FRUITY ROOIBOS KEFIR

"It's Juicing/Blending Tuesday"

 

 

Fruity Rooibos Kefir Beverage

     Look what's back?! It's JUICING/BLENDING TUESDAY!!! It's been a while and I hope the long hiatus in the juice posting did not stop you from continuing in juicing.  So, let's get back in the habit.

What's this new beverage?

Fruity Rooibos Kefir is a tea beverage that has no caffeine but has kefir live cultures (7 cultures).  The beverage has organic red grapes, organic blueberries, and organic fresh ginger root.  The carrier liquid is green rooibos water.

What's kefir?

Kefir is a living food usually fermented by using milk (cow, goat, or sheep) though kefir can be used with soy milk, coconut milk, or coconut water.  The fermented drink resembles liquid yogurt made by adding a live culture and using milk kefir grains from previous batches to be cultured at room temperature milk (mesophilic culture). The cultures are a combination of bacteria and yeasts.  Kefir has a taste of being tart or sour and contains a bit of carbonation.

Kefir is an excellent source in getting the "good friendly bacteria" in your gut.  It is a probiotic that helps to maintain a well balanced flora in your digestive tract and beneficial for your immune system.  Remember the digestive tract is 70% of your immune system.






"Dairy Free" Probiotic Kefir
Coconut water
(Store in refrigerator)

What "live cultures" are in this kefir?

 

There are a total of Seven Live Cultures.

 

Lactococcus lactis ssp. Lactis

Lactococcus lactis ssp. Cremoris

Lactococcus lactis ssp. Lactis biovar diacetylactis

Lactobacillus brevis

Leuconostoc ssp.

Kluyveromyces lactis

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

 

I found this kefir on sale at Whole Foods.  I bought it because you rarely see non-dairy kefir in stores and the sugar intake is not high or lack of compared to other flavored kefirs.  By purchasing this kefir - I have control on the ingredients that goes in my juice or smoothie.

 

 

Boiled a tea pot of Green Rooibos.
Let the tea cool down.

 

Once the tea is 100% cool then add it to the blender.  *I have utilized my blueberries and grapes I had in the freezer a few months ago.

                                                                                

organic blueberries, organic red grapes,
and a small piece of fresh ginger

                                                                                   

Now, you are ready to blend your ingredients.

 

Then added 1 tablespoon of the kefir.  (read the directions on the amount of dosage).  * I used 2 tablespoons since my body is already accustom to the bacteria. 

                
                                                                                                Enjoy!
                                                                                

 

SECRET FOR A CLEAN DIGESTIVE TRACT

"Healthy Digestive Tract"

     Fiber is the secret to having a clean digestive tract.  Why fiber?  Fiber keeps your digestive tract regulated and reduces the risk of certain cancers, such as, colon and breast cancer.  As I mention several times in previous postings the digestive tract is 70% of your immune system.  If the tract is off, your body goes through signs letting you know "hey I'm off track".  For example, constipation.

What is constipation?

     I know constipation is a "taboo" word few of you don't want to hear or talk about. But, there is no other way in getting around it.  So deal with it.  If you are one of the few who suffers from this symptom, I know it can be frustrating, painful, and very uncomfortable. 

 

     Constipation occurs when bowl movements are less frequent (#2).  If you are not making #2 two-four times a day or every two days, then this should be a red flag for you.  Going longer than 3 days straight with no bowel movement is way too long.  This action causes the bowel to be hard to pass (hard rock stools) and straining. 

 

Causes of constipation

• Lack of fiber in the diet
• Lack of water intake
• No exercise
• Stress
• Eating high carbs, starches, and dairy products (cheese)
• Overuse of laxatives (*overtime it will weaken the bowel muscles)
• Medications
• Antacid containing calcium or aluminum
• Pregnancy
• Colon cancer



 

Symptoms of constipation

• Abdominal pain
• Bloated/Swollen abdomen 
• Vomiting
• Pain

 

**If you are experiencing constipation for two weeks or more, seek medical assistance as soon as possible.



 Prevention

 

Eat a well balance diet-  increase the fiber foods.

Fruits, vegetables (dark greens) kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, collard greens, dandelion, beet greens, arugula, spinach, cabbage, beans, and whole grains etc.







 

 Different types of fiber
     Soluble fiber attracts water.  It mixes with the water and digestive enzymes by the liver to create a gel.  This slows digestion.  Soluble fiber controls blood sugar and reduces cholesterol.  It is found in oat bran, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, barley, brown rice, some vegetables (carrots) and fruits. (apples & oranges).


Yellow (natural coloring from turmeric) Brown Rice with Juniper Berry

    Insoluble fiber adds bulk to the stool needed to clean out the colon.  It absorbs water and swells inside your intestine to produce a feeling of fullness.  Insoluble fiber helps food pass quickly through the stomach and intestines to remove waste and toxins the body doesn't need.  Insoluble fiber controls and balance the pH (acidity) in the intestines.  Vegetables, such as, dark green leafy greens and green beans, whole wheat/grain products, wheat bran, corn bran, root vegetable skins, fruit skins, seeds, and nuts are the food sources of insoluble fiber.   



     In conclusion, fiber foods is the "secret" to having a clean digestive tract.  We all need the fiber to help balance out the pH levels in the intestines to avoid colon cancer.  Plus, it helps keep moving the waste out of our system as constantly as possible.  Try a dairy-free probiotic supplement daily (store in fridge).

 Eat the foods to live!


HOLIDAY MEALS

Christmas and The New Year are approaching.  Are you ready?  Does the holidays stress you out?  Do you eat a lot?  I know I overeat until my tummy seems not to take it anymore and stuff in which I cannot move. 

Well, we cannot stop time but we can control what we eat and do.  "WILL POWER"

The holidays brings together family and friends.  Fine food, good company, and laughter for the soul.

Here are some suggestions to digest that big meal:

1. Keep it moving -  take a walk after you eat.
2. Eat slow - enjoy the meal better yet savor every bite.  Eating too fast causes you to overeat which may make you become bloated, heartburn, stuffed, and uncomfortable.
3. Fiber - eat fresh fruits (PAPAYA)  and dark green colorful vegetables and whole grains!  This will help get your digestive tract working and moving along.
4. Reduce foods that you know will cause you a lot gas and bloating.
5. Drink water! water! WATER- especially if you are drinking some alcohol and experiencing constipation.
6. Drink hot ginger tea before or after your meal.
7. *Pro-biotics acidophilus - should be taken everyday "GOOD BACTERIA"- useful in fighting the following conditions:

• IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
• DIARRHEA
• GAS, BLOATING, FLATULENCE
• RECURRING VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS
• BAD BREATH

Supplement to restore digestive health

Natural Papaya & Pineapples Enzymes (chewable - taken with a meal)

Natural Remedies to help with uncomfortable digestion

• Apple cider vinegar -  1 - 2 teaspoons in 8 0z of water (cannot tolerate vinegar then don't try it)
• Chamomile tea
• Aloe Vera juice soothes the digestive track - 1-2 ounces in 4 ounce of water
• Licorice
• Coconut water
• Peppermint tea
• Natural Bitters

***My Special Digestive Tea -  I make this all the time for myself and love ones. 

1 teaspoon of fennel seeds

3 quarter size pieces of fresh ginger root - smashed up (prefer organic)

1 ceylon cinnamon stick 

1 dried out organic orange peel (or piece of a organic orange peel- no pesticides!)

1/2 teaspoon of cloves

Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Then add the above herbs/spices.  Boil for about 10 min. to release all the natural properties and oil of the herbs/spices.  Steep for 5 min.

Drink... Enjoy   you can add raw agave nectar (prefer for diabetics) or honey or just drink it without sweetness.....

Absolutely no sugar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!