Thursday, October 24, 2013

Boost Your Immune System to Fight the Flu!

Vitamin CIt is a known fact that eating living, uncooked foods strengthens the immune system. It is also well-known that sugar suppresses the immune system. Following are some examples of immune-building foods that will help us remain healthy during the cold and flu season.
Vitamin C will help protect against germs and viral infections and by consuming these natural sources in their living state the body's immune system will be strengthened.





BlackcurrantStrawberryGuava
LemonOrangeKiwi Fruit
ClementineGrapefruitRaspberries
LycheeNectarinesPeaches
MangoesPeppersSpring Greens
Brussels SproutsBroccoliCurly Kale
GourdCauliflowerTomato
Green CabbagePotatoes 


As we age, our immune system's fighter response weakens, mostly due to poor diet and lifestyle choices. Vitamin E can be considered your offense against germs and viruses and consuming more of the following foods will produce more of the killer cells our immune system needs to fight off invaders.

Sunflower SeedsAlmondsOlives
SpinachPapayaSwiss Chard
Mustard GreensTurnips GreensCollard Greens
Blueberries
 
  
Beta CarotenoidThe Hallelujah Acres Lifestyle promotes a large consumption of carrot juice which is high in Beta Carotenoid which works behind the scenes to produce T-cells, a type of white blood cell known to guard the body against infection. They work to identify, directly attack and destroy infectious agents. The following foods will also provide high doses of Beta Carotenoid.



CarrotsApricotsAvocado
BlackberriesCantaloupeCherries
CranberriesSweet PotatoPumpkin
SpinachMangoBeets
Summer SquashAcorn SquashPeaches
NectarinesGrapes 


Bioflavenoids
You cannot act like an ostrich and hide your head in the sand, just hoping that you will remain healthy. You must do your part by consuming nutrients that build the body. Another powerful nutrient that will protect against environmental pollutants is bioflavonoids. Be sure to get plenty of these by consuming the following foods.


BlueberriesRaspberriesCranberries
Blackberries CherriesRed Grapes
BananasGrapefruitLemons
LimesOrangesApples
PearsPlumsPeaches
ApricotsBlack BeansKidney Beans
Fava BeansPinto BeansWalnuts
PecansPeppersTomatoes
EggplantCeleryArtichoke
Snap PeasOkraBroccoli
DillParsleyThyme
Capers
 
  
Omega 3In Genesis 1:29, God mentions the foods that we should consume to keep our bodies healthy. The following category of Omega 3 foods are our friendly fats which boost the activity of our white blood cells (killer cells). These healthy fats make our foods taste better and give our brain the omegas to function properly.



WalnutsFlaxseedsFlax Oil
Fish Oil (Pharmaceutical Grade)
 
 
The Hallelujah Acres Lifestyle promotes the consumption of a wide variety of the above-mentioned foods with the defined purpose of rebuilding and strengthening the immune system. Our website contains many recipes that include these nutritious ingredients. By adding more salads, green smoothies, fresh vegetable juices, fruit smoothies and other creative raw foods to your diet, you too will reap the benefits!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Green Smoothies - For You and Your Kids!

Do you have trouble getting your kids to eat their vegetables? Or maybe you have trouble eating them yourselves! You know that they are good for you and that you should be eating them but you just can't stand them. You are not alone!

According to the CDC (2013), 37.7% of adults and 36.0% of adolescents report consuming fruit less than one time daily and 22.6% of adults and 37.7% of adolescents report consuming vegetables less than one time daily. The median intake of fruits is only 1.1 times per day for adults and 1.0 times per day for adolescents and the median intake of vegetables is only 1.6 times per day for adults and 1.3 times per day for adolescents.


There are only three states that have a 1.8 Daily Vegetable Intake or higher (with Oregon being in the lead at 1.9)! This is a sad state for America to be in! Our bodies are made to thrive on vegetables and most of America barely touches them!

Green Smoothies to the Rescue!


What is a Green Smoothie? A Green Smoothie is a blended beverage made by blending leafy greens with fruit and water or fruit juice. There are endless varieties of Green Smoothie recipes! And the best thing is that, when prepared properly, you don't even taste the greens!

Many parents will say to us, "But my kids won't eat greens - they don't like them!" We have seen a lot of success when the parents introduces the green smoothies as "Hulk Juice" or "Green Slime" or some other "cool" name that their kids would enjoy.

There are different levels of green smoothies. There are some that have hardly any fruit and mostly vegetables and there are others that are basically fruit smoothies with some greens added. Obviously, the more greens you consume the better, but most people who aren't used to eating greens don't enjoy the taste of chlorophyll yet. So it may be best for them to start with a more fruity smoothie and work towards a greener smoothie.

Victoria Boutenko (the pioneer of green smoothies) says on her website, "Based on my observation and feedback from other smoothie drinkers, most people naturally start to crave greener smoothies in several weeks. On the other hand, some people were trying to be too perfect too quick, and prepared "super-green" smoothies from the very beginning. Then they complained that the green smoothies tasted awful, quit, and never wanted to try them again."

So, would you like some recipes to try??? Here are just a few to get you started on your new Green Smoothie Adventure!

Basic Balance

Victoria Boutenko

1 mango
1 cup kale
1 cup water

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.

Green Smoothie Monster

Victoria Boutenko

4 leaves kale, stems removed
4 leaves chard, stems removed
½ bunch fresh parsley
1 leaf aloe vera
½ bunch dandelion greens
3 pears
1 banana
3 cups water

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. 

Berry Green Smoothie


3/4 cup water
3/4 cup orange juice
2 cups spinach
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
2 bananas

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.

Green Smoothie Pudding


This is not a "smoothie" but more of a pudding. The flavor is phenominal and your kids are sure to love it!

2 mangoes, peeled and pit removed
1/2 whole pineapple
2 or 3 collard greens (stem removed)

Blend in Vitamix to pudding consistency.

Sherry's Favorite Green Smoothie


2 cups apple juice
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1/2 banana
handful kale leaves (remove stems)
handful of spinach
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 Tbsp agave nectar

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add ice for desired consistency.