Green juice? You may be thinking that it may have a little too much plant-life in it for your liking but trust me.......................this concoction is a pleasantly surprising one. This drink has served as a post-workout drink for me and a staple for many individuals eating a plant-based diet as well as those who don't. It has become one of my all time favorite things to drink.
So you can't get passed the fact that this drink is completely green and looks like what would happen if V8 turned into the Hulk? I know it looks a little intimidating or maybe even unappetizing but there is nothing to fear. You have much more to gain from giving this a try. Why do I say that? Well, green juice is banging for a couple of reasons:
It replaces coffee. I've never been a coffee drinker but I do have some mornings where my brain and my body are just not in harmony and I need some help. This drink by far beats anything out there. It wakes me up, gives me energy in the morning and continues to keeps me energized through the day. Sometimes I think I'm a little too hype after drinking this.
It nourishes your body. It's crazy the amount of nutrients that I take in from this drink. It allows me to consume a ton of veggies in one sitting and gives my cells the nutrients they need to operate at optimal level. It's just wonderful.
It keeps you flowing. AKA it keeps you nice and regular. It is so important to keep your colon clean and constantly moving. Things come in and should not overdue their stay! You will most likely have no gastrointestinal issues after a glass of this.
Green is the color of life. I really like the idea of putting life in my body!
So how do I go about making this green juice? I got two versions for you. One from me and one that my friend, Ruben, shared with me recently. Green juice has a high-water content, which makes your cells very happy. For me, it serves as a post-workout drink or a drink that I have with breakfast. These two recipes are both delicious and are easily tweaked to your liking. Bangin' Green Juice #1:
Orange/Celery/Cucumber/Zucchini/Ginger/Lettuce/Pear
1 orange
3 celery stalks
1/2 of a cucumber
1/2 of a zucchini
4 - 6 leaves of lettuce
1 and 1/2 - 2 inches of ginger
2 cups of water
1 pear
There is really no intense order for this recipe. Peel your orange, pear and ginger. Cut your veggies into chunks. Add water, blend and drink. Boom. Bam. Done! I do this the Jamaican way, which means I blend everything and then pour it into a strainer and then I strain the juice. I feel like I am wasting less that way. This method also works for those who don't have a ridiculously amazing blender like a Vitamix or a juicer. The other way, of course, is just to throw everything in a juicer if you have one! The serving size is a lot because I usually make enough to store in a mason jar for the next day or so.
Bangin' Green Juice #2:
Apple/Celery/Broccoli Stalks/Kale Stalks/Pineapple/Cucumber/Lime
1 apple
3 celery stalks
2 - 4 broccoli stalks
5 - 6 kale stalks
2 cups of pineapple juice or a cup of fresh pineapple
1/2 cucumber
2 cups of water (if using fresh pineapple)
1 lime
This is exactly the same set-up as the last recipe. You will just have to replace the pineapple juice with water if you are using fresh pineapple. Peel fruits. Cut veggies. Boom. Bam. Done!
See how easy it is? Kinda wanna try in now huh? :)
You can vary the ingredients as much as you want. Sometimes I even mix and match these two recipes. I usually add lime and ginger to everything. As you get the hang of this, you will start to know what you like and develop your own version.
A cool thing is that both of these recipes can actually serve as green smoothies as well if you simply add a little more water and blend until smooth. This is actually how I have been drinking them lately.
Enjoy! Thank you for reading! My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
The China Study: Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health by Colin T. Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II, MD
One word of advice: You MUST read this book! A bestseller four times over, this book is truly revolutionary in its content. It has single-handedly set the foundation for the health revolution that is growing across the country. It is quite literally PACKED with information and provides serious medical evidence that more than adequately supports the idea that a plant-based diet is truly remarkable. Colin T. Campbell approaches this book from a variety of different angles, from recounting his life story to expounding on pages of research including his own to discussing the very real challenges and unfortunately unpleasant realities of the roles of government, medicine and education in the healthcare of America. He begins the book with stories of his childhood upbringing on a dairy farm and the ideals and beliefs he developed about nutrition from an early age. He builds on his story with his experiences as a graduate researcher isolating the toxic chemicals, aflatoxin and dioxin, and developing ways to make cows and sheep grow faster in an attempt to improve animal protein production. Upon completing a nationwide project in the Philippines targeting malnourished Filipino children, he discovers something very interesting. He finds that children exposed to aflatoxin were more likely to develop liver cancer when consuming a high-protein diet in comparison to a low-protein diet. This was the turning point in his career and jump-started his research that has proved, with scientifically-based evidence, that a plant-based whole foods diet is the key to incredible and optimal health.
Get your tush to a library, turn on your kindle, jingle that wallet a little bit and get a copy. Knowledge is MOST DEFINITELY power and I want you to have it. If you are wondering to yourself if this book is worth your time because you may question its credibility, just check out the stats on the author.
Colin T. Campbell is the BOSS. Point. Blank. Period. A pioneer and leading researcher in the field of Nutritional Medicine. He has:
Served as the Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry for several years at Cornell University.
Taught in academia for 20 years
Published countless articles in numerous professional journals
Served as editor for the Journal of Nutrition and and Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Sciences
Served on national and federal committees and boards.
Lectured extensively across the country
Here is his full C.V if you are curious: Curriculum Vitae Thank you for reading. My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
So, let me get this straight. You're telling me eating only plants = twig? I am going to have to disagree with you my friend. Big time!
Let's start off with a little bit of history. Back in the day, we had some folk we call Gladiators: Russell Crowe, Spartan 300 type-looking folk. Fighting was a sport for them and for the spectators. The funny thing, which when you really think about it is actually not that funny at all, is that many died in the process. They fought to the death. They fought with other gladiators, even wild animals and had to be diesel. Guess what diet they were fed day in and day out? Yep.............Bangin' Bird Food. They were actually known as "barley men" because of their high consumption of the grain. In an Archeaology article, paleo-pathologist Karl Grossschmidt theorizes that this was used to "pack on the pounds". The development of subcutaneous fat was helpful in "protecting nerves and blood vessels" as well as making wounds less damaging after weapon assaults. I, along with other folk, highly dispute this claim as all documentation of gladiators portrays them as lean and incredibly muscular, like these artifacts below, including the very one featured in the above article.
They say history repeats itself. I am in agreement with that statement as I have learned of many a man able to sustain his physique on a plant-based diet. See for yourself.
Here is an NYTimes article titled, "Sculpted by Weights and a Strict Vegan Diet" that presents bangin bird food in a new light. Contrary to the social current, you can achieve incredible fitness results with a plant-based diet.
Now let's take a look at my dude here, literally and figuratively:
Bird food Body Builder Robert Cheeke
Robert Cheeke, a vegan bodybuilder, has single-handledly brought vegan body-building to the mainstream.........................And the thing is...............He is not only winning championships but has been doing it successfully for 15 years. The man is a BOSS! Check out his website: Vegan Bodybuilding
Speaking of bosses, this brings me to another green giant, Jim Morris. This man is a bodybuilder. This man looks fantastic. This man is also 72 years old. Let me kindly repeat. This man is also 72 years old. I'm done.
Okay, enough with the body-builders because not all of us are trying to look like the Hulk. How about some athletes? I would say they are a little more of a realistic standard.
I have the lucky five for you today:
1. Carl Lewis
2. Tony Gonzales
3. Tim Bradley
4. Mac Danzing
5. Rich Roll
Mr. Lewis in his prime
Let's start with a pioneer. Carl Lewis won 10 Olympic medals, NINE of which were GOLD and 10 World Championship medals, EIGHT of which were GOLD. How in the world was he able to beast like that? Steroids? Nope.....well to be honest, there was that one time............but continue with my train of thought. He attributes the vegan diet to his amazing accomplishments. I mean I don't know, maybe there is some truth to it (shrugs shoulders). Even though he was hating on my boy Usain, I'll let it slide for the good of your health. Give him a listen.
Then we have Tony Gonzalez, a tight end for the Atlanta Falcons, who lives on bird food and isn't ashamed to show it. He also has a lot to show for it.
"I'm three months into being a vegan for this fight. It's been four years since I've been doing it this way....Every fight I get prepared for, I go vegan for about 3½ months...I just feel so much better. Cleaner, mental clarity. You see the physique. I don't lose any muscle. I'm a lean, mean, fighting machine."
Here is how he got on to it:
"I met some doctors through a friend, Sam Jackson, that turned me on to it. They were vegetarians. They said something along the lines -- they said, 'You see those 350-pound gorillas? Do they eat meat? I was like, 'Do they?' They said they don't eat meat, and I was like, 'Wow, they don't?' They said, 'You see how big they are?...You see how strong they are? Our genetic makeup is similar, right? Isn't that what scientists say, that our genetic makeup is similar to apes and gorillas?...That's all I needed to know. That's what I'm gonna do-- I'm gonna go vegan. I'm gonna eat trees and plants and fruits, grass. I'm gonna eat all of these things."
Bradley, you crack me up. Though I eat bird food, I made sure to stay away from the trees and grass. It's a little harsh on the digestive system so I wouldn't recommend it.
Mac Danzing. If you haven't heard of this name before now you know. He is a UFC fighter. A better explanation is that "he is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)", courtesy of Wikipedia. Relaaaaaax, this is not a college paper. He is one of the "Fittest Guys in America" according to Men's Fitness Magazine. In the article, he simply explains why he became vegan. When asked what made him stop eating meat, he responded:
"When I was sixteen I cut out beef and pork. I just got to the point where I wanted to minimize my intake of animal products. I knew about factory farming and the theories that meat wasn't safe, but I subscribed to the theory that if you were doing something athletic, you needed to have protein, so I kept eating chicken and fish. But then in 2004, I got to the point where I got sick of eating chicken. It started grossing me out for some reason. I was about a month from a fight and I decided I was going to cut out all meat. I was working with a trainer who was vegan and he helped me make the switch. I won that fight and went on a 12-fight winning streak. And [not eating meat] made it really easy to cut weight for that fight." You can read the rest here.
Okay, okay, I promise this is the last athlete story I have for you but it's good.
Ultra-man, Rich Roll, totally transformed his life at 40 years old. He is also considered one of the "Fittest Guys in the World" by Men's Fitness Magazine. To quote from his website:
"To celebrate his natal birthday as well as his 10th anniversary in recovery from drug addiction, in 2006 he overhauled his diet, became a dedicated vegan, put on his running shoes and jumped back into the pool. It wasn't long before ambition took hold and his quest to participate in Ultraman slowly began. Two years later and close to 50 pounds lighter, he surprised the triathlon and ultra marathon communities by not only becoming the first vegan to complete the event, but by finishing in the top 10 males, despite never having even previously competed in a single Ironman distance event."
You finish in the top 10 and you never had previous experience in any kind of ridiculously intense distance event. Smh. That's what bangin bird food does!
Now if all of these folk still seem to be on a completely different level and you feel you could never achieve those heights, please consider your everyday man................................like a neighborhood firefighter. Rip is most definitely not a twig.
Rip Esseltyn, is a firefighther in Austin, Texas. He is also the author of the book The Engine 2 Diet and encourages as many folks as he can to live "plant-strong". I like that. It has a little ring to it. Check out his story on "How the Firefighters at Engine 2 Became Plant Strong" and a video of him on The Today Show below.
Thank you for reading. My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
Michael Baisden was quoted saying, "Forks Over Knives broke it down in such a way that it really changed the way I ate. This documentary can not only help your health, it can save your life." He is already dining at vegan restaurants.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who regularly promotes healthy lifestyles on his show "Dr. Oz", said in response to Forks Over Knives, "I saw it, I loved it, and I need all of you to see it too. This could be the Hail Mary of medicine." Check out a clip from his show.
Ellen Degeneres recently announced that she became a vegan. She is also doing her part to get the word out. That's a cool lady right there. Check out her page.
Robert Ebertreviewed the documentary Forks Over Knives and said " The bottom line: I am convinced this message is true. A plant-based whole foods diet is healthy. Animal protein is not necessary, or should be used sparingly as Asians did, as flavoring and not a main course...The facts are in".
Russell Simmons, a long-time vegan, spits the truth in the first minute of the above video. Thank you for reading. My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
Bill Clinton, one of our most famous presidents, has been talking extensively about the benefits of a plant-based diet especially in treating his heart disease. I mean that man says the difference is night and day. He feels better than he did when he was a young buck. I will let you see for yourself: President Clinton on Piers Morgan Tonight
Athletes
Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France, is giving the Engine 2 Diet a try. The Engine 2 Diet describes the particularly positive impact of a plant-based diet on the firefighters of Engine 2 in Austin, Texas.
Steve Nash, former basketball great, tweeted, "If you know anyone with cancer, diabetes, hypertension or obesity, watch Forks Over Knives. Be a part of this healthy movement".
Tim Bradley, the boxer who just beat Pac-Man, says a vegan diet was CRUCIAL in his preparation for his domination of Manny Pacquaio. Yes, I know everyone disagrees with the ruling but he still held is own. You can give him that. I definitely had a video to share with you all but it mysteriously disappeared from ESPN. An article should suffice.
Troy Polamalu, professional safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, tweeted and facebooked Fork Over Knives as his Movie of the Week.
Tony Gonzales, a football player and bird food eater, said, "Forks over Knives is a must see film that shows convincingly how plant foods can be at the center of a health revolution".
Thank you for reading. My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, a couple of stars, said, "Forks Over Knives outlines an extremely compelling approach to the prevention of heart disease and cancer" and "Forks Over Knives changed my life" respectively. Check out this article!
Russel Brand, an incredibly animated actor, tweeted, "I am now vegan, goodbye eggs, hello Ellen."
Kimberly Elise, a gifted actress, recently transitioned from vegetarian to full on bird food eating and is also heavily involved in raising awareness about the labeling of GMOs.
Actor Michael Clark Duncan, a vegetarian, says his healthful diet keeps him in the best shape of his life. I am not sure if he has gone completely plant-based but from what this ad suggest, I will assume such to be the case.
Thank you for reading. My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
Jason Mraz, an incredibly original and talented musician, expressed in his blog, "For those curious or concerned about a plant-based diet, check out the film Forks Over Knives. It's a life changer. You can get all the protien you need from greens, quinoa and hemp seed."
Katy Perry, tweeted, "Me & the Mr. just watched "Forks Over Knives" it's a pretty cool doc for anyone interested :) You can get it on Netflix!"
Physicians
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical medical correspondent, hailed the movie as, "a great film". He also recently hosted the CNN prime time feature, "The Last Heart Attack", a feature that examines the impact of heart disease on quality of life and healthcare and considers a plant-based diet as a serious solution to the heart disease epidemic in the United States. It features doctors Caldwell Esselstyn, MD and Colin T. Cambpell PhD, who were also Forks Over Knives contributers.
Both Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who was a former top surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic and was listed in the 90's as one of "The Best Doctors in America", and Dr. Colin T. Campbell, author of The China Study, a pioneer in the field of nutritional medicine, have been promoting a plant-based diet consistently for years.
Neal Barnard, physician, clinical researcher, author and president of PCRM (Physicians for Responsible Medicine), promotes a plant-based diet as key to overall health, the prevention of disease and the reversal of some of the common health issues of Americans. Thank you for reading. My people, I appreciate you all so much. Be healthy and happy. Ciao!
