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This morning, I went to the dentist and was told I needed to have my annual x-rays updated. Ok, I said, but after a about 10 bite-beep!-change-film cycles, I asked why the hygienist seemed to be taking more shots than usual. The answer: she was taking baseline in-depth x-ray that will let them look at each tooth and root individually and compare it against any future problems. Total, the bite-beep!-change-film happened 25 times. TWENTY-FIVE.
Seeing the worried look on my face, she said, “Don’t worry, your insurance will pay for it.” Noting that the look had not faded, she quickly added, “and the radiation isn’t too much–it’s just like a couple of hours in the sun.”
Um. Hi, nice to meet you. I’m the SPF freak who doesn’t spend even a half an unprotected hour in the sun!
So I was a little shaken up after the session–at least as much from the way it was just sprung on me without discussing first–and I felt all toxified from the radiation I was visualizing in my jaw, mouth, and head. Not cool.
Valerie, as usual, came to the rescue, saying that chlorophyll is a natural radiation-clearer, and that green juices, especially wheat grass juice, is a good thing to drink after you’ve had an x-ray or been exposed to other forms of radiation. The chlorophyll in green juices (and just plain greens, like kale, chard, and spinach) is believed to promote lymphatic drainage, sweep “free radicals” from the bloodstream, oxygenate blood and tissue, all while delivering a whopping dose of vitamins and minerals that are simply good for you.
I was on board, but a little intimidated as a wheat grass juice virgin. It seemed, my inner 2-year-old said, a little yucky. So I went to the Whole Foods and found a Green Goodness Fruit Smoothie from Bolthouse Farms. Despite an ingredient list that contained broccoli, spinach, barley grass, Jerusalem artichoke, and, of course, wheat grass, I have to say this stuff was pretty tasty–because it also contained mango, apple, pineapple, kiwi, and banana. It was like a rich, sweet banana smoothie, only greener. I recommend.
The only problem with it was that the 15-oz bottle contained 280 calories (along with the long list of fabulous nutrients, from 30% of the RDA of folic acid, 120% of vitamin A, and 30% of vitamin B-12). So I want to put the question to you, dear readers:
Do you know of any tasty green juices that aren’t so high in calories? Or, do you think it’s worth the caloric extras for the nutritional gains in those juices? Or, are you a fan of wheat grass juice and think I need to give my inner 2-year-old a time out?
(image via: http://www.answerfitness.com)
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posted October 14, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hi Holly,
Make your own green smoothies! It takes only a few minutes–it tastes delicious–it’s fresh–you know what’s in it–and you get the equivalent of about 6 fruits & vegetables in one drink.
I make one everyday and after a year & half I’m completely hooked and never bored with them. It’s my breakfast & my afternoon snack.
27 ounces=268 calories.
For the rest of the story:
“What’s Working – What’s Not: My Green Smoothie Adventure Update from the Juicy China Study”
http://www.happyhealthylonglife.com/happy_healthy_long_life/2008/08/whats-working—whats-not-my-green-smoothie-update-from-the-juicy-china-study.html
posted October 19, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Yup, have to agree with the first commenter! I make my own green smoothies. My recipe is banana, cucumber, water to thin it out, greens (I like romaine and spinach the best) and a fruit or berry. Google “green smoothie” and you’ll find all sorts of information!
posted March 6, 2010 at 6:15 pm
or you can just add some cucumbers and other water-filled veggies to the green drink–throw um in a blender and voala, you’ve reduced the amount of green drink and added lower calorie veggies to fill you up
posted July 18, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I use inner light super greens, does not have any bad taste, kind of like a light green tea. It has wheat grass, barley grass, lemon grass, dandelion leaf, kale, spinach, broccoli, aloe Vera, cabbage, celery, Pau d’art bark, beta carotene and more. I started using it when I found out I had cancer and continue to use it even though I no longer have cancer. I feel very well and have lots of energy I believe because of it, I am very happy with this product. I have been drinking it everyday for over 2 years now. I’m a distributer because I buy so much of it for myself it saves me money to be a distributer. If you are interested you can check out my website http://www.innerlightinc.com/206382 I would recommend it to anyone with any kind of health concern.
posted August 5, 2010 at 10:27 am
Hiya, I came across this as I have also had X-rays and wanted to detox. I was recommended Chlorella and Sprulina, I found an organic vegan one (which was important to me) and tried the 3g mixed with some fruit juice. It took a bit of mixing in but it tasted quite nice, the fruit flavours disguised any bitterness there might have been and although I could taste the ‘green’ it wasn’t unpleasant at all. But then when I tried wheatgrass recently (expecting the worse) I was surprised that it didn’t make me feel sick and I just had a squeeze of orange juice afterwards – but it wasn’t that necessary.
I hope this has been some help – me being a wheatgrass virgin too untill 5 days ago.
I’ve included a link with a picture of the one I bought which might help you, hope you can link to it ok. I bought mine from Holland and Barrett Health Foods in the UK (not sure where you are but this might be helpful to someone out there.
Best wishes
posted October 28, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Very true, wheat grass, lemon grass, barley, etc. can help you detoxify. Best to remember also that you don’t have to just take the healthy-greens right after an operation or x-ray. Live healthy and stay healthy by taking them daily.
posted October 31, 2010 at 9:33 am
Wheatgrass 70% chlorophyll, chlorophyll being the basis of all plant life. Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of unfriendly bacteria.
posted January 25, 2011 at 12:44 pm
After recommended by a friend, I have been taking Nature Complete Chlorella and Spirulina tablets for a year and half now. I purchase it from Waitrose. Feel so much more energetic and healthy. It was better than expected. I am not sure about the powder though because of the taste but but apparently better for speedily muscle recovery after the gym.
I have recently discover Chlorella Growth Factor from Nutri Centre (from the same supplier – Nature Complete). I hope this would help with my terrible skin problems.
posted February 10, 2011 at 2:53 am
Good to hear there are now products which will helps improve our health.
posted March 10, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Almost all of them say that the exposure is minimal and that one needs not worry about the radiation from x-rays. think about this though, apart from the rads you got, which was a lot in my book, there are other sources of radiation in our everyday lives and this will add up.
posted July 28, 2011 at 1:15 pm
There are only few green juices that contains low calories,