nala,

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear of this! It must be frustrating--especially since you had gotten so much better. I am hoping others will chime in with their guesses as well, but mine is that it may very well be the cilantro. Cilantro is an excellent heavy metal detoxer, and it may be that it was causing you to detox too quickly. I'm glad you stopped, but you could always very gradually add it back in once your skin goes back to normal. For now, I would be sure to drink lots of water, and I would continue the smoothies with greens such as kale, collards, and spinach.

Also, can you think of anything else you've added to your diet that could be doing this? Any citrus foods? Nuts? Dairy? Any new skin care products? I'm sure you would have mentioned these if so.

I hope it clears up for you soon, and I'm sure it will. I once (before green smoothies) had a terrible reaction to Arbonne in which I broke out very badly. I discontinued the products, and my skin went back to normal (mild acne), but it was a very odd reaction. I'm sure yours is similar and that your skin will return to normal soon.

One other thing that might be helpful.... I came across a couple products once that were mentioned to help keep toxins from coming out of your skin when detoxing. They were both by Dr. Foster's Essentials. One was "Echinacea Premium," and the other was "Blood Detox." From looking at them, my guess is that echinacea, olive leaf extract, and possibly yarrow, red clover and yellow dock can all help. You might just try an Echinacea tea. I like Traditional Medicinals. Definitely continue your greens!

Can anyone else add anything?

Thanks for replying. I guess this week I have had a bit more carbohydrates than usual, more potatoes and parboiled rice. But I have eaten this way in the past with no extreme breakouts on my face. The only other thing I can think of is, is a gluten free rice bread which had flax seeds in it. I've read flax can cause breakouts but once again there weren't a lot in the loaf.

I'm hoping it was just a reaction to something I consumed and that the "power" of the green smoothies aren't disappearing. I've been so happy with the results, especially since I am vegan and its a great way to get my greens.

I've still been drinking my smoothies, like you mentioned I would drink lots of water and I'll get the tea. Hopefully whatever is in my system can be removed without any more ill effects.

I hope so too Nala!! Any improvement in the last couple of days?

Usually, when making these I don't mind specific amounts really, I just throw in couple of fruits and vegetables and with water done, or sometimes with yogurt.. yum. I don't have problem with greek yogurt, but just eat them occasionally for the good bacterias.

DaftFrost,

That's great! A little yogurt here and there might be okay for some, and I agree about the importance of the good bacteria! Glad you're enjoying smoothies!

ABG, i love this thread -thanks for posting! I have been drinking green smothies/green juices since November and while it has never noticeable seemed to help my ance, it has helped my digestion and BM. Don't know what my route cause is yet but still searching.......and as sad as i am over my acne, i feel that green smoothies are a vital part of my health.

hey guys, another from australia.

i too have spent over a year looking for greens such as kale/collared etc, been everywhere and cant find them still, I guess aus just dont grow them, I havent even been able to find seeds/plants to grow them.

what might be some other veggies one can use instead that might relate to kale etc?

sasch12,

You are so welcome!! I'm happy the green smoothies are at least helping you in some ways! Sometimes it can take weeks, or even months before more changes are seen, so definitely hang in there. Have you looked at the diet tips section on the first post? There are additional things you might try.

FSAS,

I would suggest going to your nearby grocery stores and health food stores and see what types of leafy greens you see. You can then do some research on these to see which you think are best, but it's a great idea to do a variety anyway. Have you looked in the frozen section perhaps? If you can't find leafy greens anywhere, you can use broccoli. Do you at least have cabbage? You might also consider a powdered greens supplement--I think these are a great addition to green smoothies!

I started blending on Sunday and I'm already seeing a huge difference in my skin. (3 days ago)

1 tablespoon spirulina

1 tablespoon chlorella

handfull of organic spinach

handfull of organic kale

1/2 cucumber

I started blending on Sunday and I'm already seeing a huge difference in my skin. (3 days ago)

1 tablespoon spirulina

1 tablespoon chlorella

handfull of organic spinach

handfull of organic kale

1/2 cucumber

 

I love making smoothies, but i've never made one with only greens. Are you enjoying the taste of this particular one? I can't handle them without a little fruit. (Not saying you should alter what's working for you)

crashoran,

Are you still making smoothies? I'm glad you were already noticing results with your skin! That's a very healthy smoothie you were making--way to go!!

Hey ABG Fairy!

I was wondring what you think about Di-Indoyl Methane?

I know people take it as a supplement because it is supposed to have some of the good effects of cruciferous veggies

Hey Jokerj! How have you been?

I think DIM is worth considering, and it might help speed up your results. There have been a few threads about it here. The following was linked in Alternativista's "Good Things For Acne" post: http://www.acne.org/...en-production/.

Great, thanks!

I've been good! Sadly, my studio apartment-sized blender has broken and, with so many classes and my meal plan at the dining hall, I haven't been drinking my green smoothies! A bit of strange skin, which I think can also be attributed to the weather.

Hope all is well with you!

Oh no! I hope you're able to replace it soon! In the meantime, eat lots of salads!! hehe I hope you're having a great sememster!

Interesting article on blenders! All Blenders Are Not Created Equal: Which One Is Best For Your Needs?

Hi guys, I'm new here and so I haven't read all 143 pages of this thread. I would love to start incorporating smoothies into my diet but I have 2 concerns:

1. Doesn't it cost a lot to eat this healthy? I'd have to be constantly buying fresh leafy greens to make these smoothies and that adds up. Here I'll do some math. $4 worth of fresh baby kale would last about 3 days if I made 1 smoothie a day. So I'd have to spend $40 per month on kale alone. Then there are the other veggies I'd need to add, and before you know it I'd be at $100 per month on just smoothies...

2. Is there a good way to grow a garden indoors so I can make smoothies from a small indoor garden?

3. Is there any actual proof (scientific evidence) that blending the veggies like that makes it 4 times more bio-available than veggies you would eat from a salad by chewing them?

Thanks guys

Seeking2012,

1) A small carton of greens should last you about 1 week, which isn't bad. If cost is a factor, you might try a smaller amount of greens. Most people start out with a small handful of greens in the beginning when they're getting used to the taste. Also, your smoothies can be simple. Apples are super cheap--how about an apple and a small handful of greens? Or greens and a banana? Check your grocery store and just buy the produce items that are lower priced--they fluctuate throughout the season, so keep an eye on that.

2) Excellent idea and worth looking into. I have a friend who never has to buy greens! Her garden is outside, but if you have a window with some good sunlight, I'm sure this is possible. Greens you grow yourself are better for you than store bought anyway.

3) The reason you get about 4 times the nutrients is because the blender is more thoroughly able to break up the plant's cell walls--much more thoroughly than just chewing alone, so this releases more nutrition within the cell walls. Dr. Joel Fuhrman agrees with this, and he relies on peer-reviewed studies more than any doctor I know of, so this is probably pretty accurate, and it makes sense if you think about it.

Good luck!

Arent these smoothies "unnatural"? I mean i don't know if the body can handle such a large shock of veggies/fruits all at once?

^ That is a good question, but juicing gives an even higher concentration of veggies/fruits, and it's very healing for many people. Our soils are so deplete in nutrients these days that I think it's good to get all we can get!

I want to share a recipe that I don't think I've shared yet! It's low-glycemin, which we all know is best for acne sufferers!! It might sound odd, but I promise, it's really good.

1 big handful of spinach

1/4 large avocado

1/4 cup frozen berries

2-3 spoonfulls cocoa powder

1 squirt of honey

1 1/2 cups water

Enjoy!!

Cannot underestimate these babies. The more finely you blend them, the more cell walls get broken down giving you access to more of the nutrients locked away in the greens. Mine end up being like a green paste

I've just managed to make these a daily habit. Because I get so many greens from the CSA/Coop where I volunteer in exchange for free organic produce. They buy a lot of beets this time of year and the beets can be stored for the next week (it's a one day a week deal) but the greens can't. So I cut them off and take whatever I want home. I pick all the baby leaves out. Beets are related to Chard. And they are delicious.

I usually do beet greens, a little bit of banana and hibiscus tea, the best kept secret in the beverage world, for the liquid. And I have an old school vintage beehive bar blender. The old school blender bottoms can be screwed onto canning jars, so I make my smoothie in a pint jar and then drink out of it while I rinse off the base. It's been trendy lately to drink from canning jars. People pay up to $10 per jar with a lid for a hole drilled in it for a straw.

Onefatalgoose,

Green paste!! Too funny!! I have been making some lately that are rather on the thick side as well. I am really loving the avocado/chocolate smoothies, and today I added in plant-based protein powder, and alfalfa and barley powder--so good!!!

Alternativista,

So cool about the beat greens, and I love that you drink out of canning jar. I use those for storage--they are so cute! It's hard to find the screw on plastic lids for them, but I got some on Amazon. I remember hibiscus tea when I studied in Mexico years ago (they call it Jamaica tea). It was very, very popular in Mexico---people would sell it walking down the streets! I think it sort of has a fruit-punch smell and taste--delicious! I believe it's helpful for the kidneys, and based on your statement, I'm guessing it has many other health benefits too! It's been a while since I've had any, and I had never thought to put it in a smoothie--thank you for sharing your ideas!! I'll think I'll have to buy some hibiscus tea soon.

Edit: Okay, especially with Alternativista's recommendation, I had to check out hibiscus tea! Dr. Mercola has great things to say, and he even sells an extract! I'm guessing it's cheaper to just steep the tea yourself though. Do you have a source you like Alternativista?

I want to share a recipe that I don't think I've shared yet! It's low-glycemin, which we all know is best for acne sufferers!! It might sound odd, but I promise, it's really good.

1 big handful of spinach

1/4 large avocado

1/4 cup frozen berries

2-3 spoonfulls cocoa powder

1 squirt of honey

1 1/2 cups water

Enjoy!!

Thank you for sharing. I'll try this as soon as possible.