genuine,

You are welcome for the reminder! Thank "you" for the quinoa tip! I think I'll give that a try. I recently starting putting a little dry oatmeal in my smoothies to make them a little more filling, and I'm liking that too!

amyelizabeth94,

Sorry for my late reply! Traveling... that's a tough one!! Green powders are better than nothing, but they can't (and shouldn't) replace fresh greens unfortunately. If you can stay in places with a small fridge (seems lots of the higher end hotels have them these days), you could bring along some greens and fruit with you - or, pick them up at a nearby grocery (even in small towns, most Walmarts carry organic greens). Have you seen the travel sized blenders? These would enable you to keep up the smoothies. Check this one out: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-51101...r/dp/B00065L6CU . The Magic Bullets are also quite small and would work as well. If you come up with a cool solution, let us know, as I know this is a tough one for many people.

The addition of Green Smoothies has definitely enhanced my general mood and helped to even my faces tone (reduce redness), but the sugar from the fruit makes me break out around my mouth, which is my main problematic area. Is there a remedy for this?

Also, where have you guys found the cheapest place to get greens in bulk?

^I have actually heard that Walmart is the cheapest place to buy greens - even organic greens!

Sorry you are having issues around your mouth. It may actually be that you are allergic to a particular fruit, so you might try experimenting with different fruits. There are low-sugar fruits you can also try, like apples and pears. The fiber in the fruits and greens does help to counteract the sugar, so the natural sugars present shouldn't be much of a problem. It may also be a detox reaction. Also, you might try one of the veggie smoothie recipes and only use half an apple or pear. Some people make them without any fruit. Hang in there!

Well, I've been doing green smoothies since the beginning of March with my Vitamix. I've tried many different topical medicines as well as a couple times on accutane. I was attempting a natural cure through supplements, but I guess I wasn't getting enough. The green smoothies have helped me quite a bit. Here is what I've noticed over the past few months:

You have to keep up on them. You need to do them every day for the results to work. I was pretty much on with every single day (and seeing results) up until the last couple weeks. Only the last week have I gotten back to doing it every day and I almost feel like I'm back to square one (I'm not though, keep reading!)

Mix it up! If you do the same thing all the time, it gets a little boring. Go get fruit you've never heard of and throw it in there. The first one will taste off, but the next day you'll know what else to put in there to balance out the flavor.

Although I said to mix it up, there are times when you want to make one to go as I used to for breakfast before school. The quickest recipe I've found was:

An apple or orange

Banana

~5 Strawberries

Several Blueberries (if you have em)

Flaxseed/Pre-milled flaxseed

Half cup of water

3/4 cup of ice

Takes about 5 minutes to make, very quick and easy and makes about two servings.

Last thing, I mentioned in that recipe to use flaxseed... Do it. Might as well throw it in there because you're probably not getting those Omega 3s anywhere else.

With all that being said, when I was regularly doing it, my skin was great. It still is, but I'm starting to see blemishes pop up again. My skin is sensitive to things like sugar which is why I've cut out chocolate and soda (except with booze) from my diet completely. Temptations arise, however, and I'll eat/drink the stuff and have some red on my face. But its not nearly as bad as before. If I get a pimple and it gets a white head, I can usually pop it the safe way and it will be reduced to about nothing in a day.

The most dramatic changes I've noticed, however, were my skin tone, scar smoothness, and overall skin healing.

Skin tone - Used to have red cheeks from scars and the tone has really evened out all together. My skin looks GREAT. I wish I had a before and after picture, but I can really tell a difference.

Scar smoothing - Cheeks used to be a little bumpy from many small scars. Not enough for anyone to really notice without feeling, but it certainly bothered me. They have smoothed out so much now. This is like natural dermabrasion that I can afford and enjoy. I'm amazed because I was looking at all of the techniques before I started the smoothies and they sounded a bit much. These things really helped. Note that my scars are still visible, but I'm not as concerned about that as I am how it feels, and it feels wonderful.

Overall skin - Noticed this just recently. Worked an outdoor grill for the state track meet here for a good 6-7 hours a day for 3 days. Sun was out pretty bad, and since I just had beginning stage melanoma diagnosed recently, I wore sunscreen for the first time in a long time. Unfortunately, because we were so busy, I didn't have time to reapply. My face and hands were burnt from both the sun and grill flames. I have skin that when I get burned really bad, I peel really bad, but then I have a tan that turns me from white to brown. This did not happen. I peeled VERY minimally when normally I would have been peeling horribly for a week or two. Instead, my skin is the brown it is post-burn. This is my personal experience, I'll continue to wear sunscreen (first time melanoma in the family is a little scary), but the healing power is in fact there.

Thanks again for this post, and just like every regimen, you HAVE TO STICK WITH IT AND DO IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. Its great not only for your skin, but your overall health as well. They're also great for hangovers!

Cheers!

Spinach isn't really a Cruciferous Vegetable is it? Im having abit of difficulty finding any information about it containing DIM. Cant wait to move off spinach and onto something like kale with less oxalic acid (worried about stones), but its hard to find!! Anyone tried a broccoli smoothie?

Spinach isn't really a Cruciferous Vegetable is it? Im having abit of difficulty finding any information about it containing DIM. Cant wait to move off spinach and onto something like kale with less oxalic acid (worried about stones), but its hard to find!! Anyone tried a broccoli smoothie?

Broccoli, spinach and parsley are my main ingredients. Doesn't taste bad at all. I usually add some ginger, lemon and tons of berries to balance it out.

I've been drinking my wheatgrass juices for a couple months now.

Basically its homegrown wheatgrass in a blender with water and a spoon of honey. Tastes ok.

Im still using BP at night so its hard to tell if the wheatgrass has made any difference.

Is there any easy way of telling? I cant see myself going off BP any time soon. Last time i did it took me 3 months nearly to control my cystic acne again. I mean it was very bad...

Hey - sorry if you've already been over this, but this thread is really long now...

I know you're supposed to rotate leafy greens, but is it ok to eat the same one for more than a week straight?

I'm trying to save money so I like to buy certain greens when they are on sale...

I've been drinking green smoothies since January, they are the best!

chons,

Thanks for sharing all that with us! So glad they're helping you out so much!

theknife,

Spinach is a cruciferous, and I think you'd have to eat a lot of spinach to worry about the oxalic acid. Still though, I wouldn't go overboard on it (like blending an entire 9 oz. bag in one day). Definitely use other greens as well. Don't worry about kidney stones. If you do start to think you're getting them, get a bottle of the Chinese herb Shilintong - it'll take care of them! (Worked awesome for me 10 years ago!!)

joconnor,

Based on your experience, I'd be afraid of you going off BP too! I'd only do it if your skin is and has been about 95-100% clear for several months with only small-medium blemishes appearing! And, I would at least be sure to add in a 2% salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid, or BHA) if you go off the BP.

lara6,

Yes, I think that's fine - I often do the same thing, as I'll buy a big bag of one particular green. If you rotate them every week or so, that should be just fine.

Spinach is not a cruciferous vegetable... Cruciferous vegetables are the Brassica family, spinach is not a part of it.

^ Oh my goodness!! I looked up spinach to show you that it "was" a cruciferous vegetable, but it appears that you're right Drizzler!! I guess this is one that people get confused about a lot, because I have over and over again seen it listed as a cruciferous, and I never doubted it. However, it‚„s ‚Å“not‚ included in Wikipedia‚„s list of cruciferous veggies, and it‚„s not included in Dr. Fuhrman‚„s either!! All this time I thought spinach was a cruciferous‚¦ sorry I‚„ve been misinforming everyone about this! ‚¦someone please sprinkle me with some fairy dust, as I'm suddenly feeling quite disoriented, and I think I just ran out!!

Drizzler, thank you very much for setting me straight on this. There's no telling how long I would have kept thinking spinach was a cruciferous if not for you!

At least we do know it's one of the highest nutrient foods (as are the "real" cruciferous veggies!) - I still highly recommend spinach! Nutrient Density

Indeed spinach is still a god amongst leafs. Just bought myself ALOT of mature kale- so happy!

my latest mix i've been rolling with:

Juice 2 cups of chopped broccoli, a chunk of ginger and half a tomato.

Add juice to blender with 2 cups of kale/spinach/rocket salad mix

Add 1/3 of green apple and 3 cups of water

Blending the broccoli didnt work for me (so amazingly gluggy and pulpy), but if you juice it and add it to the blender it creates a really creamy fluffy texture! Feeling so healthy right now.

Hiya,

Great post, I will give it a go and keep you informed!

Are the smoothies something that is best drunk first think on any empty stomach or doesnt it matter?

x

IMO the most beneficial time to drink it would be in the morning when your body needs the most nutrients.

I also have a mini protein smoothie post workout.

theknife,

I agree, spinach still rocks!! I bought a big plastic container of it yesterday. Your drink idea sounds yummy!

DaisyMai,

I agree with hesitation that mornings are probably best, and I say this because I have often read that fruits are very cleansing in the morning. Lately, I've been making mine right after working out in the morning, and I've been adding in a little raw oatmeal too to make the smoothies more filling - I'm really liking that! Would love to know how you progress! Good luck!

has anybody here tried making cultured veggies in place of probiotics?

I made homemade sauerkraut a long time ago - it was good! You can also make kefir. I've made kefir from both goat's milk (years ago) and from water. Both are really good!

Hiya,

Thanks for the feedback. Yeh I guess it makes sense to drink them first thing as it would give you a boost! Kinda like drinking hot water with lemon i guess.

Im doing my food shopping tonight so all systems go.

What would be your top 10 things for me to buy?

x

Also i see you suggest sweating,do you think this helps?

Ive been researching and some say that sweating helps expel toxins while others say that it further clogs the pores,im not sure. I think it makes mine worse, although this may be because I have two horses that I ride and obviously I have to wear a hat and body protector which doesnt do the skin any good! I love riding though so im kinda stuck

I do wear a bandaner under my hat but other than that not alot I can do.

x

DaisyMai,

How fun that you ride horses!! I had friends that did that growing up, and I always thought it was such a fun thing to be involved in, and a great after-school stress reliever too! haha

I do agree that sweating helps, however, I think it's a bad idea to let sweat "sit" on your skin. I would have a towel or something handy to wipe your face with (even just using your hand can help to remove an excess of sweat), and I would advise washing your face soon after sweating as well. I wouldn't concern yourself with this too much though - don't let it get in the way of enjoying what you're doing.

Top then things to buy... hmm.... great question! Ok, if it were me, and I had only 10 items to buy, it would be:

1. Kale/Collards (for smoothies)
2. Cabbage (for coleslaw)
3. Bananas/Apples (for smoothies)
4. Avocado
5. Beans
6. Raw Cashews (for dressing)
7. Unroasted Tahini (sesame seeds) - great on veggies mixed with lemon juice, paprika and crushed garlic
8. Frozen Vegetable Mixes (to steam or add to soups).
9. Frozen Fruit (to add to smoothies or to make sorbets with, in which case, blend them with orange juice concentrate for a tasty treat).
10. Condiments (such as lemon juice concentrate, frozen orange juice concentrate, dijon mustard, seasonings, and garlic/onions).

Whew!!! It all fit into 10 items! Well... except for the condiments I guess. Obviously, you'll want to go easy on the nuts/seeds and follow the tips for those prone to acne, such as going easy on fruits. However, nuts and seeds are highly nutritious (especially sesame seeds) and should be a daily part of your diet. Beans and avocado are good to eat daily as well (I'd guess about 1/4th an avocado daily for you). You can put the dressing below on them, or just lemon juice and some Mexican seasonings - or, add them to mixed salad greens or to veggies. Of course, you'll want to mix these items up and not eat the same things all the time, but hopefully this gives you an idea. You can also PM me if you'd like more recipes and tips!

With the cashews, you can make a really easy and tasty dressing:

1 cup cashews

1 cup water

3 tbs lemon juice

3 tbs dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic

Mix all ingredients in blender

For coleslaw, sprinkle on some turmeric and raisins - sooo yummy!

Hey,

Thanks for that, you sound like your a smoothie guru

Sorry to be a pain, if i tell you what ingredients i have do you think you could give me a good first green smoothie recipe please?

I have: apples,pears,bananas,mixed frozen red berries,lemon

spinach,watercress,rocket,kale and basil

seeds

garlic,cinammon,cayenne chillie pepper,cocoa, vanilla extract

rice milk

houmous

Unfortunatly i think wearing my riding hat and sweating aggravates it,but what can i do?

Love riding,its addictive.Although did have a frightening experience the other day!

Also im going to take a hormone test as my dietician thinks i may have one, would like to treat it naturally.

Many thanks

x

Wow, that's a lot of smoothie ingredients! I think I would start with the following, but this is just based on my personal preference:

1-2 bananas

1 handful spinach (because mild in flavor)

1-2 cups water

2 tbs cocoa powder

1 ts vanilla extract

honey (only if it's not sweet enough)

Greens, especially cruciferous vegetables can help regulate hormones, so you are on the right track!

Hiya,

Thanks for that.I made one earlier but it didn't taste great Think maybe it wasn't sweet enough.

I blended ; bluberries

1 small banana

handul of mixed green leaves

1/2 teaspoon of cocoa and tiny bit of cinammon

few seeds

water

Think maybe i needs more fruit

Will keep experimenting

x

^ Yes, I would try a little more fruit - another banana, or some frozen mango, pineapple, etc. Strawberries and raspberries are great with cocoa. The more you do these, the more greens you'll be able to tolerate. You might try it without the seeds too for now. I would focus now on simple, tasty smoothies, and then you can experiment with adding in other things later. The main thing is to be able to get in your blended greens.

I haven't looked at this entire thread (it's massive! haha) but I just wanted to say thank you for making such a compendium of information!

I don't really eat THAT healthy but if I ever want to, this info will be helpful. haha.