Day 48:

Juice: Bleeding Grapefruit

Bleeding Grapefruit:
2 Grapefruit
2 Sticks of Celery
1/4 Beetroot

This is a great picker-uper of a juice! A wonderful morning juice. Real zingy and sweet.

Personally, I find beets can be an overpowering flavor in juices and typically when purchase a fresh juice from a juice bar there is always too much beet. I get it. It's a cheap veg to have on hand and fills up a cup nicely. But, it's sweet taste can quickly turn on you and become sickly sweet! Yuck!
So a Top Tip when dealing with beetroot, start small. You can always add more.

As a rule, if you want fresh juice, the absolute best thing you can do it make it yourself, at home with produce you have purchased locally. BUT we all know that is not always possible.

Sometimes when you're in a pinch and want something juicy you pick up one of these:

 (or one of the many variations that occur)

Please note, I am not promoting this brand over any other, but I did choose this particular bottle today because of the word "Superblend" and "Superfruits" being listed on the front of the packaging. Now, I have seen (possibly even used) the term "Superfood" when referring to kale, quinoa, broccoli, etc... but I thought it was interesting that a label would list something as a "Superfruit" instead of a "Superfood". Surely a "Superfruit" should be covered under the "Superfood" label, since fruits - super or not - are still in the "food" category.
But, I digress....

So, I flipped the bottle around to look at what fruit Bolthouse Farms considered to be SO SUPER.

For those of you who may not be able to read my blurry image the list is as follows:

Acai Berry
Goji Berry
Bilberry
Black Current
Mangosteen
Blueberry
Noni Berry
Yumberry
Raspberry
Pomegranate

Now, with the exception of the Yumberry and the Noni Berry, I know a bit about the rest of the fruits and all are good choices, I couldn't think of a reason why they were "Super" and a apple - for example - is not. So, I thought it must be in the definition of the word - Superfruit.

However, there is no agreed upon definition. Hmmm...

Wikipedia states "Superfruit is a marketing term first used in the food and beverage industry in 2005..." and "...the designation of a fruit as a superfruit is entirely up to the product manufacturer." (Wikipedia) Interesting, no?

Also, the USDA and FDA have not officially endorsed the term. So, Superfruit means whatever a corporation wants it to mean.

But at the very end of the wikipedia page glowed a little blue link instructing me to "see also: superfood". Well I couldn't resist that. Click.

Superfood seems to have a definition, but only in some dictionaries. Macmillan and Oxford have defined superfood as: "A nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being." (Oxford) Okay, aside from the fact that I think this definition can be applied to most raw fruits and vegetables, it is at least a base to work from. 

*It should also be noted that wikipedia describes superfood as "a marketing term used to describe foods with supposed health benefits." (Wikipedia)

The best description/definition of the term superfood came from the Food Matters website (some of you may have seen the documentary). There they define superfood as "a special category of foods found in nature. By definition they are calorie sparse and nutrient dense meaning they pack a lot of punch for their weight as far as goodness goes. They are superior sources of anti-oxidants and essential nutrients - nutrients we need but cannot make ourselves."

Now it says "by definition" but I could not see a link or footnote as to which "definition" they are referring to. However, I think it is the most specific definition I could find...let's call it a nice working definition.

But at the end of the day this is a marketing term, both Superfruit and Superfood. It is VERY important to note that the juice bottle DID NOT have an USDA organic label or even claim to be organic...It merely said "All Natural" which means nothing in the food world.

So I ask you this: What good is a "superfruit" or "superfood" if it isn't grown under good conditions?

Let me know your thoughts?

Also if you have a spare 20mins...this is a GREAT video!

Day 47: 

Black Grapefruit:

Black Grapefruit:
2 Grapefruits
1 Handful of Blackberries
1 Handful of Blackcurrants

Back again my friends with another amazing juice recipe for you. Though I will note that I had a hard time tracking down blackcurrants (it is probably because Blackcurrants aren't in season).

Today is all about storage.

If you are prepping to do a juice fast or just looking to incorporate fresh juice (and all the benefits that come with it) into your daily life than careful storage is important.

Ideally, fresh juice is not to be stored. It is to be drunk.

A lot the goodness (healing enzymes) in fresh juice oxidize (decays when it is exposed to oxygen) quickly. So in a perfect world without work, kids and other obligations outside your own home, but alas, most of us don't have that luxury. (Though vacations are a great time to do a juice fast - lots of sleep, plenty of time and the ability to consume you're fresh made concoctions right after you've made them.)

So the question is:

What is the best way to store your fresh made juice?

Organic Produce:

Hopefully this is something you all already do, but I cannot stress this point enough (and most credible resources do too). As organic as possible all the time. This ensures you get maximum goodness out of your produce, since storing juice diminishes some of the nutrients. Now in small town with access to great local produce this will probably work out to be the cheaper option too, but in a place like New York City it is means kissing goodbye the remnants of your already demolished paycheck (thanks rent).

BUT it is widely accepted that what you put in your body matters, so why put in a whole lot of trash - especially on a juice fast. You could do that with a delicious cupcake instead!
So, when you walk through the grocery store, numbers swirling in your head, nausea rising beacuse you realize you're one of those people technically living in poverty, still buy the organic stuff. Your health is worth it!

*Here is information from the USDA on what "organic" means: Organic 101. Totally interesting!







Glass Containers:
All the research I have seen prefers glass containers over plastic.

Firstly, plastic containers leach chemicals into your food. Most of us have seen the labels warning us about BPA or Bisphenol A, which "is an industrial chemical used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate, which has been used in many consumer products, including reusable water bottles. BPA is also found in epoxy resins, which act as a protective lining on the inside of metal-based food and beverage cans." (FDA) But even in BPA free bottles have other chemicals which still leach into your food.

Second, a lot of plastic containers are thin and allow for more rapid oxidization.

Glass jars are the preferred method, probably because The Gerson Institute (a GREAT source of knowledge for those who really want to delve into the healing powers of fresh juice) recommends 8oz Mason jars (Gerson FAQ)...I know, how very hipster of us juice lovers.

Now, to keep things cheap, I just reuse jam jars, salsa jars, and applesauce jars. Since I eat all of those foods (and have paid for the jar along with the food) I just peel the label off and reuse.

Citrus:
Adding citrus to you juice concoction when you are planning to store is a good idea, since citrus can
slow the process of oxidization.






The Recommended Process of Storing:

• Wash, prepare and juice you're veggie's. Some research recommends refrigerating your jars before juicing into them - a way to keep the juice as cold as possible for as long as possible. 
• 3oz-8oz jars are great! Small is good. Since we don't want the juice to oxidize, a small jar allows you to fill the jar right to the top, leaving little or no room for air (juice will probably ooze out when you shut the jar - good!). 
• Then refrigerate immediately. Consider buying a refrigerator tote.
• When you go to drink your stored juice, drink it all in one sitting. Avoid opening and closing the container, since exposing it to air is bad.

If you find anymore tips send them my way!

Happy Juicing!

Day 46: 

Juice: Cloudy Day

Cloudy Day:
2 Grapefruits
1/2 Long Cucumber
2 Sticks of Celery
1 Small Bunch of Fresh Mint

So, I was bumming around online, reading about juicing - as I do - and I came across this article, which I thought was a nice point of view on juicing: Notes From A Newly Converted Juicer by Bob Carden at the Washington Post. Here are a few highlights if you don't have time to glance at the whole thing:

"A blender pulverizes veggies and fruits, and makes for a thick, fiber-filled drink. A juicer separates, so all you get is pure juice. It comes at you with a slow hand and an easy touch, lovingly churning that apple while extracting its juice. Blending’s more of a one-night stand, while juicing’s a long-term affair." 

Pure truth. 

Bob Carden also interviews a 44 year-old video editor, Julian Thomson who says this about juicing:

"Smoothies, blenders, that’s all wussy stuff. Posers who think they’re doing something healthy. Juicing is juicing, man, not blending. You have to yank the juice out of the veggies. You want to blend? Then go drink a margarita.”

Hilarious.

Now, don't get me wrong, all you smoothie lovers out there, I am not against the smoothie (in fact at the end of this blog I will have a whole bunch of smoothie recipes for you). I adore a good smoothie and desperately love my blender for everything I do with it: Homemade nut milk, yogurt pancakes, etc... 

But, I think this is a great statement for all the people with Vitamix Blenders, 'cause they all say: "I have a juicer - a Vitamix." Wrong. Vitamix's are not juicers. They are amazing blenders and an amazing addition to any kitchen, but it does not extract the pulp...therefore it is not a juicer. A Green Smoothie is not juice. Living in New York City, I feel I have this conversation with people everyday, so let me quickly lay it out for you all in the blogging 'verse.

Blending vs. Juicing  

 

 

There are pro's and con's to blending and juicing.

The main argument against juicing and for blending, is that when you juice the fiber. Fiber slows the absorption of nutrients, because your body has to digest (a.k.a extract the nutrients from the fiber). So, fiber keeps you fuller longer because you body is working with it. Also depending on whether the fiber is soluble (meaning is dissolves in water) or insoluble (does not dissolve in water) it can improve you absorption a specific nutrients and keep you regular. (Source)

When you juice, you remove the fiber and allow your body to take the extracted nutrients and work with it right away. This gives your body what it would take anyways while giving the digestive tract a break - as it if were intravenously. 

Ultimately, neither is better than the other. Both are good and your best bet it to include a little of each in your day. 

Day  45:

Juice: Grapefruit Greens

Grapefruit Greens:
2 Grapefruit
1 Handful of Watercress
1 Bunch of Parsley

Hey guys. Sorry for the radio silence, but I was abroad for a little while and just didn't have the time.

Let's talk about watercress - a new ingredient.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a semi-aquatic or aquatic plant native to Europe and Asia. Watercress is a member of the Brassicaceae, botanically related to garden cress, mustard and radish and, according to www.watercress.com, it "is the most ancient of green vegetables known to [be consumed by] man".

Watercress is renowned for it's many health benefits, but the most frequently talked about is it's cancer fighting properties. The leafy green plant has high levels of phytochemicals known as isothiocyanates, the same disease fighting components found in brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, kai choi, kale, horseradish, radish and turnip. Isothiocyanates, or ITC's, has been shown to "inhibit the development of tumors" and various types of cancer cells. (Source)

Watercress is also rich with vitamin A, B and C, iron, calcium and potassium, so it has a bunch of other benefits too. It's good for your eyes, bones, blood, liver, and even your skin, hair and nails.

So there really is no negative to adding more watercress into your diet.
 

Day 43:

Juice: Orange Morning

Orange Morning:
2 Grapefruits
3 Carrots
1/2 Inch of Ginger Root

This is a great juice for cold and flu season. I actually has a friend who swears by this juice as a preventative to getting a cold and she has not had one this flu season, so maybe there is something to this, I donno. But, she also adds turmeric to this mixture - maybe you want to consider that too.

Curcuma longa

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial plant and member of the Zingiberaceae family, the ginger family. Native to Southern Asia, turmeric is, in fact, the root of the Curcuma longa plant. Turmeric actually looks a lot like ginger, but more orange in color.

For thousands of years, turmeric has been used to treat a variety of ills, but more recently studies has shown that consuming turmeric can help fight infections, reduce inflammations, helps digestive problems, and fight some cancers. It is a good source of iron and manganese and a phytonutrient pigment called called curcumin. According to World Healthiest foods:

"Curcumin is thought to be the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric. In numerous studies, curcumin's anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be comparable to the potent drugs hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone as well as over-the-counter anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin."(Source)

And the benefit to using turmeric instead of all those drugs is - it doesn't have all the toxic chemicals drugs have, which means you'll have less junk in your body.

Day 43:

Juice: Peppery Grapefruit

Peppery Grapefruit:
2 Grapefruits
1/4 Red Cabbage

Red Cabbage, a vegetable I didn't used to eat often - or ever - until a few years ago. I used to avoid most leafy vegetables or salad basics. I just didn't like them, which is what made Juicing such a great idea. But, Red Cabbage has grown on me, which is great because it is really good for you.

When is comes to vegetables, green is good, but purple is even better, and this stand true for cabbage.

Red or Green, cabbage is a Cruciferous (also called Cruciferae) vegetable along with cauliflower, kale, cress, bok choy, broccoli and a few other green leaf vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables have long been touted as being healthy and important additions to one's diet. In fact, most sources recommend a minimum of 3-4 servings of cruciferous vegetables a week. WebMD actually names this veggies: "The Super-Veggies" because of all of the nutrient goodness locked inside.

 "...they all contain phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals, and fiber that are important to your health (although some have more than others)...One of the big reasons to eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables is that they may help to lower your risk of getting cancer." (WebMD)

Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), sometimes known as purple cabbage, is darker in color than it's green counterparts, because it has a higher "concentration of anthocyanin polyphenols, which contribute to red cabbage containing significantly more protective phytonutrients than green cabbage." (www.whfoods.com) Anthocyanin Polyphenols are pigment compounds found in many plants that lend them their characteristic colors and have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potentially protective properties.

Emotional Lifestyle: 

Couldn't resist.

All of this videos are so weird and hilarious, but I especially liked this one. The guy coming out of the window, the sleeping bag, the girl attached to the guys back in the back left hand corner...so many ridiculous things happening here.

Day 42:

Juice: Grapefruit Tonic

Grapefruit Tonic:
3 Grapefurits
1 Teaspoon of Spirulina

I didn't really like this juice, it was too tart with only grapefruits. But Spirulina is a nice addition to any juice because it it full of good things: vitamins, minerals, carotenoids (More About Carotenoids), antioxidants and a healthy dose protein. I talked in depth about Spirulina WAY BACK in Entry 3, so feel free to check there for some more information.

Fasting Problems:

So, the rest of today's entry is actually more personal. It it about my 30 Day Juice Fast. This is something I started on February 25th  and I ran into some issues that proved very interesting.

For starters I decreased my coffee intake a week or so before the first day of the fast, to make my withdrawal symptoms a little easier to deal with. This was especially hard for me since I am a bonafide coffee addict - like 3-4cups a day, kinda gal. So, removing it was a big deal, but I had done it before for a week while on my first juice fast. It had been awful, but I made it.

I began my fast on Feb. 25th and the first day was fine. Everything felt normal, but my body was still dealing with food and caffeine from the day before.

Day two, however, I began to notice some gastric distress (mainly a lot of burbling and I was uncomfortable) during and after consuming a juice. I felt very bloated. Thinking this was just my body clearing out junk I continued.

Day three, I found the gastric distress increase, significantly. I couldn't even make it through an entire juice, it was too uncomfortable. I felt nauseous just looking at juice. Yuck!

So being a strong proponent of "listening to your body", I contacted my holistic practitioner in Vermont and laid out my problem. She said it sounded like a stomach lining issue. She informed me that coffee is very acidic and can severely damage the stomach lining - especially, when drunk in the amounts I was consuming - and that now without coffee, my stomach is probably trying to heal, but the juice might be too acidic as well or just too much nutrients for it to process easily.
Information on Stomach Lining: What do I need to know about my stomach lining?

My Practitioner asked me to reintroduce, just raw foods into my diet along with juice, to see if the fiber in the food would slow down the absorption rate. I consumed raw greens, vegetables and fruit, before drinking juice for a day to no avail. I was still quite uncomfortable and my stomach was very vocal.

My Practitioner, then asked me to try refined carbohydrates, which are easier for your body to process since they are processed and comprised of less sugars than complex carbohydrates. She recommended white bread, pita, crackers, etc... If these were hard to process, I was to put myself on a liquid diet, broths and water only.

The carbohydrates were fine. No pain or discomfort. Yay!

Next, she sugguested herbal tea - like ginger and peppermint, which warm the stomach - and yogurt (if I felt like it). Yogurt has acidophilus also known as intestinal fauna & flora or probiotics. Acidophilus is a term "used to describe a number of bacteria that help in human digestion... In addition to basic digestive assistance, it is thought to help bolster the immune system as a whole. It is also thought to provide some relief from intestinal problems." (Source)

I introduced yogurt the next day and it went well. I also had a pear, which went okay - a little grumbling.

Slowly, over the weekend I reintroduced complex carbs (rice, potatoes), fruits and eventually, raw vegetables, but to be honest, I was very far from craving or enjoying the vegetables. It was not appealing to me in any major way just yet, so I stuck to a lot of yogurt and carbs and some fruit.

After a few days of that, I craved greens and began to eat a much more normal - pre-juice fast diet. But, even now, I have a slight aversion to juice. I really don't want to drink any right now and my Practitioner suggested I wait until I feel that I want some. She also strongly cautioned me against coffee and said if I was going to return to it (which I am) that I keep the intake level low and give my body a break every now and again.

I have been off coffee now for three and a half weeks. My goal is a month, then I plan to really try to stick to one cup a day.

This was a very interesting learning experience for me, which highlighted, not just the dangers of excess amounts of anything and the importance of listening to your body, but also to seek out a well trained holistic nutritionist or practitioner, who can help you through any issues that might arise while fasting.

Comments? Questions?