Having It Your Way

On April 25th I finished the Spring Green Clean.  This was a 10 day raw plant-based detox program I developed that you can have your way with amazing green smoothies and juicing.  The program included high levels of nutrition including only organic farm fresh fruits and vegetables, superfoods, cleansing herbs and spices, and relaxation techniques.   Objectives for this cleanse was to rejuvenate the body, break caffeine and sugar addictions, rid the body of toxins and chemicals and clear the skin.   This is the perfect spring renewal program that boosts your energy, revives your taste buds, and energizes your spirit and mind.

Palm of Hand Before Cleanse

Ankle Before Cleanse

One of the problems that has plagued me for about 8 years now is a skin condition that psoriasis and eczema that has gotten better over the years but still causes me issues.  I am trying once and for all to completely rid my body of this horrible affliction.  As my diet has become more natural and plant-centered I have noticed great improvements but unfortunately I still have some flare ups.  At the beginning of this cleanse I was in a typical flare up these pictures where taken on day 1 of the cleanse and show how my hand and ankle look during a typical day. The following pictures show the results on day ten 

Palm of Hand After Cleanse

Ankle After Cleanse

of the cleanse.  This is a great improvement and I know that for others with severe cases of  skin problems that prolonging the treatment would produce even more results.  My ankle still slightly itches but I'm not sure if that will ever go away unless I completely remove the tattoo.  Besides these amazing results for my skin, a wonderful side benefit for those looking to shed a few pounds of weight the average weight loss was anywhere from five to eleven pounds on the program.  I was not hungry due to the nutrient density of the foods being consumed.  I used some supplements while cleansing, some I have discussed in earlier blogs those that I have yet to mention include Ashwagandha and Neem, both ayurvedic herbs, Tumeric, Himilayan Salt, and Lemon Juice.  If you would like more information on my 10 day detox program, my one month Break Your Addiction Program, or 6 month Healthy for Life Program please visit my website Holistic Health Counseling, email me at fitchicmelissa@gmail.com or call 561-578-9492 to schedule your FREE consultation.

Seeing green

So Day 3 of the Spring Green Clean was great for me!  I had lots of energy (but I wasn't going through caffeine withdrawals as much as others).  I did light cardio in the morning and some heavy weights upper body then did Insanity: The Asylum Day 24 later at night.  I feel my energy stores picking up and I wasn't hungry.  Although I know at least one person doing this detox with us was quite hungry!


In my cleansing program I have include many superfoods and other ingredients for their amazing properties.  I will try to inform you about each of these throughout the 10 days. Today I'm going to talk about one of the important ingredients in my detox plan.  

Wheatgrass

Is Wheatgrass important? Yes! It increases red blood-cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris. Wheatgrass stimulates metabolism and the body’s enzyme systems by enriching the blood. It  aids in reducing blood pressure by dilating the blood pathways throughout the body.

Stimulates the thyroid gland, correcting obesity, indigestion, and a host of other complaints.

It also restores alkalinity to the blood. The juice's abundance of alkaline minerals helps reduce over-acidity in the blood. It can be used to relieve many internal pains, and has been used successfully to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and other complaints of the gastrointestinal tract.

Is a powerful detoxifier, and liver and blood protector. The enzymes and amino acids found in wheatgrass can protect us from carcinogens like no other food or medicine. It strengthens our cells, detoxifies the liver and bloodstream, and chemically neutralizes environmental pollutants.

Wheatgrass fights tumors and neutralizes toxins. Recent studies show that wheatgrass juice has a powerful ability to fight tumors without the usual toxicity of drugs that also inhibit cell-destroying agents. The many active compounds found in grass juice cleanse the blood and neutralize and digest toxins in our cells.

Todays Menu Included: (each smoothie has different greens for variety such as romaine, kale, beet tops, carrot tops, dill, parsley, swiss chard, spinach, etc)  These are all my own creations!

Breakfast:  Orange, Carrot, Collard Green Juiced

Snack: Beet Me into Submission (Superfoods smoothie)

Lunch: Brocolli Soup (garlic, cayennne)

Snack: Orange you in Mint Condition (orange, mint, carrot tops)

Dinner: Salad in a Cup Smoothie

Before Bed: Pearly Coco for You ( coconut oil, flax)

I have now lost a total of 8 lbs in 3 days, please understand though that this is not normal I retain A LOT of water.  I am completely nourished and not worried about losing muscle. I am "seeing" green every where you will notice it too just check the toilet!

Interested in doing your own cleanse?  I offer guidance!  Health Coach

Spring Green Clean: Detox Day 1

I finished day one of my Spring Green Clean!  So what is this detox program?  It is a ten day system reboot to clear the system of unwanted chemicals and toxins. Juicing and Green smoothies can maximize nutrient intake, fight disease, strengthen cellular defense against free radicals, alleviate pain, encourage weight-loss, and decrease the need for medication. Following a juicing and green smoothie detox program can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, certain types of cancers, mental illness, metabolic syndrome, and may result in longer lifespans.  


I have ventured on this journey with several other people try and boost my energy levels.  I have several reasons for trying this cleanse.  I have a skin condition called psoriasis that has plagued me for years.  The condition got better as my healthy habits improved but has never completely gone away.  I want to see if I can cure this skin condition once and for all.  I also have serious issues with water retention, I can retain upwards of 4 to 6 lbs. on a bad day.  I think that it is related to something that I eat so by flushing my system I will have better control over the situation.


This program is designed to break caffeine and sugar addictions, help reset your internal system, clean the organs and skin, and aid in weight loss.  

Day 1 Menu

Breakfast:  Carrot, Apple, Wheatgrass Juice

Snack:   Superfood Green Smoothie (spirulina, maca powder, chorella)

Lunch: Raw Asparagus Soup (garlic, Himalayan sea salt)

Dinner:  Kaloe Cayenne Smoothie (Aloe Vera, Cayenne, Tumeric)

Before Bed:  Li Me Gingerly Smoothie (Ginger, Lime)

Each of these smoothies have special ingredients that help with purification, detoxification, antibiotics etc.  Which is why I chose them for my recipes.

After one day I am down 4 lbs, which is just the water dropping!  I did 30 minutes of cardio and took a 3 mile walk for my first day.  Day 2 will be back to my regular workout routine.

What exactly are “GREENS” you ask? And the BENEFITS of Green Smoothies

Greens are just an easy way to explain a large category of sometimes forgotten foods that are leafy and green and should theoretically have their own classification instead of being classified as vegetables. They are the #1 food you can eat regularly to improve your health. Leafy greens are brimming with fiber along with vitamins, minerals, and plant-based substances, such as chlorophyll and phytonutrients that may help protect you from heart disease, diabetes, and perhaps even cancer. Leafy greens are also an excellent source of omega-3’s ( a topic for another time!) Greens include kale, collards, turnip greens, carrot tops, swiss chard, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, romaine, arugula, escarole, purslane, cabbage, brussel sprouts, beet tops, cilantro, parsley, wheatgrass, and elderberry to name just a few. There are actually over 120 different types of greens, but unfortunately only about 40 are commonly known or regularly available. Many species are wild and can be found with the right tools, guidance and direction. Now with all this goodness how should they be consumed?


The best way to eat greens is RAW and in a smoothie. Why? Oh let me list the ways…

Green smoothies have numerous benefits for human health.

1. Green smoothies are very nutritious. The ratio in them is optimal for human consumption; about 60% ripe organic fruit mixed with about 40% organic greens.
2. Green smoothies are easy to digest. When blended well, most of the cells in the greens and fruits are ruptured, making the valuable nutrients easy for the body to assimilate. Green smoothies literally start to get absorbed in your mouth.
3. Green smoothies, as opposed to juices, are a complete food because they still have fiber. Consuming fiber is important for our elimination system.
4. Green smoothies belong to the most palatable dishes for all humans of all ages. With a ratio of fruits to veggies as 60:40 the fruit taste dominates the flavor, yet at the same time the greens balance out the sweetness of the fruit, adding a nice zest to it. People who eat a standard American diet enjoy the taste of green smoothies. T hey are usually quite surprised that something so green could taste so nice.
5. A molecule of chlorophyll closely resembles a molecule of human blood. According to teachings of Dr. Ann Wigmore, consuming chlorophyll is like receiving a healthy blood transfusion. Many people do not consume enough greens, even those who stay on a raw food diet. By drinking two or three cups of green smoothies daily you will consume enough greens for the day to nourish your body, and all of the beneficial nutrients will be well assimilated.
6. Green smoothies are easy to make, and quick to clean up after. In contrast, juicing greens is time consuming, messy, and expensive. Many people abandon drinking green juices on a regular basis for those reasons. To prepare a pitcher of green smoothie takes less than 5 minutes, including cleaning.
7. Green smoothies have proven to be loved by children of all ages, including babies of six or more months old. Of course you have to be careful and slowly increase the amount of smoothies to avoid food allergies.
8. When you consume your greens in the form of green smoothies, you can greatly reduce the consumption of oils and salt in your diet.
9. Regular consumption of green smoothies forms a good habit of eating greens. After a few weeks of drinking green smoothies, most people start to crave and enjoy eating more greens. Eating enough greens is often a problem with many people, especially children.
While fresh is always best, green smoothies will keep in cool temperatures for up to three days, which can be handy at work and while traveling.
Start playing with green smoothies, and discover the many joys and benefits of this wonderful delicious and nutritious addition to your menu. You may find many more amazing facts about green smoothies in Victoria Boutenko’s book, Green for Life, available at www.rawfamily.com.



This information on GREEN SMOOTHIES was Pasted from FOR more information please visit www.greenforlife.com
 
Here's a recipe to TRY and Start your REVOLUTION:

Summer Splendor Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko
4 leaves chard, stems removed
3 stalks celery
1 head fresh parsley
6 apricots
3 peaches
½ vanilla bean
Yields 2 quarts

By adding green smoothies as part of your Clean Eating routine you will see the nutritious benefits of a healthy lifestyle.