Take A Beeting

 I wanted to…

• Reduce blood pressure
• Boost your stamina
• Exercise longer
• Improve blood flow

In trying to find a means achieve these, I found out that there is one veg… you heard me…ONE VEGETABLE that can help me do all of these and more. A bona fide SUPER FOOD endorsed even by my ‘go to’ for medical advice – WebMD! Are you ready for it…

…still waiting?

It’s BEET ROOT JUICE! Literally, the juice from the raw beet vegetable (I’m not sure if beets are veggies or fruits, so forgive me if I just stick to veggie).

Beet -that red veg with dubious shape that we often overlook, boil/steam within an inch of its life if we do use it at all and almost disdain because of its strong color and the high probability of staining your hands when handling it. Yes, the humble beet has found a place in my blog!

Apparently Beet Juice has one of the highest sources of dietary antioxidants and nitrates that could improve both your blood pressure and blood flow throughout the body including brain & heart? Researchers say it could help prevent the start of heart disease – something to do with the nitrate oxide in the beets.

Beets are not just good for adults, they are excellent for babies too (so pregnant and lactating mum's can imbibe). I think the picture says very simply some of the benefits not contained in this blog--- just to encourage kids to take a beeting (pun intended).

The number of people I have met living with or know someone living under the scourge of high blood pressure is really alarming. Just the other day I heard of a woman whose 13 year old son was diagnosed with high blood pressure – and he is NOT overweight, so I wondered what the cause could be. Bringing it home, until I lost a ton of weight, I suffered from high blood pressure too -alas I did not know about this beet remedy, so I cannot attribute my current 120/80 BP to beets.

I am NOT advocating ditching blood pressure medication, [but think about it] if natural sources and remedies like BEET JUICE can be of help, should we not give it a shot?

Anyway, I read about this a couple of weeks ago so I’m now trying to build in a new habit – drinking a cup of BEET JUICE each morning in place of my habitual cup of tea. I don’t think I have taken it long enough to see any major change – but I do feel as though I have more stamina, seriously! I was at my team end of year picnic last Saturday, and unlike me I was on my feet for close to 3 hours dancing…! It may not sound like much to some of you, but for me it was amazing. Then exercise-wise, I don’t know if it’s because of practice or consistency but I am doing more and for longer too.

I won’t go on and on about the science of Beet Juice, but I will share my Beet Juice recipe with you. If you want to see the science you can visit http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/truth-about-beetroot-juice This article is really really easy to read and understand, and I will urge you to please read it.

 

LIZ’S BEET ROOT JUICE

This is full of Vitamin C, Beta-carotene, and Antioxidants; a perfect & refreshing start to any day.

It also beats any carbonated or packed juice any day!

You will need:

• 1 medium sized beet root (raw)
• 2 medium sized carrots
• 1 big apple
• Juice from one lemon

What to do:

1. Put everything in your juicer and process

*If you do not have a juicer, use a blender then pass the thick pulp through a fine sieve to get your juice.

2. Pour out into a highball glass and refrigerate

3. Drink cold

(You can actually make your own version using your favorite veg or fruit – I’m thinking cucumbers, soursop, ginger, pears, kiwi etc.)

To close, let me itemize the benefits of beets you us…

• Reduce blood pressure
• Prevent heart attacks
• Prevent strokes
• Treat anemia
• Regulate your digestive system
• Improves metabolism
• Increase the amount of oxygen carried in red blood cells
• Improving stamina

So what’s to lose? It’s time to take a beeting and take to beet-ing!

PS: Please do not be alarmed because drinking beet juice consistently will turn your pee pink! [wink]

Let me know what you think of this inspired recipe and if you personalize your BEET JUICE to suite your palette. Post your comment or if you are shy, use the ‘Contact Form’ on the right.

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