ecoPharmacist

Juicing Wheatgrass

Growing and juicing wheatgrass isn’t as hard as some may think. A recent endeavor into the sprouting world has proven this to me. It started with wheatgrass seeds, trays, organic soil, water and some patience. The result, my own, homegrown wheatgrass to juice as I want, share or sell if anyone is interested!  I have been earning more and more about using food as medicine. Sprouted grains, and seeds fall into the “Super Food” category. So naturally drinking an ounce or two of wheatgrass juice daily, will give your body a super food boost. It is thought to have the equivalent nutrients as 5 pounds of vegetables. Here are a few more reasons why juicing wheatgrass is so beneficial to your health:

1. Wheatgrass is high in living chlorophyll. Liquid chlorophyll can increase the quality and quantity of your red blood cells because the compound has a chemical composition very similar to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a molecule found in your red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen.

2. Chlorophyll has antibacterial properties and can be used inside the body and on the outside.

3. Wheatgrass is high in protein, contains 17 amino acids and virtually every vitamin and mineral known. This composition makes it great to use for its healing properties.

4. Liquid chlorophyll neutralizes toxins within the body, cleansing the liver and has also been said to remove drug deposits from the body.

5. Wheatgrass is high in oxygen, which the body needs and benefits highly from. The brain and blood are very happy in a highly oxygenation environment.

6. The wheatgrass seed contains a starch that is converted from a stored energy into  a quick energy source that is especially good for athletes.  In juice form it is digested quickly and uses very little of the body’s energy to extract the nutrients.

There of course are many, many more benefits to wheatgrass juice, but I just wanted to touch on a few that are really beneficial and in the end can leave you feeling energized, renewed, and hopefully stronger in mind and body.

So what are you waiting for? Ready to grow your own wheatgrass? It really is easy and inexpensive. The most expensive part of the investment is getting a good quality wheatgrass juicer. But if your overall health improves, reduces visits to the doctor, the initial investment is well worth it!

The quality of the wheatgrass you grow or purchase is important. As I have said, it is cheaper to grow your own, but thats not for everyone. Either way, pay attention to the quality.

Harvest time is crucial too, and that is typically around one week after you germinate the seeds at what is called the “jointing stage.”  Some stores that sell wheat grass will harvest it once and then let it grow again for a second harvest. The wheatgrass loses nearly all its health benefits after the first cut. You can regrow it again for your pets, however, the benefits have drastically reduced.  Some also sell frozen wheat grass but this is far less effective than freshly harvested wheat grass.

The taste of wheatgrass juice is not for everyone, but I think you get used to it. Especially when you start feeling the health benefits from it. Next time you are out and about, look for a juice bar, try a shot of wheatgrass either on its own, or in a drink. If you are feeling adventurous, or already enjoy juicing wheatgrass, try growing it for yourself. Below are a couple favorites you can try out, and let me know how it ‘grows’!
 
 

 

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Green Tea

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Green Tea

Enjoying several daily cups of green tea, have great health benefits. Green tea is an antioxidant and has antiviral properties. Those important antioxidant properties are what green tea uses to protect your body against certain types of cancer, like colon, prostate and breast cancer. Drinking green tea daily with each meal, allows for daily detoxification as well as health and beauty improvements. The low levels of caffeine in green tea can give your brain that little boost it needs to perform well, without getting jittery. Not only can green tea help with brain function short term, it is thought to help protect against neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Compounds found in green tea protect the brain neurons, reducing the risk of developing one of those diseases.

The antiviral properties of green tea are thought to protect your teeth against plaque, and bacteria, which can reduce cavities. Adding this protection along with the antioxidant powers of green tea, your heart gets an extra health boost as well. Cholesterol levels are reduced by liver detoxification, with daily intakes of green tea, thus lowering your risks for cardiovascular disease.

With all of these great health benefits, improving your health and beauty could be as easy as drinking a cup of green tea with each meal. Sounds delicious to me!

Foods that cleanse the body: Beets

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Beets

Beets are beneficial to your health for many reasons. Beets are an antioxidant vegetable which contains many nutrients that detoxify the liver, lower cholesterol, are anti-inflammatory, have anti-aging properties and are linked to reductions in certain cancers. The nutrients in beets are called betaine, betacyanin, betalains, betanin, iron, folate, fiber, iron and pectin. Pectin helps in the detoxification of the liver. It is a fiber in beets that actually cleans the toxins that have been removed. The body will then gets rid of those toxins by flushing them out. This detoxification process is what researchers link to the prevention of colon, liver, lung, skin cancers. Keeping the liver healthy is essential to everyone’s longevity. Beets get their red or yellow color from phytonutrients called betalains. These unique phytonutrients work to reduce inflammation in the body, thus providing cardiovascular relief.

The beetroot is most commonly thought of as the part to eat, however, the greens are said to be the healthiest part of the plant. These greens contain protein, vitamins A, C, B6, K, magnesium, folate, copper, zinc, fiber, iron, manganese and calcium. Beet greens can ward off osteoporosis from the calcium content, boost the immune system, and can play a key role in fighting Alzheimer’s Disease. So make sure the next time you have the opportunity to eat the whole plant, please do! Be aware that the beetroot is high in carbohydrates and sugar, but low in calories. The greens however are not high in sugar, and are low in calories too. So eat the beetroot in moderation and indulge in the greens. Here is a great salad that will allow you to enjoy the whole plant, and reap those health benefits!

Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. golden or red beets or a combination
  (about 6 medium), with greens attached
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 12 oz. mixed baby greens
• 1 cup walnuts, lightly toasted
• 12 oz. goat cheese (I prefer herbed)

Instructions:

Preheat an oven to 400°F.

Wash beets and remove greens. Set greens aside. In a bowl, toss the beets with enough oil to coat evenly, and season with salt and pepper. Wrap the beets individually in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove from the oven. When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them and cut them crosswise into 1/4-inch slices.

In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, salt and pepper until blended. Slowly whisk in the 1 cup olive oil.

In a bowl, combine the beets with 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette, season with salt and pepper, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Rough chop the beet greens previously set aside, to match the size of mixed greens. Then in a large bowl, toss the mixed baby greens and beet greens with salt, pepper and enough of the vinaigrette to coat lightly. Divide the greens among 8 salad plates. Sprinkle the walnuts and beets evenly over the salads, and drizzle with additional vinaigrette if needed. Crumble the goat cheese over the salads, and serve immediately.