Chelation

Chelation therapy is the administration of certain substances to the body in order to clear the build up of certain metals, such as mercury or lead, or certain minerals, such as calcium, which can poison the body when present in large amounts. In western medicine, chelation is used to treat heavy metal poisoning – most commonly in people exposed to highly toxic levels of dangerous heavy metals -such as through use of lead paint. A solution is injected intravenously, and this binds in the bloodstream with the offending molecules and helps move them quickly through the body’s system and allow them to be more quickly eliminated by simple urination.

Current research is also heading towards the use of chelation therapy for Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, since it is and effective and non-surgical way to remove calcium deposits and plaque. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has an interesting article on their preliminary findings on chelation therapy which you can read here: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2013/nhlbi-26.htm If you a looking for a bit more personal information about what to expect from chelation therapy, physician and natural health guru Dr. Andrew Weil has an excellent page on the subject: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03408/Chelation-Therapy.html He is a bit dubious of the practice outside of its use for heavy metal poisoning, but it’s a well-written article with good information.

In Ayurveda, chelation is a very common, basic principle. In fact, many of the most commonly prescribed herbs – such as guggulu for high cholesterol – are considered chelation agents. Although few of these compounds have been studied in the same way pharmaceuticals have been, that is starting to change, as the NIH study on chelation for heart disease shows. And so far, this is just one more case where modern medical science is actually proving principles that have been practiced in eastern medicine for millennia, or at least in this case.

Of course there are also simple and accessible ways to help detoxify. You may want to try this amazing detox smoothie recipe from lexieskitchen.com.

Cheery Cherry Detox Smoothie

 

Serves: 2 large or 4 small glasses

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 2-4 kale cubes or a handful of fresh kale
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (I use SoDelicious® Coconut Milk Beverage)
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chia seed
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla exact
• Liquid vanilla Stevia to taste
• Optional: 1 pack Emergen-C Kidz Fruit Punch (if tolerated)

Directions:  Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender (like a Blendtec or OmniBlend) and blend on high until super smooth. If you like your smoothies cold and frosty (like I do) throw in a few ice cubes at the end and blend until smooth.

Turmeric

Turmeric, the spice that gives many curries a rich, golden color and a warm, satisfying flavor, is also an antioxidant powerhouse that has been used for thousands of years in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.  Considered anti-inflammatory, turmeric is used to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds.  Closely related to ginger, turmeric is an herbaceous herb native to the Indian subcontinent. The root can be used fresh, although it’s more commonly sold and used in powdered form, like we probably have on our spice shelf.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most of the current research on the uses of turmeric focuses on one chemical constituent, curcumin.  “Curcumin is also a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants scavenge molecules in the body known as free radicals, which damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Antioxidants can fight free radicals and may reduce or even help prevent some of the damage they cause.”  You can read more about this and other current research on turmeric here: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/turmeric#ixzz2iZQz2RqW

If you still feel like learning more, Dr. Andrew Weil wrote an excellent article on the benefits of turmeric for the Huffington Post. It’s a few years old but well worth the read: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/turmeric-health-have-a-happy-new-year_b_798328.html In it, he highlights research studying the possibility of turmeric – or more specifically curcumin – shrinking melanomas, making cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiation and delaying the liver damage that leads to cirrhosis.    His conclusion?  “The bottom line that the therapeutic advantages of turmeric and curcumin are almost too numerous to list.

An overview published in Advanced Experimental Medical Biology in 2007 states that, “Curcumin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic illnesses.”  But if you want a more delicious way to work turmeric into your day, why don’t you try this week’s smoothie, from our friends over at Green Kitchen Stories.

Immune-Boosting Turmeric Lassi 

 

Serves: 2 large or 4 small glasses

Ingredients:

• 2 cups organic yogurt with active live culture
• 2 bananas
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 2 tsp honey, preferably unpasteurized
• 1/2 lemon juice
• 2 tsp rosehip powder (optional but delicious, and a good C-vitamin boost)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or ground vanilla
• 3-4 tsp ground turmeric (or fresh turmeric root)
• 4-5 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on high speed until smooth.  Add more yogurt if you prefer. Pour the lassi in two large glasses. For a more stunning presentation, dust 1 tsp ground turmeric on top before serving. Add a straw and serve.

Guggul

Guggul

Guggul, the sap of a tree native to India, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia – with texts going back to the year 600 B.C.  recommending it for treating hardening of the arteries.  Harvested by collecting the hardened sap that flows out of small cuts made in the tree’s papery bark, guggul is something of wonder drug from the ancient world. In Latin, Hebrew and ancient Greek it was known as bdellium.

Guggul is one of Ayurveda’s most powerful purifiers. The long list of conditions it has been used to treat includes:  Weight loss, arthritis, acne, atherosclerosis, gingivitis, high cholesterol, inflammation, and thyroid problems.

Guggul is sometimes recommended as a way to remove long-accumulated toxins naturally from the body. The Chopra Center recommends guggul for those who have spent a lot of time on antibiotics or for those quitting the use of drugs or alcohol.  You can read more about Ayurveda and guggul from the Chopra Center website here: http://www.chopra.com/community/online-library/ayurvedic-herbs-foods/guggulu

Be sure to consult with a health professional before taking guggul as it can have a number of interactions with medications.  If you want to know more about the pharmacological aspects of guggul – and don’t mind a bit of a technical read – check out this excellent page: http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/363-guggulu

With a fragrance similar to myrrh, guggul is also used for incense and perfume. Many people are worried about sustainable and ethical management of the Commiphora mukul tree. While the tree is native to India, it can be found growing in arid regions from northern Africa to central Asia.  Loss of habitat due to human encroachment and over harvesting has focused attention on the plight of this fragile gift of nature.

If you would like to read more about one herb company’s effort to rally around sustainable harvesting and protection of the plant’s habitat, you can read more at Pukka’s blog: http://www.pukkaherbs.com/blog/the-organic-guggul-cultivation-project/

Soymilk Carrot Cake Smoothie

Makes four servings

Ingredients:

• 20 to 30 ice cubes (depending on how thick you want your smoothie to be)
• 2 cups plain, unsweetened soymilk
• 1 cup carrot juice
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:  Place the ice cubes in the blender first, then add the rest of the  ingredients.  Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

http://www.lafujimama.com/2011/10/soymilk-carrot-cake-smoothies/

Thyme

Thyme 

Just in thyme for the beginning of the cold and flu season, nature’s herbal throat-soother may be growing in your garden.  This perennial herb has been used medicinally for thousands of years for everything from sore throats and laryngitis to skin disorders and intestinal parasites.

That’s quite a list for an herb as small, compact and hardy – not to mention as tasty – as thyme.  Best grown in sun and well-drained soil, thyme does well both in containers as well as in the ground, especially along paths as a sturdy, fragrant ground cover.

Low growing, with delicate leaves on woody stems, thyme comes in a nearly endless variety and range of colors including green, yellow and silver. Botanists recognize 300-400 species throughout the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe according to the website efloras.org  <http://efloras.org>.

Known for having both antibacterial and antifungal properties, oil of thyme is used to fight fungal nail infections naturally. Current research from Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom shows that thyme can even kill the bacteria that cause acne.

“If thyme tincture is proven to be as clinically effective as our findings suggest, it may be a natural alternative to current treatments,” researcher Margarita Gomez-Escalada, PhD, says in a news release.  Many current acne treatments contain benzoyl peroxide, a harsh chemical with frequent common side effects including skin irritation and burning sensations.

Thyme was used in ancient Egypt and Greece. It was the Romans who were credited with spreading thyme through Western Europe.  Thyme is a main ingredient in the French bouquet garni herb bundle and used to flavor so many mouth-watering Provençal dishes. In the Middle East it is a key component to the za’atar mixture of savory herbs and spices, and a fixture dish in many regions.

Try making a simple tea from fresh thyme leaves next time you have a sore throat.  Or better yet, try making a delicious and nutritious smoothie like this one:

Throat Taming Thyme Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh pineapple
• 1 cup rice milk
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon honey

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. For a thicker smoothie use only 1/2 cup of rice milk and 1.5 cups of  pineapple. The rice milk can be replaced by water. For a cold smoothie  use frozen pineapple.

http://veggiestylewithdaphne.com/2013/06/07/a-throat-taming-smoothie/?cb=09709207529667765

Chandraprabha

Chandraprabha

Chandraprabha Vati is a common and popular Ayurvedic medicine particularly helpful for problems of the genitourinary tract in both men and women.

Chandra means moon, and like the moon, this preparation is meant to take away the darkness of the night – by purifying and rejuvenating naturally with the body’s own healing powers.

Chandraprabha Vati is a tablet made up of small amounts of many different herbs and minerals. It contains natural ingredients which help clear up urinary tract infections.

It is also taken to reduce inflammation and aggravation of the genitals and reproductive organs and it is often prescribed to ease symptoms of certain sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea.

According to the website ayurmedinfo.com, Chandaprabha Vati balances all three doshas.

In addition to being used for a number of genitourinary problems, it is also recommended for diabetics because it affects glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and relieves diabetic neuropathy.

You can read further about the individual ingredients and what they each do here: http://ayurmedinfo.com/2012/06/29/chandraprabha-vati-benefits-dosage-ingredients-and-side-effects/

It’s a long list, but worth the read.

In men, chandaprabha can help relieve premature ejaculation and urinary flow problems caused by benign enlargement of the prostate.

In women, chandaprabha can treat a number of irritating and sometimes serious maladies, including menstrual disorders, ovarian cysts and fibroids, according to planetayurveda.com. So if your monthlies have been giving you the blues it might be just the thing to try.

Gorgeous Very Berry Smoothie

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 16oz bag of frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
• 1 banana
• 2 cups almond milk (might need more, depending upon consistency desired)
• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• A dash or two of fresh ground Himalayan sea salt

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients into a blender; mix well.

Add more almond milk as needed to reach desired consistency (some like it thicker than others)

http://crazyadventuresinparenting.com/2013/07/gorgeous-very-berry-smoothie-recipe.html

Cranial-Sacral Therapy

Cranial-sacral therapy

Using extremely gentle touch, cranial-sacral therapy (CST) subtly and lightly manipulates connections between the cranial bones and certain points on the spine to restore balance to the nervous system.

Once considered quackery, CST is gaining mainstream acceptance, especially as a relief for anxiety and side effects of cancer treatments. It can be performed by medical doctors and osteopaths but is most commonly done by specially trained body workers.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recommends cranial-sacral therapy for a range of conditions including:

• Migraine and tension headaches
• Temporomandibular joint pain
• Neck, shoulder girdle, and lower back pain
• Whiplash and other post-traumatic injuries of the head and neck
• Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
• Problems with alertness, concentration, or memory
• Anxiety and stress-related problems

http://www.upmc.com/services/integrative-medicine/services/pages/craniosacral-therapy.aspx

According to the Upledger Institute, named for John E. Upledger, the osteopathic physician and professor who developed the technique, CST compliments the body’s natural healing processes and can also be “used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction..”

Read more here: http://www.upledger.com/content.asp?id=26

Layered Green Pudding

Serves 10

Put 10 clear glasses on tray.

For the bottom layer blend well:

• 1 cup blackberries
• 2 apples, chopped
• 1 lemon sliced with skin
• 4 sprigs mint
• 2 cups water

The liquid in your blender will be thin. Turn your blender on lower speed and add 4 heaping teaspoons psyllium powder while blender is running. Stop the blender and quickly pour into glasses, filling each glass approximately one third.

For the middle layer blend well:

• 4 cups spinach (or 1 bunch)
• 2 ripe bananas
• 3 oranges (peeled, seeded and sliced)
• 2 cups water

The liquid in your blender will be thin. Turn your blender on lower speed and add 4 heaping teaspoons psyllium powder while blender is running. Stop the blender and quickly pour into glasses, filling each glass approximately one third, on top of the bottom layer.

For the top layer blend well:

• 2 cups cranberries
• 7 large pitted dates
• 1 ripe banana
• 2 cups water

The liquid in your blender will be thin. Turn your blender on lower speed and add 4 heaping teaspoons psyllium powder while blender is running. Stop the blender and quickly pour into glasses, over two previous layers. The pudding will solidify in a matter of minutes. Decorate with fresh fruit and greens.

http://www.rawfamily.com/news/2009/12_09_01.html

Sun Tai Chi

Sun Tai Chi

By now you have probably heard of tai chi.

If not, you have probably at least seen people in parks practicing coordinated, slow, smooth, whole-body movements and wondered what they were doing.

Characterized by slow, smooth, circular motions, tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that has been practiced for health reasons for hundreds of years.

Sun style tai chi, or just simply Sun tai chi, is a style of tai chi which emphasizes flow of motion and gentle movements while building strength and flexibility – an ‘all gain, no pain’ approach to exercise.

It was founded by Sun Lutang, son of a poor Chinese farmer who lived from 1861 – 1932 and dedicated himself to the study of martial arts and their use in health. This form of tai chi is the most modern.

You can read more about the history of Sun tai chi at www.suntaichi.com.

Sun tai chi is a mindfulness practice, with a strong mind-body link and pays special attention to breath. Some consider it meditation through motion.

One of the many great attributes of tai chi is that is can be adapted for most anyone, from the most fit to those confined to wheelchairs and people recovering from surgery, notes this excellent article in Harvard Women’s Health Watch:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Womens_Health_Watch/2009/May/The-health-benefits-of-tai-chi

It can be done indoors or out and requires no special equipment, just comfortable clothing that is easy to move in.

The Harvard article goes on to mention that tai chi has been linked to improvements in overall health in people with conditions including arthritis, heart disease, breast cancer, heart failure, osteoporosis, stroke, insomnia and Parkinson’s disease.

Even the world-renowned Mayo Clinic recommends tai chi: “When learned correctly and performed regularly, tai chi can be a positive part of an overall approach to improving your health. The benefits of tai chi include:

• Decreased stress and anxiety
• Increased aerobic capacity
• Increased energy and stamina
• Increased flexibility, balance and agility
• Increased muscle strength and definition

Some evidence indicates that tai chi also may help:

• Enhance quality of sleep
• Enhance the immune system
• Lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure
• Improve joint pain
• Improve symptoms of congestive heart failure
• Improve overall well-being in older adults
• Reduce risk of falls in older adults

You can read more here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087

So if you are looking for something low-impact with a wide array of benefits, try searching the web for local Sun tai chi classes.

Apple and Beet Smoothie

Ingredients:

• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 gala apple peeled and diced
• ½ cup frozen mixed berries
• ⅓ cup raw or roasted beets, diced
• 1- inch piece ginger
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon agave
• ¼ cup coconut milk or soymilk
• 2-3 ice cubes

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

http://citronlimette.com/recipe_archive/drinks-and-smoothies/apple-and-beet-smoothie/

Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki is the Indian name for the a tree – and its fruit – which is known in English as Terminalia bellirica.

This large, deciduous tree is common in India and Southeast Asia where it is planted as a shade tree and often lines busy boulevards. However, its real gift isn’t shade, but rather its fruit and bark, which have been used for thousands of years as medicine.

According to Deepak Chopra, M.D., an Ayurvedic doctor and founder of the Chopra Center:

“Bibhitaki is an excellent rejuvenative with both laxative and astringent properties. It eliminates excess mucous in the body, balancing the Kapha dosha. In addition, bibhitaki is a powerful treatment for a variety of lung conditions, including bronchitis and asthma.”

You can read more about bibhitaki and its uses, including as part of Triphala, a three-fruit preparation used for health and cleansing in Ayurvedic panchakarma treatments for thousands of years, here: http://www.chopra.com/community/online-library/ayurvedic-herbs-foods/triphala

WebMD.com notes that bibhitaki is used for the following problems:

• Respiratory ailments including infections, coughs and sore throats
• High cholesterol
• Digestive disorders including indigestion, constipation and diarrhea
• Sore eyes
• Chest pain and angina

In addition, it seems to have an inhibitory effect on the HIV virus though much more research is needed on the subject. Likewise some studies have shown it to be anti-malarial.

It also seems to have antioxidant and anti-aging applications and is used to protect the liver. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17049775

An excellent web article if you want to learn more about bibhitaki can be found here: http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/389-bibhitaki

It’s a pretty weighty read with a lot of scientific information but does a great job of rounding up the current research on the benefits of bibhitaki.

Strawberry Spinach Sunbutter Smoothie

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana, sliced
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 large handful spinach leaves
• 2 Tbsp sunbutter
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (I use Fage 0%)
• 1/2 cup plain unsweetened almond milk
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 Tbsp ground flax seed
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to blender or food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down sides and breaking apart chunks of fruit as necessary. Pour into a glass or bowl and enjoy!

http://www.coffeeandquinoa.com/2013/03/strawberry-spinach-sunbutter-smoothie/

 

Chitrak

Chitrak

Chitrak is a pungent herb used in Ayurveda to improve digestion and circulation, and to detoxify the GI tract.

Described in Ayurvedic medicine as being heating and bitter or pungent, chitrak balances Kapha and Vata doshas but may aggravate Pitta. If you would like to read more about doshas and digestion check out the California College of Ayurveda’s page here: http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/drhalpern/clinical/digestive

Often known as Ceylon leadwort and, tellingly, doctorbush, chitrak has been shown to fight H. pylori, the bacteria that most commonly causes stomach ulcers: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15708315

According to the Herbal Encyclopedia, Western research is once again playing catching up with “traditional” Chinese and Indian medicine where chitrak has been used for 2,500 years.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Human Oncology are studying the anti-cancer properties of this woody, herbaceous tropical plant. Plumbagin, a compound found in the root of this member of the plumbago species, has shown results against certain prostate and breast cancers in the lab, though much more research is needed.

The Herbal Encyclopedia has an amazing amount of information on Ayurvedic herbs and good articles on the uses and benefits of chitrak if you would like to read more: http://www.herbcyclopedia.com/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=tag&tag=GUJARATI:%20ચિત્રક%20CHITRAK&app_id=5&Itemid=193

Chitrak’s scientific name, Plumbago zeylanica, reflects how the plant’s pale flower resembles the color of lead. It is spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, notably India, Hawaii, Southeast Asia, the southeastern United States and Central America.

In English folk medicine, the root of a closely related plant, chitrak’s European cousin, was used to make a special brew to relieve toothaches and other swellings and touted for its natural antibiotic properties, according to the National Tropical Botanical Garden’s website: http://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=11896

Because of this herb’s potency, pregnant women should avoid it, and everyone should check with their doctor for any potential medication interactions.

Touted by Ayurvedic medicine for increasing Agni, or digestive fire, and its effect on spreading up metabolism, it is commonly used for weight loss.

The Indian city website for Chandigarh, http://chandigarh.gov.in/green_herb_gudu.htm, recommends chitrak for fever, gout, anemia, jaundice/ hepatitis, diabetes, itching, dyslipidemia, obesity, piles and geriatric problems. The wording is a little off to American English readers, but the information is pretty interesting.

Containing even further information about for chitrak’s use as medicine for thousands of years, consult a health care practitioner in case you might be thinking chitrak might be the herb you need to light a little fire in your belly.

Of course, here’s something else that could light a little fire in your belly, a beautiful smoothie recipe from reciperunner.com.

Sunrise  Smoothie

Serves 2

Ingredients:

Mango Pineapple Layer

• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 t. honey

Strawberry Banana Layer

• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 t. honey

Instructions:

Place all of the ingredients for the pineapple mango layer of the smoothie in the blender and blend until smooth.

Pour the pineapple mango layer into 2 glasses and place in the freezer.

Rinse out the blender and place all of the ingredients for the strawberry banana layer in it and blend until smooth.

Pour the strawberry banana mixture on top of the pineapple mango mixture.

Top with shredded coconut if desired.

Serve immediately.

http://reciperunner.com/sunrise-smoothie/

Cayenne

Cayenne

Some of us are already hooked on the pep from this pepper, but did you know that cayenne – the chili that gives zing so many of our favorite dishes – is also a potent natural medicine that’s been used for thousands of years?

The chemical that gives this pepper its bite – and its amazing healthy qualities – is called capsaicin.

A common ingredient in both natural preparations and drug-store variety creams, ointments and transdermal patches for muscle aches and pains, capsaicin is a natural analgesic. Its anti-inflammatory qualities make it good for relieving the itching redness of psoriasis.

Rich in vitamins A and C, cayenne has long been known as an internal disinfectant and detoxifier known for knocking out a range of ailments including symptoms associated with cold and flu and can be an excellent throat calmer when gargled.

Cayenne may also be your heart’s best friend. According to New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) website on medicinal plants of the south west United States, capsaicin can:

• thin blood and reduce the risk of stroke
• stop heart attacks
• increase heart action without increasing blood pressure

Further, they say, diabetics can use it to lower blood sugar levels. If you’d like to read more about the cultivation, history and medical uses of cayenne, take a look at this link from NMSU: http://medplant.nmsu.edu/capsicum.shtm

According to physician and Ayurvedic doctor Deepak Chopra’s Chopra Center, cayenne helps balance Kapha doshas. “Use pungent spices like pepper, cayenne, mustard seed, and ginger freely in your diet,” they write on their page.

You can visit their page on tips for Kapha doshas if you’d like more information: http://www.chopra.com/community/online-library/tips/kapha-dosha

As if all that wasn’t already a lot for one’s plate, this webMD article looks at some of the latest research on cayenne and weight loss: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20110427/cayenne-pepper-may-burn-calories-curb-appetite

To sum it up, it seems that research is showing cayenne pepper burns calories and curbs appetite.

So if you happen to be looking for a novel way to spice up your routine, try this great smoothie featuring – you guessed it – the peppery punch of cayenne.

Strawberry Cayenne Breakfast Smoothie

Serves 1.

Gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, and Paleo, even.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp raw alfalfa grass powder (or green powder)
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 2 cups (or approx.) kale leaves
• 1 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp bee pollen granules
• 1 1/2 cups coconut water, almond milk, or water
• Handful of ice

Directions:

Blend all ingredients in your blender. Taste and adjust honey, water, or cinnamon as needed.

http://www.whatrunslori.com/2011/12/strawberry-cayenne-breakfast-smoothie/