A smoothie a day keeps Terry Wahls from yelling at us. Or so I hear.
Kidding!
I'm attempting to incorporate more of her ideas into my Paleo diet. I really want to increase my consumption of dark leafy greens.
Since last I checked, I am not a rabbit, I'm going to try a green smoothie a day.
Today, I worked with whatever was in my kitchen.
1 c raw spinach 1 c frozen blueberries 1/2 apple 1 c whole milk yogurt A little hot water Cinnamon Chili powder
Yummy. Chewy cuz of spinach greens. That's fine. Tastes mostly like apple, then blueberry. Can taste a hint of the chlorophyll. Hint of cinnamon/chili.
Darn, this thing tastes healthy! And it nipped my med nausea in the bud.
Please share your adventures in green smoothies.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
[ 12-28-2013, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by Anthropologista (Member # 35483) on :
Chili is a nice touch, Boxermom! Must try it.
We have: 1 c raw baby kale 1/2 to 1 cup frozen berries 1 scoop protein powder 1 tsp stevia 3 tsp refrigerated flax oil 1 cup organic unsweetened soymilk 1/4 cup water
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
soy... don't do it
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Oooohhh, that one sounds good!
Thanks for the links, Tutu! Found some smoothie sites.
Posted by Anthropologista (Member # 35483) on :
Even organic soymilk, Tutu, which can't be GMO? We've just switched from almond milk because I read about the inflammatory properties of too many almonds. Soy is a good source of Phosphatidylcholine, which my husband's LLMD recommended for him.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
We used to come running into the house when Mom made this smoothie...we loved it soooooo much! She called it "green drink."
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Found this on the internet, Anthro...
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Soy contains trypsin inhibitors that inhibit protein digestion and affect pancreatic function; Soy contains phytic acid, which reduces absorption of minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc; Soy increases our requirement for vitamin D, which 50% of American are already deficient in;
Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women.Vitamin B12 analogs in soy are not absorbed and actually increase the body’s requirement for B12;
Processing of soy protein results in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines;Free glutamic acid or MSG, a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing and additional amounts are added to many soy foods to mask soy’s unpleasant taste;
and,Soy can stimulate the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors and cause thyroid problems, especially in women.
Perhaps most alarmingly, a study at the Harvard Public School of Health in 2008 found that men who consumed the equivalent of one cup of soy milk per day had a 50% lower sperm count than men who didn’t eat soy.
-- end quote
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
On a serious note...I had no idea soy was so bad.
Weren't the nutritionists pushing soy and soy alternatives as heart healthy alternatives to dairy a few years back?
Boxermom-that smoothy sounds tasty! Perfect for fall season!
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Why Soy Milk is Not Healthy – Drink These Healthy Alternatives Instead
If you still think that unfermented soy, such as soy milk, is healthy, put down that soy latte and read on. Touted for years as the perfect protein source for a vegetarian or vegan diet and a great milk replacement for lactose-intolerant individuals, soy may actually cause a lot of harm.
What are the dangers? In his writings, Dr. Mercola mentions thousands of studies which have linked soy consumption – including soy milk, tofu and soy infant formula – with thyroid dysfunction, reproductive problems including infertility, immune system malfunctioning, digestive distress, cognitive decline and even malnutrition, heart disease and cancers.
One of the main issues with soy is that it is one of the highest food sources of phytoestrogens (plant-produced estrogens), including genistein and daidzein.
Too much estrogen in the body, also known as estrogen dominance, has been linked to breast cancer, infertility, low sex drive and uterine fibroids.
A diet high in soy may in some cases also cause men to develop a condition known as gynecomastia, caused by too much estrogen in the blood. Symptoms include swollen breast tissue and pain, inability to achieve and maintain erections and hormonal changes including mood swings.
Research shows that soy can lower sperm counts in men, probably due to the high estrogen content. A study performed at Harvard University surveyed 99 men. The men reported on the soy products in their diets, and researchers analyzed their sperm counts.
Results showed that the men who had the highest daily soy intake had approximately 32 percent fewer sperm per milliliter of semen than the men who did not consume soy. Many bottle-fed infants nowadays are fed soy-based formula as an alternative to cow’s milk-based formulas.
However, this can be quite dangerous, as those babies that eat solely soy formula may have as much as 20,000 times the estrogen in their bodies than babies not fed soy. That’s approximately the equivalent of five birth control pills per day!
Aside from phytoestrogens, unfermented soybeans, both organic and commercially-grown, contain an array of ‘anti-nutrients’ that can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb and process nutrients.
These include phytates, which can block the gut’s ability to absorb essential minerals, and according to Dr. Mercola, can lead to growth problems in children, as well as trypsin inhibitors, which block proper digestion of proteins.
Soy’s ‘anti-nutrients’ also include goitrogens, which prevent the thyroid gland from getting a necessary supply of iodine. This can lead to hypothyroidism and even thyroid cancer. Infant soy formula has been linked to a higher risk of autoimmune thyroid disease, likely as a result of the goitrogen content. Unfermented soy may also contain MSG, a researched neurotoxin, as well as aluminum, which can wreak havoc on the kidneys and nervous system.
Fermented soy, such as miso, tempeh and natto, does not contain these anti-nutrients, as they are destroyed by the fermentation process. Therefore, these forms of soy are digestible by the human body without causing the health issues listed above. However, most forms of soy eaten in the United States, including soy milk, are unfermented.
It is worthwhile to note that over 90 percent of America’s soybeans are genetically modified, and often sprayed with pesticides including glyphosate, which has carcinogenic properties. A study performed at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom linked regular soy consumption in men and women over age 68 to a double risk of dementia and memory issues compared to people in the same age group who did not eat soy.
Healthy soy milk alternatives If you are lactose intolerant, or do not wish to drink organic cow’s milk due to a vegan diet or another reason, the following are three healthy milk alternatives to try instead of health-compromising soy:
Organic Coconut Milk Organic coconut milk is filled with healthy saturated fats, which are essential to the body’s proper functioning, and may even speed up your metabolism, aiding in weight loss efforts. One of these saturated fats is lauric acid, which has been linked to potent disease-fighting properties. Coconut milk is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E and several B-vitamins.
This delicious milk alternative has a slightly-sweet, tropical flavor, and is a scrumptious addition to your favorite smoothies. It also works great in an array of soups and sauces. Just make sure to check the ingredient list – some coconut milks contain guar gum. Also be sure to check that the can that it is packaged in does not contain BPA.
Organic Almond Milk Organic almond milk is high in potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure, as well as being high in calcium and vitamin D, which aid in optimal bone health. Vitamin D has also been linked to improved cell function, a healthier immune system and a decreased risk of osteoporosis as well as a decreased risk of a number of types of cancer.
Almond milk, like almonds themselves, is also high in vitamin E, which along with keeping your skin looking its best helps the body to regulate vitamin A, which is also found in moderate amounts in this yummy beverage. It also contains B-vitamins, magnesium and iron, along with a small amount of protein.
Organic Rice Milk Organic rice milk is hypoallergenic, so it’s perfect if you have food sensitivities. It is also full of B-vitamins and antioxidants, as well as heart-healthy magnesium and iron. To get the most nutrition in your glass, choose rice milk made from organic, whole grain brown rice. You can find this in liquid or powder form at your local health food supplier, or online. With these three nutritious alternatives readily available, it should be easy to say goodbye to the soy milk once and for all, as well as the risks that come with it.
Those stats made me sad.
Posted by Anthropologista (Member # 35483) on :
Thanks, Tutu and Steve: no more soymilk. So disturbing that it's fed to infants.
Rice milk is a problem, both because of a*r*s*e*nic contamination in rice--especially brown rice--and because my husband has a food sensitivity to rice.
I do get teeny-tiny veggie bits in my smoothies because I use a Ninja blender not a juicer, but never veggie strings. Maybe the machine you're using is not grinding them up well enough.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
You can make your own nut milk with a blender. Nuts, water, a little veggie oil (coconut or olive)...whirl it around in the blender and you have nut milk. Really yummy done with cashews or sunflower seeds...
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i got a new blender and just printed this whole thread...i'll be experimenting for awhile. hope i can start losing again...
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
quote:Originally posted by Anthropologista: Even organic soymilk, Tutu, which can't be GMO? We've just switched from almond milk because I read about the inflammatory properties of too many almonds. Soy is a good source of Phosphatidylcholine, which my husband's LLMD recommended for him.
Soy disrupts hormones and the endocrine system.
Posted by Pika (Member # 38414) on :
Soy is a nightmare if you have an underactive thyroid. So is raw kale, cabbage, spinach and most cruciferous vegetables. You can actually GIVE yourself a thyroid problem having too many of these veggies raw. Cooked is OK.
Posted by Ellen101 (Member # 35432) on :
Soy can cause all sorts of issues. For a delicious smoothie I use some avocado, spinach, almond milk and some pitted medjoool dates, yum!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
When tofu first was popular i tried it for a long time thinking i wasdoing something good for mys er lf. I gained weight lost energy and felt awful. Now i know why
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
ok- so i have lots of stuff but not sure if i will over do it if i use it all
i cleaned out cupboards and found chia seed, hemp seeds, flax seeds and meal, and i think i will get some plain yogurt and almond milk. i always have frozen blueberries and strawberries, bananas and coconut oil-oh and almond butter but i usually have a T of that on a rice cake most mornings
how much of what should i use...this stuff is expensive -i dont want to waste it...
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
whoa...no one is helping me so i experimented...only took me about 2 months since this thread started
i had: 1/2 c almond mk 1/2 c plain yogurt 1/2 c mango juice an apple chopped up a baby carrot grated 1/4 c blueberries 1/2T ground flax seeds 1 T pumpkin seeds
and i think thats all...i sort of had to chew it but it was ok-i like nuts and seeds
it didnt hold me very long and im wondering what it will do to my bloodsugar...
experienced ppl-please chime in...i had cranberries here too...and broccoli...and many other nuts and seeds and almond butter...but i didnt want to over do. it wasnt sweet but i dont like sweet.
how do you decide what to put in? what is high protein so it will last longer?
also-i want to find something i actually like and then sneak in the greens
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Kayak.. you need some protein in there. Be careful not to overdo the fruit.
Store bought almond milk contains carageenan, which can be a problem. But.. we don't live in a perfect world.
This is the recipe I have done quite often. I won't say it tastes GREAT, but it is OK. I can't do any fruit right now, but maybe you could.
2 cups water 1/2 avocado or 1/2 zucchini 2-3 tbsp of hemp protein 2-3 tbsp of hemp seeds several stalks of parsley 2 stalks of celery mint if I have it handful of fresh salad greens ginger slices, chopped up 1 tbsp spirulina if I have it 2 tbsp ground flax seed if I am out of avocado or zucchini
I think that's all (?)
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Do u get any nourishment from the seeds if they just go thru whole? Im wondering if i should grind them up
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