This morning I was fortunate enough to have time to sample some of Amsterdam’s finest grass before heading back to the UK. No, I have not been smoking dodgy cigarettes in the coffee shops, but I have been drinking fresh Wheatgrass juice.
“Grass - Cow’s eat it – dopes smoke it – but only the enlightened drink it”
Clearly it is completely unnatural for humans to eat grass – the strong cellulose makes it too woody and fibrous for our intestinal tract to deal with efficiently. However, one of our most instinctive acts as children is to pick blades of grass and suck on them. A process which is incredibly good for ulcers, teeth and gums.
Say “High” To Nature!
One of the unexpected benefits of a little shot of wheatgrass is the almost instant ‘wheatgrass high’ that is experienced by many people just after they take the shot. It has been described as a similar hit to caffeine, but without any of the negative side effects. Even if you don’t experience the immediate natural high, you can be sure that a little dose of this liquid sunshine will be finest health insurance you will ever invest in.
7 Amazing facts about Wheatgrass
1) A wheatgrass shot is said to have the same nutritional equivalence, in terms of vitamins, minerals and enzymes as 1kg of green leafy vegetables.
2) It contains every single trace mineral known (apart from one) in a raw, liquid bio-available form.
3) Wheatgrass is an excellent source of chlorophyll and on a molecular level chlorophyll is practically identical to human blood blood cells. The only difference being, in blood the central nucleus is iron, but in chlorophyll it is magnesium. This is one of the reasons wheatgrass is known as one of nature’s finest ‘blood cleansers’.
4) It is a great source of potassium, which help your muscles and nerves to function properly, maintain the proper electrolyte and acid-base balance in your body, and helps lower your risk of high blood pressure.
5) Unlike the myth behind milk, wheatgrass is a good ‘usable’ source of calcium. Wheatgrass contains very little oxalic acid so the calcium remains usable, making it extremely good for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism etc.
6) Wheatgrass is 40% liquid protein or ‘amino acids’ (the building blocks for protein), this helps to build cells, repair tissues, combat invading bacteria and viruses, carry oxygen through the body and is a good source of live enzymes.
7) Based on the many studies that have been done about wheatgrass it has been proven to; assist in the repair of DNA, enhance the immune system, destroy cancer cells, reduce cholesterol, prevent inflammation and enhance stamina and endurance.
If you want to learn more about Wheatgrass and how to make it part of your diet I suggest reading this article by qualified natural juice therapist Carol Brace: Wheatgrass.
For everyday juicing I use the Phillips HR1861. To juice wheatgrass you will need a masticating juicer like the Matstone 6 in 1 Juicer.
Year Without Beer
Never mind the Olympics, 2012 is my Year Without Beer! I am spending all 366 days of this leap year alcohol free in an attempt to raise money for 2 charities that are both very close to my heart.
As part of my running challenge I am signed up to run a quarter marathon, 10 mile road race (Great South Run) and 8 mile off road challenge (The Grim Original).
In 2012 I was raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Cancer Research UK.
