Feeding your skin with Smoothies!!!!
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free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:10 pm

ClaudiaFE wrote:

Just rec'd Victoria's Green Smoothie Revolution... some great looking recipes in there... Ideas that I hadn't thought of...about 200 recipes (even green smoothies for your pets!)

A basic write up as to why drink smoothies... and

VERY IMPORTANT, I will share here... She says it's VERY IMPORTANT to ROTATE the GREENS in you smoothies... Reason: "Plants carry a trace of alkaloids in their leaves to ensure that animals will move on to eat another green plant... alkaloids are poisonous in LARGE quantities... can't hurt you in SMALL quantities. HOWEVER, if you keep consuming the same exact green for many weeks, the alkaloids can accumulate in your body and cause unwanted symptoms of poisoning." So, consider this while shopping and perhaps allow the SALE of the day dictate which green you will use until your next shopping trip!

Best!

Put your learning cap on folks here is some more about alkaloids in nightshades. How did we function without internet....some of you are so young you have always had it Embarassed

you have to copy and paste.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george%26dbid=62

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:22 pm

list of greens: amaranth, arugula(rocket), bamboo leaves, beet greens, bok choy, carrot tops, celery, all types chard, collard greens, endive, grape leaves. all types kale, all types red and green lettuce, turnip greens...

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:54 pm

Toby wrote:

Oh wow Claudia this is very good information because spinach was becoming my staple....what other mainline green can replace spinach??

Not Claudia...but...I started out with Spinach for a week, then changed to kale for last week, and now doing assorted spring greens for this week. I bought the Dino (lacinto) kale because it was so dark and healthy looking. I expected it to be bitter ...Not... but I had a banana and some pineapple to maybe temper it. Chard will be my next try. I had also read to rotate the greens. So far the kale is my favorite. Who'd a thunk it?

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:45 pm

I actually ended up with a kidney stone in Dec. and I COULD have been related. I remember my Dr. talking about how spinach fell into that category...

Here's a link I just found... and now I'm rethinking some recipes... Dang it...

http://www.gicare.com/Diets/Kidney-Stone.aspx

That was one of the most painful things I've been through in a while. (c-section, broken bones, I think it's the long term pain that makes it so bad.) It took 2 months to pass.. no pain meds, and almost totally debilitating.

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:34 pm

Spinach is not recommended for people with kidney issues (also cottage cheese, and other milk products in quantity) - it depends on the nature of the kidney stones (I not sure how is one to know what kind of stones or sand a person had unless you catch it and analyse).

Also, grapefruits are a cause for concern if a person takes certain medications.

Also, I was told that watermelon and melon if eaten have to be eaten by themselves, not to be combined with other fruits/veggies.

Claudia - I can so relate to your story. Years ago I was on strict health diet and drinking a lot of distilled water - ended up in a hospital (kidney stone or sand - they were not sure). Since then I am careful in terms of what to do not to experience it ever again.

I am curious - do you peel the fruits/veggies before blending them?

I was told to peel and take the core out and that is quite a chore.

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:44 pm

Depends on what It the fruit or vege is... If it's organic, I wouldn't have a problem throwing in the peel for thin skinned things... but think skins that generally don't taste good, I'd peel... I use a lot of frozen fruits... so already peeled.

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:51 pm

I'm so bummed.. Sad

I thought the Blendtec had all the little 'icons' already on the 'buttons', the way it looks on the video on the website..

Little did I know, I need to program all that in myself.. Embarassed

Argh! Don't they know what a spaz I am without a visual for guidance..

I'll no doubt chime back in about 10 days from now, when I figure all this crap out..Yeeeesh!

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:55 pm

Kassy,
Mine has all the icons like one for smoothies, soups, ice crushed, etc...But in saying that I just just the pulse button.

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:15 pm

Toby wrote:

Kassy,
Mine has all the icons like one for smoothies, soups, ice crushed, etc...But in saying that I just just the pulse button.

Mine just has ("1, 2, 3, 4, pulse, start, cycle + speed up and down.")

Then there's pages of pragramming stuff, that I can't figure out for the life of me..

Lord have mercy! When is something ever going to be delivered that I can figure out (and actually use,) on day one.. Grrrr!

Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:04 pm

Claudia...did you have your stone(s) analyzed; ie. uric acid, or alkaline? Have you heard of the coke-asparagus cleanse?

I haven't started making smoothies yet, but I found these two sites really interesting:

http://www.kidneystonecauses.net/asparagus-and-coke-for-kidney-stones-cleansing

http://ezinearticles.com/?Asparagus-and-Kidney-Stones%26id=1306103

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 7:58 pm

neondaze wrote:

Thanks CM, I'll have a look at them all. You are a total star!
By the way, I also loved your account of facial exercises. Very inspiring!

Awwww, thanks, Neondaze...you're so sweet!! Smile

sigma wrote:

I am trying (so far unsuccessfully) to switch to raw or 75% raw food.

Hey sigma!--Just take it very slow in the beginning; it's a lot easier that way. you can do it! Smile

Toby's advice is great. I found that I was the most successful when I didn't proceed to the next level until long after I was very happy and super-comfortable with the level I was at. And it took a while for my stomach to stretch to accommodate so many fruits and veggies at a single meal Smile

sigma wrote:

Have some questions - do you put fruits/vegetables whole in the blender with skin and insides?

If I would eat the skin and seeds anyways if I eat the fruit/vegetable whole, then yes. Otherwise, no. For example, I don't blend up apple seeds (they also contain small amounts of cyanide).

Toby wrote:

Oh wow Claudia this is very good information because spinach was becoming my staple....what other mainline green can replace spinach??

So interesting...I eat a lot of greens, but I can't stand spinach. I also don't like chard, either. They don't taste bad to me, but there is something about them both that revulses me...I suspect that it's because they are both high in oxalic acid. I also don't like argula, but that's because it's so spicy.

In case it helps, greens I eat regularly:
- spring green mix (almost every day)
- green kale
- red or Russian kale
- dinosaur or lacinto kale
- dandelion
- collards
- lamb's lettuce or mache
- romaine
- bok choi
- parsley
- Boston lettuce
- cilantro

sigma wrote:

Just wanted to mention that people with arthritis have to careful with spinach (and should people with kidney stones). I do not remember why, but can find out of needed.

It's because of the oxalic acid Wink

Beet greens, turnip greens, and chard are also high in it.

HTH Smile

free skin care · Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:06 pm

I wonder why toby's blendtec has icons (soup, smoothie, etc) and kassy's does not.
I await Kassy's report.

Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:50 am

I think many will agree that the BEST book on smoothies (or at least in the top 3) is

Green for Life

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:21 am

Have not heard of the coke+asparagus... will check that out... I wasn't able to catch my stone... Confused

Had I realized that the grand finale was about to appear, I might have been able to. 2 months of being sure it was on its way out... didn't help much. I also read something, perhaps in the link I attached yesterday, that Lots of Vit. C, can be problematic. And you don't even want to know how much I was taking to assist in getting over the pre school cooties that my boys graciously shared with me... It's been a rough year... but as they say... That which does not kill us...

I will be looking into other greens...

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:29 pm

A while back on this thread someone had asked if the smoothies could be made in a food processor rather than a blender...(this may be especially important to some folks who don't have a powerful enough blender and can't afford a new one right now..or just want to get started immediately)

So..yes they can easily be food processed rather then blended if they are eaten in the form of an 'energy soup' rather than a smoothie....you get the same nutrition..just a slightly different texture...energy soups are usually eaten from a bowl with a spoon rather than consumed as a drink.

I find it personally quicker to food process than blend..but I do use both methods depending on my mood ...and time availability.

And also want to remind folks that when making a raw soup, rather than a smoothie.... fresh (or dried)spices, herbs and good quality salt (or ground sea vegetables) can be added for flavor to make a slightly different culinary experience than the sweeter focus of the smoothie.

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:33 pm

sister sweets wrote:

I wonder why toby's blendtec has icons (soup, smoothie, etc) and kassy's does not.
I await Kassy's report.

It seems the blender is pre programmed with quite a few uses in those "4" buttons.. There is also an option of reprogramming, to suit ones' individual needs..

Because I am technologically challenged, I will just be using it as is, until I get more experience with it.. (I have no fear I can get in enough trouble with just these 4 buttons.. Embarassed

) The ice cream is included there, so it's all good... Laughing

Okay, my 1st go round was a disaster, and I decided I don't like thick, green, all vegetable smoothies.. Me's thinking of more of a V-8 juice type of gal.. (When I thinned it down to a thick juice consistency, it was much better.) I need to hit up the farm stand again, but for today I just used what I had on hand.

1 cup spinach
3 arugula leaves
1 celery stalk chopped in 1/3rds
1 tomato quartered
1 tiny can of V-8 (left it out the 1st attempt, and it was too blah + thick.)
2 shakes of worcestershire sauce
sea salt + fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup mineral water
1 cup of ice

I need to start this with baby steps for the greens, but the thick fruit smoothies I'm loving. (I prefer to keep them separated for now, and have fruit in the morning, and veggies in the afternoon.)

Can't wait to stock up again on produce.. Especially the *blueberries*, so Toby and I can have matching moustaches..

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:59 pm

Kassy,

You really are seriously fearless to start out with this recipe for your first green smoothie! LOL

It really is more of raw soup (as explained by Jasminerosey) and I eat similar ones! I add a bit more water (and have added V8 for taste and consistency) but the best thing for me was adding some avocado. Really made a textural difference.

Welcome to the whirling divas! By the way, a green moustache would nicely compliment that red hair. Smile

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:26 pm

I don't know if the raw energy soup would work well with banana (bananas, greens and spices...maybe so!) but it does work well with added tomatoes, cukes, pineapples, papaya and probably apple (haven't tried to food process apple..but i think the skins should process well enough)

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:47 pm

jasminerosey wrote:

A while back on this thread someone had asked if the smoothies could be made in a food processor rather than a blender...(this may be especially important to some folks who don't have a powerful enough blender and can't afford a new one right now..or just want to get started immediately)

I am of the opinion you really can use any blender and don't need to spend $400 to be able to have a green smoothie. I have been making them for most of the summer, and I use my cheap proctor silex blender that I bought years ago. It works just fine. Blends everything really well, no chunks, etc. So if anyone wants to try this that has a regular blender, go for it. It works. You have to blend a little bit longer, otherwise no problems. Very Happy

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:12 pm

rileygirl wrote:

I am of the opinion you really can use any blender and don't need to spend $400 to be able to have a green smoothie. I have been making them for most of the summer, and I use my cheap proctor silex blender that I bought years ago. It works just fine. Blends everything really well, no chunks, etc. So if anyone wants to try this that has a regular blender, go for it. It works. You have to blend a little bit longer, otherwise no problems.

Actually I always use a regular blender, too, for my green drinks/soups (have been for decades) because I find it easier to use then, say, the Vita Mix (and will choose, for example, a friends old Oster over her brand new Vita Mix when I'm blending over there)

....but I was figuring I was the only one who felt that way!

Right now I have a bit more 'expensive' model...an Oster Fusion which costs about $60 or so...and it's been working really fab for me.

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:28 pm

jasminerosey wrote:

Actually I always use a regular blender, too

....but I was figuring I was the only one who felt that way!

Nope, you are not the only one who feels that way! Very Happy

I hope if there are people out there who want to try the green smoothies but can't afford all these fancy blenders sees this, because they do not have to get the expensive models to enjoy the benefits of the green smoothies.

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:22 pm

I just found this thread and am so excited that there are so many others who are incorporating greens into their life. I recently read Eat to Live by Joel Furhman and am currently in week two of the six week plan. I've been eating lots of fruits and vegetables and am interested in doing smoothies but I would have to buy a blender first. I do like the green drink made by the Naked juice line though. Anyway, I haven't read the whole thread yet but noticed that some people read Kimberly Snyder's blog and I was wondering if anyone has tried her castor oil detox?

free skin care · Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:45 pm

Hi Jom,
I think you should start a thread about detox and discuss the castor oil. I'm sure it would take off.

I am loving my smoothies. Thanks Claudia for the info about rotating the greens. That works for me and it's good to know it's the right thing to do.

I have my stuff all ready to blend for tomorrow so I can drink it at my three hour faculty meeting and probably gross everyone out. Shock

I brought a smoothie to the gym with my water last night and had all kinds of questions. There was curiousity about what it was and what was in it but then there was a definite 'eeew' factor. I guess not everyone's ready for it. Must be the green-ness!

Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:40 pm

Inspired by this thread, I started making green smoothies on Aug. 1. It's been almost two weeks and I'm very happy so far with the visible results I'm seeing. My hair has been thinning for years and lately the problem has actually gotten much worse. Handfuls of it would come out in the shower and cleaning up my diet and taking loads of supplements was not making much of a difference. I noticed about a week ago that less hair fell out in the shower and it's gotten better every day since. About ten strands came out today in total and I'm ecstatic and very hopeful at this point that I might be able to reverse this.

I had a skin growth removed two years ago, and it left a one inch scar on my upper right cheek. It actually healed very well, but the scar bothered me just the same. Well, it now seems to be blending into my skin and it's definitely becoming less noticeable.

I'm also seeing an amazing improvement with my chronic sinusitis. In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that I gave up dairy about a month ago and I've been using a neti pot every day as well, but I think the daily smoothie is definitely helping to clear up the symptoms.

I had horrible detox symptoms after the third day and almost quit my green smoothie experiment. I'm so glad I decided to stick with it though because it has been so worth it. I'm still slightly in shock that adding this to my diet has made such a huge difference. I went through several days of feeling incredibly sluggish and lethargic and I had to force myself to just get out of bed. I'm only now starting to feel better, but it made me realize that I need to do more detoxing. I had all my silver fillings removed five years ago, and I'm now wondering if I still have some residual heavy metal toxicity. It's kind of scary to think that the mercury is still in my body after all this time. I have a lot of reading and researching to do, but I think I need to begin with a colon cleanse. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated. I'm thinking of trying the one from Blessed Herbs because it's all organic and they have a free trial.

I forgot to add that I also lost about five pounds in the last two weeks:)

free skin care · Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:02 am

^^^^^^ WOW!!! That's great! Good for you!

I got DD to drink my fave spinach/mango/mint smoothie and she loved it! I made a whole bunch yesterday, put some in the freezer, and plan to drink one container (20-25 oz.) per day.

I 'think' I'm feeling a bit more energetic (been doing this for > a week).

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