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Monday, November 22, 2010

WheatGrass-my new best friend!

 
Wheatgrass.  It can simply be described as one of the healthiest substances on earth.  Ron Burgundy would call it "glorious".  I call it a lifesaver.  But anyone wanting to jump-start his or her way to a better “you” would benefit from adding this green juice as a supplement to their diet.  I know everyone has heard of wheatgrass, whether it is in their local health food store….or the infamous episode of sex and the city (i.e. when Samantha used it to as an internal deodorant for a guy's . . . ok, I'm leaving that one alone.)  I simply want you to look at some facts about wheatgrass.  Then let’s decide together if this is for you.

1. Wheatgrass contains over 90 minerals.  90.  Yes . . . 90. Including a high concentration of the most alkaline minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium.
      (Why do we want an alkaline system?  Because it’s a disease-free zone).  Low acid = no sick time. Every one who wanted a good recommendation for good alternate source of calcium from last week's milk blog…. well, here is your huckleberry…. coming in at 35mg per serving.
2. It contains the essential enzymes: Protease (assists in protein digestion), Cytochrome Oxidase (a powerful antioxidant), Amylase (facilitates digestion), Lipase (a fat-splitting enzyme), Transhydrogenase (strengthens the heart muscle) & Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) (found in all body cells and is known for its ability to lessen the effect of radiation and slow cellular aging). Translation= skinny bitch with great skin and a normal pooping cycle.
3. Just one teaspoon of Wheat Grass powder, weighing a mere 3.5 grams, is nutritionally equal to an entire spinach salad weighing a full 50 grams – it packs a punch!
4. Wheatgrass has more vitamin C than oranges and twice the vitamin A as carrots!
5. Wheatgrass juice helps your body to build red blood cells, which carry oxygen to every cell. By increasing the oxygenation in the body, you can help offset smog and carbon monoxide and increase your endurance during physical exercise.
6. It also contains 19 amino acids, the building blocks of protein
7. Yes, it's gluten-free. At the early stage of harvest and growth, there is no gluten protein. Work.

Impressed?  Not yet?  Ok, let’s keep going.

Many people starting wheat grass for the first time will experience a great initial cleanse.  i.e., it’s a natural way to take out the garbage. i.e., things will "really" get moving.  Does this image help??!……

Cleanse the Body: Wheatgrass is an extremely beneficial food in terms of both its cleansing capabilities . . . According to ‘The Wheatgrass Book’ (Wigmore, 1985), just 140g of fresh wheatgrass offers the same nutritional value as over 3kg’s of fresh green vegetables!  3kg’s I know most of you don’t get that in a year! That’s 6.6 pounds, Americans!

Wheatgrass is a great source of vitamins B, C, E and carotene, which are hugely effective in destroying and eliminating free radicals and cleansing the body. Wheatgrass is also highly regarded for its ability to cleanse the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract.  Because it is also high in saponin, wheatgrass offers excellent support to the lymphatic system, helping to carry away hundreds and thousands of toxins from the cells of the body. Kulvinskas (Survival into the 21st Century, 1975) wheatgrass helps to ‘detoxify the body by increasing the elimination of hardened mucus, crystallized acids and solidified, decaying fecal matter. And you know how I hate/love fecal matter.

I feel like I’ve said enough, but let’s look at the big one.

Fun Fact: The chlorophyll molecule in wheatgrass is almost identical to the hemoglobin molecule in human blood. The only difference is that the central element in chlorophyll is magnesium and in hemoglobin, it is iron. Fun? that's f...ing amazing!

What does this mean for me, Dr. Fred? Well, if I have to spell it out for you….. All energy from the earth starts where? Answer: The sun! Welcome back to high school.  Plants convert energy from the sun using chlorophyll, co2 and water.  Photosynthesis.
 
Once light energy has excited a sufficient amount of chlorophyll, the light energy is brought to a singular part of the chloroplast. Carbon dioxide molecules, water molecules and a natural chemical called adenosine diphosphate are combined using light energy as a catalyst for the chemical reaction. This reaction produces pure oxygen, which is given off as an unwanted byproduct, and a new chemical called adenosine triphosphate or ATP.”

The reason I choose to break this down?  Because I want to try and grasp the significance of what you are eating. It's the base board of all life.  This is a way for us to get nutrition from the base of the food chain; it’s pure, untainted, and rich in simple fuels for the body. You are drinking the sun. 

Some History: 
Well, what I always wonder….as I happen to do… who started eating grass and found out it was good or helpful in our overall health. Turns out, Charles Schnabel, an agricultural chemist, conducted the first experiments with young grasses in 1930, when he used fresh-cut grass in an attempt to nurse dying hens back to health. “The hens not only recovered, but they produced eggs at a higher rate than healthy hens. Encouraged by his results, he began drying and powdering grass for his family and neighbors to supplement their diets. The following year, Schnabel reproduced his experiment and achieved the same results. Hens consuming rations supplemented with grass doubled their egg production.” 


Sources and what to buy:
Here is where it gets interesting. Wheatgrass shots sold in your local health food store or in juice generation are very expensive. Some cost upwards of 4 dollars a shot.
So… I propose to you two options (there are more, but we both know you are indecisive) :): 

Option Number 1:
There are two companies who make a good wheat grass powder. By good, I mean dehydrated below 107 degrees for enzyme preservation and grown outdoors throughout winter-(this yields a higher vitamin content). The companies are: Sweet Wheat and Amazing Grass. I, personally, use Amazing Grass. It’s affordable and I really like the marketing aspect of the company. They have some wonderful products and also have some great alternatives for kids. i.e., portable green packets for children to pop in their lunch box. Can you imagine your child glowing with energy and focus in the classroom . . . charging towards his/her doctorate, and eventually supporting you in your rickety old age.  For this, you may thank me.  Seriously, the wheat grass powder is great, although it kind of tastes like you're drinking the lawn. I’ve found if you throw it in your smoothie you won’t even notice the taste. Also a shot of water and then a shot of apple juice mixed in works wonders. 

Option number 2:
For those with a green thumb and a flare for adventure….you can grow your own. There are numerous kits online which will send you everything you need. Then you simply buy a hand crank juicer....

     . . . they are cheap, like 20-30 dollars online! So you just follow the directions and the best thing about this stuff…..it keeps growing as you trim it. Just like body hair! 






I’m sorry I couldn’t help it . . . actually, this man’s back hair grows back much slower than your wheat grass garden. Another benefit is the healthy supply of oxygen you’ll be pumping into your home from the . . . say it with me . . . photosynthesis happening in your casa!


Personal experience:

Personally . . . my personal experience, as in . . . my person has noticed extreme focus, great energy, a regular schedule . . . a timely visit three times a day.  T.m.i., maybe, but let's say hi to him one more time . . . I know . . . the angry toilet never gets old.


And, I feel like a superhero when I kid the weights in the gym. I’m anticipating getting my blood worked up as soon as I get a chance to see if there are any chemical changes in my hemoglobin profile . . . but I honestly feel like I’m 18 years old. Ask my castmates in White Christmas, I am pretty much bouncing off the walls and keep up with any of them and all are an easy (cough) ten years younger.

If you are looking for some reputable sights on which wheat grass has been written up . . . here are a few of my favorite links (Not too shabby, I’d say):


2.    Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


3.    And finally my boy …you guessed it…Lance Armstrong…….has about ten articles dedicated to the green power plant!


         http://www.livestrong.com/benefits-of-wheatgrass-juice/


                            Also...here is what I buy! And cheap! The 60 servings or the 30! the 60, obviously, is a much better value.     




Disclaimer:
                                                             As always with any product you should START SLOW especially if you are a processed sugar standard american diet type of gal'! If you take too much too fast and your diet consists of a lot of processed foods, sugar, etc..and you throw yourself into detox, the effects are strong enough for someone to get discouraged...headache, nausea, upset digestive system...there's a lot that should go with it...i.e. water, better diet....so again, please write me with any specific questions. Again I am not  a medical doctor, and while I have played one onstage, this article is an summary of many studies, and opinions through out the nutritional and medical community. Take everything with a grain of *sea salt, and find your own truth. Find what speaks to you. shanti! 



4 comments:

  1. is there a way to build up to this Freddie without it shocking your system too much. I might have to wait for days off if the cleanse is that significant!!!!!
    Can't be dealing with THIS during "Counting Your Blessings", ya know?!?!?!?

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  2. yes...go slow. you can do half the recommended dosage every other day and build up slow. EVERYTHING in moderation. shanti!

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  3. I'm going to order some right now! Thanks for posting this!
    p.s. I saw you in White Christmas on opening night and thought you were WONDERFUL!

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  4. Hey Freddie, I started using the Amazing Grass every morning - and what a difference! I feel GREAT! You are a true inspiration! - Michelle Bishop-Utano

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