By Julie Morris on August 19, 2010
As I attempted to use my time at the car repair station wisely by conducting an obsessively thorough purse clean-out, a man sitting across the waiting area struck up a conversation (much to his teenage son’s embarrassment, I should note).
“Can you believe what they put in these things?” he asked, pointing to his bottled iced tea. “All I wanted was some iced tea and I look at the can and there’s 56 grams of sugar in here.”
Cool. Yes. Glad you’re in the know.
“It’s so awful what they put in our foods these days. All this corn syrup, this sugar, in everything,” he continued.
Sure is.
“Even when you think you’re eating well you find out all this other stuff’s been hiding inside the ingredients.”
Well, the ingredients are always listed on the back of a package, but I hear ya.
“And then there’s all these people with diabetes and obesity… something’s gotta change. That’s why I . . . ”
Nice – bring it home, brother!
“That’s why I stopped drinking juice.”
Wait. What?
Whether it’s sugar, fat, carbs, protein, etc, we have a nasty habit of isolating food elements without looking at the big picture. Some people, such as my new iced tea friend, are afraid of juice because of reports claiming the sugar content in fruit juice is equivalent to soda. Unquestionably yes, juice — especially fruit juice — contains natural sugars, in particular fructose.
Yet it’s not really sugars per se that earn the Big Bad Wolf title as much as it’s those creepy empty calories that compose the food that sugars often reside in. Context is everything. In juice’s case, that “context” is a drink naturally filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients (it’s just a fruit/vegetable without the fiber). As far as the context of iced tea and soda go . . . cue the crickets.
Understanding nutrition can be very, very simple through the idea of nutrient density (the amount of “good stuff” you get per calorie). And because juice is essentially condensed nutrition (you can fit 3-4 servings of fruit or 5-6 servings of veggies in a glass), I’d unquestionably rank juice in the “premium fuel” department. General rules apply: fresh is best, veggies are better than fruit, green veggies are even better than that, and of course, with everything (say it with me): balance.
Here are a few potent juice combos I paricuarily love (you can juice them yourself at home or custom order at a juice bar):
Lean & Green: cucumber + celery + kale + spinach + lemon
Purify & Cleanse: beet + carrot + ginger + fennel + parsley
Restore & Rejuvenate: orange + coconut water + wheatgrass
Sweet & Warming: apple + burdock root + ginger + cinnamon (just dash)
Posted in Cleanse, Freshly Made, Green Tips, Natural Lifestyle |
By Julie Morris on April 14, 2010
Oh yes, it’s that time of year again. Just as all the trees burst forth with flowers, and brilliantly colored buds open wide to catch the warm sun . . . I seem to blossom into a sneezing, watery-eyed, allergic, phlegm-ball. Nature can be so cruel.
Seasonal allergies are the result of excessive immune response to substances that are not normally harmful — like pollen. Daniel Gagnon, the medicinal herbalist for Herbs Etc., puts it well: “Think of it as having a fly in the house. Instead of using a fly swatter to get rid of it, a shotgun is used to dispose of the intruder. You may get rid of the fly, but the damage to the room will be extensive.” The damage Daniel is referring to is the unfortunate result of a stressed out immune system, often leading to compromised immunity and weakened adrenal glands. Annoying sniffles aside, fighting allergies often leaves the body tired and more exposed to new allergies as well as illness.
I like to adjust my diet during this time of year to help give my body some extra support as it goes to battle with the pollen. I strengthen the bodily systems most affected by allergies by using nutrient-rich foods. Because animal fats cause inflammation which exacerbates allergy symptoms, eating for allergy relief is all the more reason to focus on food derived from plants.
Here are some particularly good foods to emphasize:
Apples, broccoli, & blueberries: These have a high concentration of the nutrient quercetin (for the apples, it’s actually in the skin). Quercetin is great for people with allergies, according to National Allergy, as it has been “shown to stabilize the cells that make histamine, which mediates many allergic responses.”
Oranges & bell peppers: Both foods have high levels of vitamin C, which has a special synergistic relationship with quercetin. Vitamin C is also an excellent immunity booster on its own.
Carrots & goji berries: Both foods are extreme vitamin A machines. Vitamin A goes hand in hand with Vitamin C in aiding the immune system.
Nettles: Though many people just take nettles in capsule form, you can also use them fresh, juiced, or dried and steeped as a tea. The Prescription for Nutritional Healing states that nettle “reduces inflammation in the sinus cavities. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage and aids in preventing allergy attacks.” Depending on where you live, you can actually forage wild nettles where they grow like weeds!
Flax, hemp and chia seeds: These seeds have a good concentration of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 oils. Keeping inflammation at a minimum reduces stress within the body.
Long-term dietary support is one of the most beneficial changes you can make to help control allergic reactions. And, with the inclusion of these helpful foods, you and I may just be able to stop and actually SMELL the roses.
Posted in Cleanse, Green Tips, Natural Lifestyle | Tagged a, allergies, antioxidants, Articles, chef, diet, diet tips, dr oz, eco-friendly, EFA, environment, flush, hay fever, healhty, health, Healthy Lifestyle, herbs etc, immune system boost, Julie Morris, la, los angeles, Natural Lifestyle, natural remedy, nature, naturopathic medicine, nettles, omega, plant-based diet, quercetin, rash, raw food, seasonal, sneezing, spring, vegan, vegetarian |
By Julie Morris on January 8, 2010
The potent symbolism of a new year escapes very few of us. Resolutions get made. Goals are set. I’m sure the words “get healthy” are said more on January 1st over any other day of the year.
Around this time, a lot of us may be considering a dietary cleanse of sorts — you know, to kinda to kick our new, better, and noticeably more awesome selves into high gear. A cleanse is essentially eliminating accrued toxins from the body and/or allowing the digestive system to “rest” by means of a full throttle consumption of detoxifying herbs, juices, elixirs or fancy concoctions . . . and not eating much else. Many times cleanses don’t even allow solid food.
A small cleanse (say, a few days long) can certainly have its place in a natural lifestyle. But rather than such a regimented approach, I prefer utilizing a style of cleansing I call “organic cleansing.” Instead of taking the extreme measures of a fast, simply eating really good-for-you food on a daily basis (essentially “cleansing” daily) allows your body to stay “clean” at its own natural and organic rate. Really good-for-you foods include whole, plant-based foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Also, eating more “raw” foods – foods that haven’t had many of their vitamins and enzymes destroyed by cooking and heat — is among the easiest and healthiest ways to cleanse (or stay cleansed!) at an organic pace. Basically: eating natural food keeps you clean & energized. It’s that simple.
Eating this way is fun, as you can genuinely feel good about each and every positive choice made. It feels like you giving to you, with, I imagine, the inner conversation going something like this:
Outer You: Hey, here, I made this smoothie for you.
Inner You: Oh, hey, thanks.
Outer You: Yeah, no worries.
(processes smoothie)
Inner You: Wow this is GOOD! Yum yum yum yum.
Outer You: I know, I had some.
Inner You: Here, I have something for you too: it’s called “a lot of energy.”
Outer You: Nice – I like a lot of energy.
Inner You: Do you think you could make me a salad later?
Outer You: Sure, but we’re going for a long hike first.
Inner You: You’re the greatest.
Outer You: You are.
Inner You: No you.
Outer You: YOU.
(group hug).
Here’s 5 foods to incorporate right away to get your great tasting, group-hugging, “organic cleanse” on:
Juice – You don’t have to go on a juice fast to get the benefits! Make sure it’s fresh and not from concentrate. No juicer at home and no juice bar around? Even a handheld citrus squeezer to make some fresh-squeezed orange juice will make the difference – and what a heavenly difference at that!
Herbal Tea – Herbs are amazingly powerful (!) and steeping them in tea is an excellent way to take advantage of their benefits while staying warm inside at the same time. Right now I’m big into nettle tea and peppermint tea.
Smoothies – The no brainer approach to a better meal. Fill up a blender with fruit, a plant-based milk or water, and your favorite superfoods for a flavorlicious meal. I think if everyone substituted their breakfast for a smoothie each day, the world would be a better place.
Leafy Greens – Eat them. Have a salad, juice them, stick a couple in your smoothie, serve them as a steamed side; just eat them. Your body loves them, and the more you can incorporate them into your diet, the better and cleaner you will feel. Sea vegetables are excellent detoxifiers as well.
Kombucha – This 2000 year-old elixir is ideal for daily organic cleansing. Kombucha is not only a delicious bubbly beverage, but one that contains copious amounts of enzymes, micronutrients, and also contains lactic acid – a dietary component which increases oxygen in the blood.
And of course, here are more recipes for a natural diet.
Posted in Cleanse, Green Tips, Natural Lifestyle, Raw Foods | Tagged alkaline, antioxidants, Articles, chef, clease, Detox, detoxificiation, diet, easy recipe, environment, Fasting, food, fresh herbs, gluten free, health, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy living, juice fast, juice feast, juicer, Julie Morris, kombucha, leafy greens, local food, los angeles, lose wieght, Master Cleanse, natural, naturel cleanse, New Year's Resolution, nutrition, organic, organic cleanse, plant-based diet, raw food, Recipes, salad, sea vegetable, show, superfoods, tea, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian, Weight Loss |
By Julie Morris on December 18, 2009
So it’s the holidays. And just when it’s time to spread good cheer, the flu decides it wants to spread its love too.
So far I seem to have been a-ok this year from a flu and cold standpoint. But oh no no no – that doesn’t mean I’m not prepared to go into battle if needed. In fact, when it comes to getting sick, I pretty much have my system down pat, ready and poised for the first sign of attack:
Tissues: yes.
Self-pitying fuzzy blanket: yes.
Helpful healing herbs: yes.
And most importantly, ingredients to make my special miso soup: always.
Whether you’re in the middle of a full-on flu battle or simply just a little run down, I’m telling you, miso soup just FEELS good. It feels RIGHT. Get your bowl ready.
Used now for almost 2 milleniums, this special soup is composed mainly of miso paste – made from fermented soybeans, grains, or rice. It acts as a flavorful salty soup base containing a vast amount of healthy elements like minerals (including cold-busting Zinc), and even elusive vitamins like B12. Adding in the traditional wakame seaweed into a miso soup mixture adds an even higher potency of minerals . . . and it doesn’t hurt that wakame is also amongst the most alkalizing foods around. Add a dash of cayenne to really get the blood flowing. And maybe throw in some optional kelp noodles for a fun, calorie-free take on an old-fashioned chicken noodle fix (which, quite honestly, has very little to brag about – despite what grandma says).
Quick and easy to make, the biggest key to a great miso is not to boil the paste, else many of the beneficial healthy agents are destroyed. That’s why, instead of putting the miso in a pot, I make each bowl individually using the “smear method” (as described below). Healthy holidays . . .
Simple Miso Soup
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup kelp noodles, rinsed (optional)
1½ Tbsp wakame flakes
pinch of cayenne, to taste
1 Tbsp yellow miso paste
¼ cup firm tofu, cut into small ½” cubes
1 Tbsp finely chopped scallions (white part only)
DIRECTIONS:
Heat the water, wakame, cayenne, and kelp noodles to just below a low simmer in a small saucepan (about 3-5 minutes).
In a large soup bowl, smear the miso paste with the back of a spoon to thinly coat the bottom of the bowl. Add water and noodles, and stir until miso has dissolved. Stir in tofu and scallions. Allow to rest for a minute or two before consuming. Serves one.
NOTE: Can you use other types of miso (aka Red or Yellow)? YES! I simply like the White the best as it is the most mild in taste.
Posted in Cleanse, Freshly Made, Green Tips, Natural Lifestyle | Tagged alkaline, antioxidants, Articles, budget, chinese, cold, depression, disease, easy recipe, flu, food, gluten free, gluten free recipe, healing, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy living, illness, iron, japanese, Julie Morris, kelp noodles, los angeles, miso, natural, nutrition, organic, raw food, remedy, soup, swine flu, tofu, vegan, vegan chicken noodle, vegetarian, wakame, Weight Loss |
By Julie Morris on November 27, 2009
Yay – I have a fresh-off-the-press cooking show episode to share. I’ve been making this super cool jam recipe made from acai berries and chia seeds for a while now at home, and I wanted to demonstrate just how easy it is to make it yourself. For anyone who’s looking to make small changes for a healthy gain (because those small changes really DO add up!) this recipe is really a perfect fit. And, oh my gosh: SO so so easy.
You can view this episode along with my other videos under the Cooking Show section, HERE.
With its stellar ingredient list, this jam is a bona fide superfood in and of itself, so you can feel really good about incorporating it in your diet. Acai berries have a very mild berry flavor, resulting in a jam that looks and tastes similar to boysenberry preserves. If you like extra-sweet jams, I would recommend adding a touch of white stevia at the end for a natural (and sugar-free/calorie-free) sweet boost.
Posted in Cleanse, Freshly Made, Green Tips, Natural Lifestyle | Tagged acai, alkaline, antioxidants, Articles, canning, chia, cooking, demo, Detox, diabetes, diet, easy recipe, environment, episode, essential fatty acids, fiber, food, gluten free, gluten free recipe, health, Healthy Lifestyle, healthy living, how to, instructions, jam, jelly, Julie Morris, los angeles, natural, nutrition, organic, plant-based diet, preserves, protien, raw food, Recipes, show, Super Foods With Jules, superfoods, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian, Weight Loss |
By Julie Morris on January 5, 2009
Strolling into a Whole Foods Market yesterday, I am hit front and center. A large display shelf of seemingly random items stares me down: lemons, maple syrup jugs, cayenne pepper and liters of water. I quickly put the clues together before noticing the dead-giveaway item: a stack of thin, yellow booklets with polite green typography stating: Master Cleanse.
Wow — when did this little-known fasting practice become a household name?
Posted in Cleanse | Tagged Articles, Best Diet, Cayenne Pepper, Cleanse, Colon Cleanse, Detox, Fast Cleanse, Fasting, Grade B Maple Syrup, health, Juicing, Julie Morris, Lemon Juice, Lemonade Diet, Maple Syrup Diet, Master Cleanse, New Year's Resolution, raw food, Salt Water Flush, Stanley Burroughs, vegan, vegetarian, Weight Loss, Whole Foods Market |
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