Juicing For Optimum Health

Drinking the juice of fresh fruit and vegetables has the power to protect us from disease and illness by strengthening our immune system. It stimulates our metabolism and keeps us 'clean' on the inside.

I published a squidoo lens that will provide all you need to know about juicing...you will learn how to obtain better health, review a dosage chart so you can see the amount of vitamins needed to keep our bodies healthy, which fruit and vegetable juice will help with any symptoms you are experiencing and much more.

Read my complete informational lens by going HERE

Click here to Learn how Acai Berry Juice will Improve Your Health & Recieve 20% off

God Gave Us....

Food to help each part of our body. As you read each description, visualize what each looks like. It is amazing how these foods are right under our noses and do correspond to a part of our body.

Carrot: A sliced carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and science shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

Tomato:When you slice a tomato, you will see that it has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes: Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

Walnut:When you crack open a walnut, it looks like a little brain. It has a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans: They actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb: They look many more like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears: These target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs: They are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes: look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives: assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits: They look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions: They look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

The Benefits of the Acai Berry

If you are not familiar with the acai berry, it is known to increase energy, stamina, vitality and promote overall well being. It also is high in antioxidants and helps fight premature aging.
It contains fatty acids and omegas, which helps lowers harmful cholesterol and sterols that helps in the reduction of blood plasma cholesterol. The acai berry is also an excellant source of dietary fiber.

I had posted a three part series about this berry and it's benefits on my blog: Mind,Body & Soul back in March.
The Benefits of the Acai Berry-Part 1
26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Juice-Part 2
26 Reasons to Drink Acai Berry Juice-Part 3

The acai berry grows on palm trees in the amazon rain forest. They are considered to be the most nutritious and edible berry on the planet. The berries are dark purple and about the size of a blueberry with a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding a large seed.

I found that at The Total Health Shop, they provide not only the best price, but their unique blend of juice provides the best benefits. In their acai berry juice, you will also find additional ingredients.
See below:

Pomegranate Juice Concentrate
~ Helps maintain a healthy heart
~ Has naturally occurring high levels of ellagic acid
~ Helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels
~ Helps to maintain healthy blood pressure
~ Helps to alleviate symptoms commonly associated with menopause
~ Pomegranate is a natural astrigent and is high in both Vitamin C and Iron

Raspberry Juice Concentrate
~ Helps to rid the body of phlegm
~ Strengthens and vitalizes blood circulation
~ Natural source of ellagic acid which can help protect against cell damage
~ Raspberries are rich in antioxidants; both phytonutrients and vitamin compounds

Blueberry Juice Concentrate
~ Helps maintain eye and vision health
~ Contains powerful, active antioxidant compounds which combat free radicals and help protect against cell damage
~Helps maintain Heart Health
~Helps maintain healthy Kidney and Urinary Tract function
~ Blueberries can help to prevent premature aging
~ Blueberries have anti-inflammatory properties

Essential Vitamins and Minerals: B1, B2, B3, C & E, Calcium and Potassium.

Essential Fatty Acids: (Omega-3, Omega-6, and Omega-9). These polyunsaturated essential fatty acids help lower LDL (harmful cholesterol) while maintaining HDL (beneficial cholesterol). This unique ratio resembles the same combination as olive oil. Omega fatty acids can increase healthy cell development. Omega fatty acids are essential for healthy nervous system development and regeneration. They help rapidly repair and rejuvenate muscles after intense exercise. Essential fatty acids (Omega-3 in particular) help the brain to run smoothly.

You can visit the Total Health Shop if you want to purchase or just learn more about acai berry.

Food for Thought

There aren't many foods I don't like, but I am not a fan of mushrooms. If they are hidden within a sauce, I can manage eating them, but otherwise, I'd rather not.

BUT, I know that researchers have said that mushrooms are a source for powerful new health products.

In Asia, they use the mushroom to fight disease. They have been used against cancers of the stomach, esophagus and lungs. Medical research shows mushrooms help with tumors and heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol. Also, I read that they help the immune system and can prevent the common cold, flu and some infections.

A physician in a northern California clinical practice, Dr. Isaac Eliaz is using mushrooms to help build his patients' immunity. He uses MycoPhyto Plus Complex which contains six medicinal mushrooms grown on immune-enhancing herbs.

The experts say there are over 140,000 types of mushrooms on Earth, but only 10 percent are studied and known.

Well, I guess I may try pizza with mushrooms or Chicken Marsala to reap the benefits of mushrooms.

Here's a great recipe from Rachel Ray:
Chicken Marvalasala and Papardelle with Rosemary Gravy Serves 4

This meal lives up to it's name – it's simply marvelous (and it tastes like it must have come from a fancy restaurant)! Rachel Ray

Take Care of Your Bones: Take Calcium

When I was 14 yrs old, I had scoliosis surgery (curvature of the spine) and 5 yrs ago, I had another surgery which fused one of my disks. Due to the previous issues with my spine and now that I'm getting older, I have to take extra care of my bones/spine. I certainly don't want to develop osteoporosis or be affected with low bone density.

Osteoporosis is a condition that features loss of the normal density of bone and fragile bone.
According to Health Reports an estimated 10 million Americans over the age of 50 years old have osteoporosis. In addition 33 million people, mostly women, are afflicted with low bone density, placing them at an increased risk for developing this condition. At menopause, bone loss can range from 4% to 8%

Magnesium is an important supplement to add to your diet.Magnesium suppresses the hormone that tells your body to pull calcium from the bones, and stimulates the hormone that tells the body to put calcium in your bones.

A diet rich with calcium not only can help build strong bones and teeth, but also may help prevent osteoporosis, reduce the risk of colon cancer, control blood pressure, ease PMS and calm your nerves

The National Osteoporosis Foundation's daily recommendation of calcium is 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams each day.

Here's what you need at every age and stage of your life:
Ages 1 to 10: 800 to 1200 mg
Ages 11 to 24: 1200 to 1500 mg
Women 25 to 50: 1000 mg (pregnant & breastfeeding women should check with their doctor)

Men age 25 to 65: 1000 mg
Postmenopausal Women: 1000 mg if on hormone replacement therapy
1500 mg if not on HRT
Men over 65: 1500 mg

Health and Diet / True or false: The calcium content of low-fat dairy products is equal to regular, fat dairy products? True!
They both have the same amount of calcium, but the fat content is different. To cut down on the fat and not the calcium, choose 1 percent or fat free milk (or other low-fat dairy foods). Calcium is crucial for healthy bones and to ward off the effects of osteoporosis. Both men and women are susceptible.

Best calcium rich foods:
Nonfat milk, Ricotta cheese, yogurt, calcium-fortified soymilk, tofu, spinach, sardines, swiss chees, legumes, almonds

See 14 Calcium Rich Recipes from Better Homes & Garden


Don't fall behind with taking your calcium. Take Care of Your Bones!

Source: http://www.ediets.com/

Healthy Reasons To Eat Watermelon

Big or small, seedless or not, red or yellow, nothing says summer like a big, juicy watermelon (or a seed-spitting contest off the deck). But there is a lot more to this melon than water.

Turns out it's packed with phytonutrients, vitamins A, C, and a good hit of potassium, plus some B6 and thiamine -- everything except fat, sodium and calories.

Watermelon has lots of lycopene, a key plant antioxidant that is famous for fighting heart disease and prostate cancer. Tomatoes are usually considered the lycopene all-stars, but you have to cook them in a little oil to release it.

Watermelon not only needs no cooking to unleash its lycopene but, cup for cup, it has 40 percent more than tomatoes.


Get your C: A big slice of watermelon (about two cups) fills almost half your vitamin C quota.

Fight infection: Two cups of the juicy red melon also supply nearly a quarter of your daily beta carotene, which your body uses to make vitamin A. Running low on beta c can leave you vulnerable to viral infections and vision trouble.

Heal faster: Watermelon (especially yellow-orange varieties) is one of the rare food sources of citrulline, an amino acid used in wound healing and cell division. Slurp up the juice but bite down too: There's extra citrulline in the white and green part that most people toss.

Sooth stress: Watermelon is a good source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure -- making it the perfect snack for stressful family reunions.

Quench cravings: There are only 96 calories in two fill-you-up cups of sweet watermelon, and its high liquid content makes you feel full. So start your dessert course with a wedge and you're less likely to go overboard on Aunt Edith's brownies..

Leftovers? Make these the next day.

EASY WATERMELON SLUSHIES:
4 servings
3 cups diced watermelon
2 Tbs. lime juice
1 Tbs. sugar
1 cup crushed ice
½ cup water
Dash of black pepper or cayenne -- optional flavor twist for heat-lovers

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and blend into a frosty slush

SPACE-SAVING TIP FOR SMALL FRIDGES: Store uncut watermelons at room temperature. They continue to develop nutrients after picking and refrigeration halts the process.

The 5 Deadly LIES

According to Raphael Calzadilla, BA,CPT,ACE, an ediets Chief Fitness Pro, fitness-equipment manufacturers, diet books and supplement companies have one thing in common.
Guess what that is?
PROFITS! Sure, profits are nice, But, at the expense of people who are truly searching for a way to get fit, and healthy, it's not so great.

After you read his article, it will lay to rest some of the myths you've heard and maybe what you thought were the best way to receive results. I know you'll be more inspired and confident. I learned that Consistency and level of effort is the key, not the number of days I exercise, which made me feel less guilty about my 2-3 days of work outs.

READ.... THE 5 DEADLY LIES Click here

A drug-free competitive bodybuilder and 2005 winner of the prestigious WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) Pro Card, Raphael Calzadilla is a veteran of the health-and-fitness industry. He specializes in a holistic approach to body transformation, nutrition programs and personal training. He earned his B.A. in communications from Southern Connecticut State University and is certified as a personal trainer with ACE and APEX. In addition, he successfully completed the RTS1 program based on biomechanics.

Green Tea Health Benefits

Latest research proves green tea, a ubiquitous drink in Japan, contains a unique antioxidant so powerful that it works as well as any diet pill. Researchers in Tokyo and Geneva discovered Japan’s high consumption of green tea might be an even greater contributor. Green tea, contains a unique antioxidant so powerful that it works as well as any diet pill.International research supports the possibility of green tea being your weight loss miracle. Based on these studies, adding green tea to any diet will lead to slimming – no diet overhaul needed.

Green tea doesn’t limit its fat-burning power to the abdominal region alone. The Nagao study also showed that tea drinkers lost nearly three times more body fat than the control group. Nagao credits the tea’s ability to increase thermogenesis, the rate at which the body burns nutrients to generate heat.

Another study by at the University of Geneva reported that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most prevalent catachin in green tea, boosts the body’s daytime thermogenesis up to 43%. Subjects given 90 mg of EGCG (the amount in about two cups of green tea), plus 50 mg of caffeine (found naturally in tea) with three daily meals, burned 10 percent more stored fat.

In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.

University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

A study by Cleveland's Western Reserve University concluded that drinking four or more cups of green tea per day could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, or reduce symptoms in individuals already suffering from the disease. And Japanese scientists at the Saitama Cancer Research Institute discovered that there were fewer recurrances of breast cancer, and the disease spread less quickly, in women with a history of drinking five cups or more of green tea daily.

Here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:
cancer
rheumatoid arthritis
high cholesterol levels
cariovascular disease
infection
impaired immune function

Whether or not you'll obtain health benefits remains to be determined by further research.

A great, healthy thirst-quencher for hot summer days.
INGREDIENTS:
6 green tea teabags ~6 cups cold water~2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
1. Place teabags in a large teapot or pitcher.
2. Put sliced peaches in a saucepan, add cold water, and bring to a brisk boil, then pour water and peaches over teabags.
3. Steep for 6 minutes, then add sweetener (maple syrup, honey or Succanat are recommended). Allow tea to cool, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
4. Include a few peach slices in each glass and serve with a spoon, garnished with a sprig of mint, if you like.
Even Easier Alternative Method: Make a pitcher of green tea and add the contents of a can of organic sliced peaches. Chill thoroughly.
Makes 6 servings.

Enjoy!