Here’s another topic I’m way too familiar with.  Fortunately I suffer from seasonal allergies and this is the season for me.  Spring and pollen.  Pollens are small, microscopic particles that are produced by plants and trees during the process of reproduction.  Hello spring and new growth!  I was in Connecticut a couple of weeks ago and I was feeling it then, but Vermont is behind its southern states by a couple of weeks.  So here I go again.  The only time I didn’t have any symptoms at all was when I had been eating a 100% raw diet for at least three months.  They aren’t as bad as they have been in the past and I have been keeping with a high raw lifestyle.  I also try to keep the windows closed, don’t go out of the house when it’s windy and I never walk in the fields!  It’s supposed to rain the next few days and that will help.

What can help?  Not only increasing your raw food intake, but decreasing your processed and cooked food intake.  Allergy symptoms include: Asthma and coughing, sinus pressure and congestion, red itchy eyes and discharge, skin rashes, general itching of every part of your body and throat, hives and runny nose.  The causes of allergies?  Everything from hereditary factors, long term exposure to drugs, especially antibiotics, adverse drug reactions, airborn pollens, food additives, colorings, perservatives and flavorings.  Liver dysfuntion can cause an increased work load for your immune system.  I never suffered from allergies in my childhood, they started during pregnancy.  Not only am I allergic to spring pollens, I’m also allergic to the skin of certain fruits and veggies, even if they are organic. 

Using organic produce when you can, can be a relief from many food allergies.  These do not contain pesticides and additives.  Selenium and zinc reduce inflammation.  Other supplements for you to try are: Fatty acids found in flaxseed oil, olive oil and oily fish, vitamin C, garlic and horseradish tablets, MSM powder.  And foods that promote liver function like, artichoke, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, or eggs.  How about some juice recipes for allergies?

Place in your juicer:

 one radish, one clove of garlic, one carrot, one pear and 2 cabbage leaves

or

tablespoon of fresh ginger, one apple, one carrot, 2 cabbage leaves, 1/2 red onion

or

one cup rice, almond or coconut milk, one banana, one pear, one Tblspn flaxseed oil, one Tblspn ground flaxseed.  Sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg.

Victoria Boutenko, in her book, Green For Life, says this, “….consuming green smoothies greatly benefits the health of people through improving the level of hydrochloric acid…….consumers of green smoothies should expect…to heal allergies……”.

Some other natural allergy cures are: Eucalyptus.  In a lozenge form it can increase production of saliva.  It can calm coughs and relieve nasal congestion and is also an antiseptic and has antibiotic properties.  The vapor from eucalyptus can clear congestion and loosen mucus.

A traditional remedy for asthma is red clover.  In tea form, red clover can reduce allergy symptoms.  Alfalfa can improve runny noses, sneezing and itching.  Alfalfa is believed to nourish the nervous system and calm the immune system.  And there’s always apple cider vinegar (this should be a staple in your kitchen), which contains many healing properties and is used to treat allergies.  It is rich in vitamins E, A, B1, B2 and B6 and contains potassium and calcium and can reduce mucus in the sinuses and reduce throat inflammation. 

Here’s what Louise Hay says about allergies (hay fever):  Emotional congestion. Fear of the calendar.  A belief in persecution. Guilt.  Your mantra for allergy time? “I am one with ALL OF LIFE.  I am safe at all times.

Grab your juicer and your tissues.  Be well and happy SPRING!

Donna Bergonzi-Boyle

 

If any of these natural cures cause your symptoms to worsen, consult your primary health care physician.

This is my story on my journey into wheatgrass juicing!

If you’ve never heard of wheatgrass juice, you’re not alone.  There are a few entries here about it and one from my brother Michael!

Don’t underestimate the healing properties of wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice.  Growing wheatgrass in my apartment and drinking wheatgrass juice may have saved my life when carbon monoxide leaked inside due to an improperly installed gas heater.   Drinking wheatgrass for maintenance also helped me expel a chemical that I’d been using for way too many years  AND a poultice I made from the pulp of wheatgrass cured my six month old daughter of the croup overnight!

I credit my parents for starting me on my journey with wheatgrass and living food.  Over 20 years ago, they both checked into Optimum Health Institute in CA and changed the direction of their lives as well as mine.  They started working there along with my brother and later moved on to Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida, where my brother Michael is now a Master Wheatgrass Grower and manages their greenhouse.

While visiting my parents in CA at Optimum, my 6 month old daughter came down with a horrible cough.  My Mom suggested a poultice.   This was 17 years ago and I knew about wheatgrass juice, but not what I could do with the pulp.  Sure, why not.   So we put a poultice made of wheatgrass pulp dipped in the juice, directly on her chest.  And yes, you guessed it, the next morning she was free of her cough completely.   I wish I could say, at that moment, I was totally hooked on wheatgrass and living food.  It took me a few more years.  I was vegetarian at that time and was juicing wheatgrass and attempting to grow it in my house.

My first juicer was an electric Miracle Juicer.  I took it right off the kitchen counter of my parent’s house.  (Hey, I wasn’t the only one. My sister and brother stole the next two)!  It was what I used for many years.  Wheatgrass was the only thing I was juicing at the time.  I grew it in my small apartment and did the best I could.  Some days I could drink it and others I just couldn’t get it down.  I drank it for maintenance….I drank it for healing. And I continued to make poultices.   But I was still working on emotional issues and I was avoiding turning to a living food lifestyle.

Fifteen years later, because of my connections with Hippocrates Health Institute, I was fortunate to have the director, Brian Clement, come to speak in my small town in Vermont.  I certainly listened, but I wasn’t ready to hear it.  So I continued to juice wheatgrass.  Not finding the space or time to grow it, I ordered it online.   I drank it for 4 months straight, feeling better and better.  Then one day I just couldn’t get it past my lips.  I called my parents.  My Mom, said “Just drink it any way you can get it down.”  My Dad said, “It’s all emotional.”   He was absolutely right.  The emotion that I wanted to “share” with my Dad at that moment, convinced me even more to at least attempt a living food lifestyIe.  I certainly had come to a point in my life where conventional treatments weren’t working anymore.  So again, Brian Clement came for a visit.  And this time I heard it.

The next day I emptied my kitchen cabinets and started juicing and eating more living food.  I was now eating better than I had my whole life.  I still have that Miracle juicer and I brought out my Vitamix (I hadn’t used it since I bought it years ago) and I purchased a Champion Juicer, a food processor and a spiral slicer.  I juiced every fruit and green I could get my hands on.  I made green smoothies.  I made raw ice cream, raw treats, raw foods. I was hooked.

A year later, when I started growing wheatgrass in my business, I purchased the Manual Healthy Juicer for wheatgrass and greens.  With my manual Healthy Juicer, I could juice up to 100 shots for tasting at our local Health Expo without getting tired.   If you don’t want to wake up the family with the sound of an electric juicer, this is the one for you.  They’ll wake up to the smell of fresh squeezed wheat grass.

Don’t hesitate getting started growing your own wheat grass. Growing grass is one of those things you just have to start doing.  It may take a couple of tries to get it right, but you will get it right.  Don’t forget about making a poultice.   Placing it on everything from your gums to your toes, is just another way to heal using wheatgrass.  The pulp can be used on any skin irritation, from rashes to warts, scars to ingrown toenails.  Think drawing out toxins, think oxygen, think alive, think GREEN!  Again, don’t underestimate it.  Try it for yourself.

Donna, Yep, I really juiced that, Bergonzi-Boyle

The holiest day of the Jewish year is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement; a day spent in prayer, penance and among other things, fasting. How grueling it was to me as a child. Of course I rarely made it through and the few times I did I would break fast (no not “breakfast” spellcheck) with something like a cheeseburger and a milkshake. Nowadays it’s become popular for people feeling a bit guilty about their sinful diet to do a little atoning of their own with a variety of juice fasts. Maybe my ancient ancestors were on to something.

Anyway, this fasting is a risky business and really not necessary for those with a healthy diet already. Nonetheless, the benefits are compelling. In addition to getting rid of toxins built up throughout the system from a poor diet it can decrease congestive symptoms; eliminate food allergies and sensitivities; reduces the burden on the digestive system, allowing it to heal; release pesticides, drugs, and other chemicals from stored fat, which can then be eliminated; enhance mental, physical, and spiritual well-being; increase energy and mental clarity; promote glowing skin; prevent chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle; and clear mucus discharge.

A juice fast is just what it says; a short-term intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water ONLY. This is done because juice is an incredible source of vitamins and antioxidants. Fasts typically last for one to three days but some people go longer. I wouldn’t recommend that without some type of medical supervision and monitoring to ensure that nutrient deficiencies don’t result.

So here’s a basic outline of a fast although many variations are possible. Do your research and find one that’s right for you. It’s suggested to fast during the warmer months with Spring being the best time of the year for juice fasting. For seven or more days before the fast, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. During this time eat mainly organic fruits, vegetables, and beans. During the fast between 32 and 64 ounces of juice is recommended and should be sipped throughout the day. Typical fruits and vegetables include celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus fruits are often avoided. In addition to the juice roughly 6 glasses of room temperature or warm filtered water is recommended. GO ORGANIC! And if you absolutely, positively cannot, peel the skin off the fruits and vegetables or wash them with a non-toxic produce cleaner like the Cuisine Clean. Fresh juice is a must so the best alternative to juicing at home with a centrifugal juicer and masticating juicer is to buy it from the health food store. Be sure not to skimp on the wheatgrass, green vegetables and sprouts because they contain the chlorophyll, which is especially beneficial during a juice fast. These must be juiced in a masticating juicer. Be sure to combine both fruits and vegetables as they each have their own unique benefits and finally, when you break the fast, return to solid foods gradually.

Certain fruits and vegetables and their parts should not be juiced, like the pits of peaches, apricots, cherries, and other fruits, apple seeds, citrus peels, carrot and rhubarb tops, tough skins (such as kiwi, pineapple, mangoes), and bananas and avocados. Some people can’t handle complete abstinence from solid food so it’s ok if you eat one meal a day in addition to the juice.

Pay attention to your body while you fast. Keep an eye on your weight, symptoms and degree of congestion, tongue coating, degree of hunger, and energy level. If energy level drops for more than one day, if weight becomes too low, or if any symptoms become particularly intense, just break the fast for God’s sake. This isn’t a punishment after all. Please note that a certain amount of tongue coating is normal. It may become thicker or have a more pronounced color (yellow, white, grey) as the body eliminates toxins.

Certain people should not do this. Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn’t try a juice fast. As well, people with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions shouldn’t try a juice fast or should do so only under strict medical supervision. People shouldn’t try a juice fast before or after surgical procedures. Remember, a juice fast can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body so people taking prescription medications should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never discontinue or reduce their medications on their own.

Be well,

JuicyJosh

www.877myjuicer.com

First, let me say that I’m not sure if I believe the hype on this stuff…but I have had many people ask how this really works so I figured…”Hmmm…why not blog it!”.  This technology is implemented in the Green Star Twin Gear Juicer.  I have tried to research it more as far as studies but was not able to really come up with anything.  Anyway, here is my dissertation on it!   It was like writing a really short college essay.  ENJOY!

Bio-magnetic content and special magnets within the gears of the twin-gear design supply positive ionization to the minerals of the fruits and vegetables which prolongs the freshness of your juices, therefore delaying oxidation for up to 48 hours! You can then store your healthy juice drinks for later enjoyment without fear of vital nutrients being depleted.

Biomagnetic technology explained:

· Inside each gear mechanism is a section of magnets in series side by side. The magnets alternate positive and negative charges. With the twin gears’ side by side design they work together to produce a positive charge which keeps your juice fresh and lively for much longer periods than usual.

· The next level inside the magnetic assembly consists of special bio-ceramic particles protected by a stainless steel housing. Intense infrared technology creates bio-ceramic activity which then gives off positive ions.

· The magnetic assembly in the GS-1000 along with the bio-ceramic material work together like a team recharging each other continually.

· When the twin gears of the machine turn together, the magnet fields and bio-ceramic activity steadily produce the positive ions which are retained within your juice.

· The addition of these ions gives juices a longer life by helping to preserve vital minerals and nutrients.

· This constant activity reduces oxidation and retains the freshness!

Check out the Green Star Twin Gear Juicer if you want it!

Enjoy and Be Well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com

The best reason to ask “why buy a juicer” is to look closely at the label of most store bought juices. What comes first? Corn syrup? Sugar? How much fruit or vegetable is actually in the juice? Look at the ingredients and you will quickly find that most of the easy-to-buy, right-off-the-shelf juices available are made of sugar and water with a bit of fruit or vegetable juice. These juices typically also contain a number of preservatives, coloring agents, and other unnecessary and possibly detrimental additives that will neither be advantageous to your diet or your health. Raw foods, on the other hand, contain active live enzymes, beneficial to your health. Many health enthusiasts consider a raw-food diet the most healing and nutritious, and a juicer is one way you can quickly reap the rewards of eating raw.

Juicing Raw Foods

· There is hardly any digestive work needed to process raw, enzymatically active liquid. With a juicer, fruit and vegetable juice gets into the system quickly.

· Squeezed vegetable juice is very nutrient-dense and full of phytonutrients (or plant chemicals), which are proving to be the key behind keeping our bodies free of cancer, digestive problems, and other degenerative illnesses.

· The most overlooked, reason to juice is to cleanse the liver. Any human biology book tells us that there are now over 700 known functions of the liver, but what you may not realize is that functionality is dependent on whether or not your liver is congested.

The benefits of regularly cleansing with freshly squeezed, organic juice is to give your body a fresh start; use up excess storages of body fat, ingest various anti-oxidants (like acidic fruits), deprive the body of what it may be addicted to (caffeine, sugar, smoking, drugs, etc.), which leads to eventual purging of the toxins in your system and impacted wastes — as well as promote gastrointestinal tract lubrication and to hydrate the body. A cleansed liver is a felt sensation. Improving its function seems to affect everything, from mental clarity and focus to emotions to sleep to how stress is handled to increasing your energy..Plus, is just might help you reboot and install a new and healthier diet.

Enjoy and Be Well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com

I’d love to say that my first thought after getting the evacuation notice Monday was, better grab the wheatgrass juicer… but of course I’m not that advanced yet.  And somehow I put more importance on my Dad’s paintings and the photo albums.  Go figure… All kidding aside, it was quite a week down here in southern California and we want to extend our prayers and well wishes to the individuals and families that lost so much during this ordeal.  Obviously in a crisis the safety of our loved ones and the irreplaceable items we treasure take priority but, being suddenly forced of town for a few days gave me the opportunity to keep it healthy when on the road in a pinch.  It’s really not that hard if you have a little time to plan and several key items on hand.

Most would think that juicing on the road is impossible but that’s because so many people think of the big, heavy electric juicer that takes up a ton of space.  There are several light, portable and extremely functional manual juicers available like The Healthy Juicer by Lexen that work well for this type of situation and are so small they will fit nicely in any travel bag along with the rest of your prized possessions.  Because they are masticating juicers, they are perfect for wheatgrass and leafy greens but most are powerful enough to juice apples and carrots and whatever else your heart desires.  So even if wheatgrass is hard to come or you forgot to pack you’re fruits and veggies before you left, you can surely get your hands on something judicable and healthy.

Dried Fruits like figs, prunes, dates and even papaya, mango, apricot, and cranberries are all high in fiber which will keep the digestion rolling and something yummy like banana chips have almost a potato chip-like taste.  If you’re a do it yourself dehydrator you’ll probably already have some of these ready to go.

Raw fruits and vegetables in a cooler are essential not just for juicing but to snack on as you go.  Oranges, bananas, apples, grapes and any other unpeeled fruit will make great munchies as will baby carrots, celery or any sliced veggies.  Make sure you wash everything before you leave home and put anything sliced in a Ziploc or vacuum sealed bag.  It will preserve your snacks a little longer and will make it easier to eat while driving top speed through the inferno.

Food bars, food bars, food bars.  If you’re without them and you’re in need of a snack while gassing up you’ll end up with a half unwrapped Snickers hanging out of your mouth while you drive away… and then the guilt, the shame, the remorse.  It’s just not worth it.  Any health food store will have a plethora available (yeah, I’m thinking of Three Amigos too).  My favorites are made by Organic Food Bar.  There are tons of options, many are vegan and they are all USDA Organic certified.  (And we don’t even sell them so you know I’m not just a pitch man).

So that and several bottles of purified water will get you where you’re going.  Once you’re there lets hope you find a few healthy restaurants or a health food store because this articles long enough already.  Besides, I’ve gotta run…

Be well,

Juicy Josh