I’ve discovered Chia seeds!  I can’t stop singing that song from the commercial advertising the Chia Pet!  Remember that one?

Yes, the chia seeds that everyone is discovering now are the same ones that we grew on our countertop so many years ago.  Am I dating myself here?  C’mon, someone out there must remember the chia pets?  Those little clay figures?  I think I had a sheep and a human head.

I certainly knew that one of the latest additions to a living food lifestyle was chia seed, but I didn’t use it.  Then one day I was trying to find another remedy for my daughter’s stomach aches and stumbled across a post on chia seeds.   It said if you take one teaspoon of dry chia with water to swallow, in 15 minutes your stomach ache will be gone.  Let’s look more into this cute little seed.

The chia seed has been around for centuries and was used as a staple food by the Indians.  They would eat a teaspoon full when they went on their 24 hour marches.  Indians going from Colorado to California would take only chia seed for food.  Its use as an endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. 

Chia seeds are the perfect food for athletes.  This tiny seed is highly hydrophilic.  That means it absorbs large amounts of water.  They can absorb over 1o times their weight in water.  It can also regenerate  muscle tissue for conditioning athletes and weight lifters.  Chia in your system will absorb the water you drink and hold it in your system longer.   Studies have been done showing that eating chia seeds will slow down how fast your body converts carb calories into simple sugars.  This is great news for diabetics!  This slowing down allows for greater endurance.  Carbs are the fuel for energy in our bodies. 

 Chia seeds gel in the stomach and as it moves through our digestive system  it can help prevent some of the food that we eat from getting absorbed into our system.   This is of great help when dieting or trying to eat less.  You will feel fuller faster and in turn this will help you eat less and be less hungry.  Chia seeds can be a great addition to your detox program.  They are high in fiber and healthy oils.

What about stomach aches?  Raw foods consist largely of hydrophilic colloids.  Cooking, on the other hand, precipitates food’s colloidal integrity.  This change alters the hydration capacity of our foods to interfere with their ability to absorb digestive juices.  Eating raw food allows us to not need hydrophilic colloid.  Raw food contains enough hydrophilic colloid to keep our gastric mucosa at a good balance.  For those of us who suffer from gas, slow digestion or heartburn, we need more hydrophilic colloids incorporated into our foods.  Some of these conditions are not helped with eating raw foods.  However, consuming chia, a hydrophilic colloid, can help certain people with their symptoms.

Chia seed contains Omega 3 and Omega 6 in their oil.  They also are high in alpha-linolenic fatty acid which makes this seed a healthy dietary source of fatty acids.  No, you don’t have to grind them like you do flax seed.  They are relatively easy to digest.  Flax seeds are not.  Chia seeds are also a great muscle and tissue builder.  As a source of protein, it can be digested and absorbed very easily into the tissues and can be utilized by the cells rapidly.  This would’ve been great when my daughter was going through some major growth spurts.  Do you have growing children?  Or are you pregnant?  This benefit of the chia is good for you too! 

Last, but not least, the chia seed is a rich source of calcium.  It contains the mineral boron.  Boron acts as a catalyst for the absorption and utilization of calcium by the body.

Chia gel works as a fat replacer for many recipes.  Just prepare it with pure water and it will absorb 9 times its weight in water in less than ten minutes. You can put chia seeds directly in any of your smoothies.  You can also sprinkle them on top of yogurt or your cereal or add them to salads.  I’ve been putting them in my green smoothies.  The only time I get stomach aches now is when I eat cooked foods, so I am really looking forward to getting my daughter to try them for her stomach issues.

Last time I talked about fasting.  A great way to allow the body to rest.  Our bodies use so much energy digesting food, that a one day fast a few times a month, can certainly help with healing, not to mention you could learn a lot about yourself.  What’s the difference between a fast and a cleanse?  Here’s what Wikipedia says about a cleanse…”Body cleansing or detoxification is a treatment in alternative medicine which proponents claim rid the body of accumulated harmful substances that exert a negative effect on individual health.  Critics argue that such cleansings are often unnecessary, and are based on questionable or disproved scientific claims.”  Do I think they are necessary?  Read on………

Certainly the object is to relieve the body of the stuff that accumulates over the years.  I’ve heard stories of not just waste product, but one woman said she released a crayon that she had swallowed as a child during a cleanse.  Not convinced?  Here’s more…..My parents and brother were working at a well known health retreat where detoxing with raw food, wheatgrass and green drinks, is the first step to healing.  My Dad tells a story about a woman who was diagnosed with a tumor in her uterus and before surgery; she was going to give this process a try.  One day my Dad is walking by her room and she comes running out screaming “I passed the tumor!  I passed the tumor!”  Sure enough, that’s what she actually had done.  She took the mass to her doctor for diagnosis.  Get ready for this…..not for the squeamish……The mass was a tampon that had remained in her body for probably years and the body was protecting itself from this foreign body the only way it knew how.  Hence, the tumor.  Ok, so now you may be ready to set an intention for your cleanse or fast, right?

There are many forms of cleansing.  I chose the raw food way.  It took about three months.  Eating living food for three months, I believe, totally cleaned out any leftover waste product that was in my colon.  It also cleans out the emotional “crap” in your body.  Again, the body needs the rest from digestion in order to start the healing process.  Toxins like undigested food, left in the body, will start to look for something to feed off of.  These toxins also give off waste product of their own, and cancer cells in your body will feed off this waste product.   

There are many varieties of cleansing from dietary restriction to supplements.  Herbs and supplements can speed up the process of detox.  You can also buy products that are for specific areas of the body, such as the colon, liver or kidneys.  You can use teas, drops, pills or liquid for your cleanse.  Wheatgrass juice is intended for rapid detoxification and well as general health.  It is a living food.  It will immediately go to where it is needed in the body.  When I did my wheatgrass cleanse, I expelled mucous that was the color and scent of a common household cleaner.  I have a cleaning business and was inhaling way too much of this product over a ten year span.  Cleansing can also reduce and eliminate cravings from food to tobacco.  It can help with weight loss, increase your energy and alleviate some chronic diseases. 

I’ve seen in my reading, many medical doctors saying that cleansing is totally unnecessary because the human body can maintain itself.  I certainly would’ve agreed to that a long time ago.  However, now humans smoke, drink, abuse drugs and take in more processed and genetically engineered food than ever before.  Faster is better.  The faster chickens grow…..the faster tomatoes grow….well you know the rest.

So back to can the body heal itself? Absolutely, that is what it is intended to do!  But not if we continue to abuse it.  A cleanse is the perfect way to give your body a break.  Taking out processed foods, sugars, caffeine and alcohol are just for starters.  Does that mean you can never have a drink or eat a cookie?  Of course not, everything in moderation…..harmony.  Start to wonder.  What is it that you need?  What could be building up inside of you?  Are you attached to it?  Are you ready to release and start healing today?

Today, I wish you release of the physical as well as the emotional stuff that is holding you back from total health.

As always, please consult your primary health care physician if you suffer from any serious medical condition.  These statements are for informational purposes only.

You know me by now.  I get so many of my “ah ha” moments from what happens to me and who comes into my life.  It’s all about the lessons we learn every day.  Not just on the day we want or the time we want.  Being open to what presents itself to you on a daily basis is truly living in the present moment.   Last week I heard a story about a woman who had gained some weight, but only in her stomach.  She thought it was age and started a diet, but when her stomach didn’t shrink at all, she thought about another symptom she had (I didn’t find that out) and decided to get a colonoscopy.  Jump to the end of this very sad story, that doesn’t happen too often in this small town I live in, she had a massive tumor in her colon that was causing her stomach to protrude.  Her surgery was yesterday.  I heard that and I immediately said to myself, “I need to do a liquid fast.”

I’ve fasted many days in the last 5 years or so.  Usually I do a one day fast.  That’s no food, no chewing, just liquid.  The liquid varied depending on whatever I felt like that day.  The day after the fast, was usually light or all raw food.  Wikipedia defines fasting as this “the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.  A fast may be total or partial concerning that from which one fasts, and may be prolonged or intermittent as to the period of fasting.  Fasting practices may preclude sexual activity as well as food, in addition to refraining from eating certain types or groups of foods…..A complete fast in its traditional definition is abstinence of all food and liquids except for water.”  If you are healthy, a one or two day liquid fast could be something to try. 

Here’s what I did the other day: The first day I juiced one cucumber and one long stalk of celery and then drank nothing but water or water with fresh squeezed lemon for the rest of the day.  Was it difficult?  To be honest, it usually is.  I typically will fight it the whole day and think about food all day.  But this time, it wasn’t.  I kept saying to myself, “I’m not going to die if I don’t eat.  I’ll be fine.  The food will still be there tomorrow.”   The “feeling” of not having enough is pretty common.  And to top it off?  They had a going away party for me that night at the yoga studio where I teach, complete with many treats, even raw treats.  I felt fine not eating and I wasn’t guilty about the food that was brought and I didn’t partake in.   I knew if I started chewing anything, even raw food, my mind would want more.  I was determined to go the whole day and then see what tomorrow would bring.  I had some emotional stuff to go through that night and it was all very clear.  Without my body having to digest food, my mind was totally supported in processing the “stuff” of the day.  The next day I had another cucumber/celery juice and drank water.  I ate some nuts and a peach in the afternoon and then I had a tuna sandwich that evening.  The next day (that’s today) I have had only lemon water.  And that is my plan for the rest of the day. 

You see?  Whatever you can do, whatever it is, your body will be very happy with it.  The body could sure use a rest from digestion.  Parts of the nervous and circulatory systems play major roles in the digestive process.  Here’s a great site for reading about the digestive process: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/yrdd/  Just reading what food and drink have to do to get through the body made me tired.  And our goal is to eat the right food, so that the correct nutrients can be absorbed and used by the body.  Fasting is a perfect way to give the body a rest in order for the mind and body to be able to do what it is inherently supposed to do, and that is to HEAL ITSELF.

There are many different kinds of fasting and cleansing.  I just heard about a book that talks about taking out 5 things from your diet for a 21 day cleanse.  They were dairy, alcohol, coffee, sugar, and gluten.  Whatever you can do for however long you can do it.  There isn’t a right or wrong when it comes to fasting.  Don’t put that judgement on yourself.  It’s ok.  Think about more raw food, less processed food.  How about just a one day fast?  I’m right there with you.  Today’s the day for you…or maybe tomorrow. 

What can you do when the end of the day comes and you really want to eat something?  I do these things:  Go upstairs and read a book, get as far away from the kitchen as possible. Take a walk.  Drink a very large glass of water.  Brush your teeth.  Talk to a friend.  Play with your cat.

Sending you feelings of health and well being.

Please consult your primary health care physician for fasting lasting more than two days or if you are suffering from any medical problems for which you are under the care of a doctor.

Detox time!  I’ve gone through a few and these were some good detox recipes that I followed.  Let me know what you think of them by adding a comment!  What you put in your body is the most important decision you make each day and we all know nutrition is an important element to a healthy body.  Also, I linked up some words in here with the equipment I used – if you click on them and don’t have the necessary equipment, we happen to have it!

Have a favorite recipe you want to share? We’d love to share it, e-mail us at info@877myjuicer.com

Detox Recipes

Choose all natural and certified organic products when possible. Enjoy!

Lemonade Detox

Drink this delicious detoxifying lemonade throughout the summer. It will make one eight oz. glass.

· 2 tbs fresh squeezed lemon juice

· 1 tbs 100% pure organic maple syrup

· 1/5 tsp cayenne pepper

· 8 oz. glass spring water

Strawberry Almond Smoothie

· ½ cup almond milk

· ½ cup frozen organic strawberries

· 1 tbs. organic maple syrup

· Combine all ingredients in your juicer, juice and serve cold.

Spinach, Apple, Walnut Salad

Prepare this simple salad on a warm summer evening. With each bite, you get a splash of juice and the crunch of nuts.

· 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

· 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette

· 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

· 3/4 teaspoon salt

· 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Whisk together oil, balsamic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Keep refrigerated.

· 1 1/4 lb spinach lettuce (1 bag)

· Dice 1 large Braeburn Apple (1 1/4 cups),

· 3/4 cup cut organic raw walnuts

· Toast walnut and toss lettuce, apple, and walnuts in large bowl with just enough dressing to coat.

· Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy and Be Well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com

Now that you’ve researched juicers, read up on organic fruits and vegetables and (hopefully) purchased your very first juicer, you might be asking yourself; just exactly what can I do with this new appliance? Do you make a smoothie, throw a juicing party or do you try out one of the expected juice fasts you’ve heard so much about from your friends and legions of committed juicers? If you decide a juice fast, just might be the answer, you may want to start with understanding the basics of juicing for detoxification.

WHY DETOX?

First of all, many doctors, naturopaths, nutritionists and juicers consider detoxification an important corrective and restorative process in our cycle of nutrition. It is a time when we allow our cells and organs the chance to clear out waste and take in new oxygen and nutrients. While we do not necessarily need to fast to experience some cleansing, (minor shifts in the diet such as including more fluids and more raw foods will encourage detoxification), juice fasting is an advanced detox method designed to speed the elimination of toxins from the body. Freshly juiced fruits and vegetables provide calories and nutrients on which to function and build new cells, and also provide vital enzymes.

Juice fasting essentially refers to the avoidance of solid foods and the consumption only of liquids. Water fasting is popular, but juice is often chosen over water as a way of fasting because of its many benefits. Juice requires minimal digestion, improves energy, is easily absorbed and assimilated by the body and it supplies nutrients and calories to maintain energy, while it stimulates our body to clear waste. Fasting also increases the release of toxins from the colon, kidneys and bladder, lungs and sinuses, and skin. While this process may generate discharge such as mucus from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, sinuses, or in the urine, it is helpful in clearing out the problems that have arisen from overeating and a sedentary lifestyle.

BEFORE YOU DETOX

Since we are all different from age to body type to health conditions, it is recommended that you consult your primary care provider before trying a juice fast for detox. Fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. If you are taking prescription medication make certain to consult a health professional skilled in detoxification.

Moreover, if you have one of the following conditions do not try juice fasting: diabetes, hypoglycemia, eating disorders, anemia, epilepsy, kidney disease, impaired or weak immune system, cardiac arrhythmias, weak heart, candida, cancer, peptic ulcer, malnutrition, pregnancy, nursing, gout, lactation, asthma, terminal illness, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, any condition that causes depletion and weakness, underweight, chronic infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, epilepsy.

JUICING GUIDELINES

Once you’ve received the go-ahead and are ready to begin your juice detox, it is best to start slowly and to avoid being excessive or impatient. Make sure to get good nights sleep and follow some of these practical tips:

Begin slowly with a three or five day juice fast and graduate to a longer fast from there.

The basic procedure is to use between one and three parts distilled or filtered water to one part fresh juice. Between 32 and 64 oz. of juice is usually recommended per day. The juice is sipped throughout the day. Approximately 6 glasses of filtered water should be consumed (including the water used to dilute the juice) to flush out toxic substances.

· Low-allergen protein supplements can be added after the third day. They provide protein, vitamins, and minerals to support the detoxification process. The powder can be mixed into juices.

· Keep warm. Nurturing and relaxing are important during this time. Breathing exercises, yoga and/or meditation are some optional suggestions.

· Add blue-green algae, spirulina, or chlorella to juices to provide more energy.

· Be sure to drink plenty of warm water in addition to juices..

· Good choices for detox are celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens.

· Apples, grapes, oranges, and carrots are caloric and should be minimized if weight loss is desired while grapefruit, lemon, cucumber, and greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or parsley, are recommended for weight loss.

Fruit Juices

Lemon—liver, gallbladder, allergies, asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD), colds
Citrus—CVD, obesity, hemorrhoids, varicose veins
Apple—liver, intestines
Pear—gallbladder
Grape—colon, anemia
Papaya—stomach, indigestion, hemorrhoids, colitis
Pineapple—allergies, arthritis, inflammation, edema, hemorrhoids
Watermelon—kidneys, edema
Black cherry—colon, menstrual problems, gout

Vegetable Juices

Greens—CVD, skin, eczema, digestive problems, obesity, breath
Spinach—anemia, eczema
Parsley—kidneys, edema, arthritis
Beet greens—gallbladder, liver, osteoporosis
Watercress—anemia, colds
Wheat grass—anemia, liver, intestines, breath (remember you have to use a masticating juicer for this.  No other juicer will work!)
Cabbage—colitis, ulcers
Comfrey—intestines, hypertension, osteoporosis
Carrots—eyes, arthritis, osteoporosis
Beets—blood, liver, menstrual problems, arthritis
Celery—kidneys, diabetes, osteoporosis
Cucumber—edema, diabetes
Jerusalem artichokes—diabetes
Garlic—allergies, colds, hypertension, CVD, high fats, diabetes (use a garlic keeper to keep it fresh)
Radish—liver, high fats, obesity
Potatoes—intestines, ulcer

Enjoy and Be Well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com