment? Shoyu sauce.

20. Best food smell? Garlic.

21. Best cooked food memory that you’d like to re-create raw? Clam Chowder. I could substitute oyster mushrooms for the clams but that is as far as I have gotten in my planning, lol.

Play along by answering the 21 Raw Questions on your own blog!

The Benefits of Wheatgrass Juice

“Wheatgrass” is simply sprouted wheat. There are several stages of sprouting wheat kernels or berries. Very short sprouts can be dried and ground for a sugar substitute; fully-grown wheat sprouts, of course, are the high stalks of wheat harvested by farmers for more wheat berries. In between these is wheat grass, several inches of green, grass-like leaves sprouted from wheat berries. The juice from this grass is full of health benefits, some of which are discussed below.

Healing

Wheatgrass helps restore a balanced state in the body (homeostasis), creating an environment that is unfriendly for the growth of pathogens and “bad” bacteria.

A University of Texas Cancer Center study indicated cancer-inhibiting qualities in wheatgrass juice, due to the high chlorophyll content.

Anemia can be helped by the ingestion of wheatgrass juice. (see “Blood” below for more information)

Nutrition

The nutritional profile of wheatgrass is impressive. It is full of amino acids, which are the basic components of protein. It also has around 30 enzymes, calcium, iron, magnesium, beta-carotene, potassium, and zinc.

Skin

Creams, ointments, and lotions made with wheatgrass juice soothe sunburn and other burns. It can help itchy rashes and heal acne as well. Even soaking in a bath to which a cup or so of wheatgrass juice has been added can soothe and heal skin.

Cleansing

The saponins in wheatgrass juice are responsible for the “foamy” appearance of the juice, but they also help detoxify the body by boosting the lymphatic system.

Wheatgrass juice is said to remove mucus and other toxins from the body, making it an ideal internal cleanser.

The chlorophyll in wheatgrass juice purifies water, changing the chemical composition of some water additives, such as fluorine, into harmless ones. A small amount of wheatgrass juice added to the water used to wash produce helps remove toxic pesticides, preservatives, or other chemicals.

Blood Benefits

Wheatgrass juice is almost 70 percent chlorophyll, and the chlorophyll molecule closely resembles that of the human hemin molecule. Hemin, which has iron as its central component, binds with protein to produce hemoglobin. Chlorophyll has magnesium rather than iron as its central component, but is otherwise strikingly similar to the hemin molecule. Thus, wheatgrass helps build red blood cells, making it an all-around blood-builder and a good treatment for anemia.

The boosting effect wheatgrass has on the blood helps alleviate high blood pressure.

The high nutritional value of wheatgrass juice also contributes to feeling satisfied after drinking it. It is assimilated quickly by the body, which also contributes to appetite satisfaction.

Wheatgrass juice gives you energy, which helps motivate you to exercise and be more active, contributing to weight loss and maintenance.

Top 5 Healthiest Dark Green Vegetables

Remember when your parents used to load your plate up with veggies and not let you have any dessert until you finished every last bit? They may have known that veggies were good for you but did they know just HOW good those dark green vegetables were?

Take a look at Popeye and his spinach. He would down a can and practically lift a car. Impressive wasn’t it? Maybe the general idea isn’t so far fetched. We get a lot of nutrition from those greens.

Five of the healthiest dark green vegetables include broccoli, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce and Swiss chard. These vegetables, identified by their dark green color, are rich in antioxidants and usually have large amounts of phytochemicals like Vitamin C.

If you’ve turned on the television in the past three years, antioxidants have been all over the news. They’ve been proven to help reduce the risk of cancer and strengthen the immune system.

Many foods tend to lose nutrients when cooked. The great thing about these dark green vegetables is that you can find them easily in your grocery store and they taste great with little or no cooking, leaving much of their nutrients intact.

Here is some important information about these healthy veggies:

Broccoli is a fun vegetable for kids because it feels like you’re eating a small tree. In fact, the little buds are actually tiny flourettes that contain more than twice the amount of Vitamin C of an orange.

Some facts about broccoli you may not already know include:

* Broccoli is a great source of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. It not only meets both types of fiber needs, but it’s also a rich source to add to your diet.

* Research has shown indole-3-carbinol – found in the phytonutrients of broccoli – actually deactivates a metabolite which can become cancerous.

* Broccoli also helps restore sun-damaged skin, reduces the risk of heart disease, and boosts the immune system. At the same time, it also promotes healthy bone growth due to its massive amounts of calcium.

Kale is a slightly bitter, leafy green with a huge amount of folic acid and potassium. Try some kale in your stir-fry. You may just find yourself thoroughly impressed.

* The folic acid found in kale is a great addition to your diet if you suffer from poor hair, skin and nails.

* In addition, the potassium helps to promote the breakdown of lactic acid in muscles after a workout, and is a great food to help prevent muscle soreness in the recovery process.

Swiss chard is similar to spinach, with a little more of an earthy undertone. Rich in Vitamins C and K, as well as calcium, Swiss chard is a great addition to salads.

* Vitamin K helps promote healthy eye and brain function. The next time you have to spend hours staring at a computer screen or studying for that big exam, try some Swiss chard and let your mind be at ease knowing your brain is getting the nutrients it needs.

Spinach is a lean mean green antioxidant-packing machine, rich in flavor and in Vitamins A and C, and iron.

* Spinach is loaded with important vitamins and minerals to promote healthy brain function as well as strong bones and muscles.

* Next time you have a salad, try it with spinach instead of lettuce for a little variety and a big explosion of taste.

Lettuce may be the last thing that comes to mind when you picture dark green vegetables. While many of the lighter shades of lettuce, such as iceberg, have very little nutritional value, the darker the color, the more they have to hide.

Romaine lettuce, while still made up mostly of water, is packed with antioxidants and fiber.

The darker green the leaf, the more folic acid is present, which prevents heart disease.

Even though lettuce seems so simple, look at some of its complex attributes:

* Lettuce is great for diets since it’s very low in calories.

* Magnesium, found in romaine lettuce, does wonders in revitalizing muscular tissues, the brain and the nerves.

* The chlorophyll-packed juice in lettuce is very helpful in maintaining normal hair color.

* Lettuce is high in iron, which helps the formation of red blood cells.

* Lettuce may help in treating insomnia, acid indigestion, colitis, constipation, gout, stress and many other diseases as well.

While you might have been forced to eat your dark green veggies as a kid, now you know why it was so important. Even today, your dark greens are vital to your health and well-being. Try these dark greens in some new recipes; you just might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it!

The Benefits of Himalayan Salt

I use Himaylan Pink Salt at home for flavoring foods. I had never even heard of it until some raw foodie friends recommended it and now I don’t use anything else.

When most people hear the word “salt,” they think of sodium chloride. This is what is commonly sold in stores, and usually has one or more of the following added to it: calcium silicate (anti-caking agent), dextrose (sugar), and iodine.

Himalayan salt is different. It comes from an old lake bed (the lake evaporated in the past) in northern Pakistan at the base of the Himalayan mountains.  It is hand-mined, hand-washed, and sun dried. Its crystal structure is not unlike precious gems, and proponents of the salt make all sorts of claims about its benefits. Here are some of the suggested uses and benefits of Himalayan salt.

1. Air purifier

It is said that a large chunk of Himalayan salt placed near the computer or television reduces the effects of the radiation these appliances emit. It also has been credited with neutralizing second-hand cigarette smoke in the air and absorbing other airborne impurities. It is especially effective when heated, such as when the salt chunk is made into a lamp.   

2. Skin cleanser

Himalayan salt contains magnesium and bromine, which have a cleansing and detoxifying effect on the skin. This makes it especially beneficial for those suffering from dermatitis due to allergies. Mix some of the salt with a gentle skin cleanser or water and use on the skin, massaging it well. Rinse.

3. Brine

Himalayan salt can be made into a brine, or sole, that has various uses. To make the brine, mix a few crystals with pure spring water. When they dissolve, mix in a few more. Keep doing this until the crystals no longer dissolve. Then, you can use the brine for a variety of things, such as:

* Toothpaste – Add undiluted brine to your toothpaste to clean your teeth, strengthen your gums and freshen your breath.

* Upper respiratory and sinus health – Heat brine in a pot and inhale the steam. Cover your head with a towel to keep the vapor near your face. Inhaling the steam can help ease headaches associated with sinusitis and other factors.

If you use a neti pot to cleanse and flush your nasal passages, you can use Himalayan salt. Add 1/2 teaspoon to a full neti pot.

* Health drink – Add 1/4 teaspoon of brine (up to 1 teaspoon is considered okay) to 8 ounces of pure spring water and drink. Do this in the morning on an empty stomach and continue drinking pure water throughout the day. This drink can help balance your body’s pH and, with a little lemon juice added, it helps balance your electrolytes.

Himalayan salt can be used in fine crystal form as a substitute for table salt as well.

All salt is not created equal. The refined, iodized, commercial salt sold in stores is a far cry from natural Himalayan salt. Don’t try to subsititute commercial salt in any of the above suggestions – it’s entirely different, and could cause problems if used as described above.

The Importance of Colon Cleansing

This topic always strikes home with me because I am a colon cancer survivor. At 28 years old I was not at all concerned about colon health ( I thought the subject was a bit taboo) but then my colon rocked my world and now I think about colon health OFTEN!

A great many physical ailments have been attributed to a colon in need of cleansing. While colon cleansing is not a cure-all, it does have a valid place in a healthy lifestyle. Here are some reasons why, and some suggestions for how to do a colon cleanse.

What does the colon do?

In short, the colon eliminates solid waste from the body. After the nutrients from the food you eat are absorbed through the small intestine and distributed via the liver into the bloodstream, the “leftovers” move into the large intestine, or colon, where they are eliminated when you go to the bathroom.

Problems arise when wastes accumulate in rather than exit the colon, causing constipation, bloating, and/or a condition known as systemic intoxication or poisoning. Systemic intoxication can lead to cognitive difficulties such as confusion, and even emotional problems such as depression and irritability. Some sources suggest that allergic “attacks” of hives, sneezing, and coughing are due to systemic intoxication. Accumulated waste in the colon has been implicated in cancer, diverticulitis, and nutrient deficiencies.

How is colon cleansing done?

The term “colon cleansing” is relatively broad, and can refer to anything from fasting to taking an enema. Usually colon cleansing involves multiple steps. Here is a typical, multi-step cleansing program for the lower intestine.

1. Fast

The simplest way to remove toxins and impurities from the body (and colon) is to fast (unless you are pregnant or lactating). It is the most sensible first step in a cleansing program, after checking with your physician of course. A cleansing fast should last about 3 days. Begin by eating only raw fruits and vegetables for 1 or 2 days, then drink plenty of water and pure juices for 24 hours. During that time, you can drink herbal teas as well. Good cleansing herbs are:

 -Milk thistle
 -Dandelion root
 -Garlic
 -Slippery elm

After 24 hours of only liquids, eat only raw fruits and vegetables for a couple of days to help you come out of the fast.

2. Fiber

A cleansing drink can  be made from fiber-rich psyllium seed, and taken once daily until the colon is “clean.” Mix 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed with 1/2 cup each of apple juice, aloe vera juice, and water.

3. Enemas

No one likes to talk about them, but enemas are a straightforward and effective means of colon cleansing. An enema made from catnip tea is particularly effective at relieving congestion and accumulations in the colon. Make the tea by steeping 2 tablespoons of dried catnip per cup of pure, boiling water. Steep for about 8 minutes, strain, and cool to a comfortably warm temperature (about 99 degrees F). Using an enema bag and rubber tip, introduce the catnip tea into the colon. Because this is a cleansing enema, it does not need to be retained for more than 2 or 3 minutes.

These are just some ideas about enhancing your colon’s health via cleansing. Those who have undergone cleanses claim all sorts of health benefits. At the least, you will feel better.