Although I never thought the day would come, here I am, sitting on my back porch, drinking my freshly made vegetable juice, admitting that MOM WAS RIGHT!! I could probably blog for days on how wise our moms are, but this particular topic happens to speak to me (and hopefully you too) loud and clear...
Growing up, I was convinced we were missing out. Primarily because my brother and I NEVER made a visit to the pantry to find Oreos and Lucky Charms, but instead, dried apricots and sweet potato chips. Granola, goat's milk, and Bieler's Broth were staples in our diets, and we only drank water (with lemon, of course) 30 minutes after finishing a meal. Steamed monkfish, zucchini, and quinoa happened almost every night, and we meditated almost every morning.
Sometime after high school, I felt completely empowered knowing I could make my own choices. Bagels, burritos, and steak??? Yes please!! Even though I was already working in the fitness field, I enjoyed every last bite of the junk I put in my body. At 37, I look back on those years, and remember the cycles I went through with energy surges and falls, upper respiratory infections, irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, and cravings.
Just a couple short years ago, I began competing in figure competitions. After hiring my (amazing) nutritionist, everything changed. What I had been tricking my mind into thinking was healthy, was the exact opposite. My body had been craving something better - I just didn't take the time to listen to it!! After only one week on my "new" diet, I noticed huge differences. I felt fantastic!! The sugar crashes ceased, my digestive system was more efficient, no illness, my complexion brightened, and I felt clean from the inside out! This began my journey into nutritional studies.
Let's take a quick look at the facts pertaining to unbalanced pH levels in the body:
- An excess of acidity in the body produces weak immune and digestive systems, which can lead to infection, including (but not limited to) fungal infection, yeast infection, viruses, kidney stones, bone disease, dental decay, and even some kinds of cancer.
- An unbalanced body typically experiences decreased energy levels, irritability, and sometimes anxiety and/or depression.
- Excess acids (toxins) are stored in the body's fat cells, eventually leading to obesity, visceral fat, and cellulite.
- Acidosis requires the body to steal minerals from the organs and bones, therefore depleting the natural supply the body is meant to use for other very necessary functions.
- Acidity causes inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, and bones. ..Which brings me to my next point...
- Even during exercise, the body produces lactic acid, and although that acid is usually utilized for metabolic function, having a build-up in the body can cause cramping. And for us runners, we know how inconvenient a cramp can be in the middle of a great workout!!
So, how do we correct it? We think like my mom did.. About 80% of consumption should be from alkaline rich foods daily. If you are like me, and always on the go, it's not practical to steam your veggies for every meal. And, if we tried to eat all of the fruits and vegetables necessary to correct a high amount of acidity developed in the body through natural stress and toxins we breath in, we'd be eating all day long!! That's where juicing plays a big part in my life. All important vitamins and minerals are in the juice. I try to compost the pulp, or feed it to our pet bunny.
Alkaline rich fruits and veggies include broccoli, kale, chard, cucumbers, parsley, beets, asparagus, green beans, collard greens, sweet potatoes, okra, cabbage, limes (believe it or not), grapefruit, oranges, apples, garlic, mangos, nectarines, strawberries, papaya, blackberries, blueberries, avocado, and grapes.
Although all meats produce high amounts of acid, it's unrealistic to expect everyone out there to go vegetarian, so here are my suggestions: Sticking with salmon, tuna, cod, and chicken is the best bet, and do-able for most. I hear buffalo is also low producing, although I'm not a red meat lover...
Other foods include clarified butter, also known as ghee (my mom loves this stuff), egg whites, olive oil, coconut oil, flax oil, almonds, lentils, ginger, garlic, sea or Celtic salt, sesame seeds, and cinnamon.
High acid producing foods include beef and pork products, lobster (darn it), American cheese, white flour, red wine vinegar, sugar, corn syrup, coffee, wine, light beer (?), and soy milk.
So there you have it!!! Here's to hoping you choose a lifestyle including daily exercise and a diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies, allowing the body to eliminate the inevitable production of toxins (acids) from the soft tissue. Keeping the system balanced will, without a doubt, improve your life!!! THANKS MOM!!! :)
Here are a couple fantastic alkaline restoring recipes I love...
BIELER'S BROTH - A fantastic cleanse. Improves liver function and digestive health, restores pH, and increases energy.
- 1 bunch of fresh celery
- fresh green beans
- fresh zucchini
- purified water
- handful of flat leaf parsley
I use equal parts for first three ingredients. Steam celery, beans, and zucchini in purified water until cooked, but still crunchy. Transfer veggies to processor or blender and add water you used to steam with. Add about a handful of parsley, and blend to desired consistency. Some prefer to add pepper, sea salt and other spices to season, although I'm a purist with this one. ;)
MORNING JUICE ENERGIZER
- 1/2 beet
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 large grapefruit
- handful fresh kale and/or spinach
- 3-4 large strawberries
HAPPY JUICING!!!!!
***A very special thanks to my Mom, who instilled these habits in us from the time we were born. Sometimes a girl's just got to take a few wrong turns to get back on the right path!! ;) Love you.
