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Health & Fitness

Summer Cleaning: Mar Vista Juice Map

Forget anything in your Spring cleaning? Summer is an especially great time to clear out your body and your mind. Here are some tips and spots around town to get some Summer cleaning for your cells.

We are understanding more and more that food is our friend and our medicine. When we eat natural food, it connects us to nature, the light and energy of the sun and the breath of the universe. When we are healthy, and our physical, emotional and energetic bodies are flowing, the capacity is there to enjoy life and to help others do the same. When we are depleted or stuck on any level, it may be difficult to deal, show kindness, or have wisdom arise.

One really wonderful healthy food for Summer is fresh vegetable juice. It is cooling, deeply hydrating, and is great for being on the go. I wanted to make a juice map because I often want vegetable juice when I am in a rush, but am not sure where I can get what. Check out this map and list of places near by so that you can keep it in mind as you go through your day.

  1. Mrs. Winston’s. 3150 Ocean Park Blvd Ste A Santa Monica, CA 90405
  2. Robeck’s. 11711 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
  3. West LA Whole Foods. 11666 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
  4. The Vegan Joint. 10438 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034
  5. Venice Whole Foods. 225 Lincoln Blvd. Venice, CA 90291
  6. Rainbow Acres. 13208 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 900667.  
  7. Leaf Organics. (not my favorite)  11938 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

 

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We commonly think of food as giving us energy, but sometimes it seems to take it away. Processed foods and starches, especially, actually take more energy to digest than they give back. Juices do the opposite---giving pure energy with very little energy required by your system to digest it. That is why they are very good for people who are sick. Also, juices are made up of the “living water” of plants. This is different than drinking water as it has been held in the structure of the plant, is naturally distilled, and more easily absorbed by the cells.

Most places offer pre-designed blends, but its also fun to play intuitively with your combinations and be open to new flavors.

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Here are some particular magic juices:

• If you are someone who runs hot, try cucumber and celery. They are cooling, help regulate blood pressure, clean the kidneys, and also reduce water retention since they allow the cells to deeply hydrate.

• Green apple juice help cleanse the liver and thus also help with processing of fats. It is also good for the lungs and the heart. Add it in for some smoothness and medium sweetness.

• If you crave sweet, or feel ungrounded, try the juice of things that rest in the earth, like beets and carrots. Often a craving for sweet is a craving for grounding and the elements that come with it. Beet juice cleans the liver, kidneys, bladder and blood. It also improves blood structure. Carrot juice is good for the eyes and also a great source of calcium. Both have anti-cancer compounds.

• Most places that do veggie and fruit juice also juice ginger. Try a shot of ginger on the side. It reduces inflammation, helps with nausea, and also boosts immunity in general. It also creates heat.

• Don’t be afraid to add garlic. You may have grown up with the perception that juice should only be sweet. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, good for pain, and also keeps away the vampires….and mosquitos. Garlic is “the fire of the earth”, so if something energetic has gone cold or stuck, ginger or garlic might be a good way to go.

Tips:

• If your body has difficulty digesting, try keeping fruits and vegetables separate, or not mixing at all and doing small amounts or a single kind of juice at time.

• Some think chewing helps start the digestive process in a more complete way. Try some raw almonds with your juice. It also makes it feel more like a meal.

• If you have beet juice, you may pee slightly magenta. Don’t worry. It's ok :)

You may have heard of juice fasts or people healing diseases from drinking gallons a day, you may even have high hopes of someday getting out your juicer (and cleaning it afterwards). But you don’t need to wait to make a sort of major life shift in order to get the benefits. Maybe just replace the occasional latte---for about the same price and even more energy. Adding a bit of juice will let you feel the difference, and it may inspire you to more and more.

Also, I am sure there are more places that offer great juices than the ones I have listed here. If you know one, please give us the info in the comments.

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