Different foods have different digestion times and require different enzymes. Therefore eating too many kinds of foods at one time can result in difficult digestion. Since we are all sensitive in different ways, it is important to find the right combinations that give each of us the best digestive option that will promote energy and strength.

When gathering ingredients to make a green smoothie, you must remember that green leaves are not comparable to vegetables, which contain a lot of fiber and starch. Because green foods do not contain starch, it is important for you to mix in other nutrients. This means that although at first composing your green smoothie may take a bit of discretion, in the end you will essentially create an ideal composition for health and balance. Keep in mind that the fewer ingredients contained in the smoothie, the faster the digestion process is facilitated and also absorption of the nutrients will take less time. Remember to avoid eating anything for about thirty minutes after you drink your green smoothie.

Acid-Base Balance

The blood in our bodies is perfectly balanced at a pH value of 7.365 and the body is constantly working to keep itself at this level.

Signs that your blood pH level is too acidic involve pain in the joints, sugar cravings, acne, bad breath, headaches, inflammation, swelling, and fatigue. Dark green leafy vegetables are, calorie for calorie, probably the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins, thus they are defined as a basic food. Keeping your diet in accordance with balance between acid forming minerals and base-forming minerals (like those found in the green leaf) is referred to as an alkaline diet.

Choosing to eat green leaves promotes this alkaline diet and will ultimately help you keep your body’s pH balance within a normal range. When your pH balance become more basic, that means the level of acidity is lowered. You will notice that cravings for sweets, junk food, caffeine, and alcohol diminish.

Base-forming power is contributed from chlorophyll. The greener the leaf, the richer it is in chlorophyll and base-forming power. Transferring to an alkaline diet rich in leafy greens, green smoothies, salads, or green juices will lessen your risk of suffering from various diseases and other difficulties such as hay fever and eczema. Keep in mind that your pH value is also determined by thoughts, stress levels, breathing, and outlook on life. A peaceful person will have more basic attributes.

What Do Cells Need?

It is important when choosing what to eat that we keep in mind that we are not only filling our stomachs, but we are also feeding our cells. Optimally functioning cells go through processes of developing new cells, and repairing old ones. What we eat directly affects these processes and can aid or hinder the system. Our stomachs can feel full, but the cells will be starving if the quality of the food we eat is lacking.

The human body is comprised of about 10 trillion cells. Everything from reproduction, to infections, to repairing a broken bone happens at a cellular level. They are continuously working to absorb nutrients that will help them in these procedures. In order to balance the body, undigested or partially digested food must be minimized throughout the body organs, tissues, cells, and the space between the cells. Foods that are hard to digest can cause increased levels of waste that are harder to minimize—this creates a toxic environment. The lymphatic system must work in combination with the circulatory system to remove waste and toxins from the body’s cells.

Fatigue is a manifestation of high toxicity in the body—a feeling of perpetual tiredness and sluggishness can be a vicious cycle. Fatigue releases toxins which perpetuate fatigue—stress and tension also do this. This can all create a surplus of toxins arising in our cleansing organs and in between our cells affecting health, energy levels, and weight. Experiencing these symptoms reveals a dire need for a thorough cleansing of the body, or a detoxification, to improve the system performance.

Surrounding our body’s cells is fluid called lymph. It constitutes the cells “inner environment,” and is responsible for decreasing the amount of pollution build-up in the body. The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system, comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph directionally towards the heart. It is sometimes referred to as the body’s “garbage collector,” because of its cleansing action—it also guards against infections and diseases. In order for this important system to function, it requires muscle contraction (exercise) and deep breathing to circulate it.

If the flow of the lymph becomes blocked, excess fluid can pile up in the tissue and prevent it from staying healthy, smooth, and firm. This stagnation can cause undesired effects when excess fluid begins to pile up causing cellulite in areas where the circulation is poor—usually in the hips or thighs. Fatigue and inertia can also be symptoms of poor lymphatic circulation and can cause diseases to more easily enter the body and cell destruction which may cause pre-mature aging. Investing heavily in effective lymphatic function will not just help to avoid cellulite, but it will protect health in general. Eating good, clean food that doesn’t contain toxic elements will maximize the potential of the lymph and allow us to enjoy physical and mental wellness.

Breathing

Oxygenating our cells is a primary need. The more we breathe in oxygen, the less our risk of imbalance and disease. Breathing effectively can aid the lymph system in ridding our bodies of waste products and toxins. Although breathing is an automatic action, we can help this natural system by striving for calm, harmonious, and deep breathing. This will engage the diaphragm and directly aid the lymphatic system in its work.

A Simple Exercise for Deep Breathing: Exhale thoroughly and empty the lungs of oxygen. Inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for twelve counts, and then exhale through the nose for eight counts. Repeat ten times. Remember, your stomach should inflate as you inhale and deflate and you exhale.

Water

Water is your body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells, regulates body temperature, aids in blood transportation, helps maintain a healthy pH value, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired. It can also cause headaches, sore joints, and constipation. Good quality water will also maximize positive benefits from hydrating. Spring water is the optimal drink, but you can improve tap water by filtering it. Be sure to add mineral drops and a little bit of salt to recrystallize filtered water.

Food

After making sure that our cells are provided with plenty of oxygen and water, it is time to nourish them with food. Choosing nutrient packed foods starts with selecting organic, unrefined foods that are as unmodified, or as natural, as possible. Foods that are rich in fibre will help the body in its self-cleansing processes. Fibre helps your liver flush out toxins by transporting them out of your digestive system. Where there is a sufficient amount of fibre in your stomach, toxins sticks with food and is eliminated with your next bowel movement. If you don't have enough fibre, the toxins re-enter your blood and the liver becomes overworked, since it has to process them all over again. Eat two to three servings of fibre-rich foods every day. Dietary sources of fibre include whole grain breads and cereals, flax seed, barley, beans and fresh or dried prunes.