The Word on Wheatgrass

Have you ever tried a shot of Wheatgrass?  I am sure you've most likely heard of it from your friendly neighbourhood 'Hippie', but have YOU ever tried it?  Wondering what all the fuss is about?  Or do you have a rule about consuming 'Green Liquids'?

Well I have been happily treating myself to a regular Wheatgrass shot and I have to say I am a Convert!  I have tried it at a few different locations now and I really enjoy it, and it is just that, a shot glass filled with green juice that well..smells like grass..LOL!  It doesn't have to be consumed on its' own this way, though I have come to enjoy it in shot-format, you can also add it in with other freshly juiced juices or put it into a Smoothie for some extra nutritional-punch!  And don't be put off by the taste (as it is a bit grassy too, particularly the first time), you can also squeeze a little lemon or lime into your shot for a bit of distraction if you are really put off the taste.

And why would we subject ourselves to consuming the young grass of Wheat plants you might ask?? (don't worry they are Gluten-free!)  Because it is remarkably GOOD for us, that's why!  Wheatgrass contains Chlorophyll, Minerals, Vitamins, Enzymes, Antioxidants and Essential Amino Acids, which our bodies can't produce on their own (making them 'Essential' to our survival).  It takes a great deal of actual Wheatgrass to produce one shot (not to mention a fancy Juicer, which is why I haven't yet started making my own) and because of this is said be nutritionally equivalent to consuming 2 LBS of Veggies!  Now mind you there are Nay-sayers on this point but if you watch this video below you will see just how much Wheatgrass it takes to get a full shot of the stuff, which minus the Fibre in my opinion may not be totally equivalent but is definately Nutrient-Dense!

What do the ingredients I mentioned above have to do with your health?  Well, Chlorophyll helps to oxygenate your blood which allows for more speedy detoxification (it is also remarkably close to Hemoglobin in its' cellular composition!).    The Amino Acids and Enzymes help to safe guard our livers against toxins we ingest, ridding them from our bodies more quickly.  And well Vitamins and Minerals.....we all know they are always a Good Thing (except in Extremely high doses that is)!

Other health benefits of Wheatgrass include: it increases our red blood cell count and lowers blood pressure, it stimulates our thyroid gland to help correct obesity and indigestion, it can be used as an appetite suppressant, has been successfully used in studies to aid in curing certain forms of cancer, and a whole host more!  For more benefits see: http://www.hippocratesinst.org/wheatgrass/benefits-of-wheatgrass

In fact the only negative press that I found on Wheatgrass came from sources that harped on the lack of clinical studies which have been done on the benefits, but what I have to ask what financial benefit do these companies have by testing its' healing properties..they certainly won't be 'raking in the dough' by testing a product any Joe-Schmoe could grow in their backyard! *See below for a video on growing your own! (not that I think of you as a Joe-Schmoe ;)  

These nay-sayers (a few of which I have listed in the Sources column if you would like to peruse for yourself), claimed the studies that had been done were too small and that more research is needed to substantiate the health claims. Small studies have been done with both those combating Ulcerative Colitis and Breast Cancer patients receiving Chemotherapy and positive effects were seen in both studies.  The Ulcerative Colitis patients saw a significant decrease in the advancement of their disease and the findings from the study involving the Breast Cancer patients found that Wheatgrass may be able to reduce Myelotoxicity (which suppresses bone marrow, when there is a decrease in cells responsible for immunity, blood-clotting and delivering oxygen).   And I agree that more clinical research on the benefits of Wheatgrass Juice is needed.  But I ask you, if you could use something natural to feel healthier, younger and supplement your diet (that you can grow yourself!), Why Not?!  Who cares if there haven't been many 'clinical studies' done on Wheatgrass, perhaps its' time to trust your own intuition and eat what enables you to be the BEST version of yourself you can be!



So I ask, have you tried Wheatgrass? Or after reading this post would you be willing too?  If so what did you think of it?  Did you notice any physical, mental or emotional differences?  Anyone currently growing their own?  Leave a comment below.  And don't forget to like, share and/or subscribe! ;)

Be Happy, Eat Healthy!!

Sources & Links:

http://www.hippocratesinst.org/wheatgrass/benefits-of-wheatgrass
http://www.naturalnews.com/034820_wheat_grass_juice_healing_minerals.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatgrass
http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/are-the-benefits-of-wheatgrass-overblown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL0URJcZF8w

JUICING 101

My Husband, Dave D., and I purchased a Juicer (nothing fancy, just your run-of-the-mill Hamilton Beach) right around the time we got married (almost 4 years ago!) and I am embarrassed to say that the poor thing sat in its original box unused until our move to Newfoundland, Canada (yes, I stubbornly schlepped it all the way out here).  We had the best of intentions when we purchased it, but then it got shoved to the back of a kitchen cupboard unopened and was forgotten.  But since our move I have busted it out of its prison and have been using it like mad and I have to say, though it isn't the most efficient Juicer on the market (I often put the pulpy bits through a second time) it does the job and I have created many a refreshing concoction with it!

So Why Juice You Ask?

Canada's Food Guide calls for 5-7 servings of Fruits and Veg a day.  A typical serving size according to the Canadian Government is equal to 1 medium-sized fruit or a 1/2 cup of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables.  Now for some this might seem like a lot, especially if you aren't a big fan of salads (so Yummy!)..luckily there is another easy, relatively quick way that you can increase your intake from this Nutrient Dense food group..creating your own freshly made, wholesome and delicious Juices!

By Juicing fresh (preferrably Organic - see Tuesdays post as to why) Fruit and Veg you are extracting vitamins and minerals an consuming them in a concentrated dose!  Juicing offers you the opportunity to increase your F & V intake, try new veggies (or perhaps give ones you don't care for a second chance) and is a quick and easy way to provide nutrients and energy to your body while you are busy living Life... perhaps a light energy booster before your next yoga class ;) Fresh Homemade Juice also has the added bonus of not containing any of the Ridiculous amounts of added sugar prepared juicers contain (not to mention all the other junk they stick in there!).  For more info on the benefits of Juicing, check out the documentary 'Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead' (www.fatsickandnearlydead.com), really interesting and inspiring to watch!

**Important Info: Though Juicing is a great way to incorporate more F & V into your diet it should not replace eating whole foods from this food group as the whole versions provide valuable fibre in their pulp and nutrients in their skins that are not found in their juices.  Therefore it is still recommended that you consume whole fruits and veggies as a part of a well-balanced diet.

How to Prepare Produce for Juicing:  
In order to prepare your "freggies" (my newest slang term for Fruits and Vegetables) to be offered up to the 'Higher Powers' of your Juicer you must of course wash them, cut off any bits that look less than desirable and peel any items that you would need to peel in order to consume them 'the conventional way'..you know with your teeth. ;) Don't have a composter?  Don't worry, you can use the pulpy bits leftover from your Juicing experiments for your baking and cooking experiments (it's a cycle of Deliciousness!).
FYI Certain items don't juice well and will produce more of a creamy slushy-type consistency (and possibly clog your juicer), like Bananas and Avocados.  These fruits are better suited to a Smoothie, for which there are an abundance of Super-Yummy recipes floating around the cyber-waves!
**Please note: Due to the oxidation (the combining of a substance with oxygen resulting in a loss of that substances electrons) of the nutrients through the Juicing process, it is best to consume your Juice immediately after making it. 

Juicers: What You Need to Know

Generally speaking the more you spend on a Juicer the better quality (less wastage) you will get and the more Nutrient Dense Juice it will make for you.  These Beauties can run you anywhere from $50 (which I think is what I spent for my little Beacher) to $400 or more.  But if you are low on funds try looking on  Kijiji.ca or Craigslist or perhaps starting out with run-of-the-mill while you save for the 'Juicer of Your Dreams'.  Whatever you buy, be sure to clean your Juicer soon after use so the waste particles don't get dried on, this is a Bitch to clean!
For more info on types/brands, etc check this link out http://www.juicingandrawfoods.com/types-of-juicers.html



A Few of My Fav Juice Recipes:

Just tried this one today and it was Fab!

Jess's Fav Green Drink

3 Stalks Celery
1 Handful Spinach Leaves
1/2 Cucumber
2 Kiwi
1/2 Lemon (squeezed in after Juicing process)

Carrot, Apple, Ginger Juice

4 Carrots
2 Apples
1 hunka hunka Ginger (yes I know, I am a geek!)

Beet-Box Juice

2 Beets with greens/stems
3 Celery Stalks
1/2 Cucumber
3 Carrots



The Beauty of Juicing is that you can create your own recipes/flavours by experimenting with new fruits and veg or by altering the amounts you include in your fresh bevvies!

Eat Healthy, Eat Happy!


Sources & Links:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/choose-choix/fruit/serving-portion-eng.php
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/juicing-health-risks-and-benefits
http://www.juicingandrawfoods.com/types-of-juicers.html

http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/