Detox Juice Recipe
Posted on 28. Aug, 2010 by juice gal.
Juicing is very energizing, cleansing, and healing for the body. Fresh juice can be made at home for much less the cost of store bought and it’s healthier, too. Here’s a recipe using carrot, parsley, apple, beet, and ginger. This is a delicious beverage to use in your next detox juice fast.
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Detox Juice Fasting
Posted on 27. Aug, 2010 by juice gal.
Do you need to rid the body of toxins and ill health? Are you exposed to toxins in the first place? The answer to both is probably yes. Harmful substances can enter the body through the air, water and foods we eat. Many chemicals and ingredients used in manufacturing industries are considered toxins. It has been discovered that such hazardous things are stored, primarily in fat cells, because the human body does not know how to process and eliminate them. The natural detoxification system becomes overburdened and we may experience symptoms of chronic headaches, premature aging, allergies, and other diseases.
The answer for many people is to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle and periodic detox by fasting. A common method is to detox with juices for two to three days in an effort to unburden the colon and give aid to the liver, kidneys, and other detoxifying organs. Raw foods are key to this detox diet and juices are prepared at home in a Juice Extractor
This is a calorie restriction and should be done with proper care. Avoid strenuous exercise and drink water. You may need to consult with a professional for guidance. There are also many books on the subject such as Juice Fasting and Detoxification
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Healthy Vegetable Juice
Posted on 23. Aug, 2010 by juice gal.
Is Vegetable Juice Healthy?
Vegetables are healthy, no question about that. A great variety of vitamins and minerals is found in vegetables. Most contain calcium, but no single vegetable contains all nutrients. Some, such as spinach, carrots, and cabbage are rich in vitamins A. While broccoli and squashes, as well as many beans provide vitamin B. Green peppers and carrots contain a lot of vitamin C, and kale, potatoes, and lima beans are full of iron. As you can probably gather, it is best to eat (or drink) a variety of vegetables to get the most nutrition.
For the most benefit it is advised that you prepare your own juices at home. This is easily done with a juice extractor, also called a juicer machine. Fresh juice is much better for your body than store bought juices. Pre-packaged juices may contain preservatives and have usually been pasteurized (heated). The pasteurized juices have lost many vital nutrients, not to mention the fact that they sit on the shelf for more than 24 hours and may experience oxidation. Some juices also contain sodium and more fruit than vegetable ingredients. In a pinch though store bought juices may be acceptable.
What You Don’t Get
Vegetable juice prepared in a juice extractor will separate and remove the fiber. For some applications, such as juice detoxing, this is preferred. Lack of fiber in the juice makes it easier for your body to digest and creates an environment of fasting. The body still gets the nutrients, which are absorbed in the blood stream, but the colon is not processing the fiber.
Vegetables vs Fruits
Both vegetables and fruits are beneficial to the body but vegetables to have some advantages. The sugar content in vegetables is generally much lower than that of fruits. Fruit juices tend to pass through the body much more quickly and after a couple of drinks you may feel the jittery effect.
In summary vegetable juice is one of the most healthiest beverages. By juicing your own drinks you can choose and mix the foods that are most suited to your taste and health needs. Happy juicing!
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Safety of Detox Diets
Posted on 14. Aug, 2010 by juice gal.
Quick and easy detox diets including pills or extreme methods are abundant on the internet. It may be hard to sort through all the misinformation in order to find a healthy, natural way to help the body eliminate toxins. Firstly, the body detoxifies itself everyday. But many natural health proponents believe that our bodies are often overloaded with the toxins to efficiently remove all of them. If this is true, then one of the first steps should be to reduce the risk of toxins entering the body by consuming unprocessed foods. However, many still feel the need to help the process along, and in fact, many herbalists and naturopathic doctors have been assisting individuals in the process for decades, even centuries.
Detox diets vary. The basic premise behind them is to temporarily abstain from certain foods believed to contain “toxins,” such as meat, sugar, certain grains, dairy products and caffeine. Typically a detox diet begins with a diet of raw vegetables and fruits, freshly prepared juices, and water. In addition, some detoxification diets advocate using herbal and colon cleansing products to help the functions of the liver and colon. The duration of such programs often ranges between 7 to 10 days, These regimes are not intended for long term use as they often involve a great deal of calorie restriction.
Research, planning, and discussing with a qualified health professional is recommended. Extreme diets, such as the master cleanse, or diets which involve “miracle” pills to shed pounds or burn toxins are not recommended here. Such diets can cause moderate to severe side effects that may or may not be immediately apparent. Early side effects of a detox diet include headaches. Though this may be a reaction to removal of caffeine, it should be watched closely. Prolonged fasting or severe calorie restriction can result in anemia, low blood sugar and irregular heartbeats.
After a detox diet involving juice or other methods, it is wise to return to a healthy, natural diet based on whole grains, fruits/vegetables, lean proteins and unsaturated fats. This will help to maintain the benefits experienced while detoxing.
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The Healthy Way to Detox
Posted on 11. Aug, 2010 by juice gal.
If you’re serious about your health and getting your body into top condition, you may need to know about the methods of detoxification. Natural body cleansing occurs automatically, but if your lifestyle is inconsistent, sedentary, or even reckless, then your body detoxification will produce the same results. It’s time to get wise and work smart toward your goals.
Don’t be too quick to believe the headlines about quick fixes, laxatives and pills, or extreme diets. Healthy detoxification and cleansing is to be approached seriously and consistently. There are many aspects to detoxing, and many methods for doing so. I personally recommend that you begin with a healthy diet of mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. Raw foods are most beneficial, but an entire diet of raw food may seem extreme to some people. One of the best tasting ways to introduce raw fruits and vegetables into your diet is through blending and juicing. (For some starter recipes, try these juice cleanse recipes.) Start with one juice in the morning and try that for a month. You’ll probably notice a subtle improvement in your digestion and energy levels. That’s a great start! Now you’re ready to move on to a periodic juice cleanse which involves one to five days of consuming only fresh juice.
So what does a periodic juice cleanse mean? It’s a form of colon detoxification which requires abstaining from solid foods and drinking only juice. How can this be a detox method? Basically this method supports the body in eliminating toxins because it provides the body with raw plant foods containing the vitamins and minerals necessary to good health. Juice contains no solid food to digest, so digestion occurs quickly and naturally. No magic pill here, just basic nutrition that the body can handle.
Juicing is one way to help the body cleanse itself, but the body uses several channels of elimination to maintain health. Some of these are discussed in my intro to a total body detox post.
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