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it, know that it may still taste pleasant but it no longer has the same healing benefits that in did when it was originally made.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

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…

Music by Dyan Garris from www.voiceoftheangels.com thank you Dyan for your gift to Heal Yourself Talk Radio and allowing us use of “Dragonfly” on our Boston Radio show.

Have you ever had days when you felt alone?  You wanted to give up? You felt like no one loves you?

I have had days like that.  Days when it feels like the world is coming down on me, and I cannot understand it…instead of giving up I turn to music, family, friends and my inner self.

One of the videos and songs I love to listen to help me remember that I am loved is “Don’t Give Up, You Are Loved” by Josh Groban.

Remember no matter what you are going through someone does love you!

DON’T GIVE UP! I didn’t….

-Rebbekah White

Lyrics from http://www.lyricstime.com

Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
When you’re heart’s heavy
I…I will lift it for you

Don’t give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I…I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the hurt that you hide
When you lost inside
I…I will be there to find you

Don’t give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I…I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
Don’t give up
Every one is to be heard
You are loved

Another inspirational video by Josh Groban…

Lyrics from http://www.lyricstime.com

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up: To more then I can be.

Another inspirational song that I have loved for a long time, my favorite music is Celtic music…it transports me to another time and space.

-Rebbekah White

Lyrics to Orinoco Flow from http://www.lyricstime.com

let me sail, let me sail, let the orinoco flow,
let me reach, let me beach on the shores of Tripoli.
let me sail, let me sail, let me crash upon your shore,
let me reach, let me beach far beyond the Yellow Sea.
da da, da da, da da, da da, da da

sail away, sail away, sail away
sail away, sail away, sail away
sail away, sail away, sail away
sail away, sail away, sail away

from Bissau to Palau - in the shade of Avalon,
from Fiji to Tiree and the Isles of Ebony,
from Peru to Cebu hear the power of Babylon,
from Bali to Cali - far beneath the Coral Sea.

da da, da da, da da, da da, da da

turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up adieu
turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up adieu
turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, up, up adieu

sail away…

from the North to the South, Ebudæ into Khartoum,
from the deep sea of Clouds to the island of the moon,
carry me on the waves to the lands I’ve never been,
carry me on the waves to the lands I’ve never seen.

we can sail, we can sail, with the orinoco flow,
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away
we can steer, we can near with Rob Dickins at the wheel,
we can sigh, say goodbye Ross and his dependencies
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away

we can reach, we can beach on the shores of Tripoli
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away

from Bali to Cali - far beneath the Coral Sea
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away

from Bissau to Palau - in the shade of Avalon
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away

we can reach, we can beach far beyond the Yellow Sea.
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away

from Peru to Cebu hear the power of Babylon,
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away
we can sail, we can sail,
sail away, sail away, sail away..

I was having a horrible week a month ago, feeling so down and out of body…nothing I did got me out of the slump, I felt like the world was against me.  I had to create a video for my radio show Heal Yourself Talk Radio so I went slowly to my computer really not wanting to do this work.

After starting to work on the video and finding the perfect music “Its a Beautiful World” my mood lifted and every time I start to feel like the world is coming down on me and I cannot find anything beautiful I play this video.

Despite everything that goes on in our day to day life there is always something beautiful around us!  You just have to dig deep and find what will make you see this, for me it is music….music that is upbeat, makes you dance, makes you think, makes you realize that life is not so bad This helps me…

What music inspires you?  Post a comment and let me know and I will look for the video and post it on Heal Yourself Magazine.

-Rebbekah Lynn White

Another great video and song from Dolly Parton.

Ever wonder how to get back up when you fall down?

Listen to this video to really get your mind back in the right spot….

Gravity will pull us down, but do you have what you need to give you wings?

I have loved Dolly Parton since I could walk.  I remember listening to her music when my mom and grandmother would listen on the radio.  Dolly has always been an inspiration and the below video “Better Get To Living” is by far my favorite!  I love to listen to it when I am feeling down and really need to change my thinking. This song is so inspirational and makes me get up and dance and feel so much better.

Thanks Dolly for always being an inspirational!  Your song is exactly what I need when I am feeling sorry for myself, or feel like life is too hard to keep dealing with….

“All healing has to start with you…” Dolly Parton