13 replies to this topic

[Karenlee]

Hi friends,

Well I finally dug out my old juicer from the attic, dusted off the cobwebs and am ready to start juicing again. I figure the ol' immune system could use a boost of some natural vitamins and minerals.

Has anyone been juicing and do you have any good ideas for what veggies and fruits are good for immunity health?

Thanks!!!

Karen

[jefa]

Well, Karenlee, while fresh fruits, juices and vegies are healthy for lots of reasons, part of the problem with scleroderma is an overactive immune system, so it doesn't really need boosting in that sense.

From our medical pages on Diet and Scleroderma:

Systemic scleroderma patients should always consult their doctor(s), especially their rheumatologist, before using any vitamin or herbal remedies or making any significant changes in their diet.

In general, most doctors recommend that scleroderma patients follow a normal, well-balanced diet, without the addition of any herbs, vitamins, or minerals. Do not cut out any food groups from your diet, nor go on any "cleansing" diets, since this may accelerate the disease process.

That said, juicing may help us get those needed food groups into our normal diets and may also make them easier to get down for those of us who have difficulty swallowing.

When I had a juicer, my favorite morning drink was one granny smith apple, one large carrot through the juicer, then add that juice to a small banana in the blender. It was lovely and filling. I used to try saving the fibre to add to bread and other foods, but I always ended up throwing out most of it. I understand it works well as compost.

[Karenlee]

Thanks for the info Jefa. It baffles me that they reccomend not adding any additional herbs, vitamins or minerals but then again this disorder baffles me as a whole.

I bought carrots, apples and parsley to make a juice with in the morning. I'll let you guys know how it comes out.

Karen

[janey]

Karen,
I use a lot of berries, mangos, bananas, apples, and carrots. The berries are high in antioxidants which I understand is good for us. As far as adding herbs, I think the reference that Jefa provided is referring to things like ginko bilboa and other herbal remedies that have claims of "healing" qualities. I would think that parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme were A-OK.

Happy Juicing!

[Karenlee]

Janey that sounds yummy with the berries. I wil have to try that one next.

[Sheryl]

Juices, I use 6 ice cubes and 1 cup orange juice blended with 1 banana, a handful of strawberries and a handful of spinich leaves. I need the viatimins from the spinich but can only eat it raw as in fruit drinks or in salads. Cooked is too strong for my system. I blend all this in my blender and then enjoy. Sheryl

[janey]

Sheryl,

Does the orange juice bother you? Any citrus sends me into painful heartburn, but yet I have no problem with spicy foods. I've had to eliminate orange, lemon, lime and now it looks like pineapple (unless it's grilled). It's interesting how some of us can eat citrus but some can't. Same with spicy.

[Cheri]

Hi Karen,

I make a smoothie every morning for my husband who has CLL. I put blueberries (lots), flavored yogurt, a banana, and a little milk to smooth it. Blueberries have lots of antioxidants in them and is supposed to boost the immune system. Plus it tastes really good. I buy frozen blueberries so the vitamins in them keep. Hope this helps.

Cheri

[Sheryl]

Janey,

In the past year anything I ate or drank bothered me. I can eat and drink citrus without too many problems. I have a major problem with tomatoes and spicy foods. Even if I eat those things early in the day. They will bother me most of the evening and throughout the night, with taking my meds. I never thought about the fruits being bothersome. I just eat them because that is what I have always done. Shame on me.

[bowbec]

KarenLee,

I just purchased a champion Juicer and I love it.(easier to clean than centrifugal juicer I was using) I am making apple carrot juice. Book says not to mix fruit with vegetables except for apple carrot...??anyway it taste great!

In blender... one yogurt (strawberry or vanilla), one ripe banana (for sweetness), half to one cup frozen strawberries, pineapple juice (just enough to get blended) and two or three ice cubes...This is my favorite! Smoothie King couldn't make it any better.

Also a great thing to do with ripe bananas... peel and freeze. Great for smoothies!

Becky

[razz]

Karenlee,

For holiday last year I told my daughters I would love a juicer. They bought me one and I love the wholesome taste. Much better than what you buy in the store, healthier and cheaper. It's been collecting dust because I haven't used it in a while. With all the fruit in season now I think I'll pull it out and start using it again. Thanks for the reminder Becky!


Hugs,
Razz

[Purr]

Are juicers very expensive and are they easy to use? I'm very bad about buying small appliances and not using them because I feel intimidated. For instance, right now I have a "small" butane grill in my garage that I bought on Memorial Day and I have a toaster oven sitting on my kitchen counter that I bought in early July. Neither one of them have been used. Any suggestions????

Thanks,
Christy

[Sheryl]

Prrr, start using that toaster oven. They are so easy to use. You will find that you will use it for so many things. Warming things like Pizza makes it simple. You don't heat up the whole house heating an oven. Things are better warmed in your toaster oven than in a micro wave. I don't use my micro wave. But the kitchen would look strange without it. I have never used a butane grill, so I can't help you on that one. Many appliances people use for short peroids of time then put them away and get them out again. I was getting tired of my toaster oven on my kitchen counter so I put it away. I kept needing it so often and doing without was a silly thing for me to do. So, up it came and it is back in its place on my counter. You really will love it. I don't own a juicer. I squeeze my fruits on a small hand juicer. Then I put everything into my blender. Juicers can be expensive. Unless you live in Florida or have fruit trees or a big family I can't see having a big juicer sitting out on the counter. It is too heavy to keep putting away. In Florida we use one at my aunts almost every day. She has orange, lemon and grapefruit trees so we stay busy juicing. We freeze juice in ice cube trays to use in our drinks and also use the cubes when making lemon pies. That is my imput for the day. I hope you use your toaster oven.

[razz]

Christy,

The juicer I have is a mini version of a popular juicer and only costed $100.00 compared to some other top of the line juicers. This one is easy to use and take apart for rinsing by hand or in the dishwasher. My favorite drink is the way apple juice tastes right out of the juicer. Delicious! I'll send you a personal message with the name brand in case you decide to get one and places you can find one. You could shop around and compare prices but this is the best deal I found (even though it was a gift ).


Razz