What’s in your cup Jenny and why?

Everyday I get the same question “what’s in your cup jenny and why”?  I get it from my clients, my family, my friends and I even get it from myself, so here it is…. My cup is full of good nutritious, delicious (sometimes), beneficial, and exciting stuff.  Its always made with love, excitement and mystery.  I never really know what the final outcome will be but, no matter what it’ll get consumed, sometimes faster then other times!  My basic premise for drinking what I drink is all on how I feel!  I am a vegetarian, I study and practice Traditional Chinese Medicine/Acupuncture, I am very active and I use whats available to me.  I juice, I blend, I soak and I shake so that I can maximize my nutritional value.  People prefer one method over another, but I include all of them into my cup.  Each and everyone of you has a particular reason why you do what you do and how it can be beneficial, so I figure doing it all is the way to go!

This weeks cup of joy comes from the detox and anti-inflammatory family;

I juiced dandelion, limes, ginger and pineapple……. But, why you ask? ok ok!

Dandelion (pu gong ying)-  In many countries, dandelion is used as a food. It contains high amounts of vitamin A, and smaller amounts of vitamin C, vitamin D, various B vitamins, iron, silicon, magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc. It can also be used in salads or added to teas.

Traditionally, dandelion has been used to treat problems relating to the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and joints. Dandelion leaves and root have been used to treat constipation, indigestion, heartburn, and to remove water from the body similar to a diuretic, while the root is used to increase bile production in the gallbladder and to treat liver problems.

In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion is used during instances when there is liver involvement with heat and toxins in the blood. These conditions include jaundice, hepatitis, urinary tract infections, red or swollen eyes, and abscesses.

Limes- Limes can protect us against colds due to the mixing of cold and hot air.  Like in your office where the air condition is pumping cold air and its amazingly hot and humid outside.  They also have a ton of vitamin C, some people believe vitamin C may reduce the duration of colds and even prevent the spreading of colds.  Some studies suggest that they may even have antibiotic properties, they could prevent Cancer via their flavonoids, and lastly lime juice helps prevent the formation of Kidney Stones.  Long term studies indicate that drinking 120 ml of lime juice can prevent kidney stones and the sourness of the juice can also help increase digestion.  They too are part of the detox family, but more specifically they help to detox the Liver.  According to Chinese Medicine the sour taste directly relates to the Liver organ and their green in colour which is the color associated with the Liver and the Gall Bladder.

Ginger (Sheng Jiang)- A “Universal Great Medicine,” “everything good is found in ginger,” and it “restores devastated yang” and “expels cold.”  Its amazing!! Internally and externally, dried, juiced or burnt.

Consuming ginger may help to decrease muscle soreness, inflammation, and relieve osteoarthritis pain.

The data is mixed, but one theory is that ginger may inhibit COX (cyclooxygenase) and LOX (lipooxygenase), making it an anti-inflammatory gem. NSAIDs work in a similar fashion, but only inhibit COX (leading to upregulation of LOX), and possible side effects like kidney problems, stomach bleeding and allergic reactions.  Why bother?  Ginger to the rescue!

Since ginger appears to inhibit both COX and LOX, it can lead to a lower production of chemical messengers like LTs (leukotrienes), TNF (tumor necrosis factor), and PGs (prostaglandins). This occurs systemically and at the site of inflammation, therefore, pain relief- Good.

It’s thought that ginger may act (although weaker) similarly to calcium channel blockers that are commonly used in high blood pressure cases. Over several months, ginger may promote smooth muscle relaxation and more elastic blood vessels. Smooth muscle relaxation might also be a benefit to asthmatics-Great.

Tumor promotion is linked with inflammation and oxidative stress. Thus, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of ginger could play a role in cancer prevention. Further, ginger might activate a tumor suppressor gene and downregulate a gene that plays a role in metastasis-Amazing.

You can even add ginger to baths and foot soaks.

Because of ginger’s anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial action, it may help keep skin clear and free of blemishes. It may also help fight skin discolouration and aging, both when consumed and topically applied-Beautiful.

Ginger can also help your sex life. A famous Arabian physician Avicenna wrote that ginger “increases lustful yearnings”, and ginger also appears in the Kama Sutra. Rat studies confirm that ginger may help increase testosterone- Greatly Noted.

FYI to the meat eaters- The use of ginger in Asia is common because it’s believed to cleanse the body of toxins from meat dishes.

Pineapple- Pineapple strengthens the spleen and stomach, promotes the production of body fluid, increases Qi (energy/flow) and blood, reduces swelling, and eliminates dampness. It is used to treat dehydration due to excessive summer heat, thirst, dry throat, restlessness, fatigue, anorexia, weakness in the back and knees, hypertension, and coughs with profuse phlegm.

A particularly important enzyme present in pineapples is bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that is very helpful in the digestive process and in clearing the intestinal tract; recent studies link it with anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, and anti-cancer properties.

Pineapple’s high levels of vitamin B1 and manganese also make it a very energizing fruit. B vitamins excite our metabolism and cause us to gain more energy from the foods we digest, and manganese supports the health of our energy-producing mitochondria.  Its also very sweet and luscious and makes any drink delicious.

So, that’s the juice part.  Basically it looks like a greenish swamp with newly hatched tadpoles (because at some point I am sure I dropped some rinds in- my bad).  From there I like to add an omega/fat source…. Enter, Chia Seeds- Ch Ch Chia!  Chia is the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. By weight, chia contains more omega 3 than salmon, and it still tastes like whatever you want! Omega 3 oil is important in heart and cholesterol health.  But it doesn’t stop there, tis’ the season for blueberries- Mmmmmmm!  Blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant capacities among all fruits, vegetables, spices and seasonings. Their high level of antioxidants are essential to optimizing health by helping to combat the free radicals that can damage cellular structures as well as DNA.

Now, why do I do this?  So that I have the happiest, healthiest, functioning body I can have.  And my drinks are always a great ice breaker, I meet so many new fun and knowledgeable people all thanks to some fruit and veg in a cup.

Next weeks cup, unknown, sorry but I’ll keep you updated