Animals don't make smoothies...so

[Nix]

:( OK, so now I am drawn totally to the whole idea of daily green smoothies, just to get my nutrients in and hopefully cut out any unnecessary things I am still hooked on. I hear they are great for getting rid of cravings. BUT, as we know if raw is about eating the most natural, blending food is not natural, at least in nature, bears do not buy blenders at Target...yadayadayada. So, if we say it is not natural for animals to do these things, shouldn't we avoid altering the chemical state of our food by blending, dehydrating etc?
Don't get me wrong, I require "practical" in my life and I don't think eating an entire bunch of parsley one branchy leaf at a time is the most appealing idea, but I love it as a garnish! :rolleyes: I also want the convenience it can offer, ie foods prepared for later, getting in large amounts of greens in one sitting etc.
Of course, personal taste and all, but such concentrations of calories (4 pears, a bunch of parsely and a large cup of water) seems to be a potential danger for someone like me who is seeking to reduce weight. Yet the idea of cutting the cravings with something palatable is very tempting too.
Thanks in advance for any chatting that may lead me to conclusions evading me now! :)
Nix

[Rawkinlocs]

This is true...animals don't make smoothies, don't process in food processors, don't dehydrate.

So, if you want TRULY get back to nature, then you'd have to go live in the wild, sleep in the wild, grow and pick your own food, etc.

But if you want to be realistic, yes, keep it as natural and close to nature as possible (and comfortable for YOU where you are in your life) but you can still take advantage of modern conveniences such as blenders, etc. as you do with cars, the computer you're on, electricity, lighting, toilets, etc. :D

[Conscious Midwife]

The combined pressure exerted caused by proper mastication and the break down caused by enzymes in our saliva is surely more powerful than any old blender.

For me a blender is a short cut and a way of getting in more appropriate nutrients in a fun flavorful way that faster than all day chewing.

[PixieLed]

I agree with the above posts. I think that Victoria Boutenko also mentioned that in her research she noticed that monkeys would each some green leafs and then take a bite of a banana or a fruit. So to me mixing fruits and greens in a smoothie seems to equate to a similar food.

I think that if I could spare the time to sit there and eat all the greens my body requires I would do it. But until then I'll just keep blending. ;)

It's a good question though! :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

Actually the bears around here eat the very unnatural junk that we humans are eating. They know exactly when the trash truck comes and they are waiting in the shadows to dumpster dive at the perfect time.

I wanted to get rid of a durian in my freezer, and had to put a post-it note with "Durian" written on it so when dh took the can out, he could immediately take the frozen durian out with it. I didn't want to risk having another dumpter raid in the middle of the night.

[wyjoz]

This is true...animals don't make smoothies, don't process in food processors, don't dehydrate.

So, if you want TRULY get back to nature, then you'd have to go live in the wild, sleep in the wild, grow and pick your own food, etc.

But if you look at animals that eat grass, leaves, greens they are forever and ever CHEWING !

I'd like to read once in a while, do computers, or watch a movie here and there.

The other point that's made by Victoria that is important; you must CHEW your smoothies ! you can't just chug em up.

[Seren]

I think these days a lot of our fruits and veggies etc have less nutrients in them than they used to, so getting a lot in one sitting is important, as that is probably the amount of nutrients that one would get (before) while eating less.

[Sharon in Colorado]

But if you look at animals that eat grass, leaves, greens they are forever and ever CHEWING !

I'd like to read once in a while, do computers, or watch a movie here and there.

The other point that's made by Victoria that is important; you must CHEW your smoothies ! you can't just chug em up.

That is another factor that leads me to believe that fruit is the most natural and suitable for humans. I think this is the way we were created. We were not meant to sit around in a field and chew the day away.

Of course we should be eating a lot of greens, but the majority of our diet which would satisfy us seems like it should be from fruit.

[Sunshine9]

animals in the wild also don't eat produce from FARMS, breathe indoor air, or have residue in their bodies from years of cooked toxins.

Most wild animals spend a lot more time obtaining and chewing food than I think the average person would.

[LightLover]

we are just animals knowing how to make and use a blender :D

[luckitri]

I have been back and forth on this one. The fresh juices and smoothies don't transport well to work. I like them very fresh only and they get bitter or slimy after just 1 or 2 hours even in the fridge. Without some concentrated nutrition like smoothies or juice I do spend alot of time eating and also get those frantic hunger pangs that can lead to a SAD binge....I get so hungry that I could just eat ANYTHING! Obviously I haven't figured out the right combination for me yet. On RAW I should be able to just go and go - meaning get stuff done - but after a shift of work I just want to go home and eat - and if they call overtime I am in trouble even if I have extra food. Don't get me wrong - I bring plenty to eat at work and am often full and bloated from all that I have eaten but I still have a dangerous hunger that I would like to know the answer to or somehow get under control.

[rawfigure]

I think God made us to rule over the animals.... :D

[LightLover]

I have been back and forth on this one. The fresh juices and smoothies don't transport well to work. I like them very fresh only and they get bitter or slimy after just 1 or 2 hours even in the fridge. Without some concentrated nutrition like smoothies or juice I do spend alot of time eating and also get those frantic hunger pangs that can lead to a SAD binge....I get so hungry that I could just eat ANYTHING! Obviously I haven't figured out the right combination for me yet. On RAW I should be able to just go and go - meaning get stuff done - but after a shift of work I just want to go home and eat - and if they call overtime I am in trouble even if I have extra food. Don't get me wrong - I bring plenty to eat at work and am often full and bloated from all that I have eaten but I still have a dangerous hunger that I would like to know the answer to or somehow get under control.

luckitri, did you try to drink more? Hunger can be hidden thirst.
Do you put avocado and/or nuts in your salad for more filling?

LL

[LightLover]

I think God made us to rule over the animals.... :D

Yes, but the one on the side of victory should always show mercy.. :D
We just don't :(

LL

[Kerilyn]

I have been back and forth on this one. The fresh juices and smoothies don't transport well to work. I like them very fresh only and they get bitter or slimy after just 1 or 2 hours even in the fridge.


I don't know but maybe it is what you are using to make the smoothies?!? Try using dense food. LOTS of greens, bananas, Mangos, Peaches, Pears, Strawberries..instead of water based like Watermelon. Try not adding as much water, instead use a little ice to make it a tad under room temp. The smoothies that we make stay VERY well ALL day long in the fridge...just a little shake of the jug to mix it all up and it's good to go. I have noticed though- if we use a lot of water or watermelon that it doesn't have as much flavor and seperates very easy and fast!

Good luck!! I know that the Green Smoothies are the one thing that REALLY help me from getting really hungry throughout the day!!! Keep trying different combos until you find what works best for you!

[dreamrawalwz]

I've too have debated this with myself. Juicing slices the cells so not as many are assimlated, but I don't think blending does this as much. I look at it as pre-digested. Your body still works at digestion, but not as much as when you chew, but not as little as with just liquid.

[luckitri]

Wow lightlover, I didn't know that hunger could be hidden thirst. I've been so pleased when I think I am doing raw right cause my chronic bladder problem calms down.....maybe not.

I just can't deal with mixing fruits and vegetables and only just started eating fruits again recently. Had no taste for fruit for awhile. I devised the okra smoothie and I make a "Mexican" smoothie (sans onion and hot pepper) and it has avocado in it. I always have some nuts in my cooler. Even when I am bloated from all that I have eaten I am hungry for something more - and even though I have more it is never what I want. Years of digestive problems maybe have not resolved so quickly or maybe it is a sugar balancing issue.....how to tell?

I don't use any water unless I think I am burning up the motor. I will use juice of kale, celery, cilantro - green juice in the blender for the smoothie vegetables.

Maybe the Arizona heat just permeates everything so thoroughly that our fridges don't work so well either. The ones at work get opened alot. Maybe it is just my tender taste buds. I have been able to lengthen the time the juices are tolerable by adding fresh squeezed lime - but still they are only good for a couple of hours.

[Nix]

I am beginning to think we all need to have a "Drink your water" support thread around here...I am seeing all kinds of people on many different threads here who need to drink their H2O, we cannot detox without flushing and if we drink only when we get thirsty we are already dehydrated, or so I have been told by countless natural health professionals.
I will blend away...otherwise I think I will simply continue to be fighting these cravings...
I have been enjoying hearing what you all use for smoothies, I don't want to get bored and sometimes I just don't feel all that creative. You never know what will taste good blended together until you try...
Nix :cool:

[LeanAndHungry]

I am beginning to think we all need to have a "Drink your water" support thread around here...I am seeing all kinds of people on many different threads here who need to drink their H2O, we cannot detox without flushing and if we drink only when we get thirsty we are already dehydrated, or so I have been told by countless natural health professionals.
I will blend away...otherwise I think I will simply continue to be fighting these cravings...
I have been enjoying hearing what you all use for smoothies, I don't want to get bored and sometimes I just don't feel all that creative. You never know what will taste good blended together until you try...
Nix :cool:

For detox maybe, but what animal drinks when it is not thirsty? Are then all animals dehydrated? Of course the smoothies are spectacular in terms of benefit so I'm all for them. I just find that if I have two 1 quart smoothies in a day if I have much more water than that I have to use the restroom too many times.