Striving4Zen

Swiss chard is a very good non-dairy source of calcium and an excellent source of vitamin K, which plays an important role in maintaining bone health since it activates osteocalcin, the major non-collagen protein in bone.
Swiss chard's rich supply of magnesium is also necessary for healthy bones. About two-thirds of the magnesium in the human body is found in our bones. Some helps give bones their physical structure, while the rest is found on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to draw upon as needed.
Swiss chard is also an excellent source of pro-vitamin A as it is rich in beta-carotene. and thus helps promote healthy vision. In a study of over 50,000 women, those who consumed the highest dietary amount of pro-vitamin A had a 39% reduced risk of developing cataracts.
Chard is also rich in the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants that concentrate in the lens and retina to protect them from oxidative damage. Dietary intake of these carotenoids has been found to reduce risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

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Labels: calcium, greens, swiss chard

No, juicing your greens is not nearly as healthy as eating them, provided that you use healthy cooking methods when you eat the greens themselves. If you overcook the greens, you will lose too many of the nutrient they contain, and in that case, you might be worse off than if you used a juicer. But as long as you use the healthy steaming or other cooking methods we describe on the website, you'll get a far greater variety of nutrients in the whole greens than in the juice.

Juicers usually separate the juice from the solids in the leaves or stems or stalks (the pulp), all of which are then discarded. Unfortunately, these portions of the greens often contain a majority - and even a large majority - of the total nutrients, including fiber, and many phytonutrients including certain carotenoids and certain flavonoids. If you added all of the discarded portions back into the juice, you would be getting very close to the same nutritional benefits as the vegetable itself. However, most people would find a juice with all of the processed parts to be unpleasantly thick and displeasing in taste.

We've seen websites promoting the value of live enzymes from freshly juiced greens, and even though we have not seen research to support this claim, there may indeed be some benefit inside of the digestive tract to the consumption of freshly juiced, organic greens. We do know that very fresh (not long from harvest) raw foods that are harvested and handled with care can deliver some functioning enzymes into our digestive tract when we eat those raw foods. However, there is no research showing that we would be able to absorb these enzymes into our body and make use of them outside of the digestive tract.

Many juicers come with a recipe book showing how the vegetable pulp can be used in recipes. This idea makes good sense to us, and would be a way of salvaging some of the nutrients that were lost during the process of juicing.

Blending versus juicing

Blending, however, is somewhat different. We assume that when foods are blended that all of the fruits or vegetables remains in the blender. In this case you are getting virtually all of the nutrients in the food - as well as the fiber- and therefore will not have such an impact on blood sugar levels. There may be a little but of loss from exposure to air and from the mechanical processing, but if you are not heating the foods or discarding any of its components, you are losing very little here - especially in comparison with juicing.

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Labels: beverages, blender, enzymes, greens, juice, juicing, Vitamins

Spirulina (fresh water algae) - delivers a whopping dose of B vitamins, Iron, and the essential fat, GLA.

Chlorella (fresh water algae) - is packed with chlorophyll, also known as "the blood of plants," and is believed to have powerful blood/body cleansing properties.

Chlorella is known to boost energy and aid in the natural elimination of heavy metals and other toxins from the body as well.

Barley Grass Juice Extract - the ultimate green food, is excellent for stretching students because of its high levels of beta-carotene, calcium, and iron.

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Labels: barley grass, chlorella, greens, spirulina

Green leafy vegetables Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.

Lemons You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away.

Watercress Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.

Garlic Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.

Green tea This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.

Broccoli sprouts Get 'em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

Sesame seeds They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Asian cooking.

Cabbage There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Coleslaw, anyone?

Psyllium A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon, or have psyllium-fortified Bran Buds for breakfast.

Fruits, fruits, fruits They're full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

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Labels: detox, detoxify, fruits and veggies, Green veggies, greens, Holistic Health, liver, nutrition, Vitamin C

So you know you should be eating dark leafy greens, since they're great sources of iron, fiber, and calcium. Lettuce and spinach are green, but not nearly as nutritious as kale.
This curly green veggie is part of the same family as cabbage and brussels sprouts, and is so good for you because it contains phytonutrients that help prevent cancer.
Kale also contains the flavonoid called maempferol, which may help prevent ovarian cancer. This hearty green veggie is also great for cleansing and detoxifying your system, and is a rich source of vitamin A. One cup of cooked kale will give you 36 calories, 7.3g of carbs, 2.6g of fiber, 2.5g of protein, 94 mg of calcium, 2 mg of iron, 88.8 mg of vitamin C (that's surprising), and 510 mg of vitamin A (wow).

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Labels: cruciferous vegetables, greens, healthy diet, Kale, vegetable, Vitamins

"Spirulina is one of the only non-animal sources of complete protein," says Jessica McNamara, product specialist for Frontier Natural Products Co-op, which supplies spirulina to natural food stores and cooperatives throughout the country. "It has all eight of the essential amino acids in the correct proportion, plus 10 of the 12 nonessential ones. So one serving all by itself translates into 5 grams of complete protein for the body. And for that reason, it's become really popular with strict vegans and people in the raw foods movement."
It's also extremely low in calories (26 per tablespoon), carbohydrates and fat. And because the carbs it does contain are complex, married to a protein- and mineral-rich base, McNamara says it's possible spirulina also stabilizes blood glucose levels by slowing the body's process for metabolizing sugars and simple starches. But she's reluctant to make any overt health claims.

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Labels: greens, nutrition, superfoods

Chlorella
Powder, tablets, capsules
Among the richest source of chlorophyll
Contains Omega 3 Fatty acids, anti-oxidants, carotenoids, RNA and DNA (nucleic acids), proteins, vitamins, minerals Aids the body in elimination of heavy metals & other toxins such as PCBs, mercury, and leadChlorella is a whole food, and a fibrous material which greatly augments healthy digestion and overall digestive track health
Less moistening than Spirulina and least cooling; least bitter and more neutral

Spirulina Tablets
capsules; powder
A micorscopic plant that contains over 70% protein content, it is the higest, most potent, and the most digestible protein source
Contains complete amino acid content
Among the richest source of chlorophyll
Source of gamma linolenic acid, vitamin B12, phycocyanin, sulfolipids, beta carotene, and other caotenoids, vitamins
Contains anti-viral, anti-cancer, and immune stimulating properties
Good for food cravings, diabetes, sugar addicts, & people detoxing from alcohol right when they stop
Not for those with dampness or excess
Rice w/Spirulina make a good travel food
Keeps good for about 3 years

Wild Blue Green AlgaeTablets
capsules; powder
Start with a small dose in the morning on an empty stomach (not at night); take with tea or juice, not with food; too much will give you gas
Very cooling, especially to kidneys - so use with ginger
A mental stimulant
Detoxifies the liver
Burns up body fat
Good for depression

Wheatgrass
Powder, juice - should be consume within 2 minutes of pressing
Wheatgrass is a variety of grass that is used like an herbal medicine for its therapeutic and nutritional properities; the common grains of barley, rye, and oat grow grasses are equally potent.
Juice is a crude chlorophyll
Can be taken orally and as colon implant without toxic side effects
High in enzymes, magnesium, and oxygen which promotes the functions of the brain and body tissues
Superior detoxification agent
Good for skin, hair, teeth, blood disorder, anti-aging
Improves digestions, eases constipation, and keeps bowles open
Grasses are a balanced source of nutrients and a complete life sustaining food; they contains many essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals & trace minerals, essential fatty acids, and over 80 identified enzymes

Barley Grass
Tablets, capsules, powder
Contains large amounts of natural chlorophyll and antioxidants, one being the enzyme Super Oxide Dismulase (SOD) which neutralizes free radicals, also other antioxidants that prevents aging at the cellular level and strengthens the body's immunity
Highly nutritious and rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B1 & C & B12
20% Protein
Not as sweet as wheatgrass

Labels: greens, spirulina, superfoods, wheatgrass