The Fresh Network Blog

Hail Wheatgrass

Juice Master Jason Vale sings the praises of nature’s most health-enhancing elixir.

One of the most popular new super drinks of the 21st century is wheatgrass. I say ‘new’, but what I mean of course is new to most. Wheatgrass shots have in fact been around for centuries. The famous Swiss doctor Bircher-Benner was using powerful green juices as far back as the 1800’s and it is reported that as far back as the 16th century green juices were used to help treat all kinds of disease. And of all the green juices on earth, none is more nutritionally powerful than wheatgrass. In fact, it has been said that just one little shot of wheatgrass has the same nutritional value as 1kg of other leafy green vegetables. Whether that stat is actually true or not (after all how can one ever really know?) one thing is for sure: a tiny amount of this super green liquid can have a tremendous impact on every aspect of your health. 

10 Years Younger in 10 Days

Roe Gallo outlines a health plan that will leave you feeling revivified and rejuvenated in just over a week.

Do you look in the mirror and see a body you don’t recognize? Do you wake up with aches in muscles and bones you didn’t know you had? Are you just too tired by the end of the day to do anything but plop down on the couch? And are you beginning to believe that there isn’t anything you can do about it?

What makes you look and feel old?

I asked this question to many people in different age groups ranging from late 20’s to late 80’s and the answers were, surprisingly, very similar:

• People were concerned about their weight making them look older.

• They felt the stress in their lives showed through.

Liver Cleanse Ultimate Green Smoothie

 

 

  Green smoothies
Chlorophyll is the green pigment that gives plants their colour and enables them to convert solar energy into food energy. Chlorophyll acts as both a liver tonic and a liver cleanse. Here's the recipe for our Ultimate Green Smoothie Recipe. Drink it every day and not only will you avoid hangovers, but after two weeks your skin will appear fresher and less lined and your energy levels will be much higher, too.

 

 

 

Ingredients

• ¼ pineapple
• 1 celery stick
• 2 golden delicious apples
• ½ lime peeled
• Slice of lemon with peel
• Thumb nail of fresh ginger
• ¼ avocado
• 2 cubes of frozen spinach
• 30ml of CherryActive, BlueberryActive or BeetrootActive concentrates
• 1-2 tsp Kiki Natures Living Super Greens
• 1 tablespoon Kiki raw hemp protein powder
• Water if blending

Methods:

1. Either juice the first six ingredients and then add with remaining ingredients to a high powered blender.

2. Or simply add all ingredients into a high powered blender such as a Vitamix and blend until smooth. Add water to thin as needed.

 

Recipe by Lifehouse Spa and Hotel, Essex

This recipe is an extract from an article in Esquire, go here to read the full article.

Raw Pancakes

We love pancake day, it's a great time to spend time with the family and sweeten up your kitchen! Being raw doesn't mean that you don't get to join in this fun occassion, so here are two yummy recipes for making raw pancakes.

 If you need some inspiration as to what healthy treat you can add to these delicious pancakes then head on down to the Fresh Network store where you'll find 10% off our "sweets treats & desserts" items until Wednesday 5th March 2013.

 

 

Raw Freedom - Veggie Noodles

 

These noodles have a Chinese flavour, so if you love Chinese food but want to give up the greasiness of a take-away this is a deliciously healthy alternative.

This delicious recipe is from Saskia Fraser's new book "Raw Freedom" Quick and Easy Raw Food Recipes for Everyday Energy - see below for more details.

  Recipe

 Equipment: knife, chopping board, mandolin (optional)

 Serves 1

 

 

This New Year Ditch Dieting for Good! says Kirsten Flowers

by Kirsten Flowers

 

Don't start another diet, Stop Counting calories it's NOT the answer! Nor is the latest best selling diet book - Dieting doesn't work!  There I've said it.  If you want to lose weight the very first thing you need to change is your mindset!

Some people like to be seen wearing the latest designer label in fashion.  It is also now a rapidly growing trend to be following the latest diet or food regime eg vegan, raw, 5:2 and so many more. Whether it be what you wear or what you eat and how, it matters a lot ... to some people! How you see yourself and how you are perceived by your peer group and society can seem very important, an insight into the type of person you are, which can feel quite revealing.  People put themselves under a lot of pressure to follow the rules of a diet, detox or fast and it seems anything less than 100% shows weakness, a lack of self discipline.  

Turn Down The Heat of Inflammation!

by Kirsten Flowers

Chronic inflammation is linked to many diseases including, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, IBS, heart disease and even some cancers.  We don't have to resign ourselves to thinking its a natural part of our life cycle.  Its not normal, in fact, it is most often caused by poor food choices and stressful lifestyles which are accelerating the ageing process and the onset of many health concerns associated with it.  

When we experience physical symptoms associated with inflammation, eg. swollen joints, psoriasis etc there is also an internal reaction taking place. The bodies immune system is in overdrive and this can cause tiredness, aches and pains, amongst other symptoms.

The Story in Your Blood

Live blood analysis may provide significant insights into your health, says Gareth Edwards. So what is it, and how do you find a practitioner?

As someone interested in health and vitality, you may have heard about live blood analysis, but you may think that it is expensive, painful(!) or that you have to travel abroad to have it done. There are, in fact, many practitioners in many countries, including the uK, who use this observation technique. As someone aiming to optimise their health, you might find that live and dry blood analysis is an effective way to see if the path you are following and the choices you are making are really delivering the results that you are seeking.

Hippocrates Living Foods Programme

Hippocrates Living Foods Programme

A Day of Practical Preparation Demos 

with Nadia Brydon & Jill Swyers, Hippocrates Health Educators

Sunday June 30th , 10-30am - 4.30pm. lunch provided, London SW6.

£70 early booking.

Go here to reserve your seat www.allaboutnaturalmedicine.com. Or call 020 8350 4607 / 07984 592626

Quick, Easy and Creative Ideas for Healthful Lunches for Children

 by Karen Ranzi, M.A.

Much research in the past decade has reported the immense benefits of eating mainly fresh plant foods, or eating them exclusively. Raw fruits and vegetables, sprouts, sea vegetables, nuts and seeds are vitamin and mineral packed. Nutrients can be severely depleted from 70 to 85% by means of the cooking process. Organic, living foods provide “life force energy,” so encouraging children to create healthful and tasty snacks, smoothies, salads, main dishes and desserts with living foods can enhance their abilities in all areas.

After increasing their children’s fresh plant food intake, here are some improvements in their health and wellbeing parents have pointed out to me: Reduction or absence of eye, ear, nose and throat infections, increased energy and longer attention spans, enhanced ability to process information, less hyperactivity, strengthened immune systems, enhanced athletic performance, and increased brainpower.