Feeding your skin with Smoothies!!!!
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free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:12 am

as usual i must apologize for the many typos in my posts (always lose them when i try to edit)

Anyway.. traditional ayuvedic medicine (from India) classifies 'types' of constitutions requiring different kinds of foods/spices. A VATA type constitution does well with hot spices..a PITA type sould avoid them. (there's also a Kapha type..not sure about their spice balances)

Gabriel Cousens who i've mentioned before, and who is bothe an allopathic and ayuvedic doc, and owns/runs a well-known raw food hesling center...has recipes with spices appropriate for all the ayuvedic constitutional types..in his book Conscious Eating (IMO a real gem)he lets us know which recipe with what spices promote balance or imbalancein the different constitutional types.

bottom line, i quess, is to study, experiment. stay in touch with your intutition and inner guidance and be true only to what really promotes your own well-being.

free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:00 pm

okay, i want to say a bit more...(i'm always unsure how much to say in these health/healing type threads)..

anyway..healing/health..and what, imo, is 'real' medicine..from any tradtion..is not a black and white issue..it really is an art from as well as a scientific based phenomena..meaning it is based on intuition/inspirtion/experience and an in-depth understanding of/respect for the intricacies of life in it's wholeness..and not just a simple application of a standard 'remedy' for everyone...(i'm not saying anyone here is doing this...just wanting to re-emphasis this, imo, truth)

So, for example in TCM,one may have certain organs/systems that may be 'cool' and 'damp' whereas others may be overheated and dry..and these systems/organs are intricately interacting with each other..and one wants to heal the whole person...so one listens to the pulses (i believe there 6 of them in tCM..not sure though)and other physical phenomena presentedby the client..and bases the herbal remedies (which include heating and cooling herbs and spices) uon the interaction of all the systems in the body. I used to have cold hands and feet. and overall internal 'dampness'...but some of my organs were overheated...hence hot spices were detrimental to me...and herbs/spices with different propeties were recommended (and worked) for me.

also..in auyvedic healing..folks are usually combos of the different 'types' of 'doshas'..so again,healing comes from a deep understanding od=f the individual and their innerbalance, as well asfrom an external schematic knowledge.

in the west, the Vitslist herbal movement, based on traditional western cultures (like the native americans in the usa)...also takes into account the heating. cooling. drying. moisturiazing quality of herbs..and appies to the particular systms/overall balance of each individual client.

what i love about the vitalist (and wise woman) herbalist ways are the reality that there is a belief that it is the wholeness of the herb..in intimacy with the wholeness of the healer/practitioner that releases the inner healing power of the herb..not just it's scientificall/lab determined chemical components...and that any given herb can heal any apecific person who allies (befriends) with it..in a totally new and outwardly (including lab anaylsis)unpredictable way..just as a human being..who is intimate with another responds in a way that is totally unpredictable to someone who is only a causal aquaintance and hasn't opened their inner bein/heartto the person in question...because herbs/spices are living'beings' so to speak....every changing..vital..not inanimate objects

free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 1:10 pm

Jasminerosey,

I've read everything you have posted with interest - I very much appreciate the sharing of your considerable knowledge.
Thank you!

free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 7:31 pm

update:
pumpkin in a can is only available several months of the year. would it kill supermarkets to stock it year round, since it's in a can?

okay, moving on:

i baked a sweet potato, and constructed a greens smoothie around it. it was DELICIOUS!!!!

here's the recipe:

Sweet Potato Smoothie

5-7 raw almonds
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup blackberries
1/4 cup chopped papaya (i had this fresh, you can omit it!)
1/4 cup baked and cooled sweet potato
1/2 banana
1/2 cucumber
handful arugula (rocket)
handful raw kale
2 ounces aloe juice

I think nutrition and taste-wise, this is such a winner. it might be a little caloric, but it is tasting really good as dessert right now!

--avalange

free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:28 pm

Canned pumpkin is available here year round... Maybe check out various markets.

Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:00 pm

Tonia the smoothies with the ginger tastes really zesty. There's like a 'fire' to the smoothies depending on how much you put in.

I just take half an inch and add it to the smoothies. Toby thanks for the note on the ginger. Glad I'm taking it.

Jasminerosey thanks so much for your input. I am fascinated with Ayurvedic healing and TCM but I haven't done any research on it. I just take bits and pieces of information which I get and try to incorporate them in my smoothies/ diet. I know I should do more research on it and have been inspired to do so.

I've got really bad migraines and I don't want to be on steroids/medication. So holistic/ natural/ ayurvedic/ TCM (without the cupping/ acupuncture at the moment) approaches really appeal to me.

Green smoothies have helped not only my skin but my migraines and even the auras! I know its still there but I know smoothies will help! I think one of the main causes of my migraines are the refined sugar found in juices, chocolates and even biscuits which I take. The smoothies have reduced my huger pangs for the sweet stuff!

Ladies keep sharing your recipes, I can't wait to try them out.

free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:12 pm

i trekked out to THREE in chicago in search of it. no luck! they all looked at me crazy and reminded me that it's a seasonal product.

funny, i even went to the slightly sketchy market in my neighborhood, thinking they might have some left over from pumpkin season, and they didn't. but you know what, to my horror, they DID have? 2 month old shrinkwrapped pumpkin PIES.

for sale.

--avalange

sister sweets wrote:

Canned pumpkin is available here year round... Maybe check out various markets.

free skin care · Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:13 pm

i forgot, i added ginger in here as well! i freeze my ginger and use a microplane grater to add it--so much easier; it's like grating fluffy cheese.

--avalange

avalange wrote:

update:
pumpkin in a can is only available several months of the year. would it kill supermarkets to stock it year round, since it's in a can?

okay, moving on:

i baked a sweet potato, and constructed a greens smoothie around it. it was DELICIOUS!!!!

here's the recipe"

5-7 raw almonds
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup blackberries
1/4 cup chopped papaya (i had this fresh, you can omit it!)
1/4 cup baked and cooled sweet potato
1/2 banana
1/2 cucumber
handful arugula (rocket)
handful raw kale
2 ounces aloe juice

I think nutrition and taste-wise, this is such a winner. it might be a little caloric, but it is tasting really good as dessert right now!

--avalange

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:32 am

Pumpkin is available year round where I live too, but it's not right now. I went to buy some for my smoothies and they were out. I asked about it and they told me there was a pumpkin shortage this year. Go figure!

sister sweets wrote:

Canned pumpkin is available here year round... Maybe check out various markets.

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:19 pm

No kidding. A pumpkin shortage. I have a guy friend who makes pumpkin pies all year long - I'll bet he's very distressed Crying or Very sad

That is absolutely disgusting about the shrink-wrapped pies.

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:38 pm

I want pumpkin!!!!!!!!!
I found this really amazing site for nutritional calculation:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2602/2

it is one of the best anti-inflammatory foods, and those a great one to add into the smoothies to balance out tropical fruits and any other inflammatory foods you might eat that day. it's also a very nutritionally "complete" food.

pumpkin is sooo much better for you than sweet potato.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2670/2

--avalange

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:03 pm

avalange wrote:

I want pumpkin!!!!!!!!!
I found this really amazing site for nutritional calculation:
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2602/2

it is one of the best anti-inflammatory foods, and those a great one to add into the smoothies to balance out tropical fruits and any other inflammatory foods you might eat that day. it's also a very nutritionally "complete" food.

pumpkin is sooo much better for you than sweet potato.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2670/2

--avalange

Yes Avalange, I have been recommending this website for months! I too believe it is very good for any nutritional analysis you may want to do.

What I would suggest you do is prepare a recipe analysis for your smoothies. That way you can get an idea of what nutrients you are receiving and will be aware of what is missing from your diet. It also calculates calories and breaks down the sources of those calories. The only thing you have to be careful about is ensuring you enter the correct quantity of each food item.

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:46 pm

Amazon has it, just do a search for "organic canned pumpkin". But you have to order 12 cans!

free skin care · Mon Feb 22, 2010 11:57 pm

Thanks fadedgirl. I'm sure we'll have some takers.

free skin care · Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:20 am

Great website! I make pumpkin pies year round too. It's my favorite dessert. At the grocery store, they told me to check back in a couple of weeks.

Has anyone actually tried this in a smoothie? I think it would be really good with pumpkin pie spices added.

Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:05 pm

ClaudiaFE wrote:

Tonia...

Steam a lb of Broccolli (experiment with your other favorite veges.)

Toss in blender, Add, about a cup of chicken (my fave) or vege broth (low sodium), and blend until smooth. Transfer back to pot, (empty water), add a splash of milk, and maybe an oz of shredded cheddar, stir to blend. Salt and pepper to taste!

Well, I finally made this and to my surprise, I LOVE it!! Shock

(I've never ever liked broccoli soup.) Thanks a bunch for sharing the recipe with us, Claudia. Smile

free skin care · Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:44 pm

Havana... amazing how simple that is too... HUH?

Glad you liked it.

RE: Pumpkin, I had heard about this shortage just before Thanksgiving. I had friends rushing out to buy their pumpkin in August & Sept. LOL!

Check out Amazon... Grocery... and Canned Pumpkin... some qualify for free shipping!!!

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:53 am

I made a special request for canned pumpkin at the grocery store yesterday. They said they can get it on special request, they just can't stock it.

I've never liked Broccoli soup before either. It has always seemed too thick to me. This one is perfect. Thanks again, Claudia.

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:47 am

My beautiful Blendtec blender has arrived! It is amazing. I just programmed in for smoothies, soups, ice cream and dips and sauces. This thing can do anything. Very excited to give it a try.
First venture will be smoothies.

Promised the BF soup on Wednesday night.

free skin care · Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:05 pm

Cool! It makes ice cream??? Now I might be able to talk my hubby into getting one.

free skin care · Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:05 pm

This thread has been so very helpful and because of everyone's generosity with sharing information, I began making daily green smoothies four months ago. My skin looks incredibly smooth. My hair & nails grow like crazy (more root touch ups are the only downfall). I love my VitaMix! I alternate various organic greens along with varying varieties of fruit.

I have used various green powder supplements in the past that have tasted just awful and last week I found one that is actually delicious! Greens 8000! They have a website with lots of information.

I found the best price for the 8000 at Intohealth.com as it's $23.13/bottle. I have the Chocolate, which is AWESOME and the berry which is also yummy!

I'm using these to add more flavor to my smoothie and I've also tried them just by themselves in water and they are really, really good! I love that I can take these with me when I travel since packing the VitMix isn't really an option.

free skin care · Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:00 am

Would love advice from Blendtec users Smile

Would you purchase one again if you had to?

Is it better than the average blender and why?

All Blendtec comments appreciated!

BF

free skin care · Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:30 am

Yes, please tell us about the Blendtec. That's a lot to pay for a blender and I would like to know if it's worth the extra cost. What's so great about it?

free skin care · Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:08 am

I just logged off and made a green smoothie for lunch. I included sliced ginger for the first time. I had to log back on just to say. . .oh my goodness, it's wonderful!!! Thanks to all who have suggested it. I should have tried it sooner. I love my apple and spinach smoothies and haven't wanted to mess with a good thing. I'm glad I did. I love it!!!

free skin care · Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:56 pm

Toby has had her Blendtec for a while and Kassy got her's back in August. I'm sure they'll see this and weigh in.
I'm a Blendtec newbie. So far just Smoothies, and soup and applesauce. It also grinds grains, coffee.
All the programmed settings are timed to start out at one speed and work up or down as needed for the specific ingredients. When I do a Smoothie with ice (for kids) it starts out lower and slower and then speeds to deal with the ice.

A great thing about the Blendtec is that it is nicely engineered. Easy to clean, the container can be bounced off the floor and even stepped on and will not crack or break. (Maybe if you weigh a lot). It appears (so far) to be a well thought out design.

Since I haven't had it long I really defer to those who've had it longer.

I know Toby also likes the L Equip (Alton Brown uses this on the Cooking Network) - I almost got this (good price on Amazon) but the BF stepped in and offered me the big kahuna.

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