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The End of The 30 Day Juice Challenge
I have completed the 30 Day Juice Challenge and wanted to give you my personal review.
It wasn’t hard and became routine so I give it a 10 on the easy scale. Let me add that I work from home so it is easy for me to prep and prepare juicing at my leisure. It would be much harder for a person who has a 9-5 job to prepare for juicing.
As far as taste, it is something you will get used to. It only took me a couple of times to look forward to the juice. I also flavored it up with apples and ginger. After that even kale is pretty yummy. Who would of thought?
I didn’t find the cost prohibitive. I buy lots of produce every week anyway so this wasn’t a new area for me. Previously to my juicing challenge I tried to get as much organic as possible so I was already on the right track.
My disappointment was with the weight loss which was only a couple of pounds even though I was using once a day juicing as a meal replacement and gave up sugar and gluten. I did lose a few pounds but not the 20 I was hoping for. (sigh)
I felt fine but never got the “I feel like I have the energy of a 20 year-old.” Nope! It didn’t happen. I 
would say my energy level only increase a tiny bit. That for me was my biggest disappointment.
The best benefit was my skin became flawless and glowed, so I at least looked better. I no longer craved sugar or processed carbs. My taste buds now desired a higher grade of eating.
So, what I learned:
I may have to juice 100% everyday to get the full benefits that Joe Cross brags about on Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.
I am using the wrong juicer. I am using a cheap juice extractor and that doesn’t get the most juice out of the veggies and it heats the foods up destroying enzines and nutrients. See my post on Juicing vs. Blending.
Will I continue juicing? Yes, I will but not so dedicated. To complete my experiment, I am going to try juicing 100% for 7 days to see if I get WEIGHT LOSS and FANTASTIC ENERGY, but not right now. I need a break. I was doing Holy Juicing for Lent but I think I lost my followers who were doing it with me. Yes, it’s hard.
One thing I am sticking to is giving up white sugar and process foods. Yuck. And breads with
8 oz a day.
gluten. Bread just doesn’t agree with me anymore. Of course they are now putting all kinds of disgusting and dangerous chemicals in bread. All to keep it on the shelf longer and to make more money. No problem, there are tons of breads in the freezer section at the store that are gluten free and I have a great recipe for almond bread.
There you go. My review of the 30 Day Juicing Challenge.
What is Maca Root?
What is Maca root?
Have I had my head in the sand or is this the new wonder food? All of a sudden, I see Maca Root everywhere as the cure for EVERYTHING. I was watching a video on a new smoothie recipe and the presenter was adding Maca root…WILD Maca root. So, I decided to research Maca. What the heck is it? Here is what I found.
Maca root has been used by native Indians in Peru as a vital ingredient to health for thousands of years. Maca’s use goes back to around 3800 B.C., when Peruvian Indians cultivated and ate it for both its nutritional and medicinal value. Centuries later in 1549 A.D., records indicate that, during his time in Peru, the Spanish explorer Captain de Soto received Maca from the Indians as a gift in return for his help in improving methods of animal husbandry in the Peruvian Castille region. By 1572, as Maca’s health-giving properties gained notoriety, the Chinchayochas Indians had begun using Maca root for barter. It was not until 1843 that this plant was studied by scientists and given the botanical name of Lepidium meyenii, Walpers. after German Botanist Gerhard Walpers
Maca root grows in the mountains of Peru at high altitudes of 7,000 to 11,000 feet, making it the highest altitude growing plant in the world. Maca is a radish-like root vegetable that is related to the potato family, and is tuberous and spherical in form. The root itself is about three to six centimeters across and 4.7 centimeters in length. There are four recognized types of Maca Root based on the color of the root. Root color varies from creamy yellow or light pink to dark purple or black.
Chemically Maca root contains significant amounts of amino acids, carbohydrates, and minerals including calcium, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, iron, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E. Peruvian Maca also includes a number of glycosides. (In chemistry, a glycoside /ˈɡlaɪkəsaɪd/ is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. These can be activated by enzyme hydrolysis,[1] which causes the sugar part to be broken off, making the chemical available for use. Many such plant glycosides are used as medications. In animals and humans, poisons are often bound to sugar molecules as part of their elimination from the body.)
As a nutritional supplement, Peruvian Maca has generalized tonic effects on the biochemical functioning of the human body. Chief among these effects is the enhancement of endocrine function. The endocrine system includes all of the glands, and the hormones they secrete, that exist in the body and that control such conditions as fertility, sexual function, digestion, brain and nervous system physiology, and energy levels. Hormonal regulation is responsible for all of the physiological attributes that enable us to enjoy the myriad sensations of being vibrantly alive, including those related to sexual arousal, physical activity and mental-emotional states of being. Maca root has also been called an adaptogen, which means that it increases the body’s ability to defend itself against both physical and mental weakening, hence potential illness. It is believed it achieves this by supporting adrenal and pituitary gland health, both of which underlie proper endocrine function.
Maca Power is cultivated in the Junin plateau of Peru’s central highlands at 4,100 meters above sea level, on ancient terraces. It is a Certified Organically grown and processed product, which is non-irradiated and chemical-free. The Maca root is dried at a specific low temperature and is milled to our specifications, ensuring maximum preservation of nutrient and ingredient content. The result is the optimal light-colored and non-oxidized sweet taste of a high quality product.
Known Modern Applications:
Traditionally, Maca has been used for a variety purposes, which can differ for men and women. For example, women have found it helps relieve the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Women tend to notice a dramatic decline in hot flashes and night sweats. Men have used it to enhance fertility and sexual function. Users of Maca root tend to derive a variety of benefits in accordance with their individual needs. However, both men and women have found that it significantly boosts libido and sex drive, increases energy, stamina and the feeling of general well-being. In fact, recently Maca has been used as an excellent alternative to anabolic steroids among athletes seeking muscle hypertrophy. Unlike many other energy- and muscle-boosting substances, such as anabolic steroids, Maca contains no chemicals that interfere with or over-activate normal endocrine function.
How Can Maca Benefit You?:
Male:
- Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
- Treat sexual dysfunction (Loss of Libido)
- Increases stamina & athletic performance
- Nourishes glandular system
- Fertility enhancement
- Improves physical and emotional well being
- Promotes mental clarity
- Balance hormones
- Female:
- Treat PMS (Mood Swings)
- Menopause symptom relief (Hot Flashes)
- Sexual stimulation
- Nourishes glandular system
- HRT alternative(Hormone Replacement Therapy)
- Increases stamina & athletic performance
- Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
- Balance hormones
Menopause? No Problem – Symptom Free Menopause:
Menopause is a natural progression in a woman’s life – it is the cessation of menses generally accompanied by symptoms. This transition is unique for every woman yet there are ways to prevent and diminish the symptoms that typically accompany menopause.
Symptoms:
- Diminished libido
- Insomnia
- Mood swing (blues & depression)
- Migraines, memory problems
- Lower energy levels
- Palpitations
- Acceleration of the aging process
- Joint aches and pains
- Bone pain
- Vaginal dryness
- Benefits of Maca Power: Energy – Balance – Vitality!
- Increases libido
- Deeper sleep
- Balances moods
- Enhances memory and brain function
- Increases energy levels
- Helps adapt to stress
- Slows the aging process
- Lessens aches and pain, more endurance and stamina
- Prevents osteoporosis, high calcium and vegetable protein
- Reverses vaginal dryness
Menopause doesn’t have to be unbearable – implementing Maca Power into a sensible diet & lifestyle regime can produce positive effects.
How does Maca Root aid in the relief?
First and foremost it balances the hormonal system. It works on the pituitary gland – the master gland – which regulates all hormone production in the body. Hot flashes are diminished; sleep is normalized while stress levels are reduced when incorporating Maca Power into a daily wellness routine. Peruvian Maca root encourages the body to produce its own hormones to restore balance, instead of introducing hormones to the body. It’s the simple, natural approach that brings a world of difference to women suffering from the sometimes debilitating symptoms.
Maca root is a superfood naturally high in vitamins and minerals the body needs for nourishment. Its adaptogenic qualities make it a multi-faceted herb useful for a wide variety of conditions, women of all ages can benefit from.
Adaptogens increase the body’s ability to cope with physical, chemical and biological stress. Characteristics of an adaptogenic herb are non-toxic, while increasing resistance to stress, fatigue & distress – helping the body regain balance. Ginseng, is another (perhaps more familiar) adaptogen, that has been used in Asia for thousands of years for strength and vitality and it’s reputed aphrodisiac effects. Maca root falls into this same category, yet it is relatively new to North America although it’s been used in Peru for thousands of years.
Take your health into your hands, and experience the wonders of this ancient Peruvian herb – Maca Power the Inca Superfood.
How do I take Maca Power?
Maca Power is a 100% Certified Organic Powder that can be added to a breakfast fruit smoothie – blend fresh fruit, 1 tsp. of Maca powder with soy/rice milk or yogurt. It is naturally sweet flavored and blends in well. OR sprinkle it on top of your cereal or mix in with muesli.
If you prefer capsules, Maca Power comes in vegi-caps, non gelatin capsules that are easy to take – wherever you are, great for people on the go with busy schedules.
How soon will I see results?
Each individual is different, some women experience decreased hot flashes within days of taking Peruvian Maca root while others may take weeks to fine tune the hormonal system – it depends on the condition of your body. But be patient! The results are worth it.
Maca Root Active Ingredients:
- Alkaloids
- Trypterphene
- Phenolic compounds
- Flavonoids and/or coimarins
- Tannins
- Glycosides
- Saponins
- Free amino acids
- Secondary aliphatic amines
- Tertiary amines
- 2 groups of novel compounds — the macamides, and the macaenes (these agents are believed to be directly responsible for maca’s sex-boosting powers)
- Maca Root Powder Nutrition – 10% protein, 60% carbohydrates and fatty acids.
Note: Maca Power contains 14.6% protein. This is because the amino acid proteins have not been denatured at any stage of the processing.
Maca Q & A
1. WHAT CAN MACA ROOT DO FOR YOU? Maca root has a wide range of benefits all aimed at enhancing the endocrine system’s ability to act in the most efficient manner it is capable of so as to avoid breakdowns that wreak havoc on the body. Hormonal regulation is responsible for many positive attributes that allow our systems to enjoy a variety of sensations including energy, libido, sexual arousal, fertility, athletic performance, and so much more. Maca is an adaptogen, which means that it raises the body’s response to defend itself against disease both physically and emotionally. It functions to support an area that might be deficient such as exhausted adrenal or pituitary glands that are so integral to proper endocrine function. Many people derive a variety of benefits from taking Maca Power honoring the individual’s specific needs or deficiencies. See More Maca Information
2. WHY DOES MACA ROOT HAVE DIFFERENT NAMES? Maca root was originally identified in the 1800’s by a German botanist who named it “Lepidium Meyenii, Walpers” (after himself) – still the ONLY name officially recognized by the Peruvian government today. From the 1960’s, a research worker investigating Maca’s constituents attempted to rename Maca after herself, hence “Lepidium peruvianum, Chacon”. Some suppliers use this confusion as a clever marketing ploy to claim an ‘exclusive therapeutic’ species. DON’T BE FOOLED!! See More Maca History
3. SO ARE THERE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF MACA ROOT? There is only one species that is grown commercially for harvest. Like many other everyday foods, there is a plant that grows wild, but it has no dollar value. Remember, many of our common foods have ‘wild cousins’; for example, bush lemons and wild strawberries.
4. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH MACA BRAND IS THE BEST QUALITY? CERTIFIED ORGANIC Maca Root is your only guarantee. Read the label – high protein count is a great indicator of optimal growing conditions and careful processing. Maca is a carbohydrate root vegetable, so a light color and sweet taste means that the aminos, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and other nutrients have been better preserved.
5. HOW MUCH MACA ROOT POWDER SHOULD I TAKE? Maca root is a food and therefore should not be used in extremely small quantities. For it to be effective and to achieve results, proper dosages should be followed. In keeping with original ancestral Peruvian dosages, you should mix 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of Maca into smoothies, yogurt, herbal teas, fruit juices, etc. Or if you are using our MACA POWER& Vegetarian Capsules take 2 to 6 500mg Capsules per day or as directed by your health practitioner.
6. HOW DO I STORE MACA ROOT POWDER? It is best store Maca Root Powder in dark dry cupboard. Some people store it in the refridgerator but this is not necessary but some feel it keeps the powder fresh and the consistency lighter.
7. IS MACA ROOT SAFE? Yes. There are no reports that Maca has any level of toxicity.
8. ARE THERE ANY WARNINGS DISSEMINATED ABOUT MACA ROOT USAGE? No, there are none.
9. ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC MEDICAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE AWARE OF WITH MACA ROOT USAGE? Given the high potassium content in Maca, it is not recommended for people with renal insufficiencies.
10. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NAMES THAT MACA ROOT IS KNOWN? Maca, Maka, Maca-Maca, Peruvian Ginseng, Maino Ayak, Chichira, Ayak Willku
So there you have it. Is it a super-food or just another wonder food flash in the pan? Only time will tell.
Source: http://realrawfood.com/maca-history-info
Blogger: Terry Ryan
Juicing vs. Smoothies
JUICING VS. BLENDING: WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
Here is a short comparison that explains the differences between the two as well as some of the specific benefits of each.
What’s The Difference?
JUICING
Without all the fiber, your digestive system doesn’t have to work as hard to break down the food and absorb the nutrients. In fact, it makes the nutrients more readily available to the body in much larger quantities than if you were to eat the fruits and vegetables whole.This is especially helpful if you have a sensitive digestive system or illness that inhibits your body from processing fiber. The fiber in produce helps slow down the digestive process and provides a steady release of nutrients into the blood stream. Jason Vale calls juicing “A nutrient express!” Freshly squeezed vegetable juices form part of most healing and detoxification programs because they are so nutrient rich and nourish and restore the body at a cellular level.
A word of caution: When you remove the fiber from the produce, the liquid juice is absorbed into your blood stream quickly. If you are only juicing fruits, this would cause a rapid spike in blood sugar and unstable blood sugar levels can lead to mood swings, energy loss, memory problems and more!
Fiber is also filling and without fiber in the juice, some people tend to get hungry again quickly.
Smoothies
Unlike juices, smoothies consist of the entire entire fruit or vegetable, skin and all and contain all of the fiber from the vegetables.
However, the blending process breaks the fiber apart (which makes the fruit and vegetables easier to digest ) but also helps create a slow, even release of nutrients into the blood stream and avoids blood sugar spikes. Smoothies tend to be more filling, because of the fiber, and generally faster to make than juice, so they can be great to drink first thing in the morning as your breakfast, or for snacks throughout the day.
By including the fiber in your smoothie, the volume will increase. Also, you can pack more servings of fruits and veggies into a single serving of juice than you can into a smoothie.
1. It’s best not to combine fruits and vegetables (unless it’s apple). This can affect how well your digestive enzymes function.
This doesn’t seem to matter too much in green juices and smoothies, but vegetables like carrots, beetroots, broccoli and zucchini don’t combine well with fruit due to their high starch content. In his book Food Combining Made Easy, Dr. Herbert Shelton explains that starchy foods have to be eaten alone because starches are digested with enzymes different from those used for any other food group. Combining starchy foods with fruit may cause fermentation and gas. However, Dr. Shelton found that green leafy veggies combine well with pretty much everything.
2. Try to drink your juice or smoothie straight away. After 15 minutes, light and air will destroy much of the nutrients. If you can’t drink it straight away, transfer to a dark airtight container until you’re ready.
Using The Right Equipment
To get the most benefit from your juices and smoothies, it’s important to use the right equipment. Invest in a good-quality juicer. Cheaper, centrifugal juicers introduce heat and oxygen and destroy the enzymes and nutrients in your fruits and vegetables. While it may cost you a bit more initially, a premium cold-press juicer will produce a superior-quality juice and allow you to extract more from your fruit and vegetables, saving expense in the long-term.
The machines themselves will also generally last longer. In contrast to the rough extraction of centrifugal juicers, mastication or cold-press juicers compress fruit and vegetables to ‘squeeze’ out their juice.
Cold Press Juicer
Blender
The same goes for a blender. You want a blender that is gentle on your produce and doesn’t heat up the enzymes as it’s pulling apart the fibers. We spend money on gadgets, clothes, restaurants and other luxuries so, if you can afford it, investing in your health by buying a quality juicer or blender is totally worth it.
Centrifugal juicer
What Should I Look For
In A Juicer?
When we are looking for our perfect juicer here is what we look for: (Great source for this info was http://www.foodmatters.tv/juicer-buying-guide)
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers are commonly available in retail outlets and are the cheapest type to purchase. These machines initially extract juice by pulverizing fruit and vegetables against a round cutting blade that spins very quickly against a metal strainer. The centrifugal force generated by the spinning motion of the cutting surface separates the juice from the pulp.
- Pros: Cheaper
- Con: Not the best way to extract juice because heat may destroy nutrients.
Cold Press Juicers
These machines operate via a masticating (chewing) or cold press method to produce a superior juice to their centrifugal counterparts. In contrast to the rough extraction and high speeds of centrifugal juicers, cold press juicers operate at lower speeds and gently compress fruit and vegetables to ‘squeeze’ out their juice. While more costly, their slower and more thorough extraction rates produce a higher-quality juice, and more of it.
- Pro: Higher juice yield
- Con: Expensive
BLENDERS
Blenders are coming out of the pantries and being used as a great way to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Plus, it doesn’t “waste” the pulp as it is finely shredded/blended into an easily drinkable form. I know a lot of people who prefer to juice this way. They add ice and protein powders and make a pretty delectable smoothie. I wrote a blog post about Andrea who has lost 60 pounds using this kind of method to drink her veggies and fruit. She uses a Nutribullet and adds ground up flax seeds. Just looking at her you can tell it works as far as weight loss.
- Pro: Uses all of the vegetables and fruit (no left over pulp)
- Con: Assimilation of micronutrients are slowed down because it requires more of the digestive process
What to look for when choosing a juicer
- Able to easily juice all greens, herbs and grasses (with a high yield)
- Good to juice fruits, including soft varieties
- Cold pressed, to produce a superior juice
- Low speed (rpm), to minimize oxidation and produce a longer lasting juice
- Able to make nut milks
- Easy to clean
- Low noise!
Source Links:
http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2011/08/juicing-versus-blending/.
http://www.drsearswellnessinstitute.org/blog/2012/04/12/juicing-vs-blending/
Adrenal Health!
Foods to Support Adrenal Health and Combat Adrenal Fatigue
The adrenal glands are small organs that sit just above the kidneys. These little glands are responsible for your body’s response to stress. They create, release, and regulate hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, which let us cope with stress.
The adrenal glands evolved to help us deal with danger, life-threatening situations, and times when we need to be quicker, sharper, stronger, and faster than usual. They are a large part of the fight or flight response which prepares muscles to move quickly and violently by shutting down unnecessary bodily functions. Heart and lung actions accelerate, digestion slows, tear and saliva production shuts down, and energizing nutrients are released for quick use.
Our modern lifestyle has altered how often stress factors affect us. We are not likely to be attacked by a tiger on our morning commute, wrestle a rival for dominance during a board meeting, or chase down a mammoth for lunch. But this doesn’t mean that the adrenal glands are less active.
Our bodies were designed to deal with short bursts of stress like those described above, but not to handle stress that doesn’t dissipate quickly. Unfortunately, we’ve modernized our stress along with everything else, making it more constant. The body also has a hard time distinguishing between life-threatening stress and any other kind of stress. The frustrating traffic during our commute, preparing and giving the presentation during the board meeting, our short lunch hour where we rush to down something, the responsibilities, the financial strains, and the deadlines all pile up and your body acts like it is in imminent danger all the time, no matter how non-threatening the source of stress, physical or emotional.
Modern stress is not the short and occasional thing our bodies evolved to be prepared for. It is frequent, prolonged, and often very intense. This overstimulates the adrenal glands, leaving them unable to meet our needs and resulting in adrenal fatigue. Add on top infections, trauma, poor diet, anxiety, depression, and prescription drugs and we have a recipe for disaster. These all can make it harder for your adrenal glands to keep up. So what are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue?
Fatigue, even after adequate sleep- Craving salty and sweet foods
- Unexplained pain in back or neck
- Inability to handle stress
- Low stamina
- Difficulty waking
- Normal energy levels arriving in the evening
- Impaired immune system
- Consistently low blood pressure
- Blood pressure drops initially when standing
- Foggy feeling, impaired memory, difficulty focusing
- Sensitivity to cold
There are many more symptoms, but these are the more commonly recognized. You can easily test yourself for adrenal fatigue by checking your blood pressure while lying down and then immediately upon standing. If it drops by quite a few points, your adrenal glands may be struggling. Here are a few things that can help.
Reduce Stress – Take some time and let some of your stress go. Breathing exercises help and so do yoga, meditation, and tai chi.
Sleep – Get enough sleep each night and take a few naps during the day when you can. This will let your body recover, catch up, and rebuild its depleted stores.
Avoid Sugar – Refined sugar and processed foods make adrenal fatigue worse as they cause sugar spikes that burn through cortisol.
Good Fats – Most hormones are composed of good fats that your body needs. Avoid trans fats, but eat healthy fats like those found in seeds, nuts, coconut oil, and avocados. Chia seeds are a great option and they are easily sprinkled into food.
Potassium Rich Foods – The adrenal glands produce aldosterone, which helps control mineral balance in the body. Potassium and salt levels can become imbalanced if the adrenal glands aren’t doing well. Go for seaweed and sea vegetables, sunflower seeds, almonds, parsley, avocado, garlic, and Brazil nuts.
Light on Fruit – Fruits contain a lot of natural sugars that can still cause some bumps in blood sugar levels. Stick with fruits that aren’t super sugary and contain a good amount of fiber and water to balance things out. Think papaya, mango, plums, pears, kiwi, apples, cherries, and a small amount of grapes.
Calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C – Vegetables and dark greens are a great source for some of the vitamins that will help your body heal, recover, and get back to normal. Carrots, broccoli, kale, parsley, oranges, turnip greens, and asparagus are a good place to get all three of these.
Magnesium – Magnesium is used in thousands of processes within the body and plays a part in the formation and function of hundreds of enzymes. Magnesium is important to muscles, sleep, and controlling the release of stress hormones. Magnesium is found in sunflower seeds, nuts, brown rice, wild rice, lentils, and peaches.
Sea Salt – Many people suffering from adrenal fatigue also crave salt. Our modern diet contains way too much sodium. It is a good idea to avoid high sodium foods, but still give yourself the salt your body needs to rebalance fluids. Choose a good natural sea salt with minerals and add it to your food as needed.
Protein – You need healthy protein to rebuild enzymes. Go for more plant-based protein sources and avoid animal protein as these can put more stress on your adrenal glands and kidneys. Go for seeds, nuts, whole grains, hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocado, legumes, and lentils. Deep sea fish are a good option for pescetarians and non-vegans. Warrior Blend and Classic Protein are an easy, vegan way to boost your lean protein intake.
Whole Grains – Avoid processed grains and anything made with sugar and white flour. Stick with complex carbs that come paired with fiber. This will release energy slowly all day, so your stamina stays up and you get less tired. Whole grains, brown rice, wild rice, barley, oats, and quinoa are a good source of good carbs. Activated Barley is a great addition to a morning smoothie to carry you through your work day.
About Charlie Pulsipher
Charlie Pulsipher is a health and fitness enthusiast, writer, author, and neighborhood do-gooder. He shifted his education from Biochemistry to English Literature in an attempt to avoid math, but never stopped loving the natural world of the miniscule. He has published several fantasy and science fiction novels and helped others publish more down to earth books about natural foods. He can’t stop writing. He is probably happily tapping away on some keyboard even now.
– See more at: http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/adrenal-foods/#sthash.LfjhV0Sq.dpuf
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