Green is Good!

   I have spent alot of time researching Plant protein vs Animal protein, trying to figure out a way to make our low-carb hCG diet more nutritious.  A member mentioned that she has been drinking "green smoothies" and gave me a book about it to read.  Perfect timing!  I had not really tuned in to the health benefits of blending or juicing vegetables, particularly leafy greens.  My brother had talked about his juicer recently but I figured it would be just as good to eat the whole vegetables. So here's the scoop on how Green Smoothies are the superior plant-eating option:

 >  Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, bok choy and lettuces pack the most nutrients but can be
           difficult  to consume several servings a day
 > Veggies that are cooked or heated lose alot of their nutrients and enzymes
 >  Raw fruits and veggies are more nutritious but not so easy to chew thoroughly and to digest
 > We need more alkaline foods like plants to balance out all of the high acidic foods we eat like dairy,
          meat, processed foods, sugar & artificial sweeteners
 > Dark greens contain more chlorophyll, which is also a good nutrient

   Blending greens (in a blender or food processor) breaks down the food and enzymes, making it easier to absorb more nutrients in our stomach.  Drinking at least one green smoothie a day will have a huge impact on your health, especially if you don't eat many green veggies.  Balancing out your body's pH will make everything run smoother, including metabolism for weight loss.  Cold viruses, flu and cancer cells can not grow in an alkaline environment.

   Although they definitely are "green", these smoothies taste really good!  Blending the greens with some fruit gives them a sweetness and you can't even tell that it contains leaves!  Just don't think about it!  I think kids who only eat corn and carrots could get onboard this green veggie alternative (or adults who eat like kids!)

   For those who suffer from chronic indigestion, IBS or acid reflux, this is your health solution, along with reducing highly acidic foods from your diet.  Heartburn is often caused by too little stomach acid which means there isn't enough stomach acid to break down enzymes to digest foods properly.  Food combining is another method of easing digestion by separating foods that are conflicting in the stomach when eaten together - like protein with starches (which is why I feel so bloated and sick after a big Italian meal of pasta, meat sauce and bread).

   So many medications cause loss of stomach acid or disrupt a healthy pH balance.  But doctors don't ever
mention how your diet needs to be adjusted - they just prescribe the drugs.  It is not easy to change the way you like to eat but diet and nutrtition is the KEY to controlling illness, a good digestive system, weight control and feeling good - free of aches, pains, moodiness, fatigue and medication!

   During my acid/alkaline research I was relieved to determine that whey protein is actually not as acidic as
other dairy because of the way it is processed.  I sampled some brown rice protein but it was hard to swallow!  As far as my other goals to become less acidic, I do not miss cows milk and feel so much better without it, have been eating bean & veggie soups for lunch and cutting back on beef and pork.

   I said I would post my before and after pictures so here they are!  I lost 9 lbs, 6" & 6% bodyfat in 4 wks