Feature Article: What is Juicing?

By Sheila Buck

Juicing is a good way to obtain the raw foods you need everyday. Both fruits and vegetables can be juiced, but fruit juice may increase the levels of insulin in your blood. Juicing is quick, and a good way to add more healing foods to  a  diet with minimal effort .

When we eat whole fruits and vegetables, our bodies do not always absorb a lot of their nutrients.  The nutrients from juices are easier for our bodies to absorb. Some of the health benefits of juicing are:

• It is a quick and easy way to get enzymes into your body.
• Fruit and vegetable juices give the body a lot of energy and increase metabolic rate.
• It gives your immune system a boost.
• Helps you recover quicker from some illnesses.
• Helps ease the symptoms of depression.
• Helps detoxify the body.
• Helps the digestive system function better.

You do not need a lot of equipment for juicing. A juicer, although not necessary, makes the process easier. You may want  to add  supplements to your juices. Some good supplements to add are:

• Cod liver oil
• Evening primrose oil
• Fish oil
• Flax seed oil

It can sometimes be difficult to consume all of the fruit and vegetables you need everyday. With Juicing you can fit more than one serving into every glass, making it easier to fit in all of those servings.

Although juicing has many advantages,  it also has some disadvantages. The following is a list of illnesses that can come from juicing:

• Foodborne illnesses such as: E. coli and Salmonella
• Upset stomach
• Weight gain
• Carotenemia

Juicing is an easy way to get the proper nutrients from fruits and vegetables. If you would like to try juicing contact your doctor first. The juicer should be cleaned after every use.

References:

Juice for Health

Best of Juicing: Health Benefits of Juicing

Best of Juicing: Why is Vegetable Juicing Good?

Livestrong.com: What are the Dangers of Juicing?

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Sheila Buck is the single mom of two teenage boys. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Sheila is a freelance writer, and also writes books and short stories in her spare time. Sheila also writes for Frugal is Fabulous!.

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Spice Profile: Ginger

This herb is a perennial from the sub/tropics, used in creating different types of recipes. Some perfumes are made using ginger, as are medications and different types of condiments. It’s often used in Asian cuisine.

Ginger helps with ailments such as

• Motion sickness
• Dizziness
• Morning sickness
• Arthritis

Note: Consult a doctor if you are being treated for any illnesses before using any type of food for its’ health benefits.

Ginger has nutrients that help a person stay healthy including

• Potassium
• Vitamin B6
• Magnesium

There are many foods that can be made with ginger

• Candied ginger
• Smoothies
• Teas

 

 

Herb Profile: Bay Leaf

Bay leaf is an herb that grows on a tree, which is a bit unusual.  It‘s a bitter, spicy herb used in many recipes, and can also be used to prevent bugs from getting into foods and food areas. This is why I suggest placing them on pantry shelves.

Bay has many health benefits, including

• Stimulation of appetite
• Help for colic
• Relief from flatulence
• To get rid of dandruff
• To help with scabies

Note: Consult a doctor if you are being treated for any illnesses before using any type of food for its’ health benefits.

The nutritional value of bay includes

• Vitamins A and C and B6
• Folate
• Fiber
• Omega 3 and 6
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Iron
• Calcium
• Protein

Some really great recipes using bay leaves include

• Many Bean Stew
• Shrimp Gumbo
• Easy Spaghetti Casserole

Shannon

Herb Profile: Oregano

Oregano is an herb that has a flavor described as not only warm, but balsamic as well. It is aromatic. The name Oregano means ‘Mountian Joy’.

Oregano has many essential nutrients, including:

• Lots of Vitamin K
• Iron
• Fiber
• Omega 3 fatty acids

Oregano also has health benefits. They include anti-bacterial properties.

Note: Consult a doctor if you are being treated for any illnesses before using any type of food for its’ health benefits.

Oregano is used in:

• Mediterranean Cuisine
• Mexican Cuisine
• Pizza
• Italian Cuisine

 

Shannon

White Tea

Note 1: Do not use dairy products in your tea. These types of products take the effects of the antioxidants away.

Note 2: I do not add sugar to my tea. I got used to this practice slowly, by using less and less sugar over time.

Note 3: Consult a doctor if you are being treated for any illnesses before using any type of food for its’ health benefits.

White tea is not as readily available as other teas, and it is certainly more expensive than the others. It has a light, sweet flavor, and should be steeped in water that is NOT at the boiling point yet. White tea is the least processed tea.

Health benefits of white tea include:

• Cancer-fighting properties.
• Less caffeine.
• Lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Stronger bones.
• Good for teeth and gums.
• Reduced blood sugar.

White tea comes in different varieties, including:

• White Peony
• Silver Needle

By drinking 2-4 cups of this tea a day, optimal health benefits can be acquired.

White tea is wonderful combined with:

• Chamomile tea
• peppermint tea
• Grey tea

You may also enjoy:

Peppermint Sun Tea

Chamomile Green Sun Tea

Shannon

Black Tea

NOTE: You should never add milk or any other dairy products to tea. The dairy dissolves any benefits derived from the beverage.

Black tea is a very common tea these days. The tea-plant grows in a few different places, including Africa, Japan and China. Black tea does have low levels of caffeine, but not as much as coffee.

Black tea has just as many health benefits as green tea does, according to the research that has been being done.

Some of the the health benefits of drinking black tea are

• Helps with viruses of the mouth.
• Sooths diarrhea.
• Helps with pneumonia.
• Antioxidants in the tea may help to prevent some types of cancer.
• Helps to prevent heart disease.
• Helps to lessen the likely hood of tooth decay.
• Helps metabolism rates.
• Sooths arthritis.

I enjoy black tea very much. It is good to have a cup of tea a day, and I have even heard that two or three cups a day is good. I do not add creamer, milk or sugar to my tea, but I do sometimes add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger.

Try mixing teas

For instance, 1 bag or black tea mixed with 1 bag of one of the following makes a great combination.

• Chamomile
• Peppermint
• Orange

What types of black tea combinations do you enjoy?

Shannon

Spice Profile: Cinnamon

Did you know that cinnamon is not only a spice, but it is also a tree? It’s true. The tree grows in places like Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon is commonly purchased ground in used in baking, but can also be purchased as sticks for making hot mulled beverages and for crafting purposes.

Some of the health benefits of cinnamon are

• Benefits blood sugar levels, diabetes
• Colds
• Menstrual pain
• Diarrhea and nausea
• LDL Cholesterol

(talk to your doctor before taking any herb or spice for medicinal purposes, especially if you have a medical condition)

Easily add cinnamon to your daily diet without much difficulty

• Cinnamon Tea
• Sprinkle it over buttered paleo toast, tortillas, or crepes.
• Add a pinch to hot cocoa.
• Add a pinch to iced tea.
• Add a pinch to coffee.
• Sprinkle over ice cream.
• Sprinkle over pudding.
• Top muffins with it.
• Top breads with it.
• Create a roll-up with a pancake, tortilla, or crepe by spreading it with cream cheese and then sprinkling cinnamon over the cheese.

In what ways do you use cinnamon?

Shannon