Another subject that I write about is depression. This is of epidemic proportions in our society today, and all too frequently the medications prescribed for these problems, create more problems than they solve.

While long-term solutions for depression and related mood disorders need to encompass an holistic approach, a very effective part of that strategy is the use of live food and raw juices.

Increasing our raw food intake can have a multitude of beneficial effects. Our body’s physiology reacts well to the live enzymes and electrical energy that is present in fresh, live food.

This is particularly true of our mental function and emotional health. Obviously, it is not a case of have a glass of carrot juice and you will be magically happy! It is more about incorporating regular changes into your diet and lifestyle.

Having said that, it is amazing how quickly, some people respond when they go on a diet high in live food. Particularly if this is combined with other positive lifestyle changes such as drinking fresh water, exercise and healthy sun exposure.

[Just so I am not leading anyone up the garden path, when I talk about raw or live food, it is in a vegan or vegetarian capacity, personally I don’t advocate eating raw meat; obviously my emphasis on vegan and vegetarian is a personal preference].

Some people choose to eat 100% raw food, however, it is recommended to aim for at least 80%. There are a lot of clever tricks to catering for a raw food diet, and if this is something you would like to learn more about then it is well to get hold of some more information that can fill you in on the details.

Remember key points to keep in mind when juicing, organic is best, and fresh is vital (freshly picked out of the garden is perfect, and second best try farmers markets!).  Veggies that are known to help brain function include carrots, celery, beets, garlic, cucumber and parsley. Fruits that are recommended include blueberry’s, paw paw, and apples.

Gotu Kola is a herb that is well known for it’s beneficial effect on the memory, and improving brain function. Not usually something that you juice, but certainly something you can consider taking along with your juice as well as other herbals such as St John’s Wort.

It is always a good idea to get some advice from a Naturopath or Herbalist before you start to medicate yourself, as some herbals are not compatible with some medications, so go get some Professional advice…. Ok, thats it for today!   

  Happy Juicing,

Well I have not posted in a while.  Been really busy with heaps of family, work and business things.  However, I have just upgraded my laptop, and in the process came across Windows Live Writer.

If you don’t know what that is, well welcome to the club.  Actually, I obviously know now what it is, but only just   So this is my first try at posting with Windows Live Writer.  In case you are interested it comes with the Msn messenger live program.

Apparently you can make written as well as audio and video posts.  So I have a bit more to learn

Hopefully I will keep you posted…. 

Stay tuned for some Christmas juicing suggestions!

Lynne

Juicing Recipes can be very helpful when you decide you need to detox. Possibly one of the most well known benefits from using freshly prepared juices is for detoxing.

Fruit and vegetables serve two different roles in the diet and this is particularly relevant with fresh juices. In a general sense vegetables are used to ‘build up’, ‘repair’ and ‘heal’, while fruits tend to ‘cleanse’ and ‘detox’.

These actions (while not exclusive), are heightened with the concentrated nutrients found in fresh Juices. In other words, both vegetable juice and fruit juice can do ‘cleanse’ and ‘heal’, but in the general sense, it can help to think of Fruit Juice as ‘cleansing’ and Vegetable Juice as ‘repairing’.

This is particularly the case when you isolate particular types of fruit and vegetables. As an example; Watermelon Juice is an excellent choice as a detox and cleanser (while Carrot and beet have wonderful healing properties).

If you have never undertaken a Juice fast or detox before then it is important to educate yourself as to the Dos and Don’ts. Below are some points to remember.

• Try with a short fast as an introduction to fasting.
• If you have any particular health problems or have any doubts then check with your Health Practitioner before you start.
• Organize a few days off from work, and create a relaxing atmosphere for yourself. Indulge yourself in some relaxation, as well as light exercise.
• Body brushing, detox baths and regular showers will help rid your body of toxins.
• When you are coming off your fast, break it with a light raw fruit meal. Then stick to raw salads, and only lightly cooked vegetables for a while. Preferably, only return to a healthy balanced diet, with a high percentage of raw foods, avoiding all those harmful and processed foods.

There can be a few unpleasant side effects, depending on your current diet and lifestyle habits. For example if you drink regular coffee or cola drinks, then you are likely to get headaches for the first few days. Some people experience flu-like symptoms. These are all ‘normal’ reactions to the body undergoing a cleansing or detoxing process.

Try to persist and work through these, as the rewards do come and remember to still apply the rules for ending your fast, no matter how long you manage to stay on your fast.

Watermelon Cleanser

Cut up your watermelon and leave a small portion of the white under the rind.

Process through your juicer and drink fresh.

For some variation you can add a small amount of ginger, depending on taste preferences.

Happy Juicing and Detoxing,

Lynne
Juicing Recipes and Raw Food

Enzymes! Not just any old enzyme will do…. But living enzymes and concentrated nutrients in an easily digestible form – that just about sums up the advantages of freshly made juices.

Most people are not aware just how important living enzymes are and the potential impact on our health.

Possibly the most common thing we think about when we hear the word enzyme, is digestive enzymes. Most of us would be aware that these are essential for the proper breakdown and absorption of the food we eat.

However, there is a whole ‘secret’ enzyme life that perhaps some people would rather you did not know about… That is the great benefit that can come from the living enzymes available in raw food and fresh juices.

Enzymes are catalysts which means they trigger biochemical reactions within our bodies; that is providing they are still active and not destroyed by cooking or oxidization.

It is the action of these living or active enzymes that are credited with some of the wonderful health benefits that come from consuming raw foods and raw juices.

We will look at some of the benefits next time, meanwhile here is another Juicing Recipe…

Keep Regular!

2-3 Red Apples, 1 Pear

Clean and cut the fruit into quarters (no need to peel or de-seed). Feed the quarters into your juicer and drink fresh!

Yours for better health,

Lynne
Raw Foods and Juices

In order to get the most benefits from juicing you have to look at what type of juicer you are using. The quality of the juice you end up with, really has a lot to do with the type of juicer that you use to extract it.

The most common kitchen juicer and the cheapest, is the ‘centrifugal juicer’ which is like a combination of a grater and spin dryer! You feed your vegetables through the top where a high speed, spinning, fine grater reduces your veggies to a pulp, which then goes into a spinning drum with a fine sieve around the outside of the drum. As it spins the juice passes through the sieve, and then goes down out of the spout into your collection vessel.

Using this type of juicer is definitely better than not juicing at all, but it is really not the best method. You lose a lot of the nutrients and living enzymes as well as some of the juice.

The better type of juicer, a cold press juicer, works like a mincer, and come as single or twin gear types. These juicers definitely cost more, but the end product is far superior. Not only do they extract more of the juice, they also end up with a higher concentration of nutrients as the juice does not heat up in the extraction process. Any type of friction ie. Grating causes temporary heating with nutrient and enzyme loss.

So that’s it for today guys.

Keeping it Raw…

Lynne

Raw Food and Juicing!

The quick answer – because it is raw food!

Juicing a combination of fresh fruit and vegetables provides a variety of power-packed nutritious drinks/foods which not only promote vitality and energy, but also can aid with healing as well.

Fresh raw food (home grown organically or biodynamically, in an ideal world), provide a concentrated source of nutrition, better than any vitamin pill! Living enzymes are largely still intact; the fresher the better, of course.

Living or active enzymes are critical to healthy biological function, and there are many different enzymes for different functions within our bodies. Chances are you have at least heard of digestive enzymes, which our bodies produce to assist with digesting our food.

What most of us don’t realize is the critical nature of enzymes in general and the contribution they play in maintaining our health.

Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables is one excellent source of concentrated living enzymes. So get juicing every day to bring about massive benefits for your health and well being.

Veggie Cleanser

2-3 Carrots (again depends on the size of the carrots, and the type of juicer – some types of juicers extract more juice), 1 small red beet with leaves still intact, Stick of green celery, 1 small green cucumber, add a small amount of ginger for taste if you wish.

Wash your fruit and vegetables (remember to wash really well). Cut into appropriate sizes to fit into your juicer. Juice and drink straight immediately (oxidation destroys enzymes too!).

Happy juicing and stay healthy,

Lynne
Raw Food and Juicing

Welcome to the wonderful world of Juicing and everything about Raw Food and the benefits to your health…

Juicing Recipes provide some of the tastiest, and easiest ways to get started on a Raw Food Diet! The health and vitality imparted just by regularly preparing and drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be nothing short of startling…

On this blog we are planning on sharing some interesting facts and information about the benefits of juicing, raw foods, and of course Juicing Recipes….

Zingy Carrot

3-5 Carrots (depends on the size of the carrots, and the type of juicer), 1 Red Apple, Small chunk of Fresh Ginger Root to taste

Wash your fruit and vegetables (very well if not grown by yourself!). Cut into appropriate sizes to fit into your juicer. Juice and drink straight away (to avoid oxidation – when it will start to go brown). Enjoy…

And stay tuned for more tips, info and of course more tasty, health giving, Juicing Recipes!

Stay Healthy,

Lynne
Juicing and Raw Food