A New Take On Salad

If you are like me, you LOVE salad! I really really love salad of almost any kind, which is lucky because its so good for me! But what if you could make salad even more healthy and still keep it delicious? YOU CAN! Instead of using romaine lettuce, or iceburg lettuce, or spinach, or whatever you have been using to make your salads, what about using kale (my little obsession)? You should try it because kale is crazy healthy for you, and it makes you feel so energized after you eat it or drink it in a smoothie. When I first made a kale salad i found it good, but a little harsh. I'm not sure how to exactly describe raw kale but for lack of a better word I will call it tough. Anyway, I was on Young and Raw as I usually am, and I saw a recipe for a kale salad that suggested that is kale is to harsh for you, steam it and then let it cool! Then once it is completely cool add any veg you want, any dressing you want (homemade is best and if not go for a store bought vinaigrette.) I chose cucumbers, tomatoes, and red peppers, and then because I am so far failing at homemade salad dressings, I chose a balsamic vinegar dressing! It is so good I cant even explain it to you. You have got to try this idea out, you will feel great, I promise!

NOW GET OUTSIDE AND GET MOVING, ITS A BEAUTIFUL DAY! (at least where I live :))

Until next time,

The Healthy Grail

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day 26-30

Day 26-30

1 small container ground or unground cinnamon
4 cups spinach
1½ cup strawberry - fresh or frozen
2 cup pineapple - fresh or frozen
1 orange
4 romaine lettuce leaves
2 ribs celery
2 apple
1 cup mango - fresh or frozen
2 cup greens of choice
1 cup blueberries - fresh or frozen
½ cucumber
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
4 leaves kale
2 bananas
5 cups raw, organic unpasteurized coconut water

Day 26

2 banana
4 leaves kale
½ cucumber
1/2 tsp cinnamon
⅛ -1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup coconut or regular water

Cinnamon has the power to help lower LDL cholesterol, which is known as the “bad” cholesterol

Cinnamon can help to control blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin resistance.

Day 27

1 cups blueberries - frozen or fresh
1 cup pineapple - frozen or fresh
2 cups greens of choice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Cinnamon has anti-clotting effects on the blood, which is very important for overall cardiovascular health

Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory, and has even been shown to help reduce arthritis pain with only ½ tsp ingested daily

Day 28

1 cup mango
1 cup strawberry
2 cups spinach
½ tsp cinnamon
1 cup coconut or regular water

Cinnamon has been used to help treat and cure yeast infections, even those that were resistant to other medication

Cinnamon has been studied by the U.S Department of Agriculture In Maine for its ability to stop the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Day 29

2 apple
2 ribs celery
4 leaves romaine lettuce
½ tsp cinnamon
1 cup coconut or regular water

Cinnamon has anti-fungal properties, which may help to fight off candida overgrowth.

Cinnamon can prevent bacterial growth when it is added to foods.

Day 30

1 Orange
1 cup pineapple - fresh or frozen
½ cup strawberries - fresh or frozen
2 cups spinach
½ tsp cinnamon
1 cup coconut or regular water

Cinnamon can help to boost memory and overall cognitive function - even just smelling it will give your brain a boost!

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day 21-25

Day 21-25

5 inches of ginger
4 cups greens of choice
3 banana
1 cup blueberries
8 leaves kale
1 lime
2 cups mango - fresh or frozen
2 cup pineapple
2 orange
1 lemon
1 cucumber
3 ribs celery
5 cups raw, organic unpasteurized coconut water

Day 21

1 cup pineapple
1 orange
1 inch knuckle ginger
4 leaves kale

Ginger is a true super herb. It is a carminative herb, which means that it will help to cleans, as well as heal, the digestive tract

Ginger contains essential oils that help to relax the muscles of the intestinal tract, which will help to ward off bloating and gas


Day 22

2 banana
3 ribs celery
½ cucumber
1 inch knuckle of ginger
½ lemon
1 cup coconut or regular water

Ginger is one of the oldest and most effective remedies for nausea.

Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory powers, and can even help to sooth arthritic pain

Day 23

1 orange
1 cup pineapple
2 cups greens
1 inch knuckle ginger
1 cup coconut or regular water

Ginger has been shown to help defend the body against colorectal, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney and lung cancer by retarding the growth of cancer cells

Ginger promotes sweating, which can help your body rid itself of waste, especially helpful if you feel yourself getting sick!

Day 24

2 cups mango - fresh or frozen
1 lime
4 leaves kale
1 inch knuckle ginger
1 cup coconut or regular water

Ginger has antibiotic properties, so can help you to ward off any bad bacteria that may be lurking around your body.

Ginger can help to reduce the “stickiness” of blood platelets, which can help to protect you from heart disease

Day 25

1 cup blueberries
1 banana
2 cups greens of choice
1 inch knuckle of ginger
1 cup coconut or regular water

Ginger is high in potassium, which can help to relax the tissues of your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely

Ginger is a source of silicon, which is a mineral that promotes healthy hair, skin, bones and teeth

 

 

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day 16-20

Days 16-20

3 bunches mint
4 cups greens of choice
2 cups mango - fresh or frozen
4 cups strawberries - fresh or frozen
1 cucumber
1 cup pineapple
1 cup spinach
5 romaine lettuce leaves
3 ribs celery
2 bananas
1 cup blueberries - fresh or frozen
5 cups raw, organic unpasteurized coconut water
1 Orange

Day 16

1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
2 cups greens of choice
1 handful mint
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Mint is an amazing herb for aiding digestion. Mint will activate salivary glands, promoting a good start to the digestive process, as well as helping to calm and sooth the digestive tract as it is ingested.

Mint contains essential oils, which are known to help calm a nauseated stomach

day 17

2 banana
3 ribs celery
1 handful mint
5 leaves romaine lettuce
1 cup coconut or regular water

Mint can be used as an excellent headache remedy.

Mint can help to clear congestion from the respiratory tract including the nose, throat and bronchial tubes.

Mint helps to sooth and calm a sore throat by cooling the throat tissues

Day 18

2 cups strawberries
1 orange
1 handful mint
1 cup spinach
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Mint helps to prevent bad bacteria from growing inside our mouth, whilst also helping to freshen your breath

Mint has a cleansing effect on the bowels, which is important for overall cleanliness of the body

Day 20

1 cup strawberry
1 cup mango
2 cup greens of choice
1 handful mint
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Mint is currently being studied for its effect in defending the body against cancer

Mint has an overall cooling effect on the body, so can be useful for any conditions where inflammation plays a role.

 

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day 11-15

Days 11-15

2 cups pineapple - fresh or frozen
1 cup mango - fresh or frozen
3 bunches cilantro
4 cups greens of choice
2 orange
2 cups blueberries - fresh or frozen
4 leaves Kale
2 cups spinach
1 cup strawberries
1 cucumber
2 ribs celery
1 lemon
5 cups raw, organic unpasteurized coconut water

 

Day 11

2 ribs celery
½ cucumber
1 handful cilantro
1 banana
½ lemon
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Cilantro is a heavy metal chelator, which means that it helps to pull heavy metals out of your body.

Cilantro can help to reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels

Day 12

1 orange
1 cup strawberries
2 cups greens
1 handful cilantro
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Both the stems and the leaves can be consumed, and are rich in antioxidants, the substances that help to defend your body from free radical damage

Cilantro is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps to balance the fluid levels within your body

Day 13

1 cup pineapple
1 cup mango
2 cups spinach
1 handful cilantro
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Cilantro is very high in vitamin C, an important nutrient for immune function. 100 grams of cilantro will provide you with 30% of your recommended intake of vitamin C.

Cilantro has carminative properties, meaning it can help to cleanse and heal the digestive system

Day 14

1 banana
4 leaves kale
1 handful cilantro
1 cup blueberries
1 cup coconut water or regular water

Cilantro has antiseptic qualities, which means that is has the ability to help ward off infections.

Cilantro is high in vitamin K, which is important in the maintenance and building of bone mass.

Day 15

1 cup pineapple
1 orange
1 handful cilantro
2 cups greens of choice
1 cup coconut or regular water

Cilantro has been used in ancient times as aphrodisiac - a substance that is know to help increase sexual energies.

Cilantro is high in vitamin A, which is important for healthy mucus membranes and healthy looking skin.

HERB - MINT

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day 6-10

Day 6-10

1 apple
2 cups spinach
3 bunches basil
5 romaine lettuce leaves
1 lime
1 inch piece ginger
2 oranges
2 cups strawberries - fresh or frozen
2 cups pineapple - fresh or frozen
3 cups green of choice
3 ribs celery
3 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
5 cups raw, organic unpasteurized coconut water

Day 6

1 apple
2 cups spinach
1 handful basil
1 lime
1 cup coconut water

Basil contains compounds called flavonoids. The particular flavonoids found in basil are known to help defend the cells against damage from radiation.

The volatile oils found in basil have know antibacterial properties - helping to defend your body against pathogens.

Day 7

2 cups strawberries
5 romaine leaves
1 orange - juice or whole orange
1 handful basil


Basil has been known to help stabilize blood sugar levels

Basil has an overall calming effect on the body and the mind

Day 8

2 cups blueberries
1 handful basil
1 cup green of choice
1 cups coconut or regular water

Basil helps to fight and reduce inflammation in the body

Basil contains Beta-carotene which helps to protect your artery walls from free radical damage

Day 9

2 cups pineapple
1 handful basil
2 cups green of choice
1 cup coconut or regular water

Basil contains magnesium, which is important for helping muscles and blood vessels relax, which is very important for blood pressure health

Basil is a good source of iron, which can help to prevent anemia. Quick tip, if you eat iron rich foods like basil with a vitamin C source like oranges or bell peppers, you increase your bodies ability to absorb the iron.

Day 10

3 ribs celery
1 orange
1 cup blueberries
1 inch knuckle of ginger
1 handful basil


Basil can be used in the treatment of cramps, bloating and indigestion because it is soothing and cleansing for the digestive tract

Basil is high in vitamin C, making it excellent for the immune system. It is especially good for the treatment of colds and flus.

HERB - CILANTRO

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day 1-5

The 30 day smoothie challenge, brought to you by:

Visit  http://www.youngandraw.com/  for delicious raw recipes and next months green smoothie challenge! 

I am posting on here because I think some people might want to get a head start on the challenge! I am!

Here is the grocery list and recipes for week one!!!

• 
  

  Day 1-5
  
  2 bananas
  1 orange
  3 cups blueberries - fresh or frozen
  2-3 bunches parsley
  3 inches ginger
  5 leaves romaine lettuce
  3 leaves kale
  1 rib celery
  1 cucumber
  1 cup spinach
  1 cup pineapple
  1 cup strawberries
  1 cup green of choice
  5 cups raw, organic unpasteurized coconut water
    

  
  

  Day 1 Recipe:
  
  1 banana
  3 leaves kale
  1 handful parsley
  1 inch knuckle ginger
  1 cup coconut water or regular water
  
  Parsley is an amazing breath freshener. Try chewing on a piece of parsley after you have eaten a meal that contained lots of garlic or onion.
  
  Parsley contains lots of vitamin C. This will help to increase your immune system, helping you fight off pathogens.
  
  Day 2
  
  2 cups blueberries
  1 cup greens of choice
  1 handful parsley
  1-2 cups coconut water or regular water
  
  Parsley is great for cleaning and clearing the kidneys. It will help to flush out and break up any stones that may be present within the kidneys.
  
  Parsley can also help to clean out the urinary tract, helping with urinary tract infections
  
  Day 3
  
  1 cup pineapple
  6 leaves romaine lettuce
  1 cup strawberries
  1 handful parsley
  1 cup coconut water or regular water
  
  Parsley is great for detox, and cleansing out the colon. It helps to aid digestion and move waste through the intestines.
  
  Parsley is a great anti-inflammatory herb. It can help to ease joint pain caused by inflammation
  
  Day 4
  1 banana
  ½ cucumber
  1 rib celery
  1 handful parsley
  1 knuckle ginger
  1 cup coconut or regular water
  
  Parsley can help to defend the body against heart disease
  
  Parsley is great for bloating and water retention. It can help your body to release excess water, as well as built up waste and gas in the colon
  
  Day 5
  
  1 cup blueberries
  1 orange
  1 cup spinach
  1 handful parsley
  1 cup coconut or regular water