INGREDIENTS
- 2 bunches of Italian Parsley
- 5 Pears
- 1 red apple (optional--I only used it cause it was the last apple *smile*)
- 1 tsp spirulina (optional)
Makes about 32 ozs
Put it in your juicer ... and juice it!
No juicer? No problem! Blend in your Vitamix.
Then strain through a nut milk bag or a paint strainer bag...and pour
in your storage container. For detailed instructions on making juice in
the blender click here.
This juice is sooooo good. Hate I haven't made Parsely Juice in a while...The pears send it over the top. Try this juice!!!! ♥
-----------------------------------------
Some Health Benefits
Parsley: The herb contains no
cholesterol; but is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and
dietary fiber which helps control blood cholesterol levels, prevents
constipation, protects body from free radicals mediated injury and from
cancers. Parsley contains many
health benefiting essential
volatile oils that include myristicin,
limonene, eugenol, and alpha-thujene. The essential oil, Eugenol,
present in this herb has been in therapeutic use in dentistry as a
local
anesthetic and anti-septic agent for teeth and gum diseases. Eugenol
has also been
found to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, however, further
detailed studies required to establish its role. Parsley is rich in
poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants including apiin,
apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin; and has been rated as one
of the plant source with highest
anti-oxidant activities. The herb is a good source
of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium.
Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps
control heart rate and blood pressure by countering the effects of
sodium. Iron is essential for heme production inside red blood cells.
Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant
enzyme,
superoxide
dismutase.
It is also rich in many
antioxidant vitamins including vitamin-A,
beta-carotene, vitamin-C,
vitamin-E, zea-xanthin, lutein, and cryptoxanthins. The herb is also an
excellent
source of vitamin-K and folates. Zea-xanthin
helps prevent age related
macular degeneration (ARMD) in the retina of the eye in the old age
population through its anti-oxidant and ultra-violet light filtering
functions. Fresh herb leaves are also
rich in many essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin
B-5), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), niacin (vitamin B-3), pyridoxine
(vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential
during carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism by acting as
co-enzymes. It
is probably the richest
of the entire herb source for vitamin
K. Vitamin K has been found to have potential
role in bone health by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It
has also established role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients
by limiting
neuronal damage in the brain.
Pear: A
pear is one of the highest-fiber fruits. Providing 25
percent of the daily value of fiber for women, and 21 percent for men --
more fiber than that in a large apple or 1 cup of strawberries. Because
most of the fiber is in the skin, you significantly reduce the fiber
content of a pear if you peel it prior to consumption. Pears
contain numerous minerals, the most abundant of which is copper. One
large pear provides 21 percent of the daily value of this mineral, which
is important for healthy nerves, blood vessels and bones. One large
pear also supplies 6 percent of the daily value of potassium. Potassium
is important for proper fluid balance and muscle function. According to
the American Heart Association, potassium is an important nutrient for
those with high blood pressure, because it can offset the negative
effects of sodium. Like
many fruits, pears contain vitamin C. One large pear provides 13
percent of the daily value for women, and 11 percent for men. Vitamin C
is a water-soluble vitamin that assists with collagen formation, iron
absorption and the production of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a
neurotransmitter that affects your mood. One
large pear contains 10.3 mcg of vitamin K, which provides 11 percent of
the daily value for women and 9 percent for men. Vitamin K is a
fat-soluble vitamin important for normal blood clotting and strong
bones. You absorb fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin K, better if you
consume them with healthy fats. Because pears are low in fat, you can
increase the absorption of the vitamin K in the fruit by eating it with
peanut butter or a handful of nuts.
Apples: are a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble
fiber such as pectin actually helps to prevent cholesterol buildup in
the lining of blood vessel walls, thus reducing the incident of
atherosclerosis and heart disease. The insoluble fiber in apples
provides bulk in the intestinal tract, holding water to cleanse and
move food quickly through the digestive system. It is a good idea to eat apples with their skin. Almost half of the
vitamin C content is just underneath the skin. Eating the skin also
increases insoluble fiber content. Most of an apple's fragrance cells
are also concentrated in the skin and as they ripen, the skin cells
develop more aroma and flavor. Apples are rich in
antioxidant phyto-nutrients, flavonoids and polyphenols.
The
total measured anti-oxidant strength (ORAC
value) of 100g apple fruit is 5900TE. The important flavonoids in
apples are quercetin, epicatechin,
and procyanidin B2. Apples are
also good in tartaric acid that
gives tart flavor to them. These compounds help protect the body from
deleterious
effects of free radicals. In addition, apples are a good source of
B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, and pyridoxine (vitamin
B-6). Together these vitamins help as co-factors for enzymes in
metabolism as well as
in various synthetic functions inside the body. Apples also contain
small
amount of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. Potassium is
an
important component of cell and body fluids helps controlling heart rate
and
blood pressure; thus counters the bad influences of sodium.
Spirulina: Spirulina is the common name given to a family of blue-green algae produced by a class of cyano-bacteria called “Arthospira”.
It is abundant in both fresh and sea water. Spirulina benefits come
mostly nowadays as a
type of dietary supplement that comes from a type of microscopic alga,
which is shaped like a spiral coil. Spirulina is cultivated from all
around the world and is used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole
food available in tablet, flake and powder form. One of the most
important
of all spirulina benefits is that it has an unusually high amount of
protein, which is an almost complete protein that contains 18 of the 22
amino acids the body needs. It is of a
superior quality when compared to plant protein. It is also rich with
several different types of essential fatty acid, and contains Vitamin
B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin A and Vitamin E. It is
also a source of such minerals as potassium, calcium, chromium, copper,
iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium (selenium benefits),
sodium, and zinc. The most important and popular spirulina health
benefit that comes
with regular supplementation is undoubtedly weight loss. Spirulina
weight loss has become quite a popular diet food; it is natural, it has
all the major vitamins, amino acids and nutrients required by the human
body and it has a very high protein content (60-70% of its body weight
is pure protein). It is also free of carbohydrates and sugar. As a
result, it acts as a potent appetite suppressant reducing body weight
over time. Of course, if you are using spirulina weight loss as a magic
pill remedy it will not work by itself but it should help you in
diminishing your hunger while eating a completely natural food. It has
also been shown to help correct anemia for undernourished
children, it also be effective against melanosis and keratosis caused by
chronic arsenic poisoning. Spirulina is also found to protect against
hay fever, reduce
inflammation caused by arthritis. Also, another one of the spirulina
benefits is that it is a rare source of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) which
is otherwise only present in mother’s milk. This particular amino acid
helps reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. It
also improves cardiovascular health in general. Spirulina is known to
help contain the effects of type 2 diabetes.
Regular Spirulina supplementation is known to lower blood sugar levels.
It also improves the antioxidant potential in people, which decreases
muscle breakdown and exhaustion after exercising and improves overall
health. However despite all these benefits their are a few (mostly
minor) spirulina side effects you might want to learn more about in my
other post. However, the only real side effect you probably have to
worry about is that spirulina also contains an amino
acid called, phenylalanine, which should be avoided by people with
phenylketonuria, a metabolic disorder, which prevents the body from
metabolizing this particular amino acid, making it to build up in the
brain causing damage. And although very rare it may sometimes contain a
type of toxin called microcystins, which can cause liver diseases,
including cancer. Unfortunately, as of yet no standard exists to
regulate its safety,
however as mentioned it is an extremely rare toxin, so as long as
properly tested there is no need for an alarm. As you can see theirs
definitely a lot of benefits linked to spirulina so it might be a
supplement you want to add to your diet when looking for the best
multivitamin that can compliment your eating habits!
----------------
----------------
PLEASE NOTE! This sites content (including but not limited to:
all food, hair and skin care recipes; tips; tutorials; writings; and, downloads) are absolutely free to the public!
Because it's free, I ask one simple favor in return, as your token of
appreciation for my humanitarian effort...I realize you may want to share
and maybe even use Veg Vivaciously's content in your business(es) (including but not limited to: blog(s), e-zine(s), website(s), free publication(s),
etc). You can, as long as you (1) do not charge a fee; (2) cite the direct link of the Veg Vivaciously content used; and, (3) include
the verbiage below with the Veg Vivaciously content used:
-------COPY BLURB BELOW-------
This content was originally from Veg Vivaciously, a website that teaches healthier alternatives one veggie at a time. You can get your FREE (food, hair and skin care) recipes, tutorials and other writings and tips directly at www.vegvivaciously.org. PLUS you can stay connected and join the Veg Vivaciously community on Facebook, Twitter and/or even download the Veg Vivaciously Toolbar and/or Phone App to stay in the know!
-------COPY BLURB ABOVE-------
