Beet, Carrot, and Apple Juice Recipe - Power Juice

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."  ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Beets are one of the world's healthiest foods packed with nutrients and antioxidants. They are rich in beta-carotene, iron, magnesium, and vitamin A, B, & C and contain naturally occurring nitrates which help with blood flow and blood pressure.

Many people report feeling full of energy after drinking a glass of beet juice or eating beets. My first recent encounter with a beet was when a coworker introduced me to her beet juice made with ginger and apples. My first thought before I tried it was  negative, and I thought it was going to taste strong, bitter, and 'earthy'. I was absolutely wrong... It was sweet, delicious, clean, and tasted nutritious! Talk about feeling full of energy and not being fatigued at work. It was like some sort of mind boosting and energizing potion. I was even blown away by  seeing a big difference in my cardio workout that night while at the gym. This superfood was definitely one that needed to be added to my list of great foods.

The beet is my favorite vegetable to juice and is so versatile.  My favorite recipe usually calls for me to juice it with something sweet like an apple or pear. I usually add ginger for the spiciness and anti-inflammatory health benefits. Besides the anti-nausea effects that the ginger has, I've even read about its anti-colon cancer properties. Flaxseeds or flaxseed oil is usually added to my juices or smoothies due to the richness in the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). There is also evidence that it could help reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as protect against certain cancers. The benefits of the Flaxseed are just as impressive as the beet! I usually add a green leafy vegetable such as spinach or kale. Rich in vitamin A, C, and K and minerals, this nutrient dense food is a must to keep in my diet. The carrots of course are known for their richness in beta-carotene which helps with vision.

The Power Juice Recipe

2 organic peeled beets
2 organic apples
2 organic carrots
1/2 cup of organic spinach or kale
2 Tbsp of flaxseed oil
1 Tbsp of raw honey
2 Tbsp of grated ginger
1 cup of water

1. Juice - beets, apples, and carrots (set aside).
2. Blend - spinach, flaxseed oil, ginger, honey, and water. Strain if desired.
3. Combine all Power Juice ingredients together and enjoy!

Depending on how one prefers their consistency and what is on hand, you can definitely use only a juicer or only a blender. I can usually obtain about 24 fluid ounces from this recipe and store the remainder in mason jars for about 24 -36 hours.

Are you a fan of the Beet? Feel free to share your recipes and comments below!


TJ

Do I Dare Venture?!

"Begin, be bold and venture to be wise."  ~ HORACE

So seriously, what's the deal with all of the healthy eating and healthy lifestyle stuff that is booming all over the internet and magazines? Why can't we just incorporate into our diets whatever our tastebuds desire such as that delicious, warm, and homemade macaroni and cheese with sour cream, layers of cheddar, and whole milk? This is what we call comfort food, and I'd prefer to be content and comfortable.

Last Spring,  I decided to change my eating habits and increase my cardio and my current exercise regimen. I have always been very active, athletically built, and just overall in great shape. Not to toot my own horn, but I was one of those people who you would hate to hear rant about toning up when they gained an extra 5 lbs of water weight. My physique was due to good genetics, being active during my NFL cheerleading career, and just taking pride in myself and my looks. Although I've always considered myself as a physically fit individual, I was dealing with something I'd describe as ugly and unpleasant on the inside of me...my health.

For years I had been dealing with metrorrhagia and had been on several types of oral contraceptives. It was just some mystery and the only response I would get was it was a common side effect of using birth control. During its onset, I would have to deal with pure inconvenience and embarrassment... But after all of those years, I had learned to live with metrorrhagia.

My OBGYN finally thought outside the box and ordered a glucose tolerance test to rule out polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) because during a transvaginal sonogram she noticed that I had a few cysts on my ovaries. On top of this wonderful news, my glucose tolerance test came back to show that I had borderline insulin resistance!  I was completely devastated. How could someone like me be dealing with PCOS and insulin resistance? I didn't eat too crazy and my BMI was ideal. I, fortunately, was not diagnosed with PCOS, but I was a hop and a skip away from it!

With all of this valuable information regarding my health, this was all the motivation that I needed to change up what I was doing and get my health under control. I decided to cut back on my carbohydrate intake and replaced most of them with whole grains (oats, quinoa, brown rice, and whole wheat breads and pastas). I have always been a stress eater and would indulge in chips and cookies during late hours and at work. Being a registered nurse, this was one of the hardest things I had to do. Most know that it is hard to eat properly in such stressful environments.  I have never been a meat eater and had found it challenging to eat enough protein throughout the day. This still  a challenge and obstacle I am overcoming  but will share my current ideas and recipes. I would also love to hear some meatless recipes if you guys have them! I've also never been the type to eat fruit, but I sure do love my sauteed vegetables. To get the most out of my produce, I've turned to juicing and smoothie making which is my ultimate love because it is so beneficial to my health and tasty. One can really get lost in these recipes and get creative in the kitchen. Of course, organics are the only way to go when juicing because of all the possible side effects from pesticides including cancer, infertility, and skin irritation.

This blog is setup to help inspire others with recipes, ideas, and feedback. This world of ours is so broad and there is a ton of knowledge out there to help individuals like ourselves keep up with current information. This way we make informed decisions about our health! If this sounds like something that you would enjoy, please, please subscribe to this blog!

TJ