6.02.2013

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY JUICE


For all of you out there with aches and pain, here is a list of some anti-inflammatory foods:

Pineapple contains the enzyme, bromelain that helps dissolve the waste material that may have accumulated in the joints and aids in the healing of indigestion, sports injury, trauma and other kinds of swelling.

Grapefruit contains organic salicylic acid and is one of the most valuable fruits for dissolving inorganic calcium which may have settled in the cartilage of the joints.

Apples have been shown to reduce inflammation through their polyphenol content. These polyphenols may have a protective effect on exercise-induced muscle damage.

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain of arthritis.

Parsley is rich with an antioxidant arsenal that includes luteolin, a flavonoid that searches out and eradicates free radicals in the body that cause oxidative stress in cells. Luteolin also promotes carbohydrate metabolism and serves the body as an anti-inflammatory agent. Along with luteolin, the vitamin C found in parsley serves as an effective anti-inflammatory agent within the body.

Other anti-inflammatory foods include:
Blueberries, broccoli, carrots, celery, cherries, cucumber, EVOO, green tea, kelp, papaya, shiitake mushroom, sweet potato, turmeric, wild salmon.

sources: healthdiaries.com, bodybuilding.com, blackbookcooking.com



ANTI-INFLAMMATORY JUICE

1/3 pineapple
1 grapefruit
1 apple
1/2 inch of ginger
bunch of parsley

Put all your clean organic produce in your juicer and juice.
 Pour over ice and drink immediately.
 
My indoor window herb garden: mint, basil, thyme and rosemary...
 
I haven't seen my friends from the Hutterite colony since last fall. We talked a few times during the winter, mostly about their bees and how this was the first year they shipped them away for a winter "vacation". Bee keeping has always intrigued me. The bees were sent to pollinate the almond groves and grape vineyards in California. Just a few weeks ago, to everyone's delight, the bees arrived safely back to the Hutterite colony.

The other day they were in town and surprised me with some fresh picked asparagus and honey...they know the way to my heart!
 Love the little pieces of comb...
 
She also lent me one of her favorite cookbooks, which has been fun going through. The recipes' measurements are sized for the colony; I can't imagine cooking with that amount of food! I love how nothing goes to waste, from chicken fat in cookies to pig heads in dumplings!

My niece, kids and dogs all rode with me to meet them. In their colony they are not allowed to have dogs. They have tried in the past but apparently it never works out well. I love seeing their faces when I pull up with the dogs in the car...the boys' faces read pure joy and her face reads pure disgust! They might as well be cows or pigs or any other dirty farm animal in her opinion. I get a kick out of telling her how they sleep in bed with us!
 
We live such different lives and we both love indulging in each other's. The other day she laughed so hard when I told her I was in the drive-thru ordering a coffee. She doesn't know it but she keeps me grounded. Her lifestyle reminds me there is an art to everything in life and it is important to take time to slow down and enjoy it.