Meal Replacement Smoothie Recipe

APPLE OATMEAL FIBER SMOOTHIE

1 red apple, cored

1 cup ice

2/3 cup oatmeal

4 pinches of cinnamon

1 scoop AIM ProPeas protein powder

1 scoop AIM Fit ‘n Fiber powder

2/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt

2/3 cup fat-free organic soymilk (or almond-, rice-milk)

½ cup raisins

1 tablespoon of flax seed or chia seeds

Place all ingredients in the HealthMaster emulsifier [or large food processor]’s pitcher.

Press RUN at speed 8 (for the HealthMaster machine) or at highest food processing speed, until blended!

Note:  in adapting the recipe from the original, I doubled the serving size, lowered its amount of sugar, and increased its amounts of fiber and protein.  I increased the serving size as I felt that that was a more filling option; you can cut it in half if you have a smaller food processor, if you so choose.  I added the seeds (flax/chia) for added fiber and for omega-3 essential fatty acids—that our bodies don’t produce!  The AIM ProPeas adds an nice taste of vanilla, adding only 1 gram of sugar (It’s sweetened with the natural sweetener stevia.), which mean that it is low on the glycemic index!

Also, the binder of recipes, that I got this from, sums up some of the health benefits of a couple of its ingredients as:

  v    APPLE:  “Scientific evidence is constantly building evidence that the antioxidants in apples, and   other fruits and vegetables, are protective against cardiovascular disease and cancer development….Preliminary studies have suggested that a diet rich in apples may help lower cholesterol (HealthMaster Elite, 2011, page 5).”

  v  OATMEAL:  “May be beneficial in helping to prevent heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.  Also help(s) to stabilize blood sugars in noninsulin .dependent diabetic patients (HealthMaster Elite, 2011, page 15).”

{Adapted from “Apple Oatmeal Smoothie” in Living Well/Montel [Williams] HealthMaster Elite’s Garden Fresh RECIPE COLLECTION; published 2011 by Tristar Products, Inc; available from www.myhealthmaster.com}

Nutrition Facts following, are approximations—as the products (yogurt and organic soymilk) were stated for 1 cup.  Doing the math made my head hurt!  I, also, couldn’t run this post past a 2^nd pair of eyes to crosscheck my math!!

2 servings.  Calories (per serving) = 299; Fiber = 13 grams; and, Sugar = 18 grams.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month--Need for Alkaline Diet

A M.D., who happens to be African American, was briefly interviewed, in the following video, this month—for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Dr. Tanya Edwards, Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine starts by giving a comprehensive list of what the National Institutes of Health (NIH) group into 5 different systems of healing—such as, acupuncture, supplements, and chiropractic therapy:

http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/More/Pages/Videos.aspx?id=52&utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_11_12Cancer&CS_003=5885546

More importantly, Dr. Edwards sums up how you can help keep breast cancer (probably applies to other forms of cancer as well) from coming back.  She states that, if following a traditional, Western approach to cancer, integrative medical healing systems could at least be used to

decrease side effects from chemotherapy and radiation [treatments].  In addition, as cancer is an inflammatory disease, following an anti-inflammatory diet [is recommended]; namely, you should get rid of sugar, most saturated fat (foods that are from animals), and trans fats.  Eat fish, for omega-3 [essential fatty acids], nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil; and, LOTS of fruits and vegetables.  Also, as we’re all deficient in vitamin D; and, it has been shown that if you had cancer and have a lot of vitamin D in your body, that you live longer(!)  Be close to the ideal body weight for your height—in other words, don’t be obese…Lastly, tumeric has been demonstrated, in animal studies, to reduce the size of tumors; the suggested dosage is either half a teaspoon in water or 2,000 mg. per day.  Maitake mushroom extract promotes immune cell [growth], that attack cancer cells (Cleveland Clinic, 2012).

It looks like an anti-inflammatory diet might also be an alkaline diet as the following statement from Acid Alkaline Diets seems to be leading us:

An alkaline diet usually involves eating minimal amounts of meats, dairy products, white flour and white sugar, because these foods have a very acidic reaction on the body’s pH level. Instead, the diet usually focuses heavily on fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts such as almonds, and soy products, because they leave an alkaline ash within the body (2010).

So, if you have recovered from breast cancer, please follow the aforementioned recommendations; or, your cancer could return!  If you’re currently battling with cancer, watch the Cleveland Clinic’s video (that is quoted) and investigate those integrative medical healing systems among alternative therapies, named by NIH.  Chemotherapy and radiation might be harming your healthy cells, along with the cancerous cells; and, they further weaken your body!  Don’t discount the proven benefits of Ayurvedic medicine, massage or herbs in helping you develop a healthier you…

{DISCLAIMER:  I am not a licensed healthcare professional.  If you have any health issues, please see a Medical Doctor, Integrative Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, Chiropractic Doctor, Naturopathic Doctor, Licensed Nutritionist—Washington, DC or Maryland requires this—Registered Dietician, or Nurse Practitioner.}

May the Lord’s Blessings be with you!

Shelley

Reference:

Acid Alkaline Diets.  (2010).  Alkaline diet for cancer: Cancer cells cannot survive in an alkaline environment.  Retrieved October 17, 2012 from http://www.acidalkalinediet.com/alkaline-diet-for-cancer#.UH9afBxc__A

Cleveland Clinic.  (2012).  Breast cancer:  How integrative medicine can help.  Wellness.  Retrieved October 17, 2012 from http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/More/Pages/Videos.aspx?id=52&utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_11_12Cancer&CS_003=5885546