Juicing against physical disease?? What about mental health???

I haven't had chance really to blog at all in these past few weeks as I'm so bogged down in my dissertation and revision with my finals looming! Scary I'll tell you !

But this morning I came across a TED talk by the Juice master that is Jason Vale in Dubai 2011. This was the first thing I did this morning - even before breakfast ! Which I hate to say was not a juice this morning! Mainly because I am due to go back home to Sheffield tomorrow morning and so have NO food in the house!
Anyway, that is beside the point. After watching this video I was sent on a flurry of youtubing other videos about juicing and alkaline living and so on. Basically what Jason was saying is that there is one disease and one solution! This makes so much sense..doesn't it?! I mean, all the drugs out there only treat the symptoms NOT the cause of a disease! How does that make any sense? It doesn't, how can it? I guess its good in the short term, but in the long term these 'treatments' are having a negative effect on us - sometimes even resulting in death.
He brings to light the fact that our bodies are actually alkaline and that to be healthy we need to put in place some protocol to maintain this environment. But many of us don't do this, maybe because we don't know about it. Granted the medical world is a very important place and does GREAT things for millions of people around the world, but perhaps this is a new long term solution.
What is being suggested is that to look after our body which is ultimately our home, we need to start juicing everyday in order to keep that alkaline balance.
So - if this is so great at overcoming many physical diseases like diabetes, asthma, and psoriasis then can't this be  a great way to relieve symptoms of mental illness too?
I don't know of much research about mental illness and diet and alkaline living but this is seriously an area that needs to be looked into. Surely if this is something that is going to even just relieve the symptoms of say depression or bipolar, which is only what the drugs do anyway, then it is a better and safer way to help people?

Take Bipolar, this is most often treated both Lithium, but what is crazy is that we don't even really know why this works only that it does?!!  But what we do know is that by juicing and putting the alkaline foods into your body it builds your hemoglobin levels, increases your energy and so much more, so why isn't this the new line of research for not only physical but mental health too?
Of course I'm not saying that drugs and other medial treatments are a waste of time, becuase they are not - all that im putting out there is the fact that there are alternative treatments options which might be better in the long run but we will never know unless we give them a try and now is the time!!

I think I have just found my new pursuit in life!


More juicing to come!!!!

"Listen"

Mental health and its treatment has an air of stigma and negativity attached to it. It is painful to see so many people go without the much needed help they so desperately need.

When people think of getting therapy or even dare to speak about the possibility they are often instantly shot down. But we must not forget the flip side - what the therapists can do for us and whether or not they are fulfilling those expectations.

Therapy - a place where someone asks you "and how do you feel about that?". Such a common misconception but one driven by the stigmatization of mental health and its services. Nobody outside of the profession ever really talks about their experiences with therapy - did it help? didn't it? This is quite a sad fact.

I came across this poem written by a patient of a psychiatric hospital and it really touched me. There are so many lines and comments in this that I can relate to - not from my experience of therapy but from the place of the advice giver. Its the harsh truth - people don't REALLY listen to what someone is saying to us. We change it, turn it around to be about us or brush it off with a generic comment about how its all going to be okay.

So please, if you will, take a moment to read this poem and to reflect on your listening skills and the types of advice you give to others - it might just make you realize what it is people really need - a ear that is really listening.

‘LISTEN’ 

When I ask you to listen to me 

And you start giving me advice, 

You have not done what I asked. 

When I ask you to listen to me 

And you begin to tell me ‘why’ I shouldn’t feel that way, 

You are trampling on my feelings. 

When I ask you to listen to me 

And you feel you have to do something to 

solve my problems, 

You have failed me, strange as that may seem. 

Listen! All I ask is that you listen; 

Not talk, nor do – just hear me. 

And I can do for myself – I’m not helpless 

Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless. 

When you do something for me, that I can 

and need to do for myself, 

You contribute to my fear and weakness. 

But when you accept as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel, 

No matter how irrational 

Then I quit trying to convince you 

And can get about the business of understanding 

What’s behind this irrational feeling. 

When that’s clear, 

The answers are obvious and I don’t need advice. 

Irrational feelings make sense when we 

Understand what’s behind them. 

Perhaps that’s why prayer works sometimes for 

some people; 

because God is mute, and doesn’t give 

advice to try to ‘fix’ things, 

He/She just listens, and lets you work it out 

for yourself. 

So please listen, and just hear me, and if you 

want to talk, 

Wait a minute for your turn, 

And I’ll listen to you. 

Anon

Victory - Mind over Matter !

I have just completed my first ever 30 day juicing challenge! It really does feel great!. Though there were some difficult days when the juice recipes were not exactly to my taste but you'll never know if you like something if you don't give it a go! 

Here are some of the last few juices I had

Apple, Red Cabbage and Lime 

Cucumber, Pear, Lemon, Carrot, Apple and Ginger 

Beetroot, Carrot and Apple 

This has been a fantastic experience for me and I'm sure for my flatmate too. My eyes have been opened to the wonders and tastes of different vegetable and fruit combinations. My all time favorite, well from the recipes I tired on this challenge, was apple, cabbage and lime. This one is tangy and sweet, surprisingly from the cabbage. This is a vegetable that I would never have chosen to put through my juicer in the morning, but it has proven to be most tasty! 

Mental Health 

Now, I am no expert on this field, or in fact any field of mental health, but I can certainly comment on my own experience which of course will be different from every single one of your's. I began this journey somewhat skeptical about the effects this juicing malarky would have on me, if any. I have read many reports, articles and books which all say that this is a great way to boost your mental clarity, health and general well-being. To begin with I only experienced mild effects, I was able to wake up more easily in the morning without the dread of the day ahead - we all know that feeling, and what a pleasure it was to get rid of it! As the weeks went on I found myself concentrating better in all of my lectures, even the 9am's! I can think more clearly and with more logic. I guess as well I was sleeping much better which is always a bonus. But I'm sure some of you will be saying "Well surely you can concentrate better because you are sleeping better, not because of the juice!! ". I definitely see where you are coming from, as a psychology student I know all too well how naturally it comes to question almost everything we come across in life, we are human at the end of the day - its natural! But I can say personally I believe that the juicing in the morning helped me to expend my energy better throughout the day, concentrate and actually pay attention - steadying my mind, proving a space to think logically and to rest peacefully at night. What a joy it is to place my head on the pillow and not have thoughts racing around in my mind! 

Physical Health 

100% more energy! Absolutely a great addition to my life! That is all there is to say on the matter - more energy more enthusiasm to do stuff - more dedication to go the gym! 

If any of you are considering giving this a go - DO IT! Just remember, if you have any health issues or worried talk to your GP first as they will be able to guide you and provide the relevant support than I obviously can't! 

This is not to say that it is goodbye, there are many more posts to come about new research in the area, health psychology, positive psychology and RAW FOODS! 

Happy Juicing 

Half way there!

Im now half way through my juicing challenge and im feeling great! Im up every morning to make the juice for my flatmate and I.
I am feeling very much alert and able to focus on my work. Also when I am going to the gym I seem to have much more stamina. Not only that but I am feeling lighter and fresher than ever before!

I cant stress enough how great this experience has been so far and I am very much looking forward to the next part of my journey.

Here are some photos of a few of my juices from the past few days

This one (above) was the first of week 3 - apples, carrots, beets, celery and ginger! I love the rainbow colours in the jug before i mixed it all together! What a lovely sight first thing in the morning! 

not only have I been juicing but I have discovered what is possibly my new favorite smoothie recipe - banana, peanut butter, hazelnut milk and spinach! (above)

I hope you are all enjoying the recipes that have come up so far - I know I have!

I have also recently ordered this book >>>

Jason vale is the guy from the documentary "fat sick and nearly dead" that I keep banging on about!! 

you can get your own copy here >> 

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Juice-Master-Keeping-Simple-Delicious/dp/0007225172/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1390339697&sr=8-4&keywords=jason+vale

Reflection and Research

I am one week into by 30 day juice challenge. So far I am really enjoying waking up every morning and making myself a fresh juice. It definitely has changed my mornings for the better. Whats even greater is that I have managed to rope my flatmate into it with me!

I would say that I really do have much more energy and mental clarity. I am finding it much easier to study for longer and actually take in the information!!! I am feeling lighter and cleaner in my body - really detoxed.

Although I have been going to the gym around 3-4 times a week as well as juicing which probably has something to do with my extra energy and uplifted mood for sure!

Recently I read a very interesting paper on health and mental health. The world health organisation recently said that;

"there is no health without mental health"

I have to say that I agree with this 100%. In the paper I found (Citation can be found at the bottom) it was generally talking about the effects that mental health can have on other health conditions. One of the findings was that, mental disorders like depression, interact with other health conditions. The one that stuck out for me was that depression can be a risk factor for both fatal and non-fatal strokes! At this moment in time and in the future cardiac conditions are one the highest causes of mortality. It seems to me that if there is some way to prevent the onset of depression then we might be able to enhance peoples physical health?

Now, I am no professional and definitely in no position to advise on this matter, but surely be widening the knowledge of simple things such as juicing which have shown to have beneficial effects on peoples moods (see fat sick and nearly dead)  we can begin to tackle this on going problem?? 

Hopefully in the future we will see some intervention of this kind in the NHS!! 

Fingers Crossed 

Prince, M., Patel, V., Saxena, S., Maj, M., Maselko, J., Phillips, M. R., & Rahman, A. (2007). No health without mental health. The Lancet, 370(9590), 859-877.

#3 plus a few extras

Day three of the juicing challenge, I have to say this weeks juices are very carrot based and I think i'm craving something less carroty!
Although saying that I am still thoroughly enjoying my morning juice. But the one today was HUGE I couldn't finish it all I had to save some of it to have with my lunch!!
I have a whole heap of essay writing to be doing at the moment as well, and I have to say that my mental clarity is at it's peak! Something which i'm putting down to the juice for sure.
So here is a snap of today's juice

What a lovely, vibrant orange it is indeed!
The ingredients for this one are;
10 carrots (Yes 10!!)
2 apples
2 oranges

Not only have I been juicing today but I also had a crack at making a raw blue berry ice cream. Since I have stopped having dairy ice cream is something that I really miss. So I thought why not give this raw, dairy free one a go. It was DELICIOUS! extra creamy too as i used coconut milk rather than water. The recipe for this is;

Severs 4

180g frozen blueberries
100g raw cashew nuts
2 tablespoons of agarvae nectar (available form health food shops and some supermarkets)
80ml of water (or I used coconut milk)

Whizz it up in your blender then pop into the freezer and keep whisking every now and again so it doesn't get too frosty.
And here it is

If you are wondering what the dark chips are- I sprinkled a few raw cacao nibs on top for that luxury chocolaty taste we all love. Raw cacao has the highest concentrate of antioxidants so its really great for a detox and for fantastic radiant skin! These I think you can get online as well as in health food shops.

Mental health today -- 9/10
Physical health -- 8/10     >> (Still a bit sluggish after the christmas period! )



Look out for the next days in my juicing challenge and more scrummy raw food and healthy recipes :)

Happy Juicing  

More on Mental Health

Moving away from juice for the moment, mainly because I haven't been shopping yet so have nothing to juice! But now towards the mental health aspect.
I have recently started volunteering at an allotment project with people who use the services on offer from Mind (http://www.springfieldmind.org.uk/index-2.php) - mental health charity.
I can honestly say I had the best time! I woke early on Tuesday morning to torrential rain and automatically had doubts. But as we arrived at the space the clouds left and the sun came out.  Because of the time of year the jobs that needed to be done were the ones that no one really wants to do! But I paired up with a lovely lady who suffers with learning disabilities and she chatted away to me for the couple of hours about her family and the old library in Leamington. I have to say being out in the open air is not only good for their minds but mine too! As I walked back to the flat I felt a great sense of contentment something similar to what you would achieve through meditation I imagine.
So, if I have learnt anything so far its to get outside! Enjoy the British weather whether its rain or shine.