Healthy Girls Happy Hour....and Therapeutic Nourishment!

Hey Diva's, Taking a moment from working on the upcoming 30 day challenge, to enjoy a little Ginger Rabbitini cocktail. This is a recipe that will be in my "Shoots and Roots" section of the book. I am not one to advocate the consumption of ALOT of juices-or juice ONLY cleanses, especially fruit! But, I do find that there are many therapeutic uses for obtaining concentrated amounts of nutrients and phytochemicals, obtained through juicing a whole food. Nutrients, that we may be lacking in our modern diet.So, is it primitive/primal or paleo to juice....?Maybe not- however, Is it primitive to take a supplement or a chemical pharmaceutical? No! So, I guess my choice in this matter will always coincide with a "Let food be thy medicine- and medicine be thy food"(Hippocrates)approach. With our commercial farming methods, and the depletion of our soil of most of its vital minerals/nutrients, our produce today is much different than that of our primitive ancestors.

It is little known in this country what a serious problem nutrient depletion in our soil has become. With the use of heavy fertilizers, farmers are able to produce what appear to be healthy, nutritious crops. The problem is that the plants are highly deficient in key nutrients. After years of over farming and heavy fertilizer use, the soil loses all of its good, wholesome virtues. Vitally important soil microbes that break down minerals into a form useable by the body are lost. Vitamin and mineral levels are drastically reduced, and the soil is basically burned out.

Unfortunately, even when the soil is burnt out, farmers can still grow good looking fruits and vegetables by using high doses of fertilizer. The fruit and vegetables will have good caloric content but very little in the form of real nutrition. Most produce sold now falls under this category. We think, as we are purchasing a head of broccoli or a bag of apples that we are doing our bodies a big, nutritious favor. In reality we are receiving half the nutrition we think, if not empty calories.

The Earth Summit Statistics meeting in 1992 revealed that farmland in the U.S. is over 85% micronutrient depleted.That was almost 20 years ago! Many people think that buying organic vegetables will remedy this problem. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case. Just because a product says organic does not mean it was grown in nutrient rich soil. It simply means that many of the harsh chemical fertilizers were not employed. Of course, this is a step in the right direction, but it still doesn't answer the problem of nutrient deficiency. It would take consuming approximately 15 carrots to obtain all the vital nutrients in one carrot cocktail.I can't eat that many carrots- I am a Primitive Diva not Bugs Bunny! However, I do make sure to consume a few pieces of the whole vegetable to get the naturally occuring fiber that acts synergystically to keep my blood sugar from spiking. And all those awesome benefits from having a cocktail sized dose of carrot goodness.....Studies show that one carrot a day could possibly cut the rate of lung cancer in HALF (see Johnny Bowden's research- 150 Healthiest Foods)Carrots are high in carotenoids, antioxidant compounds found in plants that are associated with with amazing health benefits.I am sure you have heard of Beta Carotene and its super nutrient powers, right? BC only makes up one of the over 500 carotenoid family members. High Carotenoid intake has been associated with a 50% DECREASE in bladder, cervix,prostate,colon, larynx and esphogeal cancers. As well as, a 20% decrease in post-menopausal breast cancer.There was a study published several years ago of a test group being treated with a Beta Carotene, synthetic supplement. There were no benefits shown. Synthetic forms of any nutrient behave quite differently in the body than the real deal. The lesson is most nutrients should be obtained from their natural source. So, enjoy a therapeutic cocktail- makes you feel great and gives you a dose of Carotenoid!

Ginger Rabbitini:6-8 large Carrots
1-2 inch of Ginger Root
*option of juicing with spinach or kale- will help reduce the sugar load, IF you are sensitive!

Juice and ENJOY!

NOTE: Carrots also contain lutein and zeaxanthin- two other carotenoids that when working together protect the eyes....so our momma Diva's were right all along!