by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness
Green Juice versus Green Smoothies (September 14, 2011)
Dear Ana,
I have read that green smoothies are very beneficial in a raw food lifestyle. Is it okay to substitute a green smoothie for a green juice in the morning?
Thank you,
Sherry
Hi Sherry,
Thank you for your question. There is a lot of confusion about green smoothies versus green juice.
A green juice is a raw vegetable juice that contains at least one leafy green, like romaine, kale, chard, or spinach. It can also have green apple, lemon, and ginger for flavor, as well as any other raw vegetables that you enjoy. The juice has been separated from the fiber of the vegetables through either a centrifugal extraction process using a juicer such as the Breville, or with a cold press such as the Norwalk. A centrifugal juice should be consumed as close as possible to the time it is made, while a cold pressed juice remains enzymatically intact for up to three days.
• A juice is filled with the most easily accessible and assimilable chlorophyll, high-vibration raw life force, alkalinity, vitamins, minerals, and protein.
• Juice does not have the cellulose or fiber of a blended smoothie, and therefore enters the blood faster and easier.
• Juice does not require significant digestion, so we are able to use it to sustain us through a mini-fast when we may otherwise have wanted breakfast or lunch.
A green smoothie is processed in a high-speed blender such as the BlendTec, not a juicer. The plant fiber is still present, although the blending process helps with the breakdown of cellulose walls and makes digestion easier. For a yeast-conscious diet, such as the one outlined in Detox4Women, green smoothies should be a combination of leafy greens such as spinach, kale, chard, or sprouts with low-sugar fruit such as berried, green apple, or grapefruit. Avocado is a wonderful thicker, and stevia, cocoa powder, or other spices can be added for flavor. This is also often referred to as a blended salad.
• Green smoothies can be a great lunch option for someone who is looking for a light meal.
• Green smoothies are wonderful for cancer patients, or other detoxers with compromised immune or digestive systems as they are partially pre-digested through the blending process.
A blended drink should not take the place of a morning juice, but can be enjoyed as a mid-morning snack or lunch. They are a great way to keep a meal light, and to enjoy a sweet meal rather than a savory salad if that is what you prefer. They are also a wonderful aid to those transitioners who are dealing with serious illness.
I hope this helps! Keep juicing every morning, and try my favorite blended green smoothie recipe for lunch on a hot day:
• 1 5oz boz organic baby spinach
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 2 tbsns cocoa powder
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 cup pure water
• stevia and nutmeg to taste
Blend these ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, and enjoy.
Love,
Ana
by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness
How to Find a Good Colon-Hydrotherapist (September 12, 2011)
Dear Natalia Rose Institute,
Can you please tell me how to find a good place to get colonics in my area? I don’t know what I am looking for because I have never had one before. Is there anyone you can recommend near me?
Sincerely,
Annie
Dear Annie,
Thank you for your email. All of the Colon-Hydrotherapists that we are familiar with and have had contact with are listed on Natalia’s Natalia Rose Institute website. You can visit the Colon Therapy Directory anytime to find the recommended hydrotherapist closest to you.
There are many wonderful hydrotherapists out there whom we have not been introduced to. When you are doing your own research you will want to call and ask several key questions:
1. Do you use a gravity-fed closed colonic system? If the system is not gravity fed then a machine controls the flow of water. This does not work with the natural rhythms of the body in the same way as a gravity method (where the tank of water is above your head, and powered only by the pull of gravity). A closed system means that waste will exit through tubing instead of into an open toilet.</span>
2. How long will my colonic take? The answer should about an hour. Anything less and you are not getting to the full range of the large intestine. The ascending colon, which runs up the right side of the body, usually only begins to release matter after about 40-50 minutes on the table.
3. Will you be in the room with me the whole time? A therapist should never leave the room while you are on the table. A good therapist knows how much as possible while making the experience as gentle as he or she can.</span>
If you find a wonderful place to get treatments, please ask them to reach out to us so we can add their listing to the site and direct others to them as well!
Love,
Ana
by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness
Scalp Issues, Almond Milk, Blueberries (August 25, 2011)
Hi Ana,
I hope everything is well. I have a question. I have scalp folicilitus. I have been juicing, eating my salad everyday etc. I wonder does this have to do with a compromised immune system?
Thanks,
K
Hi K,
Thank you for your email. I am happy to hear that you are eating so beautifully! I’m sorry to hear about your scalp issues.
My understanding of scalp folliculitisis that it is the result of inflamed hair follicles. Research tells me that it is common among patients who are dealing with serious health issues like HIV or undergoing cancer treatment. So you are correct in that it is common in people who have a compromised system. Scalp issues are also common in those who are dealing with yeast or fungal issues.
The Detox4Women approach that you are using is the perfect way to irradicate yeast and fungal growth in your system. It is the only approach that will help to deal with scalp or skin issues. I also recommend adding a Candida yeast fighting supplement like Candex or CandiGone into your routine to move the process even faster. It should be take on an empty stomach, so mornings or afternoons are the best times to take it.
If your system is compromised for any reason it is always a good idea to add more blended and highly digestible meals into your day. Your lunch salad could be a blended salad or soup. Natalia’s Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl soup is delicious (using stevia instead of dates for sweetness). My favorite is Choco-Avo Blended Salad:
• 1 box baby spinach
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 heaping tbsn cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup pure water or coconut water
• stevia to taste
Blend in a high speed blended until creamy.
In addition to a yeast-conscious diet and highly digestible meal options, please check possible environmental irritants as well. Make sure you are using a natural gentle shampoo (like an organic baby shampoo), soap, and check all lotions and toiletries. Use only natural unscented laundry detergent and household cleaning products.
I hope this helps, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Love,
Ana
Hi Natalia,
I know you may not be able to answer all your emails but I am starting Detox4Women have a few questions. I have always been a big milk drinker and I know you recommend almond milk which I am now drinking. How much can I have during the day and does it matter when? Also blueberries are abundant on the family farm and I know you said no fruit but that berries were ok. I have had them as a snack throughout the day, is that ok?
Thanks so much, Beth
Hi Beth,
Thank you for your email. I am happy that you are doing so well using Detox4Women. Almond milk is a great substitute for cow milk, however, it shouldn’t be used all day. It is very important to give the system a rest between meals, which is one of the reasons we have green juice for breakfast instead of something heavier. I would choose two times a day that are really special to you and have your milk then. I recommend it after dinner with stevia and cinnamon as a desert treat, or as an afternoon tea-time snack. If you find yourself wanting to sip something throughout the day lemon-water with stevia is a great detox-friendly lemonade.
You are lucky to have fresh blueberries readily available, and you can absolutely have them on Detox4Women. The low-sugar fruits like green apples, grapefruit, and berries are included in your menu options because they are not as yeast feeding as the sweeter fruits. Fruit is best consumed alone and on and empty stomach, so blueberries would be perfect as a mid-morning snack if you feel you need one.
<span style=”line-height: 1.714285714; font-size: 1rem;”>Never limit your intake if you are truly hungry. However, resting the digestive system gives it the chance to play catch-up, and begin to assist with the detoxification process. Munching on berries and drinking almond milk all day will keep the body dependent on outside stimulation instead of giving it the break it needs to clean house and begin to give you true energy and joy. So enjoy snacks in moderation by listening to when your body really wants them.</span>
To make your own raw almond milk:
In a high-speed blender blend the following until creamy.
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 3 cups water
Once blended, strain through cheese cloth and sweeten with stevia if desired. This will last for up to four days in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
I hope this helps, and that you continue to enjoy the lifestyle and your fresh summer blueberries.
Love,
Ana
by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Life Force Families
Pregnancy and Post-Menopausal Tummy Bulge (August 15, 2011)
Hi,
I recently started your program and also found out I am pregnant (2 months). Any advice for fellow pregnant ladies? How does the cleansing cycle differ? I find I am hungry all the time and having trouble staying on track!
Help! Thanks!
Hi Tiffiny,
Thank you for your email. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Natalia has created a website specifically for parents with a curriculum which addresses preconception to early childhood. The Life Force Families site will have everything you need to modify your lifestyle for the next nine months, and you can come right back to your detox routine following the birth of your new little one.
Please reach out to me again with any additional questions.
Love,
Ana
Hello,
First – love your detox book and have recommended to many women (and men!). Second – I’m now approaching 50 and experiencing tummy bulge (blech). I want to keep wearing my clothes!
Any recommended reading or knowledge on raw food and menopause, tummy bulge, etc!?!
Thank You, Tamara
Hi Tamara,
Thank you for your email. Happy upcoming birthday! It is wonderful that you have been able to direct so many people to this lifestyle.
For a tummy bulge, the best approach to diet and lifestyle is a yeast-conscious approach to eating. Most women who have been living in Western culture have a yeast and fungal overgrowth in their intestine that keeps them from loosing the weight that they would like. This yeast, also called Candida, can also slow digestion, prevent proper food absorption, and create lethargy. It is essential to eliminate this yeast to successfully detox the body. Natalia outlines simple and easy ways to rid the body of this yeast in Detox4Women. I think this would be the right approach for you to achieve your goals.
Natalia also addresses the cycle that leads up to our difficulties with menopause in her Blog “It’s Electric”. It is a two-part blog which you can start here.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback, and please reach out with any further questions.
Love,
Ana
by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Personal Development
Protein for Athletes, and Lentils (August 8, 2011)
Dear Ana,
I am an athlete and I need to make sure I get enough protein after my morning workout. I have been using a vegan protein powder in my morning smoothie. I have green juice before the gym, and a protein smoothie afterward. Is this okay?
Thank you,
Heather
The idea that the body must consume protein before or after intense physical exertion is outdated by any standard. The body runs best when it is powerfully conducting the Life Force Energy which comes from clean, open pathways (created by a diet high in water- containing fruits and vegetables and a regimen dedicated to the removal of intestinal obstruction), not dense proteins (either of the vegan or non-vegan variety). Your power does not come from what you put in your body right before or after a work out but by the steady state of a clean-celled system, systematically consuming high-life-force-foods with great eliminations. Most people are not used to the power that comes from such lightness of being. In the beginning, when they are transitioning away from old protein/workout paradigms, they can mistake missing their “false fire” of stimulating proteins for weakness. That is just a phase and if you stick with the clean-celled paradigm that will pass and you will tap into the power of a swiftly conducting system.
Natalia and I work with athletes all the time and know a number of world-class athletes who are dedicated to this approach because it has made them more powerful, agile and strong! It’s the full picture of your diet and internal systems that matter, not whether you have protein right after your workout. That idea, while very commonly held, comes from old school gym mythology.
In fact, over time many detoxers find it somewhat miserable to exercise with a full system that is giving much of the body’s energy to the digestion process instead of the movement at hand and wouldn’t dream of putting anything but water containing fruits or avocado salads into the body after a big work out. Heavier foods may be enjoyed like raw granola, baked sweet potatoes, fish, raw goat or sheep cheeses and eggs as part of the daily intake but do not feel there is a special post-workout protein formula that will make you stronger (unless it is a raw organic egg yoke and vegetable juice concoction which many clean-celled athletes swear by (but there’s always the risk of samonella so be cautious with that one and note that the egg whites should be discarded).
Many of the vegan powders on the market, including the raw powders, are comprised mainly of brown rice or oat protein. For an individual who is using a yeast-conscious approach to food like the one outlined in Detox4Women, this will not help you achieve your goals and as an athlete is will only make you puffier. Rice powder is dead, dense, and will stick in the system. It is yeast feeding and is certainly not a health generator. If you are still excited about having protein in the early half of the day before lunch (after green juice!!) my top three suggestions are:
1. Leafy greens are the most easily assimilated protein source for the body. A blueberry-spinach smoothie would be a wonderful option if you feel you would like more than green juice.
2. Raw egg smoothies are also relatively light and will give the body and easy to digest protein option. I love mine blended with baby spinach, vanilla, ice, and stevia (again, note the above egg warning/instructions).
3. For an even more substantial protein smoothie option try blending banana and raw sesame tahini or raw almond butter for a nut and seed based protein. This will move through the body at a slower speed than the other two options as it is more dense, but it will not directly feed a yeasted system nor weight the system down too early in the day.
Explore the difference between true energy that originates in a clean healthy body and the stimulation of taking in dense substances of a slightly addictive nature (like starchy grains). Please be cautious also when reading anything that feels gimmicky or marketed. The truth is that nothing can be gained from a dead dry powder.
I have Detox4Women and I notice you do not mention Lentils. I love lentils with millet. Are they ok to eat on your cleanse? Love your thoughts!!
Patti
Dear Patti,
Thank you for your email. I am so glad you are enjoying the Detox4Women lifestyle.
Lentils can have a place in your lifestyle if you are eating them and still progressing because lentils are the smallest of the legumes, and therefore much easier on the system than beans or peas. Legumes are not included in Detox4Women because they are mostly starchy and hard to digest.
Lentils combine best with raw and cooked vegetables, like a lentil soup after a large raw avocado salad. The next best option is to combine them with a clean cooked starch, like millet, quinoa, or buckwheat just as you have been doing.
Lentils should always be eaten after or with a raw salad so that they are less dense when moving through the system. Have your salad first, and then enjoy! Or try making a chilled lentil salad to top your raw green salad for added texture and flavor:
• 2 cups cooked lentils
• juice of 2 lemons
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1 smalled chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
• 1 chopped beafsteak tomato
• dash of chili powder
• dash of cumin
• stevia to taste
• sea salt to taste
Mix ingredients and refrigerate until chilled, then top a large raw green salad with avocado if desired.
I hope this helps, and please feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions.
Love,
Ana
