Tagged with 'greens'

Wheatgrass is an awesome living food, and a shot a day will cleanse and rejuvenate.

I'm really into drinking green juice, so let's dive into the pros and cons of this green juice trend.

Chlorella, barley and spirulina put the green in these energy balls! When combined with cacao and coconut, the flavor really pops. These make a quick and easy raw, superfood energy ball – great to grab and go!

Provides nutrient-dense green foods that are easy to digest and assimilate, thanks to the ancient practice of fermentation. With wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, kale, spinach and more to promote a healthy pH balance.

An alkalizing green drink to boost your athletic performance.

Chlorophyll is a powerful pigment found in leafy greens and algae. Here's how to get more in your diet.

Do you love wheatgrass? Even if you've never grown your own, don't worry, it's easy! It will also add some lovely color to your kitchen, and you’ll be able to incorporate wheatgrass sprouts all year long.  

Wheatgrass is known for its bright emerald green color, which is due to its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is the plant equivalent of the oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in red blood cells (for humans).

Wheatgrass is rich in P4D1, a “gluco-protein” that acts like an antioxidant, reducing inflammation. Some claim they like the taste of wheatgrass better than barley grass, stating barley grass has a bitterer flavor. 

This convenient grower allows you to grow fresh wheatgrass in just 10 days, utilizing your home's room temperature and lighting (no special lighting needed). You don't need soil, and although there are three trays, you are able to grown just one tray at a time, if you're inclined. The trays are made of a BPA-free plastic.

If you're juicing, each tray makes about 4oz of wheat grass juice. We recommend purchasing high quality wheatgrass seeds. Fresh wheatgrass is a great way to add vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients to your daily diet.  

One handy thing about this sprouter is the removable trays, making it easy to start different things at different times, providing opportunity for great sprout variety.

What is your experience using a sprouter?

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

When nutrition professionals talk about eating foods with more nutrients and less calories, KALE is one of those foods! 

Today is National Kale Day! Just one cup of raw kale…

• contains just 33 calories

• provides 134% of your daily vitamin C needs

• provides 684% of your daily vitamin K needs

• provides 204% of vitamin A

• is an excellent source of calcium and iron

But kale is a super food that can provide more than just vitamins and minerals. It's alarmingly high (in a good way) in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which help fight obesity, diabetes and heart disease. 

Other reasons to love kale:

• It's versatile in the kitchen.

• It's sustainable, accessible, inexpensive.

• It's GOOD for us!

• It's growing popularity has resulted in many easy, tasty recipe ideas, and the infamous kale chips. 

How will you incorporate kale into your diet this week?

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

When you hear about “green” drinks, more than likely wheatgrass, barley grass, or both are included in the green concoction. Nutritionally, they both pack a big punch for only a small portion size.

These grasses are recognized by their bright emerald green color, which is due to their high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is the plant equivalent of the oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in red blood cells.

The ideal time to pick the grass is when it’s about 12-14 inches high since the nutrient profiles of green cereal plants change quickly as they grow.

I’ve been wondering what the difference is between wheatgrass and barley grass, and it turns out there isn’t much, nutritionally speaking, but here are some standout benefits of each.

Wheatgrass

• Wheatgrass is rich in P4D1, a “gluco-protein” that acts like an antioxidant, reducing inflammation.

• Some claim they like the taste of wheatgrass better than barley grass, stating barley grass has a bitterer flavor. 

Barley Grass

• Barley grass is packed with the antioxidants vitamin E, beta-carotene, and a critical enzyme superoxide dismutase, which helps neutralize the effects of oxygen free radicals produced during energy metabolism.

• Barley grass acts as a free radical scavenger that also reduces inflammation and pain.

• Barley grass is also said to contain an exceptionally high amount of “organic sodium” and is known to alleviate arthritis symptoms more effectively than wheat grass juice.

• Some claim barley grass is easier on the digestive system than wheat grass.

• You can find young wheat and barley grasses dried and powdered to make dietary supplements, or picked fresh to process in juicing machines.

Looks like you can't go wrong with either grass!

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Live Superfoods

As the hot summer proceeds, you might expect to see algae floating in a lake or river, but in your food? Yep! Food producers have started to use the stuff to make new foods, including cooking oil and even natural food dyes.

Some more common types of algae you may have heard of are spirulina (blue-green algae) and chlorella (microalgae). Spirulina’s a classic smoothie-booster with its biggest claim to fame being its protein content, especially as an option for vegans. It contains 8 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons, plus iron and antioxidants like beta-carotene. Aside from spirulina’s nutritional benefits, people also eat to improve cardiovascular health—in particular, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and its anti-inflammatory properties.  

Research suggests another green variety, chlorella, is a concentrated source of chlorophyll, shown to have antioxidant properties. Chlorella may also improve immune function and is high in lutein, an antioxidant prized for its role in supporting eye health. 

Another reason to love microalgae is its unique sustainability potential. Unlike most crops or livestock that take months or years to grow, this ingredient can be farmed in a matter of days without large swaths of land. However, some experts say microalgae’s eco-friendly potential hasn’t been met yet because its production, particularly at the drying stage, still requires too much electricity. 

The good thing is, you don't have to collect any pond scum yourself! There are lots of companies who collect it and turn it into tablets and powdered greens!

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Live Superfoods