Nutrition

Your kidneys are about the size of your fist. They may be small but they are powerful organs and have many functions. Every day your kidneys process about 200 quarts of blood to move to about 2 quarts of waste and extra water. (1)

Kidney Detox – Besides helping get rid of wastes, your kidneys are also responsible for releasing several hormones:

1. Your kidneys release the hormone erythopoietin. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow and “tells” it to make red blood cells. (1)

2. The second hormone that is released by your kidneys is renin. Renin is important in regulating blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the underlying risks of heart disease. The higher your blood pressure, the more your heart has to work to pump blood throughout your body. Over time if this continues your heart may enlarge. (1)

3. The third hormone that is release is called calcitriol. Calcitriol is the active form of Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps keep calcium in bonds and is important for proper chemical balance in your body. (1)

The two most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure. (1) Both can be preventable and controllable. Many people have a risk for diabetes and high blood pressure in their family history, but even if you do you can do things to help prevent the risk for these conditions.

With all this functions that your kidneys are responsible for it’s important to help your kidneys function at optimal levels. This means you have to give your kidneys a break by first and foremost eliminating unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, eating processed foods and so on.

Use this simple steps to “help” your kidneys and detox them

Step 1

Eat fresh vegetables. Cut out the processed foods. Stop eating food out of a box. The more junk you eat the more your body has to work to get rid of it. Cook your own food. Knowing what you put in your body is important and when you cook your own food you know exactly what ingredients you’re using. Aim for organic products, especially if you eat meat.

JUICE! Juice. Juice. Juice fresh dark green leafy vegetables. Chlorophyll does wonders for your body.

Eat and juice alkalizing foods. Keeping your body’s pH at the desirable level (neutral pH) is important because you’re helping your body work at an optimal level without having to work overtime to get rid of unwanted and harmful toxins. The better you eat, the healthier you eat and the more you MOVE then the less your body has to spend time working to eliminate toxins and has more time to make you feel good by giving you energy and helping you feel your best.

There are simple things you can do to detox…like again eliminating processed foods and at least juicing fresh organic vegetables 2-3 times a day.

Step 2

Cranberries are excellent for your kidneys and bladder, especially for preventing and treating urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain a compound called hippuric acid. Hippuric acid helps acidify the urine and inhibit bacteria. This is important for people with bladder infections. Cranberries are great for your kidneys because they contain an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin. (2) Not only are cranberries beneficial for your kidneys and bladder but they are also great for reducing risks of heart disease, have anti-cancer properties, are great for your gums and much more.

It’s best to either juice fresh cranberries or blend them. Store bought juice (even organic) is packed with sugar. If you can’t find fresh organic cranberries, try frozen organic cranberries and blend them up.

Check out how to make your own cranberry blend yourself.

Step 3

Magnesium deficiency is not beneficial for helping your kidneys. Magnesium plays a key role in regulating blood pressure naturally. Magnesium supplements and a diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of potassium and magnesium, are consistently associated with lowering blood pressure. Magnesium is also important for diabetes, preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and much more.

Step 4

Going on a simple 3-5 day juice fast is a great way to detox your body. When you juice dark green vegetables you are instantly getting high amount of nutrients and vitamins.

1. Many people ask me why they should juice when they could eat the vegetables or fruits. When you extract the juice from the vegetable all you are left with are beneficial micro-nutrients. Since your body doesn’t have to break down any components like insoluble fiber, your body is quickly absorbing micro-nutrients  antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and much more from the juice. That’s why often you get instant energy after having a juice!

2. Juicing also allows you to consume the needed vegetables and fruits that your body craves and needs for optimal health. If you find it difficult eating raw vegetables and fruit, then juicing is perfect for you. With juicing you are also getting a wide variety of different vegetables into your daily intake.

3. Juicing is a way to change the way you eat and will change the way you live. After you juice for a week, you will see and feel instant results.

Written By Tamara Buschel

Have you ever tasted something that made you feel so happy that you couldn’t help but smile? I have and I am so excited to share this juice recipe with you today. This juice reminds me of the sensation my mouth would experience when I would eat sour candy as a kid. The insides of my cheeks would pucker in delight and a huge smile would spread across my face as the sweet flavor would evolve.

This juice contains apples, lemons, ginger, and cayenne pepper. This is a cleansing juice high in vitamin C that is sure to please your taste buds. Adjust the taste by switching up the variety of apples that you use and the amount of lemons.

The burst of lemon followed by the sweetness of the apples makes this a sure winner. The added ginger and cayenne pepper gives it another boost that is sure to make your insides and outsides smile.

Liquid Gold Juice

Serves 2

5 apples

3-4 lemons, rind removed

1 inch fresh ginger, skin removed

A dash of cayenne pepper

Juice, pour, and enjoy.

By Amanda Ennett

Imagine everyone sitting down for a big family feast. The best china set gently upon silk cloth, crystals brimming with fresh apple-cinnamon-ginger juice. An array of baked, steamed and sautéed vegetables decorate the table. Suddenly Grandma reaches for the salt, startled she rears back and exclaims, “Why is the salt PINK?!”

Oh Grandma, “Its Himalayan salt, and it’s wonderful!” 

Origins

The Himalayan mountain range stretches across Asia passing through China, Nepal, Myanmar, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and India. Most people associate the Himalayans with Mount Everest, the highest peak on this planet, but here is something new to think about- salt.

Once upon a time (a couple of hundreds of millions of years ago) crystallized sea salt beds, now deep within the Himalayans, were covered by lava. Aside from being kept it in a pristine environment that has been surrounded by snow and ice year round, the lava is thought to have protected the salt from modern-day pollution leading to the belief that Himalayan Pink salt is the purest salt to be found on earth. It is now hand-mined from the mountains and brought to the culinary market.

Why Pink? 

The many hues of pink, red and white are an indication of this salt’s rich and varying mineral and energy-rich iron content.

Benefits

In the same manner that vitamins and minerals are perfectly packaged in fruits and vegetables, because this salt was formed naturally the minerals within the sodium work in synergy.

(Synergy is the interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce an effect different from or greater than the sum of their individual effects.)

Iodine- Natural salts are rich in iodine, so it doesn’t need to be artificially added in.

Less sodium consumed per serving- Himalayan salt is made of the same components as table salt but since the crystal structure is larger than refined salt, and by volume- this salt therefore has LESS sodium per 1/4 t. serving- because the sea salt crystals or flakes take up less room on a teaspoon than highly refined tiny table salt grains.

Packs a hearty 80+ minerals and elements- Himalayan salts are mineral packed crystals which formed naturally within the earth made up of 85.62% sodium chloride and 14.38% other trace minerals including: sulphate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, bromide, borate, strontium, and fluoride (in descending order of quantity).

Because of these minerals Himalayan pink salt can:

• Create an electrolyte balance
• Increases hydration
• Regulate water content both inside and outside of cells
• Balance pH (alkaline/acidity) and help to reduce acid reflux
• Prevent muscle cramping
• Aid in proper metabolism functioning
• Strengthen bones
• Lower blood pressure
• Help the intestines absorb nutrients
• Prevent goiters
• Improve circulation
• Dissolve and eliminate sediment to remove toxins

It is even said to support libido, reduce the signs of aging, and detoxify the body from heavy metals.

Pink Salt vs. Sea Salt

Even though pink salts come from the mountains, they are technically sea salts as well. All salt comes from a salted body of water—namely, an ocean or salt-water lake. However, Himalayan salt is said to be the purest form of sea salt.

Why Table Salt is Inferior

Commercial refined salt is not only stripped of all its minerals, besides sodium and chloride, but is also chemically cleaned, bleached and heated at unnecessary high temperatures.

In addition, it is treated with anti-caking agents which prevent salt from mixing with water in the salt container. These agents also prevent dissolving within our system leading to build up and then deposit in organs and tissue, causing severe health problems.

Finally, the iodine that is added into salt is usually synthetic which is difficult for your body to process properly. Shockingly under U.S. law, up to 2% of table salt can be additives.

The Many Uses of Pink Salt

Cooking and curing– use pre-ground salt or grinders like any other salt.

Salt Slabs– used as serving platters, the slabs will impart an enhanced salt taste and mineral content. Chilled: decorate with fruits, sushi, vegetables or cheese. Frozen: present cold desserts and even sorbets. Heated: use the slabs to sear vegetables, shrimp, fish fillets or thinly sliced beef or even to fry an egg. The dense salt blocks conduct heat beautifully with near perfect heat distribution.

Best of all, Himalayan salt is naturally anti-microbial, so clean up requires just a quick scrub or rinse.

Decoration– use the salts in containers, as décor crystals and sprinkled on food for presentation.

Bathing- throw in the tub for a detoxifying Himalayan salt bath. The replenishing nutrients stimulate circulation and soothe sore muscles. Naturally rich in 80+ nourishing and skin-replenishing minerals, bathing with pink bath salt is a healing and therapeutic experience for mind and body.

Potpourri Holders and Essential Oil Diffusers– many on-line sites sell beautiful home décor featuring the pink salt as crystal rocks.

Air purification– crystal rock lamps for air purification are also found and sold on-line.

Hopefully now you will not be as shocked as Grandma when you reach for the salt shaker and find pink crystals staring back at you!

If you eat meat, brining should be in your bag of tools. Brining makes meat very juice and succulent! Here’s is an extremely simple recipe for it.

Basic low sodium brine for pork and poultry. (Brine will work for up to 8 lbs. of protein.)

Ingredients

• 1 gallon water
• 3 ounces sea salt
• 3 ounces sugar (optional)
• 1 Tbsp. citrus zest (lemon, lime or orange – optional)

Instructions

• Add the salt, sugar and other aromatics to a pot and bring the water to a simmer until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
• Remove the pot from the heat and chill before using the brine.
• Let your protein brine for 6 hours.
• Drain the protein, and let it rest and air dry in fridge for 2 hours.
• Roast, broil or grill as you would!