One way to help attain and maintain optimal health is by supplementing your dietary intake with fresh juice extracted from raw fruits and vegetables. There are two ways of doing this:  Juicing and Blending. While both of these techniques use whole raw fruits and vegetables, there is also a big difference between the two. When you’re juicing, the liquid from the fruits and vegetables is being squeezed out and separated from the pulp or the fiber, leaving only the liquid to consume. The remaining pulp then can be used to create some amazing dishes. (There is little to no waste with raw food. Almost everything can be reused to create something new and amazing!) By separating the juice from the fiber we are able to get more of the nutrients of the food. Our bodies are able to assimilate those nutrients far faster, thus allowing our digestive systems to have a much needed rest! When we eat food, as opposed to juicing, it takes an enormous amount of resources and energy from our bodies to digest that food.  When we juice, we’re allowing our bodies to work less and use that reserved energy to heal and maintain our body’s health. Raw juices, unlike bottled juices, are entirely whole-food based. They are loaded with high amounts of oxygen, enzymes, minerals and vitamins - not to mention the medicinal effects of the antioxidants, chlorophyll and phytochemicals they contain. Fresh juice is like a liquid vitamin supplement.  It hits the body fast! It provides the body with greater energy and faster recovery from illness and juicing actually slows the aging process!  Forget botox, just juice! All of these substances found in raw organic whole juices work synergistically in our bodies to create some amazing healing miracles, even some that science has yet to understand.  When juicing, always drink your juice right away. Because juices are live foods, they will oxidate quickly and lose their enzymatic effect if not digested within the first 20 to 30 minutes of the juicing process. So, if you have juices left over and refrigerate it, know that it may still taste pleasant but it no longer has the same healing benefits that in did when it was originally made. When preparing your green juices a good rule of thumb is to use only 1 part green vegetables to 3 parts carrot, apple or beet. This sweeter base makes the drink far more palatable.

One painless way to get started juicing or blending is to replace one meal a day with a delicious whole food juice or smoothie.  Some people find that they get a greater cleansing effect by choosing one day a week when they only drink juices or smoothies.  I personally juice every morning and also pick one day per week when I drink nothing but fresh juices.
When juicing keep in mind some the therapeutic and cleansing effects of the following fruits and vegetables.

• Apples help to detoxify the blood. They are a fantastic digestive aid and they also act as a laxative.

• Beets are amazingly cleansing to the liver. They also stimulate bowel movements and are very high in iron content.

• Carrots are very alkalinizing to our bodies. They are a great source of vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K.

• Celery is very high in organic sodium. This makes them a great thirst quencher. Celery is also known for it calming effects; it’s great for our nerves.

• Kale is cleansing to our kidneys, super high in chlorophyll and is loaded with protein and calcium.

When blending or making smoothies, as opposed to juicing, the pulp or fiber still remains a part of the final product.  In that way, smoothies truly are a meal and have some amazing health benefits. A big plus for smoothies is that any food can be blended into a creamy texture. Anything! This makes it perfect for someone with dental or digestive problems and ideal for babies. Smoothies are a phenomenal way to transition into a healthier lifestyle. Whether you are completely raw, vegan, vegetarian, or even carnivore, you will be amazed at the immediate health benefits of smoothies. I highly recommend smoothies to those who are just learning how to incorporate raw foods into their lifestyle. They should be a part of your daily routine. Blended drinks are also a fantastic way for kids and adults to get an amazing amount of vitamins and nutrients all while having something that appeals to their sense of fun. There are some incredible recipes for smoothies that will have your kids and YOU thinking they’re chugging down a dessert rather then something that is actually amazingly healthy for them! I can see it now - they’ll be rolling their eyes in pure delight thinking that, somehow, mommy or daddy has lost their mind to be serving this for breakfast, lunch or even dinner!

However, not all smoothies are created equal.

So what’s the difference between smoothies available for purchase in some of those popular local chains and those that I’m referring to here?  Plenty! Unfortunately most of those smoothie chains serve their smoothies with protein powders, dairy, sweet syrups and who knows what else!

Take out all of those crazy and unnecessary additives, and add a few frozen fruits like blueberries and bananas, some fresh kale leaves (or other leafy greens), a little coconut oil, water or almond milk and you’ve got yourself a smoothie or blended drink! It’s really that simple and they’re absolutely delicious!

The downside to drinking a blended mixture is that the body still has to work or expend more energy to digest this drink because of the fiber content.  However, if you’re blending and want to remove the pulp, this can be done very simply. Place your blended contents into a milk bag or sprouting bag and squeeze the juice from the fiber.

So, if you’re wanting to give your body a rest, juice. If you’re trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your lifestyle, both juicing and blending are perfect options!  They both also help our bodies to eliminate waste in a more healthy and timely manner. One important element to both juicing and blending is to CHEW! This may sound crazy, but chewing (or making the chewing action) actually helps get the digestive juices in the mouth working. This way, when the liquid hits your stomach it doesn’t cause any belly discomfort.

Because many fruit smoothies are high in acid, it’s best to use a straw positioned at the back of the mouth so that the liquid avoids the teeth. Then, rinse your mouth with water after you’re done drinking - this prevents enamel erosion.

To get the most out of your juices and smoothies always use organic produce. When shopping look for organics that are on sale and create and organize your menus around those products. Always wash all your produce in a bath of cool water in your sink, dry gently, and then place in green bags.  Be sure to place the day’s date on the bag and then refrigerate. You’ll now be ready to grab anything from the fridge at a moment’s notice and prepare juices and smoothies in an effortless manor.  When fruits are on sale or during the summertime and when farmer’s markets are everywhere, purchase your fruits by the case and freeze them. This makes them a perfect addition to your smoothies any time of year! One thing that I have learned over the years is when freezing my fruits, zipper sandwich bags work like a charm. They allow for easy stacking and access. The fruits don’t freeze into on solid ball when laid flat. This makes it so much easier to open and remove the desired amount, without having to resort to using a hammer to break the frozen fruit apart. When you’re preparing your juices and smoothies remember to cut your fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces. This not only saves on the wear and tear of your appliances, but helps prevent your food from being overheated because your blender or juicer won’t have to work as hard. This will help keep all the enzymes and nutrients intact.

OK, now that you know a bit more about juicing and blending, you’re ready to get started!  So, download some recipes from SplendorInTheRaw.com and start choosing your favorites!

To Your Health!
Chef Tina Jo

Visit Tina Jo’s site below

SplendorInTheRaw.com

From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. http://playingforchange.com

Thank you to Denise Michaels from Testosterone Free Marketing for sharing this with us!

MzMona’s CD Review Roundup
Featured Artist Reviewed: Bishop and Mulholland
Name of CD being Reviewed is: “Essays and Ear Candy”

CD Reviewed By :
Ramona Payne/RSP Promotions,LLC
Entertainment Journalist/CD Reviews/Artist Interviews/On Air Personality/Emcee Live Shows For All Genres’ Of Music:

www.myspace.com/bishopandmulholland

There is only one way to describe the sound of Bishop & Mulholland. Techno or, to quote todays terminology, “Electro Soul”. Bishop & Mulholland is the brain child of one man named “Paul Dirks”. This is one of the most talented men of any music genre. And, if you think that you can pigeon hole him into just one way of creating his music? “NOT”!!! He has something for everyone who takes the time to listen to his new CD called Essays and Ear Candy: It’s a bit of “Pop”, It’s a bit of “Hip Hop”, It’s a bit of “Electro Slide”, It’s please give me that dance floor one more time Miss Donna Summer.

This musician, and great songwriter has captured the entire essence of a forgotten era of a musical movement, and turned it into a musical palate for your ears that stays in your head long after each song has finished playing. You will find that you keep repeating his material over, and over in your mind so much so, that you have to just keep talking yourself out of breaking into a long ago disco dance in the middle of Wal-Mart anywhere USA:

I’m not too sure if it is the way he so masterfully winds his synthesizing expertise throughout his entire project here. The songs on this CD will take the listener on a mental journey if you are among the baby boomers like some of us are. And, it is in that musical journey he takes you on that makes you wish you never had to come back. When I listen to “Essays and Ear Candy”, I am reminded of David Bowie, and Pink Floyd, and my comparison list could go on for a very long time here.

Paul Dirks truly has created himself one masterpiece here to be very proud of for many years to come. Paul also seems to be a very profound lyricist as well, and this is proven on his songs such as the number four track titled, “Babylon”. This song is short, and to the point. There is no guess work here as to what the author of this song is trying to say here. There is no grey areas on this tune whatsoever. However, what makes it so great is the music that Paul has woven in, and out of the words of the song itself. Therefore, the lyrics end up carrying the music instead of the music carrying such a short amount of lyrics.

Now his lyrics get to be even more profound on the number five track titled, “Thrill Of The Chase”. Anyone over the age of eighteen can relate to this self reflection song. Paul describes what the human mind comes to terms with about staying one step ahead of ourselves within. The “Chase”, ends up being yourself trying to stay that one formidable step ahead of yourself, and keep you from doing something that you probably will regret doing at some point in time.

I personally believe the most “Prolific Song” on this CD is track number seven titled; “Labour Of Love”. This song reaches down to the very depths of your soul, and stirs up every ounce of buried pain that lives within, but, we all try our best to keep in a dormant state because, we truly do not want to face that kind of pain. This song brings to surface all of the scars that have remained inside of each man or, woman who has had to take anothers life in the act of “War”. I don’t believe I have ever heard another more honest, and heartfelt song before in all of my forty years in this music industry. “Labour Of Love”, should be the anthem song for all nations that have had to go to war, and fight just so you; my readers, and I, can be here on this New Years Eve so, we too can say that none of our loved ones died in vain. They all died in a “Labour Of Love” for all of their families to have freedom as we all know it today:

I want to thank Mr. Paul Dirks for allowing me to review his CD on this my last CD Review of my very long career in doing this as part of my job. However, as of tonight at 11:59 pm Eastern Time, I, Mz Mona am putting down my CD Journalists Pen as this part of my life has now run it’s course. I hope all of you will read my last CD Review of Paul Dirks Project called “Essays and Ear Candy”.

I want to thank all of my readers for sticking with me throughout my journey in the musical CD writing process, and for never letting me down by not reading those reviews, and being so kind to me over the years. I am thankful to all of you for allowing me to be a part of your online lives as well these last sixteen years. The new way of the computer sure did make it much easier for us old radio journalists in the end. I pray our God will continue to bless all of you, and your families as well. I also want to wish each of you the happiest of new years in this coming 2009 year of change: So, I will sign off one last time here at MzMona’s CD Review Roundup by saying that “Myspace” readers still rock, and you beat the socks off of all other online sites that have followed my industry career. Till we meet again; I just want to say “I love you” to each of you as my very own myspace family:

I do want to remind each of you that I will still be doing some great artists cd reviews as a bonus section for my new friend Rebbekah White here on Heal Yourself Magazine. I have agreed to come aboard as the Official Entertainment Editor for her Entertainment Division she has now included in her Ezine. She has taken up the torch in my stead to help get good music of all genres’ out to the masses through her online voice of the ever so wonderful, and great freedom of speech better known as the “Print Media”. I wish to thank her myself for keeping all of this alive, and well for all of the unknown artists here on myspace who would not have an outlet for getting a professional cd review done, and made available to the reading public. So, all of us in this music industry owe her a debt of gratitude for supporting my efforts after all these years to see that your music has a chance to be heard, and who knows? Maybe in the future, Bekah, and I just might start our own live radio show together so, we can showcase your cd live along with an on air interview to let the buying public know you are alive here in the musical world, and deserve to be heard. God bless each of you artists out there, and I beg of you to just keep pushing, and growing as a band, and as individual artists as well. The wealth of talent on myspace alone is absolutely staggering to me, and it should be to the rest of the computer world.

Thank You Till My Next Bonus CD Review:

MzMona

I love this and just had to put this up on the site because it gave me something to smile about for once

So just sit back, enjoy the show and smile and dance if you can I did!

BUSINESS NOTE: Talk about a cool commercial and a way to promote your business! Wonder how you can use video for your business? Not sure how?  Check this out

Now have fun, push your chair back from your computer, stand up and DANCE!!!

Below is how they made the commercial:

Dave Ramsey offers life-changing financial advice as host of the nationally syndicated radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show, heard by nearly 3 million listeners each week on more than 375 radio stations throughout the United States.

Learn more about Dave Ramsey, listen to past shows and more at his personal site http://www.daveramsey.com

Dave Ramsey offers life-changing financial advice as host of the nationally syndicated radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show, heard by nearly 3 million listeners each week on more than 375 radio stations throughout the United States.

I have watched Dave Ramsey on TV and have listened to him on the radio what a cool surprise to find his TV shows on Hulu.com today.

Below is Dave’s episode from February 13th all about Personal Finances:

Learn more about Dave Ramsey, listen to past shows and more at his personal site http://www.daveramsey.com

So many times we only remember important lessons near Christmas time. During the year we forget others, we are not so nice to people, and we seem to forget others throughout the world are in need of our help and prayers or even just a smile to strangers we pass on the street.

While doing research for more videos to put up on the magazine I ran across the video “We Are The World” this song touched me as a young teenager so very much, and today it still brings back all those same thoughts and ideas I had back then.

“We Are The World” reminds us that everyone can make a difference, AND we each are in charge of our own destinies as well as how others view themselves! What a powerful thought! We change people’s lives each and everyday just by being who we are…so who are you?

Do you think of others? Do you pass people on the street and act like they are not there? Do you treat others bad? When was the last time you smiled at someone? Or give money to the Salvation Army or some other charity that you pass on the street? What about just smiling at a stranger? Or helping them in the parking lot? We don’t have to do a lot to make a difference in this life!

I know this song is not a Christmas song per say but listen to it and hear the words….

“We are the ones who make it a brighter day, so let’s start giving….”

Remember to give a little of yourself each and every day…

Here is the origional video to the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas Time” better known as “Feed the World”it makes me cry everytime I hear it!

My Lovely Lady Pond by Al Cole-Partial Reading-go to Al’s website below to hear the whole version…

To hear more poetry and music by Al Cole-author of “Romance For Women…And All Mankind” click here to go to his website.

To hear more poetry and music by Al Cole-author of “Romance For Women…And All Mankind” click here to go to his website.

I came upon this site this morning while doing some other research for. Can you imagine being able to give someone a wish they desire?  The joy?  The happiness? Not just for them but for yourself as well.

So many times we think we are all alone, no matter your situation in life we are never alone and I commend the creators of Wish Upon A Hero for stepping up and spreading the word about their organization! Everyone has a wish, do you have a wish?  Can you help fulfill someone else’s wish?

I challenge all of you to go to http://www.wishuponahero.com and sign up for a free account.  See who you can help by fulfilling a wish or posting a wish you would like granted.

Everyone can be a HERO!

-Rebbekah Lynn White