Skip the Winter Blues (3/3)

Simple tips to upgrade your nutrition on the go, and "eat more sunlight" for happiness and health on a cellular level that radiates out into your life.

Competing greens!!! © Solveig Caroline 2014

Welcome (back) to part three of this mini-series!

Let’s talk about feeding yourself sunshine in the dark season to support your body and mind for optimum performance, now that we’ve already covered daylight exposure and circulation boosters in the past two weeks.

Did you know that the chlorophyll molecule in green leaves is very similar to the molecule haemoglobin in human blood? — Well, it is. As such, it is a superb transporter of oxygen (it binds it reversibly, meaning it's able to pick up oxygen, carry it to a destination and release it again). More bio-available oxygen in our blood makes our entire body more alkaline on a cellular level, and thus more energetic and happy. Which is why the natural healing community has been touting wheatgrass shots (esp. Ann Wigmore - Hippocrates Institute), green smoothies and green juices.

You could say a fresh green juice works pretty much like a blood transfusion - no digestive energy required due to lack of fibre, usually assimilated within 5-10 minutes of consumption. For office workers, this is particularly helpful when the afternoon slump hits, and there is a huge temptation to go for the n-th coffee of the day and munch on sugary chocolate bars on the side to get energy levels back up.

Don’t go buying expensive oxygen supplements now (or supplements in general - they need to be used very sparingly, and with a clear plan that doesn't add more indigestible toxins to our bodies). They’re overpriced and fairly inefficient in boosting your energy and health sustainably. Mother nature simply does it best in terms of providing bio-available substances that sustain and nourish our bodies and minds. The challenge as a busy(ness) person is always how to access the natural goodies while working full days or travelling.

When I was still working as a professional money manager, I eventually found a bakery across the street that had just added a juice bar - they made it all fresh to order. So, I started to trek over there daily for my quick fix of fresh veggie juice in the afternoon. Carrot, apple, and lots of ginger. If they had it, a few stalks of celery for the green portion. Soon enough, co-workers were ogling the bright and yummie smelling freshness I brought back with me, and started going there themselves. Eventually, we’d take turns in going there for a group order, or even hold brief meetings over there - mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

And how is all this related to “eating" sunlight?

Well - in the dark season, when sunlight is in short supply, and the time we deskworkers get to spend in broad daylight is severely curtailed, one very important way to supplement our exposure to the sun is via the food we eat and the beverages we consume.

The more alive, fresh and green, the more great and healthy energy we will get from what we ingest.

The more processed, dehydrated and artificial, the more sickening ballast we add to our beautiful bodies, even if it is in the name of a quick energy boost from that can of coke or that chocolate chip brownie.

I believe there is an ideal nutrition for the human body (assuming it has never been subjected to the kinds of lives we have been/are leading). This belief is not a theoretical construct based on years of dry research and snippets of information randomly pieced together. No, it is founded in my personal physical experience, gleaned over years of learning from the best practitioners (Natalia Rose, Tera Warner, etc.), cleansing and re-toxification and the cleansing again - all the while observing my own body very closely and ever refining my approach.

I see food and beverage consumption as a broad spectrum. At one end we have the (deadly) “I love my fastfood and won’t touch fresh produce” and on the other end there’s the vegan raw fooder who adheres to the principles of natural hygiene, and still farther out, we have those super healthy individuals who can live on sunshine, clean water and fresh air for long stretches of time. That's the live-giving end of it that allows for physical immortality and ending the cycle of reincarnation if pursued to the end with passion and smarts.

The latter (living on sunlight, air and clean water) is also something that I’ve been able to do intermittently - to the great surprise of observers who have seen me going for a run because I was tired and coming back fully energized. Sometimes, instead of lunch, I simply went window-shopping at a crystal shop in Frankfurt (they all hold certain frequencies in their crystalline structure that help reprogram our cellular water to health - but that's a fascinating topic from the realms of quantum biology for another time). The vibration was enough to refuel me after a busy - and mostly unpredictable - morning of working in the office, and I had no food cravings all afternoon.

Of course, I did not start out that way.

In fact, indigestion was my constant companion from roughly 2002 thru 2010. Chances are, it is for some of you, as well. Despair not, you can turn this situation around! On your own - and much more quickly than I did, because I’ve already done the research and practical testing for you.

So, back to the food continuum: each individual has their current spot on that line. And they have a goal for this life - and that may just be to move all the way over to fastfood if that’s what they’ve signed up for on a soul level to experience themselves fully in this lifetime. Or it can be the all raw food/pure sunlight end. Or anywhere inbetween. There’s no judgment here, just observation. Where you start is perfectly fine, and the speed and direction you choose are also completely up to you.

Everyone is different, after all. However, the fact of the matter is: if you’re a mental high performance athlete, any bit of additional sunlight will fuel your brain cells and make you generally happier. Regardless of where you currently are on the food continuum.

There are four ways to increase the intake of the sun-infused green stuff. Two to munch on, and two to drink: lightly steamed leafy green vegetables, green salads, green smoothies and green juices.

Your choice will depend on your current physical condition (for instance, given your previous food choices, you may have trouble digesting raw greens in salad, like I did for many years until 2011). The key here - as everywhere in life - is to be honest with yourself and pick what works for you, then apply it until your condition has improved, and your body is ready to “graduate" to the next and even more healing step.

Let’s have a look at the 4 ways to up your intake of sunlight through your mouth - I’ll also be giving you pointers where to get what during your workday in Frankfurt, since I know it best (please do you own research for other big cities where you might be working - it’s all really just a google search away):

1. Steamed leafy green vegetables
   
   This is a pretty straight forward way to up your greens. It’s also the least aggressive form of upping your greens IF you have a weakened digestive system. And it’s easy to accomplish as a busy office worker or frequent business luncher, as well. Just remember to order a huge portion of veggies (with a side of meat or fish - if that’s what gives you that sated feeling of having been well fed). Most better business restaurants I know will gladly prepare a veggie platter for you - if it’s not on the menu yet. Sometimes it’s helpful to call ahead, especially when the place is busy.
   
   I’ve made very positive experiences here in Frankfurt at KuBu (they even made specially ordered raw salads for me with plain lemon juice for a dressing). Meyer’s Feinkost is a great place for high quality cooked veggies, too. As are most steak-houses (yes, you read that right!) - even when I eat fully raw, I can usually find a decent lunch or dinner from their side orders or salad bar.
   
   
2. Green salads
   
   Welcome to the rabbit connection! ;-) The more the merrier! Try not to smother the leafy “gold" with thick jogurt or ranch dressings - the simpler, the better (healthier) in this case. Oil & Vinegar, Italian, fresh lemon juice - those would be my choices when eating out. Most people, though, have a hard time feeling full after a salad, except in the summer time. A good option to make it more filling is to add meaty mushrooms (if you want to keep it vegetarian), a good cheese (raw goat cheese is best!) or some proper meat. Try to not combine  meat and processed carbs, i.e. lay off the bread, french fries, pasta etc. The reason for this is that miscombined meals are difficult to digest, and use up more energy than they give you. Hence the post-lunch slump.
   
   If you want more hearty fare, start your meal off with a salad - the enzymes will aide your digestion, regardless of what you chase the salad with.
   
   Frankfurt has a few great places with lots of variety for your salad needs over lunch: Heidi & Paul (no reservations, call ahead for take-out if you’re pressed for time), Salädchen, Dean&David, Vapiano, or any old steakhouse.
   
   Hint: make sure you chew your salads (or any meal, really) properly - the good stuff in it will be more readily available for digestion, you'll lose less energy that your stomach otherwise needs to break down large chunks, and you'll eat less because you'll feel sated more quickly.
   
   
3. Green Smoothies
   
   By far my most favorite health food/drink for a busy lifestyle, green smoothies are blended drinks of leafy greens, some fruit and water. They're quickly made, easily taken to the office with you. And on top of it all, it’s all easily digestible! Yes, even for those with IBS-like symptoms, simply because the cell walls are already broken down (pre-digested) in the blender. You don’t need expensive equipment to get started - any old household blender will do if you know how to work it properly without burning out the engine.
   
   Places to buy green smoothies in Frankfurt: Heidi & Paul, Chiquita Fruit Bar.
   
   My personal healing was supercharged when I found out about green smoothies. You can read more about this in my 2012 blogpost “How Green Smoothies Helped Me Heal.” In fact, I’m so enamored with green smoothies that I’ve compiled an entire guide revolving around these green gems and ways to detoxify the human body. Click the button at the bottom of the page to order.
   
   
4. Green Juices
   
   The medicinal powerhouse in the green world. Highly potent. I consider veggie juices without green leaves with a bit of not too sweet fruit their little (uncomplicated) brothers. If you’re going down the route of powerful medicinal green juices (wheatgrass etc.), it’s really worthwhile to do your own research and experimentation in the direction of physical cleansing and fasting, combinations with fruit, parasites, candida, etc.. For carrot juice with ginger and a bit of cucumber or celery and even an apple, I’d say enjoy as often as you feel like it. :-)
   
   For a quick fix in Frankfurt at any time of the day, check Mr. Clou at Central Station, near platform 7. They have expanded their range of fairly fresh fruit juices to include veggie juices as well as a green detox juice that you can buy by the bottle, as well. Really, juice bars are popping up all over the place - simply google one at your destination before you go on your next business trip. And don’t forget to stop by Mr. Clou at Hauptbahnhof or Marché at Frankfurt Airport (they have green smoothies, too) when you get on/off that train or plane. For the local business lunchers among you: Meyer’s on Fressgass has a good selection of fresh and healthy veggie juice aperitifs (as well as various salads to go).
   
   If you want to make your own super green juices, learn from someone who knows what they're doing, and do some research on juicers before you jump in (hint: look for a slow juicer that's easy to clean). Also get ready to rinse out your large intestine via enemas or colonics, because you will be stirring up toxins previously stored in your cells and with an average constipated body, may develop headaches and rashes.
   

A note on ORANGE JUICE: if you’re only looking for a fresh orange juice to give you a quick energy boost, the tegut supermarket in the bowels of Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport now has a machine that makes it fresh for immediate consumption.

Important: consume orange juice only within 15 minutes of extraction - otherwise it turns acidic and thus adds to the acidity profile of your body instead of helping you alkalanize and get healthier.

One of the reasons to ask at Feinkost Käfer at the airport when their insanely expensive “fresh" OJ was made - the last time I checked, they pressed a supply for the day in the early morning, and by the time I ordered mine around lunch time, it had, of course, gone acidic (you can actually taste this - it tastes like OJ from the carton that’s been fortified with Vitamin C). On the positive: more and more business hotels around the world are now offering a citrus press with whole oranges at their breakfast buffet, so you can actually make your OJ yourself for a great (and coffee-free) start into the day, and be sure that it’s still alkalanizing when you have it.

Righty, I guess this is a boatload of information already, so I’m wrapping it up for today. If you just found my blog, please also read part one and two of this series where I talk about getting more exposure to daylight, and getting your circulation going - especially with a busy schedule and (positively) challenging career.

Wishing you a happy and joyful winter season - it's in your hands to light it up on a cellular level and improve your mood, energy and productivity by leaps and bounds!

Take care, and enjoy,

PS: No, I’m not a fan of store-bought, bottled fruit smoothies and juices. For two reasons: they have to be pasteurized (all enzymes/freshness/lifeforce killed) for longer shelf life and food safety (even if they contain no other preservatives), and they often have exorbitant amounts of fruit sugar simply by virtue of their sweet fruity ingredients, even if there is no extra sugar added. In short, they contribute to making our bodies more acidic rather than less so, and speed up tooth decay. Great reasons to avoid. Plus, they're overpriced relative to the fresh variety - especially when you find a way to prepare you daily fresh fare at home and take it with you.

---

Green Smoothie & Detox Guide - $29

My condensed wisdom from a lifetime of experimentation and years of successful and repeatable practice on physical cleansing with the help of green smoothies and various physical selfcare methods. Tons of practical and budget tips, notes on what kind of water to use, organic vs conventional produce, preparing in bulk, plus 12 original recipes and further literature. A truly practical, concise 30 page guide for the busy(ness) person who wants to take their health back.

To access, click the buy now button on the right. I will email you the guide within 48hrs of receiving your payment.

"Green Smoothies are an easy way to get 'five a day'. This informative guide [26-page Green Smoothie Guide] shows you how easy it is to make your own green smoothies and they are really tasty too. Many thanks to Solveig and eMateria for making them a part of my wellness routine."

- Rob F., Energy Healer, UK

---