recipes and tips for better living

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Liquid Sunshine To Build Your Blood: Benefits of Wheatgrass Juicing




Henry Miller once said, "The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself".

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Not quite as rough as a tequila shot, but still deserving of a loud shout (shoot it back and let her rip!), get your daily dose of liquid sunshine with a shot of 'The Green' - We're talking about Wheatgrass, Friends.

Said to boost your immune system and send oxygen to your cells, Wheatgrass is spouted from the wheatberry (wheat grain). Extremely alkaline in your body, it's part of the cereal grass family (which includes barley grass, oat grass, and rye grass. Celiacs/gluten free folks: there is no definitive on it's gluten content. Many say there is none in the mature blade of grass, but take caution if you are very gluten sensitive!). Wheatgrass is a great source of beta carotene and B vitamins (Vegetarians - get some of your B12 here!), also loaded with Vitamins C, E, and K, it's said to be a complete food as it contains 90 minerals, 17 amino acids and 80 known enzymes. Wheatgrass is 70% chlorophyll (the green pigment in plants that harnesses the sun's energy in photosynthesis). Chlorophyll is considered the blood of plants, which is nearly identical in composition to hemoglobin (aka, our blood). The only difference is that wheatgrass contains magnesium as the central atom, while hemoglobin contains iron. Wheatgrass is known to heal tissue and help cleanse and purify our liver (and we all need to purify our liver... it's the organ that processes all the toxins we ingest, breathe, eat, and take in prescription drugs). 'The Green' also flushes out toxins and can help control weight. Because of chlorophyll's antibacterial qualities it can be used inside and outside the body for healing. You can even gargle with it for a sore throat (but don't spit it out! Swallow and enjoy all the benefits inside your body too!) It's also great for constipation and just for maintenance of proper elimination (know what i'm saying?...let thy toxins leave thy body).

Here's a list of some of the AHHH-MAZING health benefits that this vibrant green grass/juice has to offer:

*effective is combating acidosis due to it's alkaline nature and tissue cleansing ability
*Chelates heavy metals to help move them out of the body
*cleanses the colon and heals intestinal walls
*purifies and rebuilds our blood increasing blood cell count
*cleanses the liver and oxygenates our cells
*can aide in inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (due to it's alkaline nature)
*it's anti-oxidant qualities help to neutralize free radicals. Helps reduce harm from air pollutants we breathe.
*Can help eliminate bad breath and body odor
*contains a long list of amino acids - the building blocks of protein. (some reports say it contains as much as 50% protein/amino acids)
*beneficial in fighting and preventing cancer. The flavonoid compounds are powerful anti-oxidants and anti-cancer agents.
*creates an unfavorable environment for yeast and bacteria to grow, aiding Candida
*detoxes lymphatic system
*regulates blood sugar levels - good for diabetics
*found to be beneficial for hypertension (high blood pressure)
*builds immune system
*helps prevent tooth decay and treats bleeding gums
*WEIGHT CONTROL - RELIEVES YOUR BODY OF CRAVINGS!!! (i love that one!)



The easiest way to enjoy all these health benefits is to take it as juice. One or two ounces a day is all you'll need to give you a blast of energy that will keep you going all day. If you are new to wheatgrass juicing START SMALL! Take an ounce for a week or so before going up to 2...this is a powerful detoxifier and for that reason can make you feel nauseas if you take too much before your body is ready for it. So there it is folks, for less than the price of a cup of jo (and without the caffeine and inflammatory properties), stop by the juice bar (instead of the coffee shop) and start your day by getting energized on a shot of Wheatgrass!

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So you're already a Wheatgrass Pro? Try This:

Crack a Young Thai Coconut (the white hut looking ones) - drain out the water and to it add your 2 ounce shot of wheatgrass. This makes a sweet delicious GREEN drink that will have you feeling energized and refreshed, fueling your body with electrolytes, fiber, amino acids, minerals, and blood building qualities that both wheatgrass and coconut have!

Need a good juicer for home wheatgrass juicing? My recommend is always the Omega Juicers. I own the 8005 and it's the best juicer i've ever owned. Easy to clean and assemble, it'll juice produce, wheatgrass, make nut butters, ice cream from frozen fruit, and much more.


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1 comment

  1. What a great post! Just sent it along to twitter. :) I'm going to look into Omega Juicers. Hope you are well!

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