Trouble Getting Your Daily Greens? Try These 4 Easy Steps
March 8, 2019
Think back to the days of your childhood. You sat at the kitchen table, glaring at your plate. Maybe you had a traditional, American dinner: something like chicken, mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. But your eyes and mind wandered to the cookie jar sitting on the counter.
Your mom promised you could have one…ONLY if you ate all your food.
So, what was the problem? Well, the tree-like stalks leered straight into your soul. You kicked and pleaded, maybe even ducked them under the potatoes, but to no avail — you had to choke them down eventually.
As kids, we are somehow conditioned into thinking vegetables are bad. That leads to issues down the road. Actually, some kids were so averse to eating veggies that as grown adults, they still don’t get their servings.
If that’s you, don’t worry. Let’s work together to get your daily green on! Here are some tips on how to do that.
Don’t fight it — embrace the salad.
Salads get a bad rap. Often seen as just a dieters nightmarish and mundane go-to lunch, there’s actually a lot going on in these dishes.
You see, they don’t have to look sad, like a random leaf fell into your lap. Instead, color it up. In fact, Diabetes Forecast (a magazine counterpart of the American Diabetes Foundation) suggests to add some fruits to help supply more nutrients that the body needs.
But you don’t have to add just those. Mix it up. Don’t like lettuce? Try kale and bok choy. Don’t be afraid to add some protein, too: chicken, turkey or vegan options like tofu or Beyond Meat. (The latter is lathered in spices that really complement veggies).
Pro Tip: Add some quinoa for some extra crunch and to help fill you up.
Read up.
For some people, learning about specific benefits can help ignite a burning, healthy fire.
Yes, we know that might sound boring. So, here’s a few quick and important benefits from Healthline, Greatist and the United States Department of Agriculture.
- Veggies can help supply natural sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Tired of having to take so many pills for separate vitamins, like A, C and K? These leafy goods can help. You’d be surprised how much more energy you might have and other benefits from simply adding some to your diet.
- Dark varieties are low in calorie and carbs, but high in satiating quality. If you ever felt like you need to eat too much to actually feel full, these will help fill you up, without adding on excess calories and weight. That brings us to the next and (one of the best) benefits.
- They can also help support weight loss. Well, duh! They can help support healthy digestion and metabolism, which can help drop those lbs.
- Veggies can help support the immune system. We tend to think that only fruits can help give us an immunity boost, but nope. In fact, cruciferous vegetables, like kale, broocoli and cabbage, can help regulated intraepithelial luymphocytes (IELS), which can protect the body from bacteria that live in the skin and intestine lining.
Pretty cool, right?
Craving more interesting and specific info? Give this a read!
Look for daily green-products that you love, not ones you’ll hate.
Part of the problem is that we go into eating greens as if it’s a chore, when it’s not. So, go on a food excursion. Find out your favorite tastes.
So, if you don’t like kale, then you should probably skip over it. You could also force yourself to eat it, but just saying, you’re going to hate your life.
Keep the green train going by finding something more up your alley. Need a suggestion? Swap out some of your favorite snacks with veggie-packed equivalents. This could be one way to help break out of a negative thinking cycle (and help you feel less guilty when snacking). Instead of “cutting something out,” you’re merely swapping or trying new things.
Here’s what we mean. Like to snack on chips during lunch? Try veggie chips or veggie-sprinkled, “power popcorn” (recipe here). Like to sip on shakes? Try green drinks, like our Best of Greens. Containing organic cereal grasses (like barley) and sea vegetables (like spirulina), this synergistic blend packs a delicious taste with some healthy perks too. Plus, we have a Lemon flavored version available for those of you who really hate the tastes of vegetables.
As you can see, you have a lot of options. Find your favorites and keep looking.
Start small and sprinkle up your meal.
You don’t have to go full force, replacing every meal with these healthy colors. In fact, you shouldn’t. Going cold turkey might make you hate the whole process.
Instead, sprinkle up your meal. No, we don’t mean adding that sugary cake topping to your dinner. We mean sprinkling in greens where you can.
The United States Department of Agriculture gives great recommendations for how to do this. Add one serving to each meal that you can. Don’t force yourself to go overboard (it’s not necessary). You can eventually work your way up to the recommended two and half cups.
Here’s a really easy way to start tonight. Having protein and rice for dinner? Add some spinach or bok choy. Eating a soup for lunch? Add collard greens. Eating eggs for breakfast? Add some steamed broccoli for some iron.
Pure Planet Best of Greens
At Pure Planet, we recognize the importance of eating vegetables daily. That’s why you can find the freshest of veggies in many of our blends. Head to PurePlanet.com for a look!
Walking down grocery store aisles, you are bound to come across something with aloe in it, from drinks and food to hair care and lotions. It would actually be shocking for you to not find something that is related.
At this point, you have to wonder, is it all hype? Can the plant really do what people say it can do?
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most popular theories.
It is said to help with acne.
Because aloe vera contains antioxidants and vitamins, it is believed to help protect skin. But does this translate to a reliable acne treatment?
One study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment suggests this is, indeed, true — at least for the gel.
Researchers created a topical ointment made up of tretinoin and the gel for mild to moderate acne. 60 subjects were studied; some were given the first treatment and others were given a different formula.
The gel formula had positive feedback, being described as “well-tolerated” and “significantly more effective” than the other treatment.
That’s pretty cool, right? But why do researchers think that it worked?
Well, the plant can help naturally support the body’s response to inflammation. This is due to to its polysaccharide content that helps reduce the promotion of prostagandin synthesis and leucocytes.
And remember, acne is a type of inflammation, the tale-telling symptom being red, inflamed skin.
More study is needed for other more aggressive forms of acne, and if the gel can be used on its own as a topical ointment.
It can help promote clear skin and anti-aging.
Okay, this one definitely sounds like a stretch, right? Anti-aging? Yeah, right.
But knowing how the gel can be beneficial for acne, it may be a little easier to understand where theories about where this idea originates.
But does this theory actually hold up?
Well…potentially, yeah!
Specific polysaccharides from this plant’s gel, called mucopolysaccharides, support skin moisture and the appearance of wrinkles. Other phytonutrients, including amino acids, also help encourage skin elasticity, which promotes softness.
So, maybe aloe can’t turn back time, but it can help the skin appear younger. One study published in the American Journal of Infection Control explored this benefit.
The study focused on assembly-line workers (30 women) who had occupation-related, dry and irritated skin. They were subjected to wearing gloves that were outfitted with aloe vera for multiple hours of the day, for 30 days.
So, was the experiment a total bust? Nope!
Researchers found that the subject’s skin had improved, with decreased appearance of fine wrinkling, dermatitis and dry skin.
Aloe vera can help hydrate.
Moving along from the benefits of topical gel, let’s look into oral consumption. Drinking its juice, or water mixed with the juice, is thought to help support hydration.
On this side of the spectrum, research becomes a little more sparse. Much of the benefits of consumption can be attributed to anecdotal evidence, which doesn’t sit right with everyone.
So if that’s not your thing, this benefit may be a “no-go.”
Healthline reports that this consumption can help promote healthy hydration, primarily due to the spiky plant’s naturally water-density. That makes sense, especially as the juice is described as “refreshing.”
The health authority also goes on to say that the juice may be a good way to rehydrate after workouts, specifically because more fluids are needed to help decrease lactic acid afterward.
But like coconut water, more research would be necessary to confirm hands-down, although it wouldn’t hurt to try.
It can help with digestion.
Oral consumption is also said to also help with digestion. This is because the green plant holds specific enzymes that aid in breaking down sugars and fats, which support smooth digestion.
Its water content has also been seen as an asset for digestion. Healthline suggests that increasing water content in the intestines can help stimulate peristalsis, which also supports smooth digestion.
So, if you’re having a little stomach distress, a swig of aloe juice/water could help do the trick. In fact, one double-blind study found that its laxative-like property helped relieve constipation.
Studies have explored how this digestive support affects disorders and diseases, like irritable bowel disease (IBD) and ulcerative colitis, but more study is needed to determine it exact efficacy. So far, it’s a mixed bag: some people have reported improved symptoms; however, others says there’s no effect.
It could help support immunity.
Aloe vera is sometimes is seen as a “superfood” or “miracle” food due to its many properties, especially due to its supposed ability to help support the body’s immune system.
So, where does this theory stem from?
This green and refreshing plant contains special antioxidants called flavonoids, tannins and carotenoids, which may help support the body’s response to oxidative damage. By doing so, this can help the immune system properly function at its best.
The plant’s enyzmes may also help support nutrtion absoprtion, which can help support immune response.
Ready for a Taste?
Interested in seeing what all the buzz is about? Give our aloe vera products a look on PurePlanet.com.
Sources and More Info:
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/aloe-vera-juice-benefits#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/#CIT7
http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/13/8/1599/htm
Most of us have been raised on wheat bread. It has often been touted as the “healthier” whole grain compared to other types. Thinking back, we can all probably remember our parents making us sandwiches and grilled cheeses with bread from this grain. Let’s also not forget those comforting morning cereals that are also loaded with this stuff.
But is the grain really as good as it is suggested to be? And are there other whole grains that can work as a wheat alternative?
The Truth About Wheat
Are you comfortable? Because you’re in for quite the story. You see, while you might grab a bag of bread in the store or add it to your online cart without question, there’s actually a huge debate happening between nutritionists and experts.
To begin, wheat comes in many different varieties, much like our favorite ice creams. With that being said, the grain we know and love (or despise) has not always been the same throughout the years. In fact, it is quite different than it used to be.
Que the conspiracy music! Okay, maybe we’re drumming this up a bit, but that’s only because this is important.
The processes used to create the grain nowadays are different from, let’s say, the 1950s. Obviously. But that actually yields a totally different, more refined wheat — one that varies nutritionally from older grains.
That’s not all bad. Refined wheat can be created cheaply and at a greater quantity, which means it’s easy attainable. We don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it either.
However, the older grains, like Emmer, Enkorn and Kamut, are all more nutritious than the grain used today. Healthline reports that the most popular wheat grown today is high-yield dwarf wheat.
And that makes us a little sad. Why? Because this type of grain is a weird hybrid. It was developed using crude genetic manipulation and cross-breeding.
Nutrition Differences
Just how nutritious is modern wheat compared to older grains? One study published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology suggests that grain produced from 1968-2005 is 19-28% lower in concentrations of minerals, such as zinc, copper, iron and magnesium. Coincidentally, that’s around the time modern grains were being crafted. Another study suggests older grains also contained more Selenium. These minerals and nutrients are essential to total body function.
Some nutritionists also point out that because the genetic compositions are different, modern grains can do much more damage to those with Celiac disease. Celiac disease is a harsh form of gluten intolerance that causes many people to adhere to a strict, non-gluten diet.
Additionally, one study found that older grains caused less adverse reactions than modern strains, that may be due to specific gluten proteins.
While gluten-intolerance is pretty widely known these days, not many people know that gluten is more than just one protein — it’s actually several. One of these proteins, Gila-α9, seems to be the biggest trouble-maker, potentially wrecking havoc on the body.
And guess what modern wheat is filled with? Yup, Gila-α9!
Because of this protein, it is theorized that modern grains have contributed to the growing cases of Celiac disease and gluten intolerances among the general population. More study is needed, but it’s definitely an interesting perspective.
Barley: The Wheat Alternative
If you want to give wheat a break, there are a few options. You can still find older grains thanks to the wonders of the Internet and in some specialty health stores. But we’d like to spotlight one of our favorites.
We’re talking about barley!
Barley happens be to an older cereal grain and one of the most cultivated. But what makes it different from wheat?
Well, it’s minimally processed. Considering wheat could be highly processed, we’ve already leveled up here.
On top of that, it contains natural minerals and antioxidants that aren’t present in refined and enriched grains. With a small of fat and calories, this is the perfect swap.
Barley Benefits
This grain can offer an array of benefits. According to Healthline, Barley can help support:
- Healthy blood pressure, with potassium, calcium and magnesium
- Bone health, with vitamins and antioxidants
- Heart health, by helping reduce cholesterol and fat
- The body’s response to inflammation, with choline (a phytonutrient)
- Digestion
- Weight Management
We love barley, which is why we use it for our Organic Just Barley juice blend. Specifically, we use the leaf (not the grain), grown in pristine, mineral spring water. But don’t worry, the leaf still holds chlorophyll, B-Vitamins and minerals.
This green juice can help support energy, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Ready To Make the Switch?
Like what you’re hearing? Try switching out wheat for barley. Plus, try our Organic Just Barely Juice, which can be integrated into any daily health regimen.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/modern-wheat-health-nightmare
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295268.php
https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-barley-bread-fd.html
No matter how many times a doctor tells you that you need to eat healthier, it does not make things any easier, right? It’s a shame science hasn’t figured out how to make Oreos and pizza the pinnacles of nutrition.
But until then, you can improve your health simply, by integrating more greens into your life. Before you groan and complain about the texture of steamed spinach, bare with us because Pure Planet’s greens are delicious and E A S Y to eat – no cooking necessary.
Read on to hear just how cool our Best of Greens blend, filled with the finest greens from the land and the sea, can be for your health goals!
Organic Cereal Grasses
First on our list is organic cereal grasses, which are made up of:
- organic wheatgrass
- organic barley grass
- organic oat grass
You might have seen some of these grasses pressed into juice in small shot cups. And for good reason, because, they boast a ton of nutrients and antioxidants.
Feeling groggy or hungover? One shot can boost you back into your vibrant life because of all the vitamins and minerals.
Some of these include:
- Vitamin A, C and E
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Amino Acids
Besides the obvious bonus of weight loss support, these grains can support blood sugar regulation and help reduce obesity!
Alfalfa
It’s not just the name of everyone’s favorite Little Rascals’ characters (NETFLIX IT!), it’s one of our favorite veggies! Like many of its green brethren, this forage legume contains an array of vitamins, minerals and proteins.
But guess what? In addition to naturally supplying these nutrients, alfalfa is also low in calories. Yes!
This herb has been traditionally been used to help improve metabolic health and support antioxidant levels.
And what’s more?
There are studies (a few, admittedly) that tie consumption to lower cholesterol support!
Its juice can easily be added to other juices and mixes, which is why we use it in our Best of Greens.
So, what else is in Best of Greens?
Cruciferous Vegetable Blend
Okay…you might be thinking…what on earth does that word even mean? Simple! Cruciferous refers to plants from the Brassicaceae family. The latin name, Cruciferae, comes from their cross-like shaped flowers.
But enough of the plant-nerd talk (trust us, we could keep going), these veggies are super good for you.
With a low-calorie count, these greens can help provide vitamin support as well. They can also be a good source of fiber, but you probably already knew that.
What you might not know is that these plants are also good sources of folates. Folic acid is a form of vitamin B-9 and helps support significant body functions.
According to the Association of UK Dietitians, this acid plays a role in:
- formation of red blood cells
- maintaining cell life
There is also evidence that consumption may lend support to those who suffer from age-related hearing loss.
And one more awesome benefit? They contain phytonutrients that can help promote the body’s response to inflammation.
Here are some of our favorites (organic, of course):
- broccoli
- cabbage
- parsley
- kale
- dandelion greens
So far, these land greens seem sufficient enough, so why bother with the greens from the sea?
Keep scrolling!
Organic Algae
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Well, SpongeBob, but he’s fictional.
There’s an abundance of REAL life under the sea, besides fish and sea creatures!
Let us introduce you to one of our favorite plants: ALGAE! Okay, wipe that look off your face, because it’s really good for you.
First things first: yes, you should be very safe about where you get edible algae, which is why we are very careful about where and how we harvest ours. Safe practices and healthy living are our goals and that’s how we’ve being stay pure and true since ’92.
So, what can algae do for you?
Just like greens, algae can supply potent doses of vitamins, minerals (and trace minerals) and antioxidants. Their active phytonutrients can help support weight loss, heart health and the body’s response to inflammation.
Two of our favorites are spirulina and chlorella.
Spirulina is considered to be a super-nutrient, providing support for such things as blood pressure, weight loss and cleansing.
Plus, it can help provide allergy relief and help alkalize the body.
Chlorella is similar. Interestingly enough, this plant cannot be digested as it naturally appears, so it needs to be grounded into powder or in capsule form. We make sure to do this while maintaining optimal bioavailability and safety.
Like spirulina, this algae can help cleanse the body of metals. Its antioxidants can also help boost the immune system, promote energy and support healthy cholesterol levels.
What other marine plants can be beneficial?
Organic Sea Vegetables
So maybe there aren’t actual pineapples under the sea, but there are cool veggies, like kelp and dulse.
Grown under water, these sea plants can help support a healthy thyroid, with a good source of iodine.
You may be more familiar with kelp, as you might have seen it wash up on shore or drift around at your local beach. Don’t consume that kelp though, because it may have more bacteria and germs from the local environment. You must always ensure your kelp supplement is safely-sourced and clean to consume.
When it is safe, kelp can:
- Help prevent bone loss with a strong source of vitamin K
- Help the body react to inflammation with antioxidants
- Help maintain healthy blood glucose levels and aid with other blood-related symptoms
You may not have heard of dulse, but that’s why we’re here!
Instead of being packed with minerals, dulse is loaded with Omega-3 and Omega-6. These polyunsaturated fatty acids may help blood pressure and proper brain development and function.
Plus, dulse contains protein and Vitamin B-12 (normally found in meat, poultry and dairy), which make it a great asset for a vegan diet!
Get Your Green On
We love our greens and we hope you do too. Find a green blend that’s good for you at PurePlanet.com.
Sources:
Everything’s coming up apples this month at Pure Planet. We launched two new apple cider vinegar products, a lemon-flavored Probiotic and a cherry-delicious Alkalizer. Each refreshing blend has their own set of benefits and tastes.
So, if an apple a day can’t keep you away, try using our Apple Cider products in these tasty drink recipes.
Lemon Berry Apple Cider
When the sun shines bright, nothing beats a crisp, cool drink. Primally Inspired’s Lemon Berry Apple Cider seems mighty good, so we think it would taste even better with Apple Cider: Probiotic as a substitute. A refreshing glass that can help us keep cool and aid digestion? Yes, please!
What you’ll need for one glass:
- 2 tablespoons fresh or frozen berries
- 1 scoop of Apple Cider Probiotic
- Ice
- Water
- Optional sweetener like raw honey
What to Do:
- Drop berries into a glass (with sweetener, if applicable) and softly muddle with back of spoon.
- Pour water in glass.
- Mix in one scoop of Apple Cider Probiotic.
- Add ice.
- Enjoy!
Beet-Cherry Switchel
If you’ve never heard of a switchel drink before, it is basically a drink comprised of four ingredients: vinegar, ginger, water and a sweetener like honey or syrup. We think that both Apple Cider products would be a perfect ingredient to plenty of switchel mixes (our Probitic already contains two of the necessary ingredients)!
Try substituting Apple Cider Alkalizer for tart cherry in this switchel recipe by YurielKaim. You’ll miss out on the tart taste of cherry, but gain the vibrant taste of beets and cherry!
Makes 4 servings:
- 3 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 3 tbsp Apple Cider Alkalizer
- 3 tbsp blackstrap molasses
- 3 tbsp tart cherry juice
- 4 cups water
- Add all ingredients into a large sealed container
-
Shake well to combine
-
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and serve over ice
And of course, there’s no need to add extra vinegar when using any of the Apple Cider mixes! So, just stick to our mix, ginger, water and your sweetener of choice!
Sparkling Water Splash
Recipes are fun, but sometimes you just don’t have the time! Looking for a quick way to to make drinks with a splash? Substitute sparkling or seltzer water for regular water when mixing our Apple Cider drinks!
Happy mixing!
