Juicing-What’s So Weird About Drinking Kale?

In the past few years, the practice of juicing has gone from a health food store novelty to a national phenomenon. Juice bars, juice distributors, and juice trucks are popping up all across the country. These juices aren’t your average breakfast table variety like orange or apple juice, they incorporate a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs such as kale, ginger, and pomegranate. They pack a nutritional wallop and have been proven to be beneficial for health issues like weight loss, digestion and even cancer.

I could probably right a book on this subject, but for the sake of my readers, I’ll keep it simple and give an overview. We can get to more specifics in future posts.

I started my relationship with my juicer about 2 years ago. It is a Breville Juice Fountain Plus, designed to pulverize fruits and veggies into amazing concoctions of nutritional bliss. Our love affair has been passionate and intense. Juice has become my muse. My creative outlet to healthy living.
So how did I become a juicer? My journey began in my girlfriend’s kitchen early one morning, where I was presented with a luminous green glass of liquid and was told to drink it because it was good for me. Yeah, I’ve heard that one before. I eyed it suspiciously and took a small sip. I’ll have to admit that my first taste wasn’t very pleasant, but I committed to drinking the entire glass and by the end I was beginning to find the taste rather appealing. Taste was only the beginning. I felt fresh! Energy was coursing through my mind and body. I thought to myself; “we may have something here”.
Since that morning, I became a dedicated juicer. I began experimenting and creating different juices with different flavors and health benefits. I toyed with the idea of starting my own juice company, but instead, incorporated juicing into my coaching practice to help my clients.
With any new health concept, there is always debate and pros and cons about the benefits. So how do you know if it’s right for you?
Ask yourself some simple questions. Do I want to improve my health? Will juicing help me reach my health goals? How do I get my juice? How do I feel after drinking fresh juice?
If you’re new to juicing I would suggest keeping it simple. Stop by your local health food store or juice bar and try some juices and see what you like.
If you’re ready to go all in and invest in a juicer then you can pick one up for $100 to $300. Read reviews on what juicers are best or ask me. I strongly suggest juicing from home. Your juice is made fresh by you, you can make it the flavor you want, and it’s made with love.
When first preparing your juice, try some greens like Kale or romaine. Add a nice root like ginger or turmeric, lemon or apple for flavor, and cucumber or celery for volume. Voila! You have a nutritional power house. Here’s a favorite recipe of mine:

Bruce’s Mean Green(Bruce Juice) 25-30 oz.
1 large handful of Kale
1large handful of spinach
2 celery stalks
1 green apple
1 medium cucumber
1/2 inch tumeric
1 inch ginger
1/2 lemon(peeled)

A few other tips; Always buy organic!
Go easy on the fruit! Fruit can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar.
If you currently have some health issues, consult your Doctor and learn which juicing regimen may be right for you.
Why not commit to your own juice regimen today? I promise you that your body and mind will feel better for it.
Need a little nudge? I offer juice detox packages or “Click Here” for a complimentary “Empower Your Health Strategy Sesssion.”
Lastly, I want to thank local artist Arleta Pech for contributing the awesome pic of the antique juicer squeezing out mouth watering cherry juice. You can see more of her work at http://www.arletapech.com.

Stay juicy my friends,
Bruce
wwww.kriyaliving.com

Beautiful Sexy Blueberries-The Ultimate Super Food for Men

Who doesn’t like blueberries? These tiny little marvels are wonderful, flavorful and carry health benefits that can keep us looking good and feeling young. Guys this is one super food you want to have in your diet! Why? Well, the benefits are far reaching. Here is a quick list of how blueberries will make your day. Guys pay particular attention to #3(wink! wink!).

-Blueberries may help to prevent disease- Compared to other fruits and vegetables, blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients. These anti-aging compounds rid the body of harmful free radicals that are causes of heart disease, cancer and other serious health conditions.

-Blueberries improve memory and keep you sharp-Blueberry consumption is linked to improved memory among older men and they are shown to slow down the aging process. Again, the anti-aging properties of antioxidants and phytonutrients are the key.

-Blueberries are one of the best foods for erectile problems- Thinking about taking the little blue pill? Well natures little blue pill may be more beneficial. The antioxidants in blueberries help to relax the blood vessels thus improving circulation and blood flow to the nether regions. The result? Stronger and more frequent erections as you age.

–Blueberries will help keep you slim- Need help getting rid of that belly? Blueberries contain catechins which activate fat burning genes to assist with weight loss, belly fat loss in particular. Looking to slim down quickly? Throw blueberries into your diet.

–Blueberries make you happy!- They taste great. I know great flavor makes me happy. Seriously, blueberries increase the production of dopamine. Dopamine is a natural neurotransmitter that controls the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. Dopamine deficiency can increase the chance of diseases such as Parkinson’s.

Bottom line guys, blueberries are a great food to keep you looking and feeling younger. The anti-aging properties are far more beneficial than any supplement or pill.  I recommend a serving of blueberries at least 3-4 time a week for optimal health benefits. 

Here is a fast and simple recipe to help incorporate them into your diet.

Blueberry Recipe For Guys

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of organic blueberries washed thoroughly.

Serving Suggestion:

Take the cleaned blueberries and shove them in your mouth.

Enjoy!

When it comes to your healthy aging, I’ve always got your back.

Want to learn more? “Click Here” for your free “Empower Your Health Strategy Session” Together we’ll find a way to get you feeling and looking younger in no time.

Namaste Y’all,

Bruce

Coconut Oil Is Amazing, So Why Not Use It For Sunscreen?

I love coconut oil. I cook with it, I use it for oil pulling, and I use it on my skin.  Recently I’ve come across several articles on coconut oil as a sun screen. My first thought was to harken back to my college days when we would head out on spring break determined to get that awesome bronze tan. We would slather ourselves with tropicana coconut oil and hit the beach to get that tan. Well, several hours and many beers later, most of us would wind up burnt to a crisp and in a lot of sunburn pain. I think back on it now and it was probably not so much the oil, but a lack of common sense. Live and learn.

Today there is a lot of concern about most of the sun screens on the market. Almost every sun screen made available to us today contains toxic cancer causing chemicals that are way more harmful than exposure to the sun itself. So what’s a sun god/goddess to do?

Find and alternative of course. That’s where coconut oil comes in.  I had to check it out so I went to one of the most dangerous areas for sun exposure on the planet, the ski slopes of Colorado.  You not only get the sun, but the reflection of the sun off of the snow can really create a dangerous situation without proper protection.  I have tough skin so I applied a healthy dose and headed out. Unlike my college days, I could care less about getting a tan anymore but on this day I let loose and enjoyed the sunshine for about 4hrs. Upon my return, I’ll have to say that my face got pretty red, but I didn’t burn and my skin felt great.  Good? Bad? I really don’t know. What I did learn? Use common sense. If you’re going to be out in the sun that long, make sure you re-apply frequently and cover up or seek shelter if you’re getting too much sun. Oh, and use a natural safe sunscreen.

So back to the coconut oil. I did some research and found some interesting facts and some guidelines that I feel would make coconut oil a pretty safe alternative to the processed sun screens today. Coconut oil is a natural sunscreen and it blocks about 20% of UV rays. It’s been used as a sunscreen for thousands of years by the pacific islanders, so why would we use chemicals instead? When reapplied regularly it is adequate protection and it still allows you to get the much needed vitamin D supplied by the sun which is blocked by the processed chemical sunscreens. Coconut oil when applied also locks moisture into the skin and has many antioxidant and healing properties, thus reversing some of the damage caused by the sun.

So is coconut oil a sunscreen? The jury is still out on that. What it is, is a great natural alternative to the mess of chemical applicants we see today.

Here are some great tips to follow if you’re going to give coconut oil a try:

-Make sure your coconut oil is organic and cold pressed. The big tub from Walmart isn’t going to get you the results your looking for.  It will be refined and full of chemicals.

-Apply liberally and frequently. This will keep you protected and it’s great for your skin. 

-Be smart! Don’t spend too much time in the direct sun. Take breaks and cover up if you’re getting too much exposure. 

 -Know your body. The types of nutrients you are putting into your body can effect how your skin reacts to the sun. Healthy foods will help protect your skin from the negative effects of sun.

-Test it slowly. Make sure your sun exposure is minimal at first to make sure your skin accepts the coconut oil.

Also, check out my Pinterest link for a healthy coconut oil sunscreen recipe http://www.pinterest.com/pin/369647081888102968/

I’m open to debate on this. What are your favorite natural or homemade sunscreens? What experiences have you had using coconut oil? Is this just complete bunk or am I on to something here? I’d love to know.

If you’re looking to incorporate more healthy habits in your life, why not contact me for a “Free Empower Your Health Strategy Session?” at www.kriyaliving.com. Together we can discuss a strategy to get your health back on track.

 

Have a Healthy day!

Namaste,

Bruce

 

 

Spring Cleanse? Don’t forget the Cilantro!

I love fresh Cilantro, or Coriander if you prefer to go by it’s other name. The flavor enhances soups, salads, sauces, just about anything. You may love the taste but are you aware of the amazing health benefits? It’s springtime and perhaps you’re thinking of a cleanse to revitalize your body after a long winter or maybe you just want to add this killer herb to your cooking regimen or your garden(it grows just about anywhere).

Here are 5 reasons you need to add Cilantro to your diet today!

Cilantro cleanses the body of heavy metals-Evidence suggests that Cilantro could be one of natures best bonding agents. Chemical compounds in cilantro actually bind to the heavy metals, loosening them from the tissues, blood and organs. Cilantro’s chemical compounds then aid to transport these harmful substances out of the body through elimination.

Cilantro aids in digestion-The oils from Cilantro aid in digestion by helping in the production of enzymes, acids and juices. It also reduces gas and eases nausea.

Eases inflammation and lowers bad cholesterol-Since these two conditions go hand in hand, Cilantro in your diet is just one more weapon to fight these conditions. It raises HDL(good cholesterol) and lowers LDL(bad cholesterol). It is also helpful in easing the inflammation symptoms brought on by arthritis.

Lowers blood sugar-Cilantro helps with insulin secretion which helps to lower blood sugar.

Strong antioxidant and immune boosting properties-Yes, another great antioxidant. Cilantro protects the cells which can ward off disease and in turn strengthen your immune system.

The benefits of cilantro are extensive and research is uncovering new benefits every day. When preparing Cilantro always make sure it’s organic and raw, unless you are adding it to soup or a warmer dish.

Here’s a great juice recipe to start your day or add to a cleanse: Heavy Metal Thunder!

3 cups of fresh organic pineapple

3 jalapeños

1 cup organic raw Cilantro

Juice or blend and enjoy!

Interested in more learning more healthy food tips? Visit me at http://www.kriyaliving.com.

 

 

Always in good health and Namaste,

Bruce

Why I a Use Turmeric And You Should Too

It all started with my high cholesterol and chronic inflammation. My doctor had me on statins and supplements and even though I was somewhat better, I didn’t like the western method of popping medications to get my health right. There had to be a better way.
Well along came the wonder root Turmeric.
Turmeric’s benefits stretch back over 6,000 years in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Curcumin is the primary polyphenal in Turmeric and it’s where hundreds of potential health benefits have been discovered. I could list all, but I’ll stick to a couple of benefits that really grabbed my attention.

It reduces unhealthy levels of inflammation and chronic inflammation-I mentioned that I went through this. It worked. Many times cholesterol isn’t the issue, but inflammation. Turmeric will help this.

It destroys cancer stem cells and destroys drug resistant cancers-Prevention is the key here. Do you want to put a stop to cancer before it gets you? Turmeric is an excellent preventative medicine. Already battling cancer? Turmeric will help defeat it.

Alzheimer’s Disease-Turmeric is known to prevent and reverse Alzheimer’s. Again that word prevention. If you’ve ever dealt with a family member with Alzheimer’s then you know you don’t want to go down that road. Ramp up the Turmeric in your diet.

Heavy metal toxicity-Everyday we are bombarded with environmental toxins with no way of stopping them. Putting Turmeric in your diet will cleanse you of those toxins and help prevent further health issues down the road. There’s that word prevent again. Is it sinking in?

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I encourage you to do some research on the benefits yourself. Here is a good place to start: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/turmeric.

There are many ways to ingest Turmeric. Being a juicer, I prefer to throw a piece along with ginger and garlic in my juicer in the morning. No time to juice? You can also get it in the spice section of your health food store. Check out these recipes: http://allrecipes.com/recipes/herbs-and-spices/spices/turmeric/.
For those of you that are not big fans of the flavor of Turmeric, you can also buy it in capsule form. This is also a good alternative if you can’t find Turmeric root. It’s seasonal and not always easy to get.

Whatever your method, add Turmeric to your diet today.

I’m always looking for ways to improve our health. If you’re facing some health challenges, come see me. An initial consultation is always free and together we’ll put you on the road to a healthy lifestyle. http://www.kriyaliving.com

I hope you find this article helpful.
Namaste Y’all!

Bruce