I am becoming more and more intrigued with the raw food diet and was excited to see Jen Pohlman’s name on the schedule during the Gluten-Free and Allergen-Free Expo to do a demo about raw foods. I tried her Good Morning Green Smoothie and it really was delicious! It was so nice meeting her and I’m excited to introduce her today as the guest blogger for “P” day. I encourage you to check out her site, Raw Jenergy. Jen is yet another amazing woman who inspires me to be even more healthy. I now bring you Jen Pohlman……

I had the pleasure of meeting Rockin’ Gluten-Free Andrea at the Gluten Free Allergen Free Expo in Chicago recently, and I was honored when Andrea asked me to be a guest blogger.  Here is a little blurb about my life as a raw food educator and developer of the 3 day raw food detox, as well as the Jenergy Bar™.  I have also included my favorite green smoothie recipe for you to try.  Thank you for reading on and for being your own best health advocate!

I began a raw foods lifestyle 3 years ago after reading about the health benefits of incorporating more raw foods into our diet.  As a mother, wife, triathlete, yogi, and personal trainer – just to name a few roles – I always want to feel and look my best and within a few weeks of eating raw I knew I had found my path.  I went on a 6 month 100% raw vegan detox while training for a ½ ironman triathlon, and I have never felt so good!  I slowly added cooked vegan foods back into the mix, and now comfortably eat 90% raw foods. I have been so in love with my life as a raw foodie that I developed a raw, vegan, GF Jenergy Bar™ as well as a 3 day raw food detox.  I have a passion for offering people these healthy food options and the positive feedback is incredible.  The physical changes that I notice and that I hear most often from my raw food detox clients are:  Amazing energy, clear and soft skin, reduction in allergies, sleeping like a baby, happy and stabilized moods, weight loss, increased athletic performance, awareness of snacking habits, and better ability to concentrate and focus.

A little about raw foods, they are prepared under 118º so as to retain the nutrients and beneficial digestive enzymes as nature intended. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds make up a majority of the raw food lifestyle. Keeping foods raw, allows them to be more bioavailable to our bodies, where we use the nutrients for immediate fuel and healing. Incorporating more raw foods into our diet, creates a more alkaline environment in the body. Eating a diet that includes too much meat, dairy, white flour, sugar and processed foods creates an acidic environment that is known to breed inflammation and diseases such as cancers and diabetes. The raw lifestyle is a more clean approach to living and eating and is by nature, gluten free.

Try adding more raw foods into your diet and see how you feel.  It’s all about finding the balance that works for you, but proceed with caution – the positive changes are addicting!

~one body, one life~

Jennifer

good morning green smoothie

(I want to make you a habit!)

10-16 oz cold filtered water

2 cups spinach

(If you are new to green smoothies start with spinach.  In time, switch to 1/2 spinach 1/2 kale, and then try all kale.)

1-2 unpeeled apples

1 banana

2 stalks celery

small handful of parsley

(parsley can over power the smoothie, add more or less depending on your taste for the plant!)

1 T lemon juice

1/2 grapefruit

(use a whole orange if grapefruit is not an option due to certain medication interactions)

blend in high speed blender with a few ice cubes

*start with 10 oz of water and add more as needed*

Enjoy!

serves 2-3Tweet