green smoothies only for a while

[samariah]

im realizing that i feel the best when i eat more green smoothies so i think im going to eat only them for a while. i make them with greens, fruit, coconut oil, flaxseed and cocoa. they really satisfy me. im hoping maybe these will help my cellulite. i know its not a life threatening situation but i feel like its getting worse and im embarassed to walk around in shorts or a skirt even though its like 100 degrees out. almost all the other people my age have a lot less cellulite then i do too, at least the ones i know/see regularly. i know it runs in my family. my mom has a lot and so does my one sister (however my other sister has near perfect legs, of course shes only 13) but im not going to use that as an excuse. i feel like if i dont do something now its going to get reallly really bad as i get older.

[bunnybunny]

How much flaxseed, coconut oil, and cocoa do you put in? The combination of those things with the greens and fruit sounds delicious. I've just started making green smoothies and need some good recipes. This sounds like something I'd love to try! Also, what kinds of greens do you usually put in your smoothies? Do certain greens taste better with certain fruits or does it not really matter whether I add spinach or kale or whatever?

[Nurse in the Raw]

im realizing that i feel the best when i eat more green smoothies so i think im going to eat only them for a while. i make them with greens, fruit, coconut oil, flaxseed and cocoa. they really satisfy me. im hoping maybe these will help my cellulite. i know its not a life threatening situation but i feel like its getting worse and im embarassed to walk around in shorts or a skirt even though its like 100 degrees out. almost all the other people my age have a lot less cellulite then i do too, at least the ones i know/see regularly. i know it runs in my family. my mom has a lot and so does my one sister (however my other sister has near perfect legs, of course shes only 13) but im not going to use that as an excuse. i feel like if i dont do something now its going to get reallly really bad as i get older.

Are you working out?

[styersky]

How much flaxseed, coconut oil, and cocoa do you put in? The combination of those things with the greens and fruit sounds delicious. I've just started making green smoothies and need some good recipes. This sounds like something I'd love to try! Also, what kinds of greens do you usually put in your smoothies? Do certain greens taste better with certain fruits or does it not really matter whether I add spinach or kale or whatever?

I, too, am new to green smoothies. This morning I had 1/2 head lettuce, two stalks celery, 1 nectarine, and a bit of stevia (from the health food store) for sweetener. I used the stevia so I could cut down on fruit since I am wanting to lose weight. I use 1/2 cup water more or less, blend well in blender and enjoy. Tonight I will have similar smoothie, but will maybe change the fruit and will definitely add avocado. Breakfast smoothie was very satisfying, not hungry, had a large salad for lunch, later a banana, later almonds. I believe in my limited experience that green smoothies is definitely the way to go. Since I am trying to lose weight, I can get lots of nutrients from lettuce, celery, etc.

[samariah]

im not working out as much as i should i guess. i started going on hour long walks around my neighborhood. i need to do more though, maybe ill buy an exercise dvd or something to do inside bc its soo hot out.

[musicalfruit]

I too suffer the dreaded family legs.. and lunges and squats really help, you can do lunges while you walk. I find that the more muscle tone I have, the more fat I burn and the less cellulite I have. :o)

[Veganforlife]

Dry skin brushing really helps with cellulite.

DRY SKIN BRUSHING

It is WELL known that the Skin is the LARGEST Organ in the Body, and is responsible for one-fourth of the Body's Detoxification each day, also making it, one of the most IMPORTANT Elimination Organs! The Skin is also known as the "3rd" Kidneys and the Lungs are known as the "2nd" Kidneys. TOXICITY can gather beneath the Skin's Surface from such COMMON Influences such as IMPROPER pH levels in Body Soaps, Skin Creams and Anti-Perspirants, plus Synthetic Fibers worn NEXT to the Skin with ANY of them contributing to a variety of Skin Problems and Conditions.

When you do Skin Brushing, you HELP your Lymph System to CLEAN itself of the TOXINS, that COLLECT in the Lymph Glands. You use a Simple Technique to IMPROVE the Surface Circulation on the Skin and KEEP the Pores of the Skin OPEN, encouraging your Body's Discharge of Metabolic Wastes, and resulting in an IMPROVED ability to COMBAT Bacteria, plus HELPING your Skin to look and feel HEALTHIER and MORE RESILIENT! Skin Brushing is a PERFECT Treatment for SELF-HELP Enthusiasts.


Benefits:

TIGHTENS Skin.

HELPS Digestion.

REMOVES Cellulite.

STIMULATES Circulation.

INCREASES Cell Renewal.

CLEANS Lymphatic System.

REMOVES Dead Skin Layers.

STRENGTHENS Immune System.

IMPROVES Exchange between Cells.

STIMULATES the Glands, thus helping ALL of the
Body Systems to perform at PEAK EFFICIENCY!

How To Do:

Buy a NATURAL, NOT Synthetic, Bristle Brush, since it does NOT SCRATCH the Surface of the Skin.

Buy a Brush with a LONG Handle, so that you're ABLE to get to the Areas of your Body, that are NOT EASY to reach, when doing your own Skin Brushing.

Skin Brush, before Showering or Bathing, at least ONCE per day, and TWICE, if possible.

Do NOT wet Skin, since it will NOT have the SAME Effect, because this stretches the Skin.

ALWAYS Skin Brush towards the Heart.

Do Circular Counter-Clockwise Strokes on the Abdomen.

Do LIGHTER Strokes over and around Breasts, but do NOT Brush the Nipples.

Brush each part of the Body several times VIGOROUSLY, COMPLETELY Brushing the WHOLE Body.

Brush the Soles of the Feet FIRST, because the Nerve Endings there affect the WHOLE Body, next Brush the Ankles, Calves, and Thighs, then Brush across your Stomach and Buttocks and lastly Brush your Hands to the Arms.

Take a WARM Bath or Shower, which should always be followed by a COOL Rinse at the end to INVIGORATE Blood Circulation and STIMULATE Surface Warmth.

Wash your Brush every few Weeks in Water and let it DRY.

DRY SKIN BRUSHING 2 - more detailed instructions:

Dry skin brushing tones the immune and circulatory systems. It may reduce the duration of infection and accelerate the clearing of toxins. It will reduce cellulite, help support the immune system during cancer and other chronic illness treatment. Best of all, it feels really good!

Using your right hand, gently slide the brush along your right jaw line starting from your earlobe to the underside of your chin 7 times.
Place the brush at the hairline on your neck and gently pull around the right side of your neck to the Adam's apple 7 times.
Hold the brush with your right hand at the bottom of your neck (where it joins the top of your back) and bring it around your neck to the right and down along your right collar bone and end up between your collar bones.
Stroke your breastbone in a circular fashion to stimulate the thymus gland. Carefully brush the breast in a circular motion. Do all of Step 1c 7 times. Repeat steps a, b and c on your left side holding the brush with your left hand. 2. To stimulate the pituitary gland, hold the brush on the back of your head near the base of your neck and rock the brush up and down, then side to side, both 14 times.
Hold the brush in your left armpit with your right hand and rotate it counter clockwise 7 items, then clockwise 7 times. Repeat on your right armpit with your left hand.
Brush upward 7 times from your upper right thigh to your right armpit. Repeat process on your left side. Women may need to hold their breast out of the way with their free hand.
Brush back and forth over your belly button and around your waistline 14 times (like passing a basketball behind your back).
Brush in a circular motion over your belly-button, counter-clockwise 7 times then clockwise 7 times. Finish brushing the front of your body in any direction starting at the bottom and brushing all the way up 14 times. Very little pressure needs to be applied to the genitals and women's breasts because the skin is sensitive and will redden if irritated.
Brush up and down your spine from the base of your neck and down as far as you can 14 times Finish your upper back by stroking it around toward your 11 sides.
Brush your spine from tailbone up as high as you can reach 14 times, holding the brush with two hands or with the detachable wooden handle. Finish your lower back by stroking it around toward your sides).
Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart This improves blood circulation, firms skin and gets rid of cellulite.
Hold the brush in the right groin with both hands and rotate it 7 times counter-clockwise, then 7 times clockwise. Repeat with the left groin.

Brush from right knee to right hip 7 times. Work all the way around your leg continuing to brush upwards (towards the heart).
Brush up from right ankle to right knee and work all the way around your leg, brushing up towards your heart. This improves blood circulation, firms skin and gets rid of cellulite.
Brush around your right ankle 7 times.
Brush back and forth over the top of your right foot from toes to ankle.
Brush across your right toes on top and underneath 7 times.
Brush the bottom of your right foot heel to toe 7 times.
Repeat for your left thigh, left leg and foot.
Brushing upward from right elbow to your armpit and shoulder, cover that entire area 7 times.
Brush from your right wrist to the elbow in the same manner 7 times.
Repeat for your left arm.
Lightly brush the webbing (or junction) between your left thumb and index or pointer finger on the palmside 14 times, then on the non-palmside 14 times.
Brush your left palm from wrist to fingertips and back 7 times. Brush the back of your left hand the same way 7 times.
Brush each left hand finger individually back and forth 7 times on the areas that have not been brushed yet.
Repeat for your right hand.

[Nurse in the Raw]

im not working out as much as i should i guess. i started going on hour long walks around my neighborhood. i need to do more though, maybe ill buy an exercise dvd or something to do inside bc its soo hot out.

I had to switch from walking (burns 188 calories an hour) to my elliptical (burns 488 calories an hour) and also play tennis to lose weight even on raw. I don't eat nuts either, just avocados (1 a day). If I don't exercise, I maintain but don't lose. I also juice fast on the weekends. My fat is stubborn!

[bunnybunny]

I love the elliptical! It burns so much and it gives me such a rush. It's my favorite thing at the gym. :)

[solarliving]

samariah- I completely understand your concern. I too have the genetic disposition to develop celulite even when I was skinny most of my life. I've been high raw for over 2 1/2 years now with some consecutive days 100% at least every week. The cellulite has greatly diminished especially on my thighs. I feel proud to walk in a bathing suit now and honestly we should all be proud of our bodies no matter what, but I just felt so self-concious. As far as I know toxins tend to live in the fat cells and as you cleanse your body you will notice a difference.

Be well,

Solar

[samariah]

thanks for the advice guys. its just irritating bc i devolped like 90 percent of my cellulite while at my first year of college from binging all the time and gaining weight and i really would love to correct the damage i foolishly did.

[Blossom]

What a fantastic amount of info about body brushing Veganforlife:) I have been doing body brushing followed with washing with pure water on a muslin cloth twice a day for about two weeks now and I feel terrible truly not well, all my old health problems have came back, i have not had any detox since going raw 5 months ago so i don't know what this is:confused:

[the_lab_rat]

Samariah,

I'm doing a green smoothie "fast" right now too. I did that for 3 days a couple weeks ago and lost some weight, including some stubborn thigh-fat! The only reason I stopped after 3 days was because I didn't have enough energy to go jogging (I wasn't putting enough fruit in the GS), but now that I've learned more about making green smoothies I'm gonna keep going for longer. I felt SO much better even after just 3 days--like my whole body and mind was totally clean and clear and fresh. I don't know if or how much it'll help with cellulite (I have it too--gross!) but I figure if anything can it's green smoothies! :D