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Berry, Berry Dairy-Free Smoothie
1/2 Cup of Frozen Blueberries
1/2 Cup of Fresh Blueberries
1/2 Cup of Frozen or Fresh Strawberries
1/4 Cup of Fresh or Frozen Raspberries
1 1/2 Cup of Zico Coconut Water
1/2 cup of crushed ice for a thicker smoothie
3 Tbsp of Nutiva Organic Shelled Hemp Seed
This recipe might vary slight depending on your blender. If you have a high-powered blender proceed by tossing in all ingredients, if not you might need to premix ingredients or add additional liquid. High powered blenders can easily crush ice while blending whole foods, whereas other blenders might require you to pre-crush ice prior to adding.
Completely optional: Nutiva Organic Shelled Hemp Seed is a great way to add protein to your smoothie, with only 2g of carbs it is very low-carb & low-starch diet friendly.
Guacamole (Inflammatory Culprits Free)
- 5-6 Organic Hass Avocados
- 1/4 cup of fresh Cilantro
- 3 tablespoons minced Shallots (substitution: onion or green onion)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed Lime juice (substitution: lemon juice)
Kale, Cucumber, Lemon & Fresh Juice Recipe
A Great Anti-Inflammatory Green Drink & My Absolute Favorite:
Kale, Cucumber, Lemon & Ginger Recipe:
6-8 clean Kale leaves (any variety)
1 to 2 organic English Cucumbers
1 Lemon
1 bunch of Parsley
1 inch of Ginger Root
1 cup of Water for blender only
If you do not have a juicer that separates the pulp from the juice, then peel all fruit and remove seeds from lemon. When using a juicer, start with Kale, followed by the remainder of ingredients, strain using a drink strainer & drink. Or combine all ingredients in the blender, in which case you’ll want to make sure that you’ve pealed your cucumbers, ginger and lemon, also removing seeds. (Note: high powered blenders work best for liquefying ingredients) Once blended if your mixture is too thick, simply add water. You can drink both the pulp and the juice or strain, drink and enjoy.
Purchasing tip: purchase local and organic whenever possible, especially when eating for the purpose of healing or controlling inflammation.
Juice, drink & enjoy!!
Be sure to check “The Positive Pear” article on the healing benefits of juicing entitled “Can Juicing Cure Disease”
Need a blender or juicer? Check out “The Positive Pear’s recommendations”
Other Positive Pear Recipes: Nutritional, Gluten-Free, Diary-Free, Low-Starch & Inflammation Friendly Recipes
Can Organic Juicing “Cure” Disease…Specifically Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Organic juicing can provide the most amazing healing benefits, including cleansing the body of free radicals and toxins, while offering anti-inflammatory benefits, and in the process stave off the effects of aging and degenerative diseases. I juice regularly and I strongly believe in the healing power of fruits and vegetables. I’ve also been asked a number times if I believe that juicing itself, or if certain freeze-dried juices promoted by various companies can cure specific diseases such as cancer, arthritis and most recently AS. In my humble opinion, the answer is “no” and here’s why.
“Cure” defined by Wikipedia, means: “the end of a medical condition; the substance or procedure that ends the medical condition, such as a medication, a surgical operation, a change in lifestyle, or even a philosophical mindset that helps a person suffer. It may also refer to the state of being healed, or cured.” According to my definition, as someone living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a cure would mean waking up to no further, pain, inflammation, fatigue or symptoms relating to AS, or any companion diseases falling under the category of spondyloarthropathies. Although juicing can not cure auto-immune disease, the addition of juicing to one’s daily health regimen, combined with a healthy lifestyle can do wonders.
What exactly does juicing offer?
Juicing gives the body a well needed break from digestion, so energy can be directed toward healing. During this time your cells receive well needed recovery through the rejuvenation process of detoxifying and repairing themselves. Juicing allows us the opportunity to load the body full of valuable nutrients, minerals & enzymes. Enzymes are very special proteins found in a all living cells, which act as catalysts in the metabolic process. They are indispensable and essential actions for the chemical reactions that make life possible and without them, life simply would not be. Enzymes are found in all living things, including humans, plants and animals. When foods are cooked, the enzyme content is reduced considerably. This is why it is important to consume as many servings of fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. Drinking freshly squeezed juices allows us this opportunity, without the burden of eating and digesting such large quantities of food. Consuming minerals & enzymes offer amazing healing benefits and the most powerful way to multiply our intake of these powerful nutrients is to consume green drinks. Green drinks consists of green leafy vegetables, often combined with certain fruits to make the drink more palate pleasing. Many green leafy vegetables also offer many anti-inflammatory benefits such as kale, spinach, swiss chard, collard greens & turnip greens. Many fruits also offer anti-inflammatory benefits such as: lemons, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries & kiwi. The proper combinations of these fruits and vegetables are crucial in reaping the healing benefits of juicing, without doing harm to the body such as raising your blood sugar levels, or effecting symptoms of reactive arthritis such as IBS.
What you juice is just as important as what you eat. How much you consume of certain foods, is just as important as what you consume of foods in their full form ie; a diabetic juicing fruit. Combining the proper foods when juicing can yield amazing healing benefits for just about anyone. However, juicing should be done so with caution for Gout sufferers, needing to avoid purine-rich foods & autoimmune arthritis & IBS sufferers choosing to refrain from consuming large amounts of sugars & starches. Juicing can offer incredible healing benefits for many, especially those living with chronic inflammatory diseases such as Ankylosing Spondylitis.
What can juicing offer to those living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, and other inflammatory conditions?
In addition to newly found energy, a clearer complexion and mental clarity, juicing and drinking green leafy vegetables can offer amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. Reducing inflammation without question has a positive impact on a the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylisits, as well as other inflammatory conditions; such as eczema and asthma. As someone who lives with AS, who has also used juicing for many years, I can attest to the positive impact that juicing the proper combinations of foods can have on autoimmune arthritis related inflammation. The consumption of freshly squeezed green drinks, from vegetables high in anti-inflammatory properties reduces the inflammatory response of Ankylosing Spondylitis..at least in my case and it might also work for you.
When it comes to such beneficial remedies as juicing, it’s imperative to choose the proper terminology when describing its effects on specific conditions. In terms of healing, there is both physiological healing and wound healing. Research has shown that both fruits and vegetables have physiological healing properties, so its safe to say that juicing offers the same healing benefits. Consuming higher amounts of enzyme rich foods via juicing, without the burden of digestion can be instrumental in staving off degenerative, age related diseases contributing to inflammation, such as heart disease, along with certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis, as the foods these juices are derived from offer these very benefits. However, once a person has a disease, especially an incurable autoimmune disease, going so far as to suggest juicing as stand alone cure, is a stretch. Promoting juicing as a “cure” immediately puts it into the category of snake oil remedies, thus invalidating the importance of its use.
The Positive Pear recommends juicing daily with the proper food combinations. Buy Non-GMO, local and organic whenever possible, especially when eating for the purpose of healing or controlling inflammation. Using lots of dark green leafy vegetables and when adding fruit, make sure its simply enough to lighten the flavor. If you’re on a Low-Starch Diet, be sure to remain true to the diet even when juicing or the symptoms that you’re eating to control might return. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods and you just might be successful in controlling your AS inflammation via juicing as I have. What do you have to lose? Give it a shot.
Click here to view our “Kale, Cucumber, Lemon & Ginger Fresh Juice Recipe”
Dr Oz on juicing, Dr Oz has his favorite juice daily. Definition of enzymes & healing according to Wikipedia. Positive Pear Article: The Best Medicine for Stress is an Inner & Outer Smile regarding controlling stress & inflammation. Other Anti-Inflammatory Foods & Recipes here on The Positive Pear. Green leafy vegetables considered cancer fighting foods according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.
(All rights reserved. Please feel free to share this article in its entirety, excerpts or links to the article provided full & clear credit is given to The Positive Pear Blog)
Raw Kale Salad with Lemon & Anchovy Vinaigrette
I absolutely love Kale in all of its glorious varieties and prepared in many different ways. I often eat kale as a side or an as entire meal, because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering and cancer fighting benefits. This is a fun, tasty recipe for anyone looking to add more vitamin K to their diets. This dish is perfect for a low-starch/balanced protein diet, and to make more vegan friendly simply omit the anchovies & eggs. If your not growing your own Dinosaur Kale, be sure to pick up a few bunches from your local Farmer’s Market, Whole Foods or the Organic Produce section of your local grocery store.
Beautiful Kale of Many Names: Dinosaur, Tuscan & Lacinato:
Ingredients:
- 14 ounces organic Dinosaur Kale, devein & remove large stem, thinly slice crosswise (makes approx 8 cups)
- 6 Anchovy fillets packed in olive oil, drained (Trader Joe’s/approx 174 mg of sodium)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed organic Lemon Juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 teaspoon 365 Organic Dijon Mustard (Whole Foods) or Spicy Brown Mustard (Trader Joe’s)
- 3/4 cup Extra-Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil
- Freshly ground Black Pepper
- 1 hard-boiled Egg, peeled
Prepare:
Vinaigrette: Combine the organic lemon juice, anchovies, garlic & mustard in a blender; purée until smooth. Keep the blender running while you very slowly pour in the oil. Season with freshly cracked pepper to taste. Cover and chill. Can be made 2 days ahead & kept refrigerated.
Using a microplane zester/grater and a small bowl, grate your hard-boiled egg. I personally choose to use only the egg white, but if you prefer not to waste your egg, continue to grate the yolk as well. Grating can be done up to 6 hours ahead, simply cover, chill & store separately from other ingredients.
Toss kale and creamy dressing in a large bowl to coat. Add additional freshly cracked pepper if needed. Top with grated eggs and voilà! Enjoy as a meal or serve as a side dish, compliments of “The Positive Pear” (to modify for vegan friendly avoid the egg & anchovy)
Other Positive Pear Kale Recipes: “Kale”
Fresh Raw Ginger-Cranberry Relish
Light, Vibrant & Palate Cleansing!
Natural Raw Cranberries having amazing healing attributes. Research shows that this small, amazing red fruit might be instrumental in cleansing and soothing the kidneys, fighting bacteria which leads to stomach ulcers, as well as supporting cardiovascular & liver function. They are also high in antioxidants and provide many anti-inflammatory benefits. Combined with Ginger Root, you have double the healing power, as ginger is great for digestion & is known to reduce inflammation.
Ingredients:
12 oz Bag of Fresh Organic Cranberries
2 Oranges Juiced & Zest from 1 Orange
2 Tsp Lemon Juiced & Zest
2 Tsp Fresh Ginger Root
1 Shallot Minced
2 Tbls of Agave Nectar
Prepare:
In a food processor chop the ginger root until fine, add the orange & lemon juice with zest of both, add the cranberries, and pulse the motor until the berries are finely chopped (broken not mushy). Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in Agave. Cover & chill the relish for a minimum of 30 minutes. This relish keeps, covered and chilled, for up to 2 weeks.
TIP: Using a microplane zester/grater will produce lighter, fluffier zest. If your relish is to tart, simply add more Agave to taste. Serve as you would any cranberry sauce or relish.
Enjoy!
Check on some other healthy, healing recipes here on the “The Positive Pear”, Article: The Healing Power of Ginger
