Let's face it, you've probably heard of juicing before today, but do you have any idea just how great it can be for you, and your body? Juicing is the most popular modern craze in the world of diet and nutrition, and unlike standard fad diets, it could actually help you to live a healthier, more energetic lifestyle.

While some crazy diets can only rely be relied upon to give you terrible cravings, bad cramps, and other terrible side-effects, juicing is a simple and natural way to lose pounds, while enhancing your overall health and fitness too. After all, what could be bad about getting an extra dose of fruit and vegetables into your system each day?
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What most people don't realize when it comes to juicing, however, is that it's not just a solution for losing weight. In fact, it's an incredible way to fight off chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, and it can even make you more radiant too! Juicing helps you to absorb the natural nutrients and vitamins available in fruits and vegetables quickly, and more effectively. That means that a glass a day could give you the fresh and youthful glow you've been searching for.

Why Not Just Drink Smoothies?

​Perhaps you're asking yourself, wouldn't it be better to blend all the fruits and vegetables I want and drink daily smoothies instead? While it's true that blending gives you a bigger dose of fiber, which can be important for encouraging good digestion habits, that's about all it's got going for it. Smoothies are usually packed full of extra sugar and fat, particularly if you add things like ice-cream and yogurt to help improve the flavor. What's more, most blended beverages are made entirely out of fruit, which is rich in natural sugars.

Though there's nothing wrong with getting more fruit into your diet, the best benefits come when you can introduce an extra dose of vegetables too. After all, vegetables are packed full of fantastic nutrients that you can't get from certain fruits, and they lack the calories that could add to your waistline too!​

Juicing means that you can get the nutrients and vitamins from fruit and vegetables into your system quickly and effectively - without having to put your body through the process of digesting a whole lot of fiber. Of course, the best time to drink juice is first thing on a morning - when your digestive system is clear and ready to soak up some goodness.

What Makes Juicing So Effective?

Juicing instantly increases your intake of fresh produce, without having a negative impact on your waistline. The right collection of fruit and vegetables can supply your body with a wealth of sources that are designed to boost immunity, fight back against oxidative stress, and even give you prettier, more radiant skin. In fact, many people find that several parts of their health can benefit from juicing. Not only will you start to look younger and more beautiful, but you might notice that your nails and hair get stronger too!
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Juicing also gives you a unique opportunity to start experimenting with fruits and vegetables that you might not typically eat. For instance, if you start drinking more beets and kale, you could get more vitamin B and K into your diet - perfect for long-term health!

There are many “health foods” out there to try in order to lose pounds, improve vitality, raise metabolism, etc. etc. but one that you may not be too familiar with is wheat grass.  Wheat grass consists of the newly grown shoots of the wheat plant, and you can find it at any grocery store, or you can even grow your own.  If you’re looking to purchase it, you will find it in capsule form, or a loose powder, or frozen, and some stores sell it fresh.
           
While cooking is not generally recommended, due to the possibility of reducing nutritional quality, and you might need to offset its strong flavor with other herbs or spices, you would still gain some benefits from the fiber itself.  Also, wheat grass can be mixed into a variety of your favorite foods and beverages in its powder or frozen form, or you can grind your own for a healthy addition to your diet.  Here are a few advantages of incorporating wheat grass into some of your favorite foods and drinks:

• Enhances the body’s immune system
• Provides antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage
• Cleanses the body of toxins with particular focus on the liver
• Helps to decrease appetite and thus, aiding in weight loss

So if you enjoy experimenting with new and healthy ingredients in the kitchen, then try integrating wheat grass into your diet. You can still have these recipes (few more written on Superfoodsliving) while taking hcg drops or while you are in hCG diet.  You might surprise yourself—and your family—with the results.

Energizing Smoothie

This smoothie would make a fast and easy breakfast or as a midday pick-me-up.  You can vary up the recipe by trying different berries or fruit in place of those listed.

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon of pulverized wheat grass (or 1 teaspoon of frozen form)
½ to 1 teaspoon of ground monk fruit or agave
½ cup blueberries
½ cup blackberries
Combine all ingredients in a blender set to puree.  Blend for about two minutes or until completely mixed. 

Granny’s Comfort Tea

For this recipe, you can also substitute green tea for black or mint tea.  Either way, you’ll have the perfect wintertime treat!

6 to 8 ounces of water
1 teabag of green or oolong tea
1 teaspoon of ground wheat grass
Heat water to a rolling boil.  Remove from stove, and drop in the teabag.  Allow to steep for five to ten minutes.  Stir in the teaspoon of wheat grass.  This can be poured over ice as an iced tea or enjoyed warm.  A splash of lemon or lime juice might offset the flavor of the wheat grass.

Lunchtime Salad

As with any salad, feel free to experiment with different veggies, like shredded carrots, English cucumber, and bean sprouts.  One boiled egg that is crumbled and then sprinkled on adds a good amount of protein.

½ cup of Romaine or leaf lettuce
½ cup of kale
½ cup of spinach
¼ cup shredded carrots
¼ cup broccoli flowerets
¼ cup sliced red onion
½ of an avocado sliced
1/8 cup of fresh wheat grass finely chopped
1/8 cup of fresh black olives sliced

Chop all leafy ingredients and combine in a large bowl.  Sprinkle in remaining ingredients and toss until thoroughly mixed.  (Keep in mind the measurements for each ingredient would have to be adapted if feeding only one or two people.)  Enjoy with your favorite salad dressing.

Salad Dressing

This salad dressing also makes a great marinade for any type of meat.  Or if you prefer a creamier version, then substitute the olive oil with low-fat sour cream.

¼ cup of olive oil
½ teaspoon wheat grass
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Salt to taste.

How to use in Rubs?

With the right balance between the quantity of wheat grass and the amount of herbs or spices, you can create some flavorful—and healthy—rubs for your next meat, poultry, or fish entrée. So for each rub that you mix, you might consider using one teaspoon of wheat grass to ½ a tablespoon to one whole tablespoon of your selected combinations of seasonings.

Cream of Broccoli Soup

This is another favorite for the whole family to enjoy on a cold day.

1 ½ cup of heavy cream
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon wheat grass (powder or chopped)
1 medium head of broccoli (chopped)
1 ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese
In a medium saucepan on low heat, combine cheese and heavy cream.  Stir until cheese is almost melted.  Stir in chopped broccoli, and then add the seasonings and wheat grass.  Stir until cheese is completely melted and broth is creamy.  If the broth is too thick, you can add more cream to thin it out.  If it is too thin, then add more shredded cheese or better yet, broccoli to thicken.

Kentucky Baked Chicken

This recipe adds a spicy and tangy twist to an old favorite.

1 cup of whole wheat or soy flour
1 lb. of boneless skinless chicken breast
½ cup of milk
2 Eggs
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
Olive oil spray
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 ½ teaspoons Wheat Grass
1 teaspoon ground flax seed
1 teaspoon sage

Preheat oven to 365ºF.

To prepare a shallow baking dish, spray completely with olive oil spray until sides and bottom are completely coated.

In a shallow dish, combine flour, sea salt, sage, flax seed, and garlic powder. Mix while adding the wheat grass.  In a medium to large mixing bowl, beat eggs and add milk. Stir in barbecue sauce.  Then take one chicken breast and coat it in the wet mix.  Then dip into dry mix and repeat this process one more time.  Place chicken in the baking dish thereafter.

Once all chicken is coated, you will bake it for 50 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165ºF on the inside.
 
The Fastest Breakfast in the West

With this healthy breakfast, you LITERALLY combining your grains and your protein altogether.

Whole wheat pancake mix
1 ½ teaspoons wheat grass (powder)
1/8 cup of turkey bacon bits (cook turkey bacon until “crunchy” and then crumble into a small bowl)

Mix whole wheat pancake mix according to the instructions on the box.  Slowly stir in the turkey bacon bits.  You do not have to use the entire amount; just simply add however much you would like.  Add wheat grass and stir until thoroughly mixed.  Heat up a griddle and spray with canola spray or some other non-trans-fat cooking spray.  Pour batter on the griddle.  (The size of the pancakes is up to you.)  Wait until the tops are “bubbling” before you flip.  Continue cooking until pancake rises slightly and is golden brown underneath. The pancakes have so much flavor, that you would actually want to skip the butter and syrup.
 
Apple Cinnamon “Butter”

This spread pairs well with whole wheat toast or whole wheat English muffins and can also be used for flavoring for oatmeal instead of sugar.

½ cup Apple Cider (unsweetened)
½ cup Heavy Cream
1 tablespoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Clove
1 ½ teaspoon wheat grass
1 teaspoon Nutmeg or Allspice

​In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together.  Mix completely. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
 


​This article has been contributed by Gracy Liura
 
 
 
 
 

Women are almost twice as likely to suffer from anxiety as men, new research suggests. The good news is that with the right treatment and support women are just as likely to recover from anxiety as men. Here are the 6 tips that can help women to overcome anxiety.

Anxiety can be a crippling condition to live with for both men and women. Everyday activities become nerve-wracking experiences and you often feel like you’re trapped in a never-ending web of worry and doubt. For women this can mean increased stress at work and home, detachment from your friends and an inability to engage with the things you used to enjoy.

​The bad news is that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety disorders at some point in their life. This is partly down to differences in brain chemistry such as different hormone levels, and the increased social pressures put on girls from a young age may also play a part. Whatever the causes, if you are a women suffering from an anxiety related disorder, you are definitely not alone.

​The good news is that with the right treatment and support women are just as likely to recover from anxiety as men. Every woman has the ability to fight against the stresses in her life and the negative thoughts and worries in her mind. Fighting anxiety is a day to day battle, but it’s one you can win. Here are six important tips to bring to the fight.

1) Accept That It Is Real

Do not buy into the perception that life-controlling anxiety levels are “just how you are” or something you’ll have to live with forever. Disregard the lie that anxiety can be beaten by just “chilling out” or “getting over it”.
Whatever anyone else tells you, anxiety is a real condition, with real psychological and biological causes.  Having it doesn’t make you weak. Accepting the fact that you have an illness can help you to separate yourself from all the worry and fear you are experiencing.

2) Get Expert Help

Far too many women don’t get help from anxiety, whether due to shame, fear of being labelled, or just not thinking it’s a serious enough condition to require medical help. Going to a doctor or mental health professional about your anxiety is a big step, but it’s a crucial one in the road to recovery.

The range of anxiety treatments and solutions available offers something to suit every personality. As well as offering you expert counselling or therapy, mental health professionals can advise you on relaxation and self-help techniques to better help you combat your feelings of anxiety as well as reduce the likelihood of it returning.

3) Look After Yourself

Poor lifestyle choices can make existing anxiety conditions worse, so take good care of yourself. Basic things like getting enough sleep, cutting down on caffeine (especially after 4 pm) and eating healthy meals can really help reduce the symptoms and make you feel more like yourself. A nice bit of exercise can also work wonders for your mood, and relaxation strategies like yoga, meditation and mindfulness can really help you feel more in control.

4) Challenge Negative Thoughts

​If you decide to get professional help then one of the most successful options is called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The basic idea of CBT is to identify when you are thinking things that are irrational or unhelpful, and replace them with more healthy thought processes. This breaks the cycle of anxiety and gives you a more positive “internal voice” with which to think.
Next time you feel serious anxiety about something, stop. Tell yourself the anxiety you are experiencing is just a product of an illness. Try to imagine what the worst case scenario is. It’s probably not as bad as you’re imagining. Cut off your negative thoughts before they take hold and replace them with healthier ones.

5) Take it Slow

Recovery won’t happen overnight, and you are always going to have bad days occasionally. Find a balance between fighting the illness and not wearing yourself out. Pick your battles. Don’t put unrealistic expectations on yourself. The road to wellness will have ups and downs and that’s perfectly normal.

6) Stay Yourself

Anxiety does not rob you of who you are. No matter what you’re going through, you are still the same unique, wonderful person. You are still a mother, sister, friend, teacher, doctor, jet ski instructor, professional sword-eater, or whatever else you were before getting ill. Keep doing things you love and act independently of the anxiety as much as you are comfortable with. Resist avoidance. Keep seeing your friends. Anxiety does not define you- it is not your identity. It’s just a condition, and it you will still be you long after it’s gone.

Author Bio: Angus Munro is a registered clinical psychologist and director of Angus Munro Psychology in Sydney. He excels in evidence-based therapies for a comprehensive range of Emotional and psychological challenges. One of his passions is engaging, educating and helping people work through all manner of mental health issues to live their best life.

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