Category: Pedestal

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Green Drink and Other Vegan Cold Busters

The cold seasons are also cold seasons, the time when the flu, colds, and other bugs spread around. And the things you eat and drink determine the recovery to your old, healthy self.

Are you just as bored by the sight of hot drinks or a healthy vegetable soup when down with a cold? We don’t blame you when you’re already struggling to cheer yourself up with a weak body. 

And with many enticing supplements on the market promising easy recovery, it can become difficult to motivate oneself to have healthy food. While these over-the-counter drugs may get you quick relief from a cold, your immune system works overtime during winter. This calls for boosters like green drinks to keep you energized and protected against infections. In this blog, we’ll cover some vegan foods and drinks that are great cold busters. 

Magical immune boosters

When it comes to prepping your immune system against a common cold or flu, go for immune boosters packed with nutrients. They’re not just good to soothe the effects of colds but also improve your strength to fight against chronic diseases.

Are you wondering if a diet free from animal products can improve your strength? Undoubtedly, healthy vegan options can be your last resort when that annoyingly persistent cold is testing your patience. Scroll down to explore a platter of vegan recipe ideas. We bet they’ll make their way to that sick day’s care package you just can’t do without.

Go for citrus fruits

People who turn to vitamin C at the first signs of trouble get an early head start in fighting off the flu. Vitamin C helps the body by increasing the production of white blood cells, which further fights the infection thriving in your body. Include citrus fruits, such as grapefruits, lemons, and oranges in your diet. Try Chef V recommended Lemon Ginger detox to break the monotony of a conventional sick-care routine and fuel your immune strength.

Don’t miss broccoli

Do you know one cup of broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange? This antioxidant star is packed with all the fiber, vitamins, and minerals you need to revive your body. If you’re looking for a sweet spot between enjoying cravings and maintaining your health, our warm and comforting creamy broccoli soup is a must-try for your sick taste buds. It serves as a light meal without taxing the body.

Turmeric can do wonders

Golden Milk is a magical version of milk that keeps diseases at bay, thanks to many antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of turmeric that safeguard us from infections. And the best part is it’s really easy to make at home. Check out Chef V’s cleanse-friendly golden milk recipe.

Refuel with coconut water

As we enter the winter season, one of the most common tips we hear is to drink hot drinks to keep warm. When you’re feeling under the weather, you might prefer a cold beverage. Some cold drinks can do wonders too. 

When you’re low on energy with sniffles and body aches, you need to restore your electrolytes. And coconut water can bring that hydration. It also has a little amount of fruit-derived natural sugar, which your body can absorb as a quick and simple source of energy.

Try Chef V’s magical green drink

It’s better to prepare our bodies at the start of winter when the holiday season is right here. Enjoy holiday treats, but say goodbye to artificial flavorings. Don’t miss the seasonal goodness of organic drinks. Add Chef V’s Green Drink Plan to your diet regime today. Its immunity-boosting ingredients should help you navigate sickness like a pro. 

Our famous green drink, juice for detox, and soups are made with seven certified organic leafy greens and delivered to your door fresh weekly. Build your plan today and get started with your green juice detox.

Getting Studying Done On a Detox Juice Cleanse

Juice cleanses are a great way to lose weight and detoxbut for newbies, they can be somewhat overwhelming. It may get a little tough to focus for many people trying to study, because of a few 7-day cleanse side effects. This blog gives some tips for keeping your focus up during a cleanse. 

According to one of the latest reports, 17 percent of those using juice cleansers notice improvements in their emotions, 23 percent experience improved digestive health, and 26 percent tend to lose the desired weight. Despite these promising results, it may take quite a bit to convince yourself to choose a detox journey with all the lip-smacking, eye-grabbing food options out there.

 If you’ve taken the most difficult step of adopting a detox juice cleanse, we only want to make it smoother for you from here on by helping you with some of the tips to manage detox and celery juice side effects and retain your concentration levels.

Things a juice cleanse does to your body

A juice cleanse is a “detox” dietyou’re committing to consuming only fruit and vegetable juices. While the primary benefit of juice cleansing is presumed to be weight loss, that’s just a fraction of the great work green juices do for you. They improve your digestive health and promote the growth of healthy microbiota. They also tighten your tummy bloated by inflammatory foods, such as  gluten, dairy, and alcohol. With your calorie intake reduced, your body doesn’t have to exert the usual amounts to break down food, giving your gut some rest.

A detox plan is a great way to improve your mental health as well. With your meals planned beforehand, a break from meal planning, shopping, and cooking significantly improves your mood and relaxes your brain. Juice cleansing also leads to improved quality of sleep in the absence of toxins, caffeine, and other food items that make it difficult to get good quality rest. 

Amidst all these positive developments during your detox, what remains equally true is that sometimes fasting sucks. You may experience sluggishness, weakness, and light-headedness. With a drop in your calorie intake, both your brain and muscles may want to slow down, leading to celery juice headaches. With emotions like temporary sadness and confusion, you may even struggle to focus on your studies and other important tasks.

Tips for focusing during a juice cleanse

You may experience some challenges along the way of your detox diet, but we’ve got you covered with simple, actionable strategies to boost your stamina and emotional strength. These tactics will help you maintain focus levels during r studies and manage your body and mind better.

1. Give your body a heads-up

While the urge to grab those delicious snacks is natural and understandable before you bid them goodbye for a while, introducing drastic changes in a day won’t be kind to your body. Give your body a transition period of at least three to five days before beginning a detox juice cleanse. Slowly cut out dairy, alcohol, heavy food, and gluten, and replace them with healthier options to stock up some extra energy for later.

  1. Organize and prioritize

Plan your detox juice cleanse at a time when you’re not flooded with a heavy study checklist. Stressing yourself with a lot of rigorous study schedules will only make your diet routine tougher. If you want to stay committed to your cleanse as well as your studies, sync stress-free study days with your juice detox plan to strike a balance.

  1. Do it together

Make this experience more fun and memorable by getting friends onboard. You can help each other stay sane on the days that challenge you too much. This way, you will keep your energy levels up, and navigate through your detox journey with much more enthusiasm.

  1. Stock up on herbal teas

With your belly filled with just juices, hunger is going to knock on your doors often. This is inevitable thanks to a lowered calorie intake, but you can get through it. Explore warm and soothing drinks such as herbal teas to improve your digestive health.

  1. Drink plenty of water

With only juices in your body, we know you’re taking trips to the washroom often. Don’t limit your water intake in response. Hydration is key to keeping your energy levels high throughout the day. It will help you fight sluggishness and keep you focused and active. 

  1. Mind over matter

The way you think of this journey can overpower the side effects. Changing the narrative from “fasting sucks” to “fasting cleanses” can flip things up for the better. Approach it with positivity and enthusiasm and avoid negative self-talk. A positive approach will clear your head and help you focus on your studies better.

Get Chef V’s cleanse package for best results 

Planning a detox journey by yourself can be tricky, and we hear you. Chef V does all the homework and works with nutritional therapists to craft the perfect detox plan for you. Bid prep work goodbye, and say hello to easy-to-follow instructions to enjoy your juices for the best results. 

Our intricately curated, fiber-packed juices are free of green powders, pills, or other gimmicks. Only the best and fresh gets delivered to your doorstep. 

With all these tips and Chef V’s cleanse, you’re all set to achieve your health goals and ace those study goals simultaneously. Go ahead and prep up your mind and body for a refreshing detox experience. Build your cleanse plan today. We’re rooting for you all the way! 

Chef V’s Everyday Ways to Be More Sustainable

Chef V has always been a big fan of sustainability. However, you don’t necessarily need to make huge changes in your life to be socially responsible. You can adopt some simple, everyday ways and go vegan and organic. This blog will cover the essence of sustainability, and how you can achieve the same with some basic lifestyle changes and a little more consideration for Mother Earth. 

What does sustainability mean? 

The term sustainability has become way more important today than it ever was. Around 51 percent of people take it more seriously today than they did last year. In fact, 49 percent of consumers say they’ve paid a premium—an average of 59 percent more—for products branded as sustainable or socially responsible in the last twelve months. 

Sustainable living means being aware of the impact our actions have on the environment around us and finding ways to carefully use the resources  we have today. It’s about preserving, reserving, and bettering for tomorrow. 

Easy ways to be more sustainable

Are you looking to get started with being more socially accountable? Let’s look at some easy, everyday ways to be more sustainable and how you embark on the path of sustainable eating and drinking. These tips are doable as they won’t ask you to change your life drastically or go out of the way to fulfill them.

Drink tap water

Drinking tap water instead of bottled water is probably one of the simplest ways to have a more sustainable lifestyle. Right from processing the plastic, filling the bottles with water, and transporting them, bottled water manufacturing uses a lot of energy. Regular tap water is an immune booster in itself and hence an inevitable element of healthy living.


Consume meat consciously

Raising farm animals requires large amounts of land and water, and causes water, soil, and air pollution. And factory-farmed animal protein has a  high carbon footprint. To minimize the environmental impact, you can try plant-based products and minimize meat consumption as much as possible.

Check seafood sources

Make it a habit to check the source of your seafood. For minimal ocean pollution, your seafood must be sourced from sustainable sources only, i.e., a certified sustainable fishery or certified responsible farm that abides by ocean-friendly practices. 


Go for homemade food

Eating homemade is better than at most restaurants because you save money and can eat organic food. Cooking at home allows you to verify the sources and quality of ingredients. Avoiding restaurant-made food also minimizes waste generated during packaging and delivery. And commercial kitchens typically use more energy than a home kitchen.


Grow or cook local

Starting a little farm at your own place is easier than you may think. Make a home gardening project as your side hobby and enjoy locally grown organic foods. If you can’t have a home farm, consider shopping from local farmer’s markets.

Reuse accessories

Keep an eye out for items you can reuse and optimize kitchen materials for minimum waste. Something as simple as using  reusable straws over plastic ones can be a contribution toward sustainability.  So, you see, sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. Nor does it have to be big, elaborate, or intimidating.

Sustainable food options to explore

From the resources we consume to the food we eat, there are several ways we can explore being more ecological. Here’s a list of a few super sustainable food options to consider starting your journey toward healthy and environment-friendly eating habits.

This recipe is as vegan as it gets. With healthy ingredients like carrots, onions, and nut milk, this soup is an appetizer you can’t miss. Try this recipe and kick-start your sustainable eating habits today.

This recipe can be your go-to snack while watching football, as an hors d’oeuvre at a party, or with a glass of wine on the deck while the sun goes down. This flavorful dip is easy, gluten-free, and keto.

This recipe is packed with loads of healthy vegetables. The pumpkin, carrots, and quinoa complement each other’s flavors well. It’s made with mellow spices for a flavorful and healthy meal. 

TryChef V’s juice cleanse diet and green drinks

Made with certified seven leafy greens, Chef V’s drinks are the best sustainable partners you can find on your journey to eating and drinking right. Made with organic ingredients, all  Chef V drinks can become your tools for both a sustainability-conscious  lifestyle and a healthier body. Make sure to give our drinks a try, and fall in love with our green drinks and your new sustainable lifestyle.

With our juice cleanse diet, you’ll get juices and smoothies packed with local, organic ingredients that flush your vital organs and leave you satisfied. We bet you don’t want to miss the juice cleanse benefits. You can build and customize the plan as per your needs. Get in touch today to learn more!

Hormones and Detox Juice

Nutrition and health aren’t simple things. If it was a simple process, then there wouldn’t be a need for things like 21 day juice cleanses! Your body is an incredibly complicated machine, with countless chemical processes happening at every moment. You need to take into account terms like nutrients, vitamins, minerals and more. One key component of health that’s often not understood is hormones. However, hormones can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. In this blog, we’ll explain what hormones are, and how your diet can affect them, for better or worse. 

What are hormones? 

Hormones are a big topic, so we’re going to condense this down as much as possible so we can get talking about things like the best juice cleanse for weight loss. Hormones are chemicals inside your body that have the specific job of acting as messengers. Hormones are distributed through your bloodstream and trigger reactions and changes in your cells. These changes tend to be things in your body that vary depending on your age and the situation—things like your metabolism, growth, sex drive, and mood. 

What’s unique about hormones is how different they are between the genders. Both genders produce hormones in places called glands. You’ve probably heard of things like the pineal gland or thyroid gland. However, men and women also produce unique hormones in their respective reproductive glands. 

You can kind of think of hormones as your body’s own little supply of drugs, made directly on-site. And like drugs, while they can be incredibly useful for you, they can also cause havoc in the wrong amounts. Imbalanced hormones can have especially chaotic effects in women. Potential symptoms include things like diabetes, irregular menstruation, infertility, skin conditions and difficulty in managing weight. 

How does diet affect hormones?

When we think of the chemistry of losing weight and staying healthy, we tend to worry about things such as fat, carbs, and our blood sugar levels. However, your diet can have just as much effect on your hormones as any other part of your body. Hormones are the messengers of your body. Those messengers can easily get confused or imbalanced by food that is processed or overly high in fat or sugars. 

However, there are a lot of positive diet changes you can make that can help bring your hormones back to balanced levels. The most important of these is also one of the simplest—just get enough water! Whether you’re drinking straight H2O, or getting it in your detox juice, it’s essential you always stay hydrated.

The number two diet and hormone rule is to get tons of fruits and vegetables, especially the leafy green stuff. However, get organic products, to avoid taking in chemicals that could affect your hormone levels. 

You also want to get plenty of proteins, regardless of the source. There are plenty of great sources of plant-based proteins out there, from those dark leafy greens we mentioned, to certain nuts and grains. Healthy fats (the kind you’d get from avocado, for example) are also key ingredients in helping manage hormone levels.

Hormones and juice cleanses

The best way to get hormones under control is to get plenty of hydration while getting as many essential fruits and veggies as possible. It’s no wonder many women have found a 21 day juice cleanse is one of the most effective hormone managers out there. Green juice keeps you hydrated and gives you all the nutrients your body needs to manage hormone production. This, in turn, helps you get a handle on everything from skin cleanliness to weight loss.

Of course, not all detox cleanses are created equal. With Chef V, you can get a juice cleanse that includes protein shakes and detox soups, which ensures you aren’t losing out on other important nutrients like protein. This means it’s a juice cleanse you can actually hope to finish, and so get real results for your hormone control or weight loss goals. Just check out some of our great success stories

 

Protein-Power: What’s the Function of Proteins?

It’d be impossible to navigate the internet in this day and age and not hear someone trying to talk to you about protein. Heck, we’re guilty as charged at Chef V, with plenty of articles about topics like what is pea protein good for

There’s a good reason for this—protein is one of the fundamental building blocks to good nutrition. Despite being so important, your average customer probably doesn’t know what it is, or that they should care about things like protein shakes. No matter if you’re a nutrition junkie, or just looking for a juice cleanse near you, here’s your basic guide to protein.

Okay, so what’s protein?

We’re not chemists or biologists, and we don’t expect you to be either. So we’ll try to cover the basics here. At the same time, it’s important to note that protein is a bit more complex and essential than just “something in your meat.”

First things first, there’s no singular thing called a protein. Rather it’s a class of types of molecules found inside your body. Proteins are made up of chemicals called amino acids. (For the few people interested in chemistry here, amino acids are themselves made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Yep, you don’t get any more basic than this). Proteins themselves are the building blocks of much of your body, particularly your muscles. 

From the nutritionist’s point of view, proteins are considered a macronutrient. This means that along with fat and carbohydrates, they’re one of the kinds of nutrients humans need in relatively large amounts. 

What is the function of proteins? 

What do proteins do? It’d be easier to ask what they can’t do! Proteins combine the role of both a key building block of your body, as well as a key component of your body’s daily operations. Essentially, proteins help your body create new cells, and move them around your body to where they’re most needed in your body. In particular, you need protein to build and maintain your muscles. 

This is only scratching the surface. Proteins also help you produce hormones, which are worth a discussion entirely on their own. Having enough protein is also key to making sure that you have enough antibodies to stave off disease.

From a diet perspective, it’s important to note that proteins are often what help you feel full after a meal. This means that if you’re getting enough protein, you can better manage your appetite and cut back on cravings. 

How to get more protein in your diet 

We tend to associate protein mainly with meat products. However, that’s not the only place you can get protein in your diet. In fact, there are plenty of plant-based proteins out there, especially in nuts and the really dark leafy greens. Recently, there has been a growing  interest in protein that comes in powdered form so it can be mixed in with other products, often drinks.

You’ll often hear about the term “complete proteins.” What this is referring to is that fact we dropped earlier, that proteins are themselves made up of different amino acids. You do need all of these amino acids for the best health. A complete protein would be one that contains all the amino acids. 

There are a few misconceptions about complete proteins. The first is that if you aren’t eating complete proteins, you need to try and “match” proteins to eat together to get all your amino acids at the same time. Trust us, it’s not that complicated. Just treat your amino acids like any other important nutrient and mix them up in your diet. 

Another common misconception is that complete proteins are only found in animal products. There are quite a few plant-based complete proteins, such as quinoa and soybeans. 

You know what also has complete protein in it? Our signature detox shakes! We achieve this through the use of pea protein. This means that our juice cleanses deliver a comprehensive package in nutrition. Try them with confidence.

Making the Most of Juice Detox Diet Leftovers — Fun Pulp Recipes

If you’re into a juice cleanse diet, it’s very likely you make your own juice and probably end up with a ton of leftover pulp. There is a lot of goodness in the pulp, including most of the fiber. If you’re just throwing your pulp out, hold up — there are a lot of fun recipes you can make with it!

In this post, we’ll cover how to reuse juice leftover into good use with clever hacks, and you’ll never need to throw the pulp ever again.

Fun recipes with pulp

With a juice detox diet, you may be finding yourself with a lot of leftover fruit and vegetable pulp that you’re not quite sure what to do with. Here are some creative ways to recycle your leftover juice pulp.

Give your smoothies a kick of fiber 

Do you like having fun and experimenting with different ingredients while making smoothies? Add some fruit pulp to the blender when making your next breakfast smoothie. This will be a great way to add consistency, not to mention extra nutrients. It will also add plenty of fiber, so you’ll feel fuller for longer.

Go for a healthy and fuller veggie broth

If you’re left with vegetable pulp, including celery, carrots, onion, or garlic, you can easily transform it into a flavorful vegetable broth. Cook the pulp in a large pot with some olive oil and add a few cups of water, salt, pepper, herbs, and your favorite spices. You can enjoy this homemade broth on its own. Or even use it for any of your favorite soups and stews. We’d recommend adding your veggie broth to Chef V’s recipe of Creamy Carrot Soup and enjoy the magical version.

Make your baked goods with a healthy twist

Wondering what to do with pulp from carrots, apples, melons, or beets after you’ve made a healthy glass of juice? Spoil yourself with some baking! Try adding these leftovers while baking bread, cookies, muffins, or cakes for a burst of fruity flavor and some added texture. And enjoy a perfect nutrient-filled sweet treat. 

Try green eggs and pancakes with pulp coloring 

If you want to woo people with colorful yet yummy pancakes or eggs for breakfast, use these Chef V recommended alternatives to food coloring:

  • red coloring extracted from beet juice pulp
  • purple coloring extracted from juice pulp of the red cabbage
  • lighter purple coloring extracted from blueberries pulp
  • green coloring extracted from spinach or Chef V Green Drink

Make healthy variant popsicles

Do you have a sweet tooth and want tasty yet healthy popsicles? Are you wondering what to do with your remaining fruit juice? Pour your juice into popsicle molds or ice trays and sprinkle in some of the pulp. Freeze and enjoy! We bet you would love Chef V’s frozen Red White and Blue Popsicle treats by adding pulp of blueberries and raspberries.

Add a slew of nutrients to patties or fritters

Pulp from juicing beet, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets can be used as fillers and make your own delicious vegetarian burger patties or fritters. These pulps add an earthy flavor and help the burgers keep their shape. 

Keep healthy and vegan with Chef V

Are you into a juice detox diet but not ready to put in the time and effort of at-home juicing and reusing the leftover pulp? We heard that call and answered it with our Chef V cleanse package. With our juice cleanse diet, you’ll get juices and smoothies packed with local, organic ingredients that flush your vital organs and leave you satisfied. We take care of the pulps in the most creative and recycle-friendly ways. 

And what could be more convenient than having organic juice cleanse delivered fresh right to your door?  You can build and customize the plan as per your needs. Get in touch today to learn more!

Green Drink and Other Beverages to Beat Cold Season

Winter is around the corner, and you may be gearing up for the festive season. This is often a time when many of us indulge in winter outings and savor foods such as sweets and fried dishes that may lower our body’s natural defense system. With winter comes not just the cold, but colds as well. If you want to avoid the sniffles, sneezes, and coughs, here are some ideas for cold and hot beverages that you can sip, with a nutritious and low-calorie twist.

Reset your immunity with magical ingredients

When it comes to prepping your immunity against a common cold or flu, there are a few magical ingredients and immunity-boosting nutrients that can do wonders and help you recover faster.

Ginger, with its antibacterial properties, stimulates the immune system and helps protect against cold viruses. The spicy, pungent herb is one of the best cold relief spices with anti-inflammatory properties. It soothes your throat ache and speeds up recovery time. Ginger can be a great addition to teas, soups, and recipes. Garlic is also effective protection against colds due to its powerful anti-viral and anti-catarrhal properties. 

Higher vitamin D intake during winter is associated with a lower risk of getting colds. With a daily serving of eggs — in food recipes or eggnog — you’re less likely to catch a cold or any other upper respiratory tract infection.

Vitamin C is also a good option to consume when you’re feeling under the weather. It can help lower the duration and severity of a cold. It’s found naturally in oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits, but broccoli, kiwi, and red bell peppers have even more vitamin C. Did you know that tomatoes too are a great vitamin-C-rich food and are a proven fuel for your body’s immune system?

Beat colds with these hot drinks 

With the cold days ahead, you crave all things warm and nourishing. If you’re looking for flavorful and healthy drinks that’ll put you under a magically warm spell, we’ve got you covered. Here are Chef V’s recommendations to help you tune-up your immune system to tip-top shape for the flu and cold season.

Water, water, and more water!

Don’t panic if you get a runny nose or an itchy throat and rush to the pharmacy for OTC medicines. You’ll be back on track in no time if you rest and hydrate properly. And this tip should be no surprise to anyone — try drinking at least the recommended eight glasses of water a day. Water on its own is good enough, but for a touch of flavor, add a dash of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, ginger, or honey (or all three) for a tasty way to double up on immune support.

Get cozy with detox soups

Soups can be the most soothing for flu season! With nutrient-rich veggies and ingredients, they can serve as a light meal without taxing the body. Here’s a list of warm and comforting Chef V detox soups that put their feel-good magic to work when you sip on and cozy up with your loved ones:

Sip on chicken bone broth

Sipping on super beverage bone broth can be a relaxing evening snack or a light morning breakfast. It’s a flavorful, collagen-rich drink packed with a whole host of nutrients that help you heal and loosen congestion in your chest and nasal passages. Turmeric, cinnamon, and a dash of fresh ginger and garlic can be added that’ll help speed up your metabolism. 

Go for golden milk

We realize the thought of eating or drinking nearly anything can be off-putting when unwell, but that’s where simple, soothing drinks come into play. Golden milk is a health elixir that helps you get back on your feet during a bout with the flu. And the great part is, it’s really easy to make! 

All you need are some readily available basic ingredients: turmeric, milk, cardamon, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Some nutritionists recommend adding a dash of black pepper as well to increase the bioavailability of turmeric. The drink will warm the hearts of your family and friends, and keep everyone healthy. Homemade and delicious, how can it not? Check out Chef V’s cleanse-friendly golden milk recipe.

Some cold drinks can do wonders

Winter is soon here, and the most common tip you usually get for staying warm is sipping hot beverages throughout the day. If you feel more inclined to drink something cold while under the weather, that’s OK too.

Drink your greens 

Enjoy some holiday treats, but say goodbye to artificial flavorings. Don’t miss the seasonal goodness of organic drinks. Make a refreshing blended juice with green veggies, such as kale, chard, curly parsley, and dandelion greens. Elevate the richness of your blended juice by adding chia seeds, jalapeno, nutmeg, or cinnamon. Check out Chef V’s famous Green Drink made with seven certified organic leafy greens delivered fresh to your door.

Try eggnog 

What better way to kickstart the holidays than with some rich, comforting eggnog. The merriest drink is made with eggs, cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla bean (the real deal). Spread holiday cheer with Chef V’s vegan version of this traditional favorite.

What not to drink 

While choosing the right drink can help you feel better during flu season, avoid these drinks (or at least limit their consumption) to maintain a healthy and strong immune system in winter:

  • Artificial juices and carbonated beverages with high sugar content
  • Dairy products, such as milk and buttermilk 
  • Milkshakes and smoothies as they can be mucus-generating
  • Drinks such as coffee, energy drinks, and sports drinks that contain caffeine

If you’re short on time or hate the cleanup involved in cooking, try our Green Drink Plan. We’ll ship you the freshest, most nutrient-dense Chef V detox soups and green drinks for a strong immune system and revitalizing cleanse. 

All of our products are made from fresh, organic ingredients and have been praised for their great flavors. Make the greatest investment in your health for as little as six dollars per day! So, don’t wait and build your plan now.

Vegan Halloween Candy to Enjoy With Your Green Drink

Is everyone ready for a real scare? Because the holiday season is about to get started in North America. This means that any health-conscious reader, or just those looking to lose weight, is going to be met with a host of delicious temptations between here and the new year. 

For those vegan readers out there, this time of year presents an entirely different issue from the threat of an expanding waistline. Even if they did want to perhaps indulge once in a while, the staples of this time of year rarely are vegan-friendly. 

This is most apparent at Halloween, where a good deal of candy includes dairy-based chocolate. And the stuff that doesn’t is so full of preservatives and additives that anyone who knows even the slightest bit about nutrition is going to want to scream and head for the exit.

However, there’s no reason the chillier autumn and winter months need to leave you out in the cold. We’ve discussed some general ideas on how to handle Halloween while staying healthy. We’ve also given some great ideas for Halloween-themed treats. But we know some of you have a sweet tooth and won’t be happy until you get some real Halloween candy. 

With that in mind, we’ve put together some tasty vegan Halloween candy ideas. While they might not all be great foods to eat while juicing, they’re a delightful way to celebrate the end of your juice cleanse diet, or simply to enjoy with your green drink as an autumn treat. 

Thankfully, DIY vegan Halloween candy isn’t as complex as it sounds. With a little bit of creativity, you can ditch the processed foods in autumn, so you don’t end up ruining all the hard work from your juice-cleanse diet. We’ll treat you to a few examples of vegan alternatives to some of your favorites.

Vegan Halloween Candy Ideas

“Almond Joy”

Health nuts often go nuts for nuts. So it’s no surprise we’re going to be starting this list with a little almond-y joy. It seems a shame to take a nut as jam-packed with good stuff and then cover it up with all sorts of high sugar, processed chocolate. 

Thankfully, since the concept behind the Almond Joy is fairly simple, it’s not hard to whip up vegan versions at home. All it takes is some almonds (naturally), organic shredded coconut, and vegan chocolate, and you’re good to go! You can find plenty of great example recipes online.  

Candy corn

For many, candy corn is inextricably linked with the “feeling” of the autumn season. However, it’s not a candy often seen after Halloween. There’s no reason to let a good classic languish, so take it upon yourself to resurrect it. Of course, in the interest of vegan Halloween candy, you’ll want to make sure you’re making a vegan-friendly version. Plenty of recipes for candy corn don’t require too much in the way of complex ingredients either. 

Coconut balls

We touched on coconuts when talking about Almond Joy. But it’s also worth pointing out how flexible and versatile an ingredient shredded coconut can be when it comes to whipping up some tasty vegan Halloween candy. As long as you can get your hands on some organic shredded coconut and dark chocolate, you can go nuts with your own vegan candy ideas or take inspiration from the many recipes online

Peanut Butter Cup 

Is there a more classic junk food combination than peanut butter and chocolate? Peanut Butter Cups have long been a guilty pleasure for many of us. There’s a reason, then, that you’ll see plenty of low-sugar or vegan alternative versions of this snack in grocery stores. However, don’t think you need to spend a lot of money buying premium versions. You can easily find plenty of recipes detailing how to make these treats on your own. They’ll be a great reward year-round for finishing a juice cleanse diet or just a great companion to green drinks. 

Peppermint patties

Are you the sort of person who prefers a peppermint flavor to your candy? Just because you’re a picky candy eater doesn’t mean you need to feel left out of all the vegan Halloween candy fun. Peppermint patties can be replicated in a much healthier vegan format by relying on sweet nuts. Many of the examples you’ll find will include cashews for the creamiest fillings

“Snickers”

It’s not a mystery why certain types of chocolate bars become so popular as Halloween candy. When you throw in salty and sweet staples like peanuts, caramel, and nougat, it’s no wonder many find these kinds of candy so tasty—and why they tend to be bad for your waistline and blood sugar. Thankfully, there are healthier vegan alternatives to nearly anything these days. If you don’t mind taking on a more complicated challenge, you could try recreating these kinds of chocolate bars using online recipes

Stay healthy all year long with Chef V

At Chef V, we believe that healthy eating habits are something to be enjoyed all year long. We’re always excited to share ideas for foods to eat while juicing (like our detox soups), or fruits and vegetables that are just generally amazing. If you’re looking to stay healthy all year long, then check out our green drinks, perfect with snacks or as part of our juice cleanse diet.

Vegan Soup Recipes for Winter

Winter is around the corner, and with it comes chills. Nothing compares with the warmth of a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day.

To help maintain your daily nutritional intake, Chef V has come up with some delicious vegan soup ideas that are healthy, easy to make, and packed with wholesome ingredients. These vegan soup recipes are as tasty and comforting as your regular chicken soup or hot ramen noodle soup and loaded with numerous immunity boosters, weight management, and digestion-improvement ingredients. 

Whether you’re a rookie or a professional soup maker, be ready to add these vegan soup recipes by Chef V to your favorite soup recipe collection. So, let’s get started and welcome the upcoming season with a bowl full of healthy soup. 

Is soup healthy for winter?

Yes! If we specifically talk about vegan soups, they’re often made with veggie broth or contain fruits and vegetables, which provide necessary minerals, fiber, vitamins, and nutrients, such as collagen. Additionally, consuming soup is a delicious way to increase your vegetable and fruit intake, which helps reduce weight and achieve your health goals.

Furthermore, because soups are often rich in fiber and protein, they make you feel fuller, so you’re less likely to  oncomfort food, such as French fries, baked pasta, and hot chocolate. During the winter, water intake gradually decreases because you’re not overly sweaty or hot; in that case, soup helps with extra hydration to maintain your body’s water levels.

Great vegan soup ideas

Below are some of Chef V’s favorite vegan soup recipes that you must try this winter. All these recipes taste delectable, uncomplicated, and satisfying

1. Creamy curry pumpkin soup

This vegan soup recipe offers the perfect way to bid goodbye to fall and welcome winter as it contains fresh pumpkin puree with coconut milk and some other very subtle ingredients, such as nutmeg, black pepper, sea salt, and organic vegetable broth. The creamy texture and thick consistency are very satisfying and filling to keep you going throughout the day.

2. Creamy sweet potato and leek soup

Sweet potatoes are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and blood sugar-regulating nutrients, which means using them along with leek in a winter soup makes it even more nutritious and healthy. This creamy sweet potato and leek soup has simple ingredients — white carrot, coconut oil, and raw cashews to make it rich and wholesome. 

3. Little leprechaun soup

Follow this simple vegan soup recipe to transform  regular and boring broccoli into a tasty winter comforting meal. Paired with some fresh thyme leaves, coconut oil, shallots, and unsalted cashews, this little leprechaun soup is the perfect winter soup to enjoy with your friends and family.

4. Black bean soup

Say hello to the healthy and vegan way of having protein with this delicious and rich black bean soup by Chef V. The subtle ingredients white onion, vegetable broth, garlic and cayenne pepper — give this vegan soup a pungent taste that’s perfect to beat the chilly winter vibes.

5. Creamy broccoli soup

Takes only twenty minutes to cook, this absolutely delicious creamy broccoli soup contains both coconut milk and oil that give it a rich and thick consistency. The use of raw cashews, thyme leaves, and minced and peeled garlic elevate its taste to make your winter days more comfortable.

Chef V’s detox soups

If you don’t want to get into the hassle of cooking all these vegan soup recipes, sign up with Chef V to get her organic detox soup delivered to your doorstep. Chef V detox soup is made from fresh and plant-based ingredients, which detoxify your body to remove toxins and harmful substances.

 This detox soup is known as SOUPer detox, and is included in Chef V’s cleanse plans to finish your day with a warm meal that flushes your vital organs and satisfies your appetite. Chef V’s detox soup is crafted with the help of a nutritional therapist to ensure it improves your digestion, improves bowel movements, and regulates blood sugar levels.

You can opt for the seven-or 21 day cleanse challenge to get this detox soup with two other types of drinks, organic green juice and protein shake, in your plan to achieve your weight goals. These liquid cleanse plans are customizable to each of you to help you move forward to a healthy lifestyle.

Visit Chef V today to learn more about the different detox cleanse plans. You can also explore some more healthy vegan soup recipes to try on this winter season. Do check out our delivery areas and store locations to find out where and how you can get our healthy products. 

Celebrities Who Love Detox Juice Cleanse

Juice detox cleanses are becoming more and more well-known in the mainstream. If you need any more proof, this piece covers examples of celebrities who swear by juice cleanses. We’ll look at how blended juice cleanses helped them lose weight and detox their bodies.

What is a juice cleanse?

A juice cleanse involves drinking only fruit or vegetable juices for a certain amount of time, usually ranging from one to five days, depending on the goal. Juices are usually pressed, which means the pulp is separated from the juice. Most importantly, while juice cleansing, you eliminate sugar, caffeine, refined foods, and other substances from your diet.

Are you looking to melt fat quickly for an upcoming occasion? Detox juice cleanses are good for hitting the reset button on your health if you’ve been overindulging. With it,you’re able to boost your metabolism and flush out toxins gently. With all the nutritional content, they provide steady energy throughout the day. You’ll also curb cravings for unhealthy food.

In recent years, cleanses have become the quick fix for dropping pounds for celebrities from Beyonce to Anne Hathaway. Ever wondered what’s the secret behind their toned bodies? Let’s spill the beans for four superstars who enjoy cold-pressed veggies and fruits for radiant skin and a fit body.

Beyonce

Beyonce popularized the granddaddy of the cleanse trend the Master Cleanse diet — shedding twenty pounds in two weeks for her role in Dreamgirls. The diet that has particularly taken Hollywood by storm since 2006 as a popular way of losing quick weight was developed by Stanley Burroughs in 1941 as a diet regimen to flush out  toxins in the body.

Also known as Maple Syrup or Lemon Cleanse diet, it involves subsisting on nothing but a liquid diet of hot water, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for ten days. You also drink laxative tea and do a salt-water flush to eliminate body toxins through bowel movements.

Salma Hayek

Salma has used juice cleanses as a regular part of her health and beauty maintenance program for fifteen years. Ever-radiating, she’s known for endorsing the cooler cleanse diet that’s a big hit with thousands of her fans worldwide.

In 2008, Salma approached New York City juicing expert Eric Helms to co-create a line of fresh, raw juices and nut milk that worked well for her body. The idea was to help everyone look and feel their best, no matter how busy or stressful their lives.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway swears by celebrity trainer David Kirsch’s forty-eight-hour detox where you drink his patented lemonade mixture four times a day for two days. Hirsch’s mixture comes ready-made in a concentrated liquid you add to water and can consume at mealtimes. The delicious pink lemonade blend gives you the supercharged nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants needed to achieve healthy results. 

Jennifer Aniston

The secret to Jennifer Aniston’s svelte body lies in her Wonder Saturday Smoothie, jam-packed with spinach, garlic, beetroot, organic vegetables, cucumbers, kale, and celery. For the best taste, add some cayenne pepper or parsley. 

Get convenient cleanse delivery with Chef V

You can use these liquid diets as celebs do  to jump-start your journey of eating better and get your metabolism revved up. Please note we aren’t giving medical advice here and that if you try these diet regimes, do so at your own risk. We can help you answer your query though: Are juice cleanses worth it? You might be surprised to learn that even a very short juice cleanse can have some significant impacts.  

At Chef V, even our 3-Day Juice Cleanse Plan will give you the desired results. We mix our nutrient-packed green drinks with detox soups and smoothies. You can easily customize your blended juice cleanse. Choose one, three, or five days and the number of people consuming it. 

So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to us and let’s get started with your cleanse plan that’ll leave you feeling great, all the way through.

Chef V’s Vegan Thanksgiving Plan

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re excited about spending time with friends and family. While we also love a bountiful feast, we beg to differ if you say turkey should steal the spotlight. And when you realize you’re ingesting thousands of extra calories, you’ll definitely want to check out healthier options. This piece discusses some delicious vegan Thanksgiving recipes to enjoy along with green drink and juice detox options to burn your extra calories this holiday season.

Healthy holidays = happy holidays

One-third of Americans prefer hosting a meat-free Thanksgiving dinner. Your friends may be making healthier choices this year, and you want to host them well. Opt for vegan recipes that typically incorporate whole foods, an abundance of healthy plants, and antioxidant-rich, nutrient-dense foods. Plant-based, plant-loaded meals can be your starting point to kick-start healthy beginnings and seal the deal for healthy New Year’s resolutions.

Traditional side dishes can be easily veganized. And with multiple ideas for creative vegan options, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for a healthy meal or stress out trying to create it. 

Planning a vegan Thanksgiving meal

If you’re up for a vegan Thanksgiving dinner this year, you must be wondering how to organize everything and what dishes to choose for a whole vegan meal. We’ve got the answer for youslow down, and scroll down.

First things first, decide on the number of courses. Do meals with less than four courses feel incomplete to you? Or does a three-course meal swell up your belly just about enough? 

Next, zero in on the delicious vegan recipes that’ll look absolutely delicious on your Thanksgiving table this year, and then move on to arranging the ingredients. You can easily get natural sweeteners, dairy alternatives, vegan condiments, and other pantry essentials from any grocery store. Or you may want to prepare all dishes at home from scratch. Depending on how much time you want to spend in the kitchen, sort out what raw materials can be store-bought and what you’re willing to make at home.

Chef V’s recommendations: Vegan Thanksgiving recipes 

Are you struggling with choosing your Thanksgiving menu? We have some healthy, lip-smacking vegan recipes to share with you below.

Vegan appetizers

This delicious fall treat is a hit at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s  filling and makes you feel warm inside even though it’s a salad.

This vegan soup will suit everyone’s taste buds. The spicy vegetable soup with jalapeno, quinoa, zucchini, black beans, and lots of spice will leave your guests wanting more.

The only thing more comforting than a bowl of soup is a bowl of homemade soup that’s both vegan and gluten-free. This recipe is easily one of the most healthy ways to pop a pumpkin on your Thanksgiving table.

Vegan roasts

With only seven ingredients, this recipe is super easy to make. Filled with generous amounts of flavor and filling, you can’t miss this roast for your Thanksgiving toast.

Vegan main course

This gluten-free, dairy-free version of macaroni and cheese will become a favorite at your Thanksgiving dinner table! A recipe so fulfilling, you might just switch to this vegan version altogether. 

This delicacy incorporates pumpkin into the ricotta cheese mixture. Made with gluten-free noodles, it is sure to become a family favorite, for even the pickiest eater. This lasagna is an entree you’ll be proud of.

  • Vegan Green Bean Casserole
    A perfect combination of crunchy and creamy in a vegetable dish, this one is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Beans worthy of attention, you need this addition to your dinner.

Vegan desserts

This healthy take on tiramisu is a must. Once you discover baking with healthy ingredients, there’s a good chance you’ll want to continue!

A dessert you can’t do vegan Thanksgiving without. If you love ice cream, all things pumpkin and fall, and exquisite vegan desserts, you’ll love this recipe.

A dessert you’ll have a ton of fun making. Pair this poached pear recipe with scooped vegan ice cream for a delicious and healthy dessert. 

Vegan drinks

While these vegan Thanksgiving recipes should add some exciting and healthy new flavors to your meals, don’t temper your love for the meal by worrying about holiday weight. Gulp on! Just make sure you take care of your body with just as much enthusiasm.

With Chef V’s juice detox and green drinks, you can bid your worries goodbye and set a detox in motion. Chef V’s nutrient-dense drinks are freshly made and help you detox your liver, fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol, and much more. 

And these healthy green drinks are delivered with a hint of sweetness, kicking the boring out of the green.  Order your 7-day juice cleanse today to celebrate Thanksgiving with a healthy body and a thankful heart. Have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Why a Fresh Organic Juice Cleanse is Good for You

The benefits and importance of fresh fruits and vegetables lie in their high density of nutritional values. They’re rich in antioxidant properties, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and many other nutrients that help the body remove toxins and maintain good health.

But due to greater convenience and minimal wastage, many people prefer consuming and using frozen fruits and vegetables. Though some produce retains nutritional values, they often lose their natural taste and may contain harmful preservatives to maintain longer shelf life. 

And because of this, many start wondering whether frozen fruit can be used in a juice cleanse and why fresh organic juice cleanse is better for you. Follow along to learn what Chef V has to say about this and the valuable benefits of consuming fresh produce. 

What freezing veggies and fruits do

The purpose of freezing vegetables and fruits is to preserve the nutritional content for longer, but some nutrients start to break down if you keep the produce frozen for longer than a year. Moreover, before freezing, fresh fruits and vegetables undergo a process called blanching, which involves keeping the produce in boiling water for a few minutes. 

The purpose of blanching is to kill harmful bacteria and prevent the natural texture and color of the produce. But it also results in the loss of some important water-soluble or heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C and B vitamins. 

Furthermore, freezing also reduces the antioxidant content in some fruits and vegetables. According to the Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture, up to 30 percent of the phenolic compounds, an antioxidant type, get lost in some vegetables due to freezing. 

Benefits of fresh fruit and veggies

Below are some top benefits of consuming fresh veggies and fruits:

  • It’s hard for frozen fruits and vegetables to compete with the visual appeal, juiciness, and natural taste of fresh ones. The crunch of fresh green beans and the creamy texture of avocado is hard to find in a supermarket freezer. 
  • Fresh produce is a great source of dietary fiber that keeps your gut strong and improves bowel movements. Moreover, it gives you a fuller feeling when on an organic juice cleanse, intermittent fasting, or dieting. 
  • Seedless watermelon, pineapple, red leaf lettuce, sprouts, kale, luscious cherries —it’d be hard to get bored of fresh fruits and vegetables as hundreds of varieties and options are available on the market. And variety is something you can’t find in the frozen foods section of the grocery store. 

Fresh juice delivery with Chef V 

If you’re planning on going for a juice cleanse, try Chef V’s multiple juice cleanse plans, specially designed for people who want to move to a healthy lifestyle and achieve certain weight goals.

You can opt for a single or multi-day juice cleanse, where you get three different drinks: the famous green juice, protein shake, and detox soup. All these fluids are made from the freshest, purest, organic ingredients, such as pea powder, green kale, dandelion greens, curly parsley, and collard greens, to help you get rid of toxins from your body. 

Moreover, the team at Chef V provides green juice delivery to your doorstep, meaning you can achieve your health goals in the comfort of your home while enjoying the nutritional and tasty drinks crafted by nutritional therapist Chef V. You can also request a pickup from the listed store locations by giving twenty-four-hour notice. 

If you’re looking for a fresh and organic juice cleanse plan, visit Chef V today. Browse our store locations and delivery areas to learn where and how you find plant-based foods and raw blended juices by Chef V. 

Green Drink and Other Post-Workout Options for Vegan Athletes

If you’re an athlete, or just enjoy being athletic, getting energy and protein post-workout can be a major concern. Some people assume it’s hard to find good energy sources that are also vegan — but is this really the case? This post will examine snacks and drinks that will complete your plant-based nutrition, and how Chef V’s green drink can be your next go-to post-workout drink.

What makes a good post-workout snack?

You probably put a lot of thought into your pre-workout intake. How about the post-workout snacks? Do you pay as much attention to it as you do to what you’re eating before starting high-intensity activities? 

Whether training for a competition, doing a casual workout, or high-intensity and resistance training activities, eating something within two hours will help muscles recover and replace glycogen stores. Along with carbs, protein should be an integral component of the diet as it aids muscle recovery and new muscle growth.

Your body loses water and electrolytes when you sweat during exercise. It’s even more important to replenish these with healthy drinks rather than eating right away after a tough workout. A general rule of thumb is to drink three cups of fluid for each pound lost during competition or training. 

Overall, what and how often you should eat and drink will ultimately depend on your activity level and intensity. And since each body is different, follow your instincts in deciding which pre- and post-exercise eating habits work best for you. 

Vegan post-workout snacks and drinks 

The idea that protein needs to come from animal products is a misconception. Eating a wide variety of foods high in vegan protein can ensure an adequate intake of nutrients. Vegan athletes are increasingly finding that a diet free from animal products can actually improve their strength and performance. On that note, let’s look at some good examples of vegan snacks and drinks to boost your energy.

Power-packed smoothies

If you make them right, smoothies can provide all the nutrients you need after your workout in just one glass. Pour in your preferred protein in a mixing jar — milk, yogurt, or soy-based products. Fill in with the fruits or vegetables of your choice. Add some healthy dose of unsaturated fats, such as avocados or nut butter, that not just strengthens your bones, but also enhances the consistency of smoothies. Add some good fiber, such aslike chia seeds or ground flaxseed and enhance the flavor without adding calories. Blend until smooth. Your refreshing and filling smoothie is ready.

You’ve probably heard the buzz when it comes to green juices but what about a post-workout green smoothie? We recommend trying Chef V’s Creamy Green Smoothie. It’s a great option as a nutritional powerhouse and it’s super easy to make and digest.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is one of the most popular post-workout snacks due to its high protein content – just what you need after a strenuous workout. Boost your food’s nutritional value and add extra taste and texture by adding some fruits or whole grain cereals. Add on hemp seeds, chia seeds, or granola for your delicious recovery fuel.

Salads on the go

A hearty salad can be your perfect post-workout/gym session snack. Use dark, leafy greens, such as kale or spinach, that are high in nutritional value for the base of your salad, and then top with superfoods of your choice — kale, carrot, blueberries, squash, grapes, pumpkin, dried cherries, quinoa, sunflower seeds, or walnuts. Opt for a light olive oil for the dressing, which contains healthy fats your body needs. Here are some of our recommended superfood salad recipes with a protein kick that are great for the cold days ahead — Warm Pumpkin Salad, Warm Butternut Squash Salad, and Carrot Ginger Salad.

Chia seed pudding

Tiny superfood heroes as they are, chia seeds are a complete protein. They come in either white or dark brown/black and have a huge nutritional profile. They contain calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, and are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fats. Having chia after a workout can provide tissue repairing protein and amp up your energy levels. They’re easy to digest, especially when soaked in almond or coconut milk overnight to make chia pudding. Don’t miss to check out our version of Chia seed pudding.

Warm and comforting soups

Don’t feel like refueling with something cold? Soups are a great post-workout snack option this time of year. They can warm you up after a chilly practice, with benefits extending far beyond that. They’re easier to eat after a workout than solid food and will fill you up with all the balanced nutrients.

Perfect for fall and winter weather, this delicious Black Bean soup recipe by Chef V is a must-try. It’s warm, filling, and protein-packed. Always try to use organic dried or canned black beans and organic vegetable stock, preferably homemade. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and drizzle with healthy fats, such as avocado slices, and you’re as good as full.

Looking for a sweet spot between enjoying cravings and maintaining your fitness? There’s something special about cooking comforting soups like Creamy Curry Pumpkin Soup that’ll warm you up, replenish all the lost energy, and make you feel festive.

Pita dipped with hummus 

Hummus and pita are another great post-workout combo. With its revitalizing dose of slow-release energy, whole wheat pita keeps you fueled for hours, while hummus provides both carbs and protein. Bring out the Green Goddess in your post-workout with Chef V’s Green Goddess Hummus. Or try this delicious version of Red Beet Hummus.

Add Chef V green drink to your routine 

With the spread of plant-based lifestyles, many people are now promoting veganism as a means of maximizing performance and recovery. If you’re a vegan and looking for a power-packed juice detox diet

to add to your post-workout routine, you can try our 100% organic green drink

It’s made from seven superfoods, including green kale, black kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, and green chard. These green ingredients are packed with essential nutrients, minerals, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.  

You don’t even need to do any prep work yourself. Just build your plan, and get it delivered to your door. It’s that easy! You can start with our 3-day juice cleanse and see how that works for you.

Common Juice Cleanse Detox Mistakes

A juice cleanse is the perfect way to get all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. It helps improve digestion and maintain healthy blood sugar levels while eliminating toxins and harmful substances from your body, such as synthetic chemicals, preservatives, and artificial ingredients via fresh vegetables and fruit juice. 

Juice cleanse detox is popular among people who want to achieve certain weight goals, have unhealthy eating habits, or experience indigestion, bloating, and irregular bowel movements. Because a liquid cleanse helps reboot your body while offering enough minerals, enzymes, vitamins, carbohydrates, and other nutrients to keep you going with a fuller feeling. 

Many people follow this diet type after getting inspired by someone to maybe get a certain physique or attain a healthy lifestyle. But most rookie cleansers make common mistakes, making the whole cleanse process less effective and intimidating. So, if it’s your first time going on a juice cleanse, here are a few mistakes to avoid to enjoy a smooth journey to a healthier life. 

Juice cleanse mistakes to avoid 

1. You skip pre-cleanse 

Pre-cleanse is like preparing your body for what’s coming next. You should take at least two weeks to eliminate processed and junk food, excessive salt and sugar, packaged meat, and artificial ingredients from your diet, as it helps you get in the right mindset before you jump into a full-on juice fast. 

2. Starting with a long cleanse diet 

If it’s your first time going on a juice cleanse, don’t do it for more than one to three days. And if you’re planning on a seven-day challenge or a 21 day juice fast, you should include high-fiber fruits and vegetables, nuts such as almonds and walnuts, and antioxidant-rich berries in your diet to keep your energy levels stable. 

3. Consuming random ingredients 

You should stop putting random fruits and vegetables in your juice just because you think it’s healthy. The purpose of this diet is to give your body a balance of the nutrients it needs. So, pick the ones best for you or leave it to Chef V because she knows exactly what you need to achieve your health goals. 

4. Drinking it when it’s no longer fresh 

To get the complete health benefits of a juice, consume it fresh because once it gets opened and exposed to air, it will no longer be as healthy and beneficial as it should be. The enzymes in that juice will start to degrade and lose their nutritional value. 

5. Getting too many calories 

Fruits like litchis, mangoes, and grapes are high in sugar, and if you only have fruit juices, it can make your cleanse counterproductive by offering you way more calories than needed. More than fruits, you need vegetables in your juice to maintain the required calorie limit and ensure it’s well-balanced.

Why Chef V is an easy cleanse

Chef V understands your body’s needs. She’s come up with different cleanse plans for beginners, frequent detoxifiers, and experienced cleansers. The organic green drink by Chef V has all the natural and fresh ingredients, including seven green veggies, that help you achieve your health goals without compromising your lifestyle. 

The organic juice preparation without any green powders and pills makes her juice cleanse plans more successful while remaining safe and effective for your body. The specially crafted green juice cranks your metabolism and gently removes toxins without any energy crashes and cravings.

Chef V’s juice cleanse plans are effortless and accessible as you can get the green juice delivery to your footsteps. You can choose the delivery day that works best for you or schedule a pickup from the store with twenty-four -hour notice. 

If you also want to start a juice cleanse, sign up with Chef V today! 

Can I Take Vitamins During a Liquid Cleanse?

A liquid cleanse is a diet type that encourages you to only consume juices from fresh fruits and vegetables. This diet does wonders for those who often feel bloated, experience irregular bowel movements, or indigestion by removing non-organic waste substances and toxins, such as pollutants and synthetic chemicals, from the body. 

Detox juice cleanse gives your body the necessary punch of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and nutrients essential for your overall health and well-being. Furthermore, a liquid cleanse helps your body heal, rest, and reboot while improving your digestion and kidney function

Many of you who want to go on a detox juice cleanse, especially to achieve your weight goals, ask Chef V whether it’s okay to take vitamins while doing it. Follow along to find the perfect answer to that and learn how supplementing your supplements with Chef V’s organic green drink can help maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Why take supplements?

Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients help the body  grow and function properly. While some people get all the necessary nutrients from their diet and daily regimen, some fail to meet their body’s needs so take vitamin or mineral supplements for that extra nutritional boost.  

Moreover, if you have a specific health condition or deficiency, your general practitioner may recommend you take vitamin and/or mineral tablets, such as echinacea and ginger or probiotics to ensure you remain healthy. Taking supplements is also important for regular
junk-food eaters or if you have erratic eating habits to heal and prevent your body from all the damage due to poor eating habits. 

Is it okay to take vitamins during a liquid cleanse?

You can if a doctor or health-care provider recommends it, but you shouldn’t because a liquid cleanse already provides abundant minerals, enzymes, vitamins, and other nutrients. A detox juice diet offers the perfect opportunity to take a break from your supplements and let your body absorb all the natural ingredients to heal from within, especially if you’re used to consuming processed food and artificial substances. 

Please note that taking too many vitamins or minerals can also harm your body. Getting an overload of vitamin C or zinc can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, and/or nausea, while excessive vitamin A or D can cause irritability and numbness, which is a significant reason you should avoid taking supplements on a liquid cleanse. 

Supplement your supplements with Chef V’s green drink

Chef V uses organic vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients to deliver the fresh green drink to your doorstep, making your liquid cleanse healthier, tasty, and packed with necessary nutrients. The use of seven certified organic green veggies, including collard greens, dandelion greens, green leaf lettuce, green kale, black kale, green chard, and curly parsley, boosts your metabolism and provides natural energy to help you keep going throughout the day. 

In Chef V’s cleanse program, you can opt for a multi-day detox juice cleanse, which offers you three drinks to fulfill your daily dose of nutrients:

  • Detox soup or SOUPer detox: a warm drink that improves digestion and maintains your blood sugar levels
  • Green drink: a cold-blended addition to different cleanse plans that increase your metabolism and preserve your body’s nutrient density
  • Protein shake: made from organic pea protein powder, making you feel full longer

Sign up for Chef V’s cleanse plan today to fuel your body with 100 percent vitamins, minerals, fibers, and other nutrients without any preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors. 

How Often in a Year Can You Do a Detox Juice Cleanse?

Have you ever felt bloated or uneasy after overeating junk food or a weekend-long party? It’s possibly because you consumed something your body doesn’t like. This consequently causes indigestion, fatigue, exhaustion, weight issues, and sometimes allergies. In such situations, a juice cleanse helps you reset your digestive system. 

Juice cleanses detoxify your body to remove unhealthy substances while providing necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. It offers the perfect opportunity for your body to rest and recuperate while pushing away artificial ingredients, excessive salt, sugar, and processed food. 

Moreover, once you sign up for a detox juice cleanse, there’s no going back. It keeps you healthy and helps you achieve your body and wellness goals, which is why many health enthusiasts prefer to juice cleanse often. But if you’re a beginner and wonder how many juice cleanses you can do in a year, read below to see what Chef V says about it. Continue reading to find out how different detox juice cleanses work for different people. 

How does juice cleanse your body?

Juice cleanse is a popular diet that involves consuming only freshly squeezed juices from fruits and vegetables. It helps remove toxins, such as synthetic chemicals and pollutants, from your body while maintaining a balanced diet. Because most detox juice cleanse diets are low in calories, they also help achieve short-term weight goals

Moreover, a juice cleanse increases the number of Bacteroidetes in the body, which helps with weight loss. In fact, it decreases Firmicutes, bacteria that cause weight gain. Consuming liquid-based diets, such as a detox juice cleanse, also helps improve the functionality of your kidneys. Juice cleanse efficiently removes non-organic waste substances from your body. 

Different juice cleanse schedules for different people

Chef V suggests that before signing up for a detox juice cleanse, consult your general practitioner to learn whether it will suit your daily health regime. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should skip going on a juice cleanse diet because our drinks aren’t pasteurized, and the bacteria that may pass down to your baby can be harmful. 

Chef V recommends following the pre-cleanse instruction to prepare your body two days before the cleanse. You should listen to your body and work accordingly rather than exhausting it with intense workouts or exercise. 

If you’re a beginner or new to the juice cleanse diet, you should start with a one-day cleanse that helps you lose up to five pounds. As you get familiar with the diet and its process, you can opt for a 3 day juice cleanse. It works best after a chaotic weekend or vacation to reset your body and give it a punch of necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. 

For more stringent body goals, you can choose the 7 day juice cleanse or a 21 day cleanse challenge by Chef V.  Both these challenges or cleanse routines help you adopt a healthy lifestyle that offers lifelong results. In fact, you can enjoy your favorite meals and snacks without sabotaging your diet by just following Chef V’s instructions. 

Delivery with Chef V

Chef V makes going on a juice cleanse diet easy and smooth by delivering freshly squeezed juice of organic fruits and leafy vegetables to your doorstep. This means you don’t have to go anywhere to be healthy. 

All you need to do is decide which juice cleanse plan you want. You can customize it as per your weight goals and health requirements. The next step is to choose a delivery day, and that’s it; your fresh and organic juice is ready to drink. If you want to pick up the juice on your own, you can schedule a pickup by giving us twenty-four hours’ notice. 

If you’ve opted for a multi-day juice cleanse, you’ll receive a mix of different drinks, including:

    • green juices: made of seven certified green vegetables: organic green kale, collard, black kale, green chard, curly parsley, dandelion greens, and green leaf lettuce
    • protein shakes: made with organic pea protein powder
    • detox soup: also known as SOUPer Detox, a warm drink that helps regulate your blood glucose levels and improve digestion 

Visit our website to learn more about our delivery locations or to find a Chef V store near you.

The Importance of Prebiotic Fiber

You’ve probably heard plenty about probiotics. But do you know about prebiotic fiber and the foods that contain it? And do you know why it’s so important?

Globally, 84 percent of consumers are aware of probiotics as an ingredient that’s reigned strong as the top choice for gut health. But 57 percent also say they’re aware of prebiotics. Are you confusing prebiotics with probiotics? We’ve got you covered. This post will examine what these fibers are, what different roles they play for your gut health, and how prebiotic-rich foods can help you enjoy a healthy life.

Probiotic versus prebiotic

What you eat determines who you are. Subsequently, we are what we feed the trillions of organisms that live on and within us — mostly in a mutually beneficial relationship.

Do you know our lower digestive tract or colon is home to billions of bacteria, both good and bad? These organisms create a micro-ecosystem called the microbiome — and that’s where the magic happens. Not surprisingly, what you feed your microbiome — probiotics or prebiotics — have the biggest impact on its health. And the healthier it is, the healthier you are!

Probiotics are live yeasts and good bacteria that live in our body. They help rebalance our gut flora and support healthy gastrointestinal and immune function. While probiotics are beneficial bacteria, prebiotics are food for them. Think of it this way: if we don’t feed the good bacteria what they need to grow, they won’t survive!

Prebiotics are special plant fibers that help good bacteria grow in the gut and improve the variety of good gut bugs. They’re essentially carbs the body can’t digest. So, they travel to the colon to feed the good bacteria. These healthy bacteria then produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish the cells of the gut barrier, offering better digestive health, fewer antibiotic-related health problems, and other benefits.

Should you take them together?

Prebiotics and probiotics collectively support the body in building and maintaining a healthy colony of bacteria and other microorganisms, which supports gut health. Together, they help treat many digestive problems, including antibiotics-related diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Why care about prebiotics

Nutritionists and health experts are going gaga over prebiotics. Does this make you wonder about the health benefits of these dietary fibers? We’ve got all the answers!

Prebiotics stimulate the growth of good bacteria and help balance harmful bacteria and toxins living in the digestive tract. Consuming prebiotics are linked to numerous health implications, including:

  • better gut health and improved digestion;
  • increased calcium absorption, decreasing risk of osteoporosis;
  • cancer prevention;
  • lower inflammation and autoimmune reactions;
  • enhanced hormonal balance;
  • lower risk of cardiovascular disease;
  • faster food fermentation so they spend less time in your digestive system, thereby avoiding constipation;
  • lower risk for obesity and weight gain;
  • improved immune system defense;
  • higher production of beneficial metabolites;
  • lower allergy risk.

With the antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties of this prebiotic fiber, don’t forget to add them to your diet. Munch on prebiotic foods and change your gut composition and the function of your gut microbiota for the best.

How to consume foods high in prebiotic fiber

Prebiotics are emerging as the darlings of the weight-loss world and are filling up supplement shelves. But perhaps the best way to get them is through naturally available high-fiber foods. Studies suggest eating three to five grams of prebiotics a day can benefit the health of your gut. Start with small amounts so your gut can get used to them. Here’s the rundown for you to grab these foods and boost your gut health.

  • Fruits: bananas, berries, apples, grapefruit
  • Vegetables: legumes, garlic, leeks, onions, snow peas, green peas, shallots, beans, broccoli
  • Whole grains: oats, barley, wheat, rye crackers
  • Legumes: chickpeas, lentils, soybeans, red kidney beans
  • Nuts: cashews, pistachios

Then there are several products on the market to which manufacturers have added prebiotics — cereals, protein supplements, energy bars, yogurt, and cookies, to name a few. Interestingly, babies get prebiotics through the sugars in breast milk, and some infant formulas also contain prebiotics.

Improve your gut health with prebiotic soups

If you want to up your prebiotic consumption, perhaps the safest way to start is by eating more prebiotic-rich foods. Chances are you’re already including these superfoods in your daily diet, which is great! You don’t necessarily need those pricey prebiotic supplements required.

In case you’re looking for easy ways to prepare prebiotic food recipes, then soups can be your go-to option. In fact, they’re one of the easiest ways to consume more than one prebiotic in a single meal.  Whether you’re looking to cleanse, lose weight, or boost your gut health, soups can be a lifesaver. And with colder weather coming, it can be a delicious way to warm you up.

One bowl of soup a day is all it takes to improve your gut metabolism and reduce those extra pounds. These healthy detox soups would support your body’s microbiome in an effective (and undeniably delicious) way. 

To begin with, you can try some of our detox soup recommendations. Go for warm and comforting black bean soup that will brighten your mood on a crisp fall evening. Or cozy up with someone you love and enjoy delicious pumpkin soup. You can also double down on the prebiotic benefits by topping these soups with a seasoned seed blend for an added crunch.

Get the Chef V package with prebiotic detox soups

According to IFIC’s latest released survey on Consumer Insights, 29 percent of Americans are familiar with prebiotics but do not try to consume them.

Who has time to prepare healthy prebiotic-rich recipes? If you’re working the whole day and don’t prefer to make ahead and freeze these healthy options, we’ve heard that call and answered it with our Chef V cleanse package. You can build and customize the plan as per your needs. 

With our Organic Juice Cleanse diet, you’ll get warm and flavorful Chef V detox soup packed with local, organic ingredients that flush your vital organs and leaves you satisfied. And that’s not all! We’ll also provide you with green juices and protein shakes for an easy and revitalizing cleanse. And what could be more convenient than having them delivered fresh right to your door? Get in touch today to learn more.

Can Too Much Sugar Cause Headaches?

If you have a sweet tooth, you can definitely relate that giving up sugar is some people’s worst nightmare. And if you’re on a diet, then there likely isn’t a day when you don’t think about indulging in freshly baked donuts or a perfectly stacked plate of pancakes. 

Sugar is an important element that maintains the body’s blood glucose levels, and having too little or too much sugar can affect your body in many ways. Fluctuations in glucose levels are directly related to the brain, which can cause severe headaches. 

In fact, sugar headaches are common among people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as they suffer from irregular blood sugar levels. Read on to find out how you can regulate your sugar intake and cut back on sugar cravings by signing up for Chef V’s exclusively designed 21 day cleanse challenge.

What causes headaches? 

Consuming excessive sugar, or too little of it, can cause a headache, because the fluctuating amount rapidly changes blood sugar levels, which gives the brain a massive surge of dopamine. Changes in dopamine levels play a crucial role in triggering migraines. 

High blood sugar or glucose levels can result in small swellings in and around blood vessels and nearby brain tissues, which can cause mild to severe headaches

Types of sugar headaches

There are two types of sugar headaches you could experience with fluctuating levels of blood glucose levels in your body. Both are outlined below.

Hyperglycemia

When you eat too much sugar, your body fails to break down glucose efficiently and effectively with insulin, and this condition is called hyperglycemia. Though the headaches related to hyperglycemia are mild, they can get worse as your blood sugar reaches a higher level. Some common symptoms related to hyperglycemia include:

  • excessive urination 
  • frequent thirst
  • fatigue or drowsiness
  • blurred vision 

Hypoglycemia 

This is the opposite of hyperglycemia, where the blood sugar levels fall below 70 mg/dL. The major causes of hypoglycemia include skipping meals, fasting, or not consuming the suggested amount of sugar. In some cases, you may experience reactive hypoglycemia that rapidly drops body glucose levels within a few hours of taking a meal. In both these cases, you may experience mild to serious headaches. 

In any of the two hypoglycemia conditions, you may have the following symptoms:

  • nausea
  • weakness
  • heart palpitations
  • mood swings
  • anxiety 
  • sleepiness or tiredness 

Cutting back on sugar and sugar cravings 

Giving up sugar completely can be challenging and may affect your health with conditions like hypoglycemia, but it’s not impossible if you choose to consume it in the right proportion and form. You can substitute cane or white sugar with honey or maple syrup to retain sweetness. Add a bowl of fresh fruit to your diet to maintain your body’s blood glucose levels.

If nothing works in your favor, then opt for the results-driven 21 day cleanse challenge by Chef V that is exclusively designed to motivate and encourage individuals to take a step forward to a healthy lifestyle. The organic green drink helps eliminate fat in the bloodstream and helps insulin break down glucose better. 

The 21 day cleanse challenge helps eliminate excess sugar from your diet while offering just the right amount to maintain the balance of your blood glucose levels. Chef V’s green juice is made from healthy green leaves and organic fruits, including green kale, black kale, green leaf lettuce, apple, and green chard to give you the perfect boost of antioxidants and other nutrients that helps cure sugar headaches.  

Sign up today to achieve your health goals! 

Organic on a Budget — Organic Juice Cleanses and More

Organic means a lot of different things to a lot of different people — healthy, ethical, and tasty. However, it also means “expensive” to quite a few people as well. In many cases, this reputation for being more expensive does ring true for organic food. However, with some clever planning, you can start to cut down on the cost of your organic shopping. Here are a few of our top pieces of advice. 

#1 Embrace “organic triage”

We’d love to get absolutely everything organic. But just like sometimes it’s better to go for a 3 day juice cleanse over a 7 day juice cleanse, sometimes you need to prioritize. And this is okay! Every little bit helps in its own way. 

So, in the case of organic, it’s important to decide what organic foods are more important to you. Are you worried about pesticides? Then maybe focus on getting your fruit organically. Do you care about the effect of farming on the environment? Maybe look for more organically sourced beef and other animal products. Make your organic choices unique to you. 

#2 Go meatless

Speaking of meat… sometimes the best way to go organic is to go all in with the vegan choices. A lot of the time, meat can be one of the more expensive ingredients in a dish. Cutting down on the total amount of meat in your diet can benefit your health and the environment. You could be helping out your wallet as well.

 #3 Embrace farmer’s markets 

If you’re lucky enough to have farmer’s markets opening in your area, it’s worth your time to give them a visit. First off, you’ll be getting the most local of local possible — some real organic gems. Plus, you can often get some amazing deals by buying directly from the supplier. From the field right to you, it doesn’t get much fresher than this.

Farmer’s markets are also a bonus since you’ll eat more seasonally. Not only will organic produce be cheaper when in season, but you’ll get all the great benefits from eating seasonally and locally as well. 

 #4 Search out store brands

Often, we associate organic food with expense because we’re used to seeing some of the high prices that national brands can demand. Seeing the prices on these high-profile brands in the store can often turn many off organic food in general. However, lots of your favorite grocery stores might have store brands of organics that are available at a more reasonable price.

 #5 Seek out sales and coupons 

This is an old and standard piece of advice, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still great. By carefully planning your shopping, you can start to rack up some impressive savings in your organic shopping list. 

Another tip is to look for establishments that have bulk bin options. If you’re buying loads of organic grains, nuts, or dried fruits, these can be a good way to get more bang for your buck when it comes to your final bill. 

Plus, there are tons of grocery store apps you can download. Ask at your local grocery what they recommend to help you save while shopping there.

 #6 Find those great online deals

We assume shopping online is for getting things from far away. But you may be pleasantly surprised at how many local deliveries you can get through online sources. Chef V, of course, is one of these options, bringing the best in organic juice cleanses right to your door.

And if you’re looking for deals, check out our cleanses. You can get 5 day juice cleanses or 3 day juice cleanses, often at great discounts. So visit often, and check for when you can add an organic juice cleanse to your organic grocery list. 

Beyond Green Drink Delivery — The Benefits of Eating Locally

With green drink delivery with Chef V, it’s easier than ever to get organic juice cleanses delivered directly to your area. Whether you’re close to our Chef V West Caldwell headquarters, or on the other side of the country near our origin in San Diego, a huge portion of the United States has delivery coverage to get you blended juice cleanses. 

If you already enjoy our blended juice cleanses, then why not branch out into looking for more options to eat locally? Of course, in the modern world, it might be difficult to get absolutely everything local. But if you need some impetus to try and get more local flavor in your diet, here are some of our top reasons. 

#1 Better for the environment

Let’s start with the bigger picture. And what could be bigger than the entire planet? When you hear people discussing local eating, this is one of the benefits that gets brought up a lot. But how does eating locally help the environment?

There are a lot of little ways that actually start to add up. Most food we buy is designed to be distributed at a national, if not global, level. This means it needs to be heavily packaged in plastic to survive those long trips. More plastic, more waste.

Those long trips aren’t environmentally friendly either. Food doesn’t just magically fly to where it needs to get going. If you’re getting your juice from Chef V Caldwell NJ, and you live in New Jersey, well, it’s a short drive away. If you’re getting your juice from across the country, it’s probably going to burn a lot of gas to get to you. And the cost to get it from overseas via cargo ship… outrageous. 

#2 Helps the local economy

If you’re buying locally, you’re putting your money into the local economy. This is a pretty straightforward benefit, but it’s one we often forget. We’re used to going for the most convenient option these days. But sometimes convenience isn’t the best thing for the place where you live. More money in your local economy means a better local community. And what’s a better feeling than that?

#3 More nutrition 

Fruits and veggies are most nutritious right when they’re pulled out of the ground. Those same processes designed to make them last for long transport across the world slowly start to suck out their nutritional value. Freezing or processing all makes them less nutritious than when they were first picked. Speaking of nutrition…

#4 Less weird stuff

It’s not just all the plastic packaging that makes food suitable for the global world. It’s often filled with preservatives and additives designed to make it last longer. The idea of putting something designed to last forever in your body isn’t an appealing one. Many preservatives, while useful for extending shelf life, also aren’t the best for nutrition. Think of salt, a classic preservative. Are you sure you want food with sodium levels off the charts? If you’re looking to get more organic food in your diet, local delivery and shopping is the way to go. 

#5 Seasonal eating benefits

Once you start to eat locally, you’ll naturally begin to eat more seasonally. After all, when you eat locally, you eat whatever’s being brought to market at the moment. For many, this is a fun little comfort. Who doesn’t love eating fresh fruit in the summer? 

But there are also hidden nutritional benefits as well that we don’t often think of. The leafy greens harvested before winter in many areas have the vitamins and minerals you need to thrive in a time of less sunlight. And then when summer comes, you have plenty of berries and fruit filled with tons of water to help you stay hydrated. 

#6 It tastes better

This one might be more subjective, but it’s certainly one we’re going to stick with. When you’re in the green drink delivery business, you start to notice the freshness of fruits and vegetables. Eating organic doesn’t just have to be about being healthy — it tastes amazing. If you’ve never had the benefit of eating fresh fruit right off the vine, you’re missing out. 

#7 You’ll try new things

You might be surprised at the amount of diversity in your local food. The United States was founded on diversity, after all. If you live in areas with ethnic enclaves producing their own food, then you can sample things you’d never have considered before. You can discover wonderful new foods like urab, and wonderful new drinks like golden milk

And, of course, we’d have to toss in our own blended juice cleanses as a wonderful local option for you to discover. The best part is, we’re local in a ton of states across the country! 

But no matter if you’re getting your green drink from Chef V West Caldwell, or Chef V San Diego, you’re always going to be getting the absolute best in organic juice cleanses. If you haven’t checked out our signature green drink yet, then now might be the time to give it a shot

What’s the Difference Between a Headache and a Migraine?

If your head hurts, that’s probably the only thing you care about. Dealing with the pain is going to be higher up on your priority list than trying to discern the difference between a headache and a migraine. 

Of course, it’s always a good idea to figure out what’s causing your pain before you try to come up with a solution. The best solutions are always the preventative kind. With the right adjustments in diet, nutrition, and habits, you could potentially ward off your next headache (or migraine) before they show up.

Difference between a headache and a migraine

Alright, first things first, let’s get our terms in order. Plenty of people assume a migraine is just a “big headache.” However, it’s more complex than that. 

In fact, a headache isn’t even simply a headache. There are different kinds of headaches you can get, and all have their own unique causes. 

Cluster headaches: This kind of headache is actually a migraine! So we’ll have to talk about it later. Warned you that this could be complex. 

Injury headaches: If you’ve suffered a serious injury, particularly to the head, there could be damage to your brain or skull that causes headaches. This is the kind of problem a green drink won’t fix. If you have a serious head injury, get yourself to a hospital right away. 

Sinus headaches: Sometimes, the cause of a headache is pressure building up inside your skull. If you’re stuffed up or have a sinus infection, a sinus headache is sure to follow. The pain often feels like it’s behind your cheeks, nose, or eyes. 

Tension headaches: This is the most common kind of headache, with the widest array of causes. Generally, you’ll feel it at the sides of your head. As the name suggests, tension headaches are often caused by the muscles in your head tensing up. 

There are a variety of ways you can get a tension headache. It could be because of stress, anxiety, or lack of sleep. Too much alcohol or not enough hydration are also causes — so keep that green drink handy. Sometimes, it could be because of too much strain on your eyes (looking at computer screens and phones), or because of too much caffeine. 

Often, it can also be because of a lack of nutrition or food. If you aren’t getting enough of your leafy greens and other good stuff in your diet, your body could decide to punish you with a headache. 

“Thunderclap” headaches: These kinds of headaches occur suddenly, and with extreme force. Normally, they are a sign of a much more serious problem. If your headache arrives without warning and is causing serious pain, contact a doctor immediately. 

Migraines 

A migraine is not just a “bad headache.” Rather than being related to tension or pressure in your head, they’re instead more of an actual disease caused by issues with your nerves and brain chemistry. These issues affect the blood flow around your brain, causing a variety of symptoms. 

Migraines can arrive in different forms. Sometimes, they come in a cluster — those cluster headaches we mentioned. They can be long or short in duration. Like headaches, they often involve a lot of pain. However, they also come with some unique symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness.

And those are just the common symptoms. Like much of what goes on in our brains, migraines are inherently mysterious. People with migraines often report symptoms that pop up even before the migraine attack, including headache pain, stiffness, food cravings, vision issues, numbness, and difficulty with speech. Migraines can be frightening.

As to what causes migraines, there are a few possible culprits. Notably, women seem to suffer from migraines at a higher rate than men, suggesting a possible hormonal cause. Allergies and genetic predisposition have also been linked to migraines.

Avoiding headaches and migraines

In short, headaches are perfectly normal, but also perfectly manageable. Migraine pain, on the other hand, often is connected to medical issues. You should consider speaking to a doctor if you have a serious migraine and get prescription medication for it. 

However, whether preventing headaches or preventing migraines, a surprising amount of the same tactics work. First and foremost is to make sure you’re cognizant of your diet and schedule. Essentially, this means you should be doing your best to detect if there’s a food or drink that’s causing your headaches. For example, if celery juice causes headaches for you every time you drink it, it’s a good idea to drop it from your diet.

In general, the two keys to avoiding headaches and migraines are going to be sleep and food. More specifically, you’re going to want to develop regular sleeping and eating habits. Skipping meals, or staying up too late on your phone are surefire ways to give yourself headaches. 

Headaches, migraines, and green drink

Of course, it’s not just about eating at regular intervals. Making sure you’re eating the right stuff is also vital. As mentioned, headaches and migraines are often linked to a lack of proper nutrition. If you aren’t getting enough fruits and veggies in your diet, a side effect could be headaches and migraines. In fact, some foods high in ingredients like sodium can even cause headaches!

Sounds like a headache minefield, doesn’t it? Thankfully, you can help fight migraines and headaches by cutting down the sodium and sugar in your diet through juice cleanses. Of course, not all juice cleanses are going to be created equal. Just drinking celery juice could lead to a headache from loss of nutrition, remember? 

Thankfully, Chef V’s green juice recipe is packed full of great nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Better yet, our cleanses also come with detox smoothies and detox soups (filled with fresh ginger and turmeric!) to help you stay healthy and fit even as you detox out the sodium and sugar. Beating headaches and migraines can be a balancing act, but Chef V has the balance to beat most types of headaches. 

 

Fight Bloating with Detox Soups

Bloating is a common complaint most people make after overeating, eating too fast, or consuming unhealthy drinks and food items. It’s often accompanied by gassiness and abdominal discomfort that may affect your digestive system and bowel movement. If you often feel bloated and the situation persists for a long, it may result in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

As much as bloating sounds uncomfortable and irritating, it’s not life-threatening and can easily be cured by consuming the right food in the right portion. Moreover, organically crafted detox soup does wonders for conditions like bloating by soothing pain, relieving constipation, and improving digestion. 

If you or someone you know often experiences bloating, read below about the naturally crafted detox soup by Chef V that helps fight bloating. By adding this herbal soup to your diet, you can take a step forward to a healthy lifestyle.

What causes bloating?

Bloating is a common abdomen condition where your belly appears fuller and tight due to gas in your gastrointestinal tract. It can be triggered by a number of things and pre-existing medical conditions, including lactose intolerance, liver disease, or pelvic inflammatory diseases. 

Some of the most common factors that can cause stomach bloating includes:

  • swallowing air by eating too fast, smoking or for any other reason 
  • constipation
  • irregular weight gain 
  • parasitic infections
  • imbalanced intestinal bacteria
  • food intolerances and ulcers

Turmeric and ginger for bloating

Turmeric and ginger are effective in solving half of your gut problems. Ginger has been used for centuries to cure stomach pains, alleviate gas, and help get rid of bloating, as it’s packed with anti-inflammatory and digestive enzymes. Chef V believes ginger is Mother Nature’s most trusted weapon against stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion.  

Turmeric is a magic spice that combats bloating and gas like no other. The earthy spice has excellent anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which keep your gut strong and healthy to fight and minimize harmful bacteria. Turmeric is also great for easing constipation as it improves your digestion system. It’s a pure spice anyone can add to their daily routine despite worrying about its side effects. There’s only one thing to note: turmeric contains many essential oils that sometimes make you burp or fart, so if any of you ask if turmeric makes you fart, then the answer would be yes. 

Say yes to Chef V detox soups 

When you sign up for Chef V’s organic juice cleanse or detox challenge, you also get fresh and healthy detox soup called SOUPer Detox. This soup is made only from fresh, organic ingredients that cleanse your liver, regulate blood sugar, and improve digestion, eventually soothing conditions like bloating or gassiness. This flavorful detox soup helps detoxify your body and gives you a warm hug from within to leave you satisfied while flushing your vital organs. 

You can also follow Chef V’s exclusive detox soup recipes on our website for maximum health benefits and to keep your gut strong. All these recipes encourage you to use and consume healthy vegetables, herbs, fruits, and spices, including sweet potatoes, leek, basil, dandelion, cinnamon, and carrots, as they’re rich in fiber, anti-inflammatory properties, and antioxidants to help you fight bloating and irritable bowel movement. 

Visit Chef V or write to us at chefv@chefv.com to learn more about our organic green juice and protein shakes that help keep you healthy and rejuvenated throughout your day. 

Saying Goodbye to Junk Food With a 21 Day Cleanse

If you’re on a diet, you’ll relate to the idea that food cravings can be your worst enemy. No matter how hard you try to stop looking at that crispy fried chicken or hot chocolate brownie, you somehow end up gorging on them because of those uncontrollable and intense desires. 

The fact that junk food is available in minutes at low prices is among the few reasons why most people, despite being on a diet, crave it all the time. In fact, the quick-pick or instant delivery options contribute equally to the ever-growing popularity of junk food. 

There are harmful effects to consuming junk foods, but their convenience and taste often overpower the will to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Well, the best way to say goodbye to junk food is by taking a few baby steps to move away from it slowly and gradually; or else you can continue reading to learn about Chef V’s results-driven ways and 21 day cleanse challenge that will help you stop binging on unhealthy and harmful junk food with time. 

Why do we crave junk food?

Explaining this is far more difficult than placing an order for a burrito bowl because there are many psychological, physical, environmental, and sociological factors that make you crave and eat unhealthy fast food. 

Without getting deep into it, here are a few reasons which may lead you to crave something sweet and fried.

Lack of rest or sleep 

Many epidemiological studies suggest that lack of sleep may result in increased hunger. Sleep deprivation causes major hormone shifts, encouraging you to binge on unhealthy snacks and sweets. You may experience a surge in ghrelin, a hunger-control hormone that causes you to eat more. 

Food euphoria 

When you’re stressed, tense, sad, or anxious, your brain releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that help you deal with pain. As soon as the level of endorphins fluctuates in your body, you start to eat more because that’s how you’ll feel better both physically and emotionally. 

Everyday routine

Most people with a busy schedule prefer eating junk food because that’s what’s instantly available and requires minimal time to get on the table. This expediency makes it difficult to give up junk food. It can be time-consuming to prepare meals and overall seems easier to grab what’s more convenient and easier. 

Benefits of dropping junk food 

Though it’s complex and challenging for some, when you choose to drop junk food, you’re instantly moving a step toward meeting your body and health goals. In the beginning, you may not witness the desired results, but as soon as you start the process, you’ll start to notice the following changes: 

  • Weight loss: quitting junk foods means cutting unnecessary calories from your diet, which eventually helps you lose weight.
  • Rejuvenating skin: most junk food is made from unhealthy or harmful hydrogenated oils and other ingredients that may affect your skin. But when you quit junk food and eat only fresh and wholesome meals, you’ll notice your skin will glow and appear clearer. 
  • Good overall well-being: by dropping junk food, you tend to create more room for nutrient-rich food items, which eventually helps you to remain healthy. You can add a bowl of fresh fruits, vegetable salads, proteins, and whole grains to give your body a boost of health and wellness 
  • Better sleeping cycle: most junk foods come with added sugar that fluctuates blood sugar levels in the body, which largely disrupts sleep. But when you quit junk food and eat only healthy food, you enjoy proper and restful sleep. 

How to curb junk-food cravings 

Nothing is impossible when you’re determined. So, if you want to say goodbye to junk food, you just need to be determined and follow the tips below.

Plan everything ahead

From everyday meals to daily regimes, you need to adjust your whole schedule to create room for new, healthy habits. The best way is to plan and prepare your meals and snacks for each week on weekends. You can also prepare a list of ingredients or food items you need for your meals to avoid last-minute hiccups or, in this case, substituting them with something unhealthy. 

Add more water and protein to your diet 

Water gives you a fuller feeling whenever you feel like munching on something. In fact, drinking water before your meals will help regulate your portion size. Proteins help limit your appetite by keeping you full and satisfied.

Eat less but often 

This helps you avoid getting extremely hungry because when you starve, you tend to look for easy and quick food options, such as a burger or fries. Always carry a few healthy snacks with you, such as nuts, a protein bar, or fruits that can help deal with your instant hunger. 

Try Chef v cleanse green drinks  

The fiber-packed green juices, detox soups, and protein shakes by Chef V can do wonders for you and your body. They’re tasty, healthy, and packed with organic ingredients that help you move a step closer to a healthy lifestyle. These healthy drinks are ready to consume, so if you’ve got a busy schedule and are still finding ways to remain healthy, this is what you need. 

For lifelong results, you can also sign up for the 21 day detox challenge that will successfully eliminate temptations for junk food and sugar without you feeling deprived. In fact, you can customize this 21 day cleanse challenge to fit your budget and body goals. In this three-week time, you’ll indulge in organic green juice made from fresh ingredients, including green kale, dandelions, green chard, and curly parsley. 

For more details on Chef V’s 21 day detox plan, please feel free to write at chefv@chefv.com or contact us to know our delivery locations

Eating for a Glowing Complexion

Did you know that what we eat gets into our skin and appears on our faces? It’s pretty simple — if you eat healthily, you’ll get healthy. Moreover, a wholesome diet significantly gives you rejuvenated and clean skin while helping you achieve your body goals. 

It’s undeniable that healthy skin comes from within; though plenty of skin-care products are available on the market to treat surface-level problems, nothing works best for a glowing complexion than eating the right food that’s also wholesome. 

Chef V also believes in this philosophy, which is why she has radiant and naturally glowing skin. Curious to know how you can get a glowing complexion? Read below to find out some food and drink recommendations by Chef V. 

Nutrients for better skin

The author of the popular book, The Radiant Woman’s Handbook has rightly said that skin care must be good enough to eat. And Chef V couldn’t agree more, which is why she emphasizes including juice cleanses, superfoods, and organic food items in your diet. 

Nutrients are essential for the overall health and wellness of your body. If you miss any of the important nutrients, minerals, or vitamins, it will start to show on your skin and face. Eating for a glowing complexion isn’t as tough as it may sound; all you need to do is say goodbye to unhealthy junk and processed food. In fact, research shows that consuming ultra-processed food items, such as frozen meats, added sugar, packaged cookies, and salty snacks can expedite aging. 

You can fulfill your body’s requirement for nutrients by clean eating. To eat clean means adding whole fruits and vegetables, proteins, fiber, and green drinks to your diet. Look for ingredients or produce rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as these may help boost your metabolism, which eventually helps you have clear and radiant skin. 

Food and drink recommendations

If you’re up for taking a step toward a healthy gut and skin, here are a few foods and drinks that must be included in your diet: 

Fish

Fish are incredible sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which keep your skin plush, moisturized, and supple. You can add salmon, herring, or mackerel to your diet as all these are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and zinc that reduce inflammation and help cure acne and redness. 

Lemon

Squeeze it in a glass of water or rub it on your skin; lemons never fail to bring a natural glow to your face. Lemons are great for detoxifying your body and are also one of the richest sources of vitamin C that helps improve wrinkles. 

Dark chocolate 

Chef V gives you another reason to love chocolate, meaning chocolate can elevate your mood and skin. Eating dark chocolate helps improve your skin’s complexion by keeping it hydrated for longer. It’s a superfood with flavonoids that protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Green tea

Green tea helps improve metabolism, but how many of you know it also protects against UV-induced damage? Surprisingly, the polyphenol antioxidants found in green tea work exceptionally well against sunburns. 

Olive oil 

The benefits of olive oil are well known, but did you know it’s also a natural exfoliant for your skin? Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, phytosterols, and polyphenols, which help eliminate free radicals from your body to offer you naturally glowing skin. 

Avocados

Avocados are a healthy source of fats that keep your skin springy and supple. They also have antioxidant properties, vitamin E, and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols, which help protect your skin against aging and, most importantly, UV-induced damage

Yogurt 

Another great food to add to your diet as it contains amino acids and a significant quantity of lactic acid, which helps reduce dark circles and heal dead skin. You can eat it directly or apply it to your face for an instant glow and long-lasting skin hydration. 

Sweet potatoes

You may not expect this on this list, but sweet potatoes can do wonders for your body and skin. It’s an incredibly rich source of provitamin A and beta carotene, which prevents wrinkled skin, sunburn, and dryness. 

Green drink for better skin 

Chef V offers an easy, healthy and tasty solution for radiant skin. Along with eating for a glowing complexion, you should also start drinking Chef V’s organic green drink. This green juice is made from seven certified fresh and organic greens, including black kale, dandelion green, collard greens, green kale, green chard, and green leaf lettuce. 

Sign up for our 3 day cleanse or 21 day detox challenge that offers you a mix of thoughtfully crafted drinks, such as a protein shake and detox soup, to keep you healthy from within. These naturally crafted drinks have helped thousands of people achieve their body-weight goals, detox vital organs, and rejuvenate skin and hair. 

You can visit our website or contact us today to learn more about our customizable cleanse plans and detox challenges. Click here to find out all our delivery areas and store locations

Tips for Vegan Food Swaps

Whether for climate change, health reasons, or limiting animal cruelty, the vegan population worldwide continues to rise. In fact, more than 620,000 vegans across 220 countries and territories signed up for the 2022 Veganuary Campaign. In the United States, people are turning vegans six times faster in 2022 as compared to previous years.

But going vegan isn’t easy, especially when you don’t know what things to consume and avoid. The vegan market has many plant-based and vegan food options, but finding the right alternatives to your favorite food items can be a little daunting. 

So without overwhelming you with this challenging transition into the vegan lifestyle, here are a few amazing hacks and tips to find the perfect vegan options for your meats, milk, and other go-to grocery items. We’ve tried to keep the nutritional needs of a vegan diet in mind while preparing this list to add high-energy and healthy food alternatives for you. 

1. The perfect meat alternative 

If you’re new to veganism, giving up your usual meaty diets will be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You can find the same fibrous texture and nutritional values of chicken, beef, or sausages in their vegan alternatives, including tofu, jackfruit, and soy-based protein.

Lentils make the perfect protein-rich substitute for minced meat. You can use the same spices and a variety of boiled lentils to make vegan patties for your burgers and sandwiches. Moreover, lentils are one of the most affordable meat alternatives for vegans. 

2. Say yes to the right dairy products

Thinking about how you can give up your milky cappuccino while going vegan? Well, you don’t have to. You can ditch your regular cow milk with creamier, thicker, and sweeter vegan options like soy, hazelnut, and almond milk. 

You can use coconut milk as it’s thicker and sweeter, whereas rice milk makes a perfect vegan option to add to your smoothies, shakes, overnight oatmeals, and cereal bowls. Cheese is a food item most vegans miss in their diet, but you can swap your cheese with the nutty hemp seed or vegan kimchi queso alternatives. 

Also, don’t forget to add peanut or almond butter to your cart while grocery shopping, as they make the perfect vegan option. 

3. An ideal vegan option for spreads

Love mayonnaise? Try hummus. The creamy texture of blended chickpeas with herbs and garlic of hummus makes a healthier and tastier vegan option for your regular mayonnaise. You can swap maple syrup with honey to drizzle on your waffles and pancakes as a vegan option. Avocados, apple sauce, and pumpkin puree are among some vegan spreads that complement toast the best. 

4. Vegan options for ice cream

Don’t worry about giving up ice creams while going vegan because you’ve many healthy and vegan substitutes for your regular ice creams. To relish a creamy dessert, try frozen bananas, strawberries, or blueberries blended with your favorite nuts. Add any fruit of your choice and freeze it to prepare vegan sorbets and sundaes. 

5. The perfect vegan option for weight loss

If you’re a vegan and want to lose those extra pounds, you can try my 100% organic green juice. It’s healthy, vegan, and made from seven superfoods, including green kale, black kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, and green chard. All these green ingredients are packed with essential nutrients, minerals, and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

Moreover, this green juice for detox helps you stay energized by making you feel fuller every time you consume it, eliminating the urge to eat non-vegan or unhealthy food items. You can begin your weight loss journey with a 3 day juice cleanse plan and move further with the specially designed 21-day detox challenge

Chef V strives to help you achieve your health goals, which also includes debunking myths about what you and can’t eat as a vegan and helping you discover tasty vegan alternatives.

Want to learn more about the available detox and cleanses? Visit the Chef V website.

Why Chef V Finds Fruit Fantastic

If you’ve noticed Chef V’s glowing skin, you might be curious as to the reason. Well, some part of the credit goes to the bowl of fresh fruit she eats every day. In fact, the dietary guidelines set out by the United States Department of Health and Human Services suggest consuming fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy diet. 

Fruit is an excellent source of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which helps you stay healthy and hydrated. Moreover, fruit is a good substitute for unhealthy, sugary, processed snacks, including artificially flavored candies and gummies. 

If you still wonder why adding fruit to your diet is important, read below to learn about some benefits and facts of consuming fruit. We’ve also come up with a list of Chef V’s recommendations for great fruit that we know you’ll love to check out. Take a look!

Why is fruit great?

Eating fruit generally benefits your overall health and prevents common diseases like diabetes and related complications by providing necessary nutrition. They offer an expansive range of antioxidants, such as flavonoids, health-boosting fibers and vitamins. Surprisingly, one banana alone can provide 25% of your average daily fiber intake. 

They help your digestive system, boost metabolism, and keep your body hydrated. Watermelons and strawberries have more than 92% water content, so if you often skip chugging down plain water, you can eat fruit high in water to meet your water requirements.

Most people argue that fruit contains sugar, so are they bad or any better than other sugar alternatives? Yes, fruit contains sugar, but it’s natural sugar, which is a mix of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Despite the sugar levels, whole fruits still make an ideal choice compared to candies, canned fruit, dried fruit, and soft drinks available on the market. Because whole fruits contain sugar, they give you a fuller feeling, eliminating the need to consume unhealthy snacks and beverages. 

Fruit is also great for individuals on a weight-loss journey. They contain fewer calories, meaning you can swap your regular high-calorie snacks with the fruit of your choice. Fruits like apples, oranges, bananas, and strawberries contain a high amount of fiber, which helps suppress the appetite to prevent overeating. 

Moreover, if you don’t like eating whole fruits, have them as a smoothie, juice, dessert, or salad. You can find hundreds of smoothie recipes for intermittent fasting or go on a cranberry juice detox. Find the best ways to consume fruits and say hello to a healthy lifestyle.

Some of our favorite fruits 

All fruit is fantastic but they vary in nutritional values and health benefits. Here are some of Chef V’s favorite fruits to include in your diet.

1. Lemons 

Lemons are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, carbohydrates, and calcium. They contain antidiabetic and antibacterial properties, which help you deal with indigestion and inflammation.

2. Strawberries 

This juicy, red fruit contains a lot of water, minerals, and vitamins. You can have strawberries in a smoothie, with your cereals, or put some on top of your pancakes for added flavor and a punch of sweetness. 

3. Oranges 

Oranges are the richest source of vitamin C, which fulfill 117% of a person’s daily requirement of vitamin C. They boost your immune system and contain a good amount of iron and fibers to keep you going throughout the day. 

4. Avocados 

Want a low-sugar fruit option? Avocados are a superfood with less sugar content but high potassium and protein. They contain oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat, which helps maintain lower cholesterol levels. 

5. Apples 

Eating apples daily can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, which is why you say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples contain a high amount of minerals, vitamin C, and antioxidant properties, which are great for people losing weight or monitoring their fat intake. 

The bottom line 

Chef V finds fruit fantastic because of its innumerable health benefits and properties. Adding fruit to your diet motivates you to step forward to a healthy lifestyle. You can begin by consuming fruit in smaller portions or in a form that best suits your taste. You can swap between different fruits for all the necessary nutrition for your diet. 

Check out our Chef V cleanses, specially curated organic green juice and protein shakes, which aim to help you achieve your body and weight goals. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more. 

The Benefits of Eating More Locally

Eating locally doesn’t mean getting take-out from a nearby Italian restaurant. The most simple definition of eating local is stopping by your local farmer’s market and shopping for fresh produce. In the United States, the average meal travels more than 1,500 miles to get to your plate. Imagine the freshness and taste of the products by the time it lands in your kitchen; they may be gone by then. 

Moreover, the country’s population of locavores or people who choose to eat more locally is rapidly increasing. A consumer survey revealed 96% of people believe that a product must be grown, produced, and handled within 100 miles of its market to retain its freshness, quality, and taste.  

Below, we touch on different points, including the benefits of eating locally to drive you toward a healthy lifestyle. 

What are the benefits of eating locally?

The concept of eating local is primarily based on distance; the basic idea is to cut down the miles your food needs to travel before it gets to your table. The food you get in your local market, such as fruits and vegetables, tends to have a higher nutritional value, mainly because they’re prepared fresh without processing or getting through an artificial harvesting process to outpace the ripeness. 

Here is a list of benefits of eating locally: 

  • Eating locally benefits the environment. When you shop in a local market, the food doesn’t have to travel from one corner to another corner, reducing greenhouse emissions and consequently improving the carbon footprints. 
  • When you eat locally, you say hello to good health and well-being. Fruits and vegetables, including green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, red peppers, and apricots are prone to nutrient loss when they travel long distances, so it’s always good to shop for these items locally. 
  • You’re supporting local farmers and shopkeepers. Take advantage of local green juice delivery to taste fresh, organic, pure juice, which will be far better than what you get at a supermarket. The idea is to support your local communities to help them strive and thrive while they continue to produce quality products.
  • It also eliminates the need for intermediaries from the supply chain, which benefits local farmers and business owners. When you purchase directly from farmers at the local farmer’s market, all the profit will go to them. 
  • When you buy from local producers, you’re contributing to the local economy. 

Tips for eating more locally

If you’re all set to turn into a locavore, here are a few tips that’ll help you find easy ways to eat locally.

Shop at your local farmer’s market 

Think of the last time you had freshly squeezed juice. With the availability of processed juice and other products, we’ve forgotten what new things taste like. This is precisely why you must go to your nearby farmer’s market. These markets often stock a wide assortment of colorful and vibrant seasonal fruits, freshly baked bread, and free-range meats. Shopping locally not only means getting fresh food at good prices, but it also allows you to meet people within your community. 

Have your own garden 

Trust us, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself. There’s nothing more local than growing your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. You can choose the kind of plants you want to grow and nurture without artificial fertilizers. Plus, gardening is a healthy habit, which takes you closer to the earth.  

Become part of community-supported agriculture (CSA)

If visiting a farmer’s market looks like a lot, sign up for a CSA program that brings fresh produce to your doorstep weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on the subscription plan. You can choose the food you want, such as dairy, poultry, and fresh produce while opting for the subscription plan. It works the same way as Chef V, which provides organic green drink delivery to your home. 

Grow with the season 

With the availability of cold storage units, you get access to all fruits and vegetables throughout the year, which isn’t a healthy choice for people turning toward a balanced lifestyle. The best idea is to try seasonal produce to enjoy the freshness and unbeatable quality. 

Look for farm-to-table restaurants 

Give up eating at a fast food restaurant that only serves processed or reheated food. Instead, try eating at a local farm-to-table restaurant. At some of these, you can witness how your meals are prepared, using fresh and locally procured ingredients. In fact, the menus are designed to let customers know how the meals are prepared and with what products. 

The bottom line 

Eating locally isn’t just a lifestyle. The philosophy ties you back to your local community through food. With simple steps like shopping at your local market or small businesses, you’re helping farmers, local producers, and their families continue producing the freshest and tastiest food. It also helps contribute to the economy and a healthy environment. 

So, the next time you search for a juice cleanse near me, give it a try at your local juicery, or you can visit Chef V, a platform serving organically produced green juices, plant-based food items, and protein shakes. Our specially curated detox plans help our clients meet their body goals. 

Weight-Loss Basics for Newbies

If you’ve made it here, great job! You’re making the right decision for your overall health and well-being. Undoubtedly, weight-loss journeys are challenging, especially when you don’t know how and where to begin the whole process. 

As a newbie who aspires to shed those extra inches, you need to consider many things, including your weight goal, diet plan, calorie count, work-life and health balance and more, to have a less challenging weight-loss process. Moreover, losing weight triggers your biological mechanisms, resulting in constant mood swings, frequent cravings, and most importantly a strong urge to give up. 

As much as the whole process sounds daunting, it can easily be carried away with a bit of hard work, determination, and adding the right things to your diet. To help you make the right choices in your diet, here are some weight-loss basics to keep in mind to achieve your weight goals. 

Let’s take a look at some weight-loss basics 

1. Setting weight goals 

Don’t get over ambitious with weight goals. If you’re aiming to lose two pounds a week, you can do this but be mindful of the nutritional deficiencies and health problems that may come with it. Set achievable goals, get used to the new lifestyle, and then perhaps decide how to follow the process rather than forcing a regime on yourself for instant results. 

2. Dieting isn’t the right solution 

Especially when you’re a beginner, I wouldn’t suggest cutting down everything you eat in a day. Moreover, sticking to a diet is way more challenging when you’re new to a weight-loss journey. Replacing your burger with a salad bowl is a tough call; instead, try intermittent fasting and portion control. That way, you can eat your usual diet at a specific time to avoid overeating. 

3. Introduce daily movement 

If you’re a couch potato and want to lose weight, you must include exercise or some activity in your regime. Find ways to keep your body active; it could be cycling, brisk walking, hiking, yoga, or gardening. Do what you enjoy the most.

Easy activities for weight loss

The following are a few weight-loss activities to include in your day-to-day life to achieve weight-loss goals:

  • Walking is an excellent fat-burning exercise that’s effective, low-impact, and easy. If it’s feasible, ditch taking a cab or drive to your work or school and start walking.
  • Make your way to a healthy lifestyle by increasing your water intake. Drinking water improves your metabolism and detoxifies your body. Opt for a juice detox diet if you want something tasty yet healthy. 
  • Low-intensity workouts or cardio make an excellent way to introduce movement and activity to the body. Start with fifteen minutes of treadmill, at least three sets of squats, jumping jacks, burpees, and running.
  • Activities like swimming, cycling, and hiking are perfect for engaging your body and muscles.  

Foods for weight loss

This is a common question that pops up in every newbie’s mind who aspires to lose the extra weight. Proteins, such as chicken, eggs, lentils, seeds, nuts, and fish offer more energy to help you get through your day without consuming anything unhealthy like a burger or soda. The right kind of liquids, such as juice and water, also works best to keep you fuller throughout the day. 

Don’t underestimate the benefits of a juice cleanse as they detoxify the body to boost metabolism and keep you away from toxins known to cause weight gain. Keep an eye on calorie count, as eating the right amount of food is important.

Juice cleanse for weight loss

Make your weight loss journeys easy and yummy with my juice detox diet. I prepare these green juices with 100% organic ingredients, including black kale, green kale, collard greens, and green leaf lettuce, which have high nutritional, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant values. 

When you follow my juice detox diet, you don’t have to take any green powder pills. It’s just pure and fresh handmade juice delivered to your doorstep every day. You’ll have no energy crashes or cravings with these green juices. 

If you’re wondering why I vouch for the juice cleanse for weight loss, read what my clients say. You can also sign up for my holistic 21-day detox plan that helps you lose weight and maintain well-being.  

You Are What You Drink: Importance of Filtered Water

Water is just water, right? Well, sometimes it actually isn’t. We live in a world where food and drink move on a global scale, rather than the local. That means we live in a shopping environment where everything is designed to be full of preservatives and additives, whether we like it or not. Fresh is often an unattainable dream for many of us. 

Heck, you can’t even be sure your water isn’t free of the weird stuff. And since water is the primary ingredient in juice for detox and green drink, this can be a bit worrying for those wanting to undergo a blended juice cleanse. Hence, the big interest in filtered water. As proud makers of green drink, here’s our perspective.

Importance of hydration

We could pen pages and pages about why it’s essential to get enough water daily. It’s one of the most critical parts of your diet, and yet one that’s often taken for granted. But without water, your organs and joints wouldn’t work properly, and you’d be far more prone to infections.

If you’re interested in a blended juice cleanse, you’re probably interested in the health of your digestive system, and probably in losing weight. Well, proper hydration is also vital for keeping your digestive system working regularly, and can help curb your appetite and maintain your energy for exercise. No matter how you’re getting it, getting enough water is key.

What’s filtered water?

You might get your water from a tap or a bottle. Filtration is always going to be important, however. Why is this? Well, water might look clear and “empty” but it can actually have way more dissolved in it than you realize. Unfiltered water can be host to a wide variety of mineral or chemical contaminants. Some minerals in your water are good for you. But do you really want something like lead from pipes in your water? Bottled water isn’t much better due to the danger of microplastics.

Filtered water is an attempt to strike a balance between keeping the good in water, while removing the bad. Filtration can take many forms. You’re probably familiar with the carbon filters found in many kitchens across the country. Ion exchanges and reverse osmosis are more advanced methods of filtration. In some places, water is even distilled for filtration — turned into steam and then back into water, hopefully leaving all the bad stuff behind. 

Health benefits of filtered water

So what are some of the actual benefits of drinking properly filtered water? We’ll highlight some of the major ones here. 

Fewer toxins

Lead poisoning from water constantly comes up in the news. Microplastics in bottled water can have a less immediately dramatic effect, but can still damage your health over long periods of time. If you’re someone who demands the freshest organic juice for detox, there’s no reason to ruin this by getting water with all sorts of additives. 

Fewer bacteria

Bacteria can pop up in pretty much any water source. By making sure you’re getting filtered water, you’re preventing any unwanted guests from coming along for the ride when you drink. This can be especially important depending on your area, what the water supply is like, and what the water quality is like as well. 

Taste

Ever had water that just sort of tasted funny? Filtered water helps you avoid that. This isn’t so much of a health benefit on its own. However, if your water tastes good, then you’ll want to drink more of it. The same goes for any green drink or juice for detox made out of your filtered water. Little things like this can really make or break a fruit juice. 

Chef V’s promise

At Chef V, we use only the best clean, filtered water for our delicious green drinks. This is only the start of what makes our green drink special, of course. All of our ingredients are entirely organic, and we always blend instead of juice. We’re simply that dedicated to making sure every part of the process is benefiting you in some way when it comes to making our green juice recipe. Make sure to give our green drink recipe a try, and you’ll see why our detox juice recipe has become so famous! 

Delicious Vegan Picnic Ideas

What’s more wonderful than a picnic in the summer? Not much, that’s what. However, while picnics can be a delight with friends and family, they’re also (unfortunately) a great way to break your diet and healthy eating habits. Buckets of fried chicken don’t exactly scream “healthy vegan option.” So what should  you put into your picnic basket if you’re craving something a little fresher?

You’d be surprised by how many picnic staples can be easily reworked into absolutely amazing vegan counterparts. If you’re despairing at putting together a vegan picnic, then fear not — we’ve got some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. So grab your green drink and juice for detox, and get prepped for summer. Here’s our list of amazing vegan picnic ideas.

#1 Vegan potato salad

Potatoes might not be the first pick for everyone’s diet, but potato salad is a classic. The issue for those going vegan is mayonnaise. However, potato salad ends up being a pretty simple option to turn vegan. 

All you need to do is find some vegan mayo and you’re good to go with your old favorite recipes. You can go store-bought, but you can also fill up some mason jars with your own homemade vegan mayo. You’ll find a ton of tasty examples online, using ingredients such as cashews

#2 Vegan sandwiches

Alright, so no good picnic is complete without the sandwiches. However, let’s say you want to go beyond ham and cheese. You have a ton of potential options and it can be hard to pick which vegan, dairy-free sandwiches to choose from. 

We’d like to forward the humble chickpea as a potential contender for a sandwich star. These little legumes are a viable replacement for meat-based proteins and go well with many different ingredients

#3 Vegan pinwheels

Talking about sandwiches, there are few more iconic picnic foods than playful pinwheel sandwiches. Making some healthier, vegan options for pinwheels is super easy. The trick to making it healthier is to swap in a whole wheat tortilla for the bread. As for fillings, you can find all sorts of great recipes online. 

#4 Vegan dips

Chips and dips are another staple for picnics. You can quickly come up with tons of vegan picnic ideas for dips that are entirely vegan if you do a little bit of poking around. If you’re willing to use vegan meat substitutes, you could put together something like a vegan taco dip. But if you just want to enjoy some fresh fruits and veggies, then whipping up some dairy-free and oil-free dips just takes a little bit of imagination

#5 Vegan pasta salads

It wouldn’t be right to bring up potato salads and not mention that you can just as easily adapt pasta salads into vegan versions. All you need to do is get your favorite fruits and veggies together, some whole wheat pasta, and a light dressing of your choice. This makes a great snack to go along with your green drink or juice for detox, but it’s also fabulous picnic fare. There are plenty of recipes online to get your imagination running

#6 Vegan soups

Soups get unfairly forgotten when it comes to the summer season. It’s not everywhere that has a tradition of cool summer soups. However, if you get good at prepping them, chilled soups can be among the best easy vegan recipes in your arsenal. It’s all the good stuff of green drinks or juice for detox but as a filling meal. A great vegan picnic idea as far as soups go has to be our own gazpacho recipe

#7 Vegan slaws and salads

Coleslaw can be considered part of the holy trinity of traditional picnic salads, along with the aforementioned pasta and potato variations. Just like those, it tends to often have an uncomfortable amount of mayonnaise in it. But, just like those, it’s also the source of fantastic vegan picnic ideas when you start thinking about how to redo the dressing. If you’re looking to get into easy vegan recipes, coleslaws are a great way to start

Coleslaws are  the first step into the larger world of shredded vegetable dishes. Once you get comfy with some easy versions, why not check out the larger world of shredded veggie dishes? We’re a big fan of urab, ourselves — check out our recipe

#8 Vegan pies

A thick slice of pie with some ice cream — a summer dream, but one that seems out of reach for anyone looking for vegan options. Yes, we’re into the dessert section of this list. After all that green drink and juice for detox, you deserve a little bit of a treat every now and again.

But is pie going to be an off-limit dessert for vegan picnics? Not necessarily. It’s entirely possible to develop vegan options for all the old classics. And if you get creative with your dairy substitutes, you might not even need to get rid of the ice cream! 

#9 Tropical fruits

Sometimes, you don’t need to get fancy. Some of the most delicious dessert items for a picnic is  your favorite tropical fruits. Not much is needed here in the way of prep work, but you’ll create a memorable spread your guests will be eager to try again and again. If you want some tips on which tropical fruits make the best vegan picnic companions, why not check out our shortlist of some of our favorite examples? 

#10 Chef V green drink

You can’t have a picnic without something to drink. Low sugar lemonade is one nice option. But why not also enjoy some of that wonderful Chef V green drink? If you’re used to our original recipe, you might not know we have a truly amazing tropical version. This is the perfect companion to any picnic in the summer heat. No matter what you decide, just make sure you load up on the fruits, veggies, and plenty of water. And, of course, make sure to have fun! 

Beyond Green Drink for Detox: Refreshing Vegan Drink Ideas

It’s a wild thought. We barely want to write it down. But maybe, just maybe, you’d like to try some other delicious vegan beverages after all our wonderful juices for detox. Strange to think you’d ever need something beyond Chef V’s iconic green drink, but it could be that our juices for detox have put you in a real mood for other tasty, healthy, vegan beverages. 

If you’re new to vegan eating (and drinking), you might not know where to start. Moving past basic fruit juice can be a little daunting for some. How do you know what tastes good? How do you avoid things like the dreaded celery juice side effects? 

Ultimately, it’s up to you to explore to find what vegan drinks you (and your family) enjoy. If you’re uncertain which vegetables and fruits to reach for first, we’ll provide some of our favorite ideas for tasty vegan beverages. Hopefully, you’ll find a fun idea here you hadn’t considered before! 

#1 Beet smoothies

We have some pretty great detox smoothie recipes to offer. However, there are a ton of underrated fruits and veggies that can make amazing juices or smoothies. If you’ll let us travel off the beaten path, we have to give beets a shoutout. They’re far too unfairly maligned. But beets can be delicious and are most definitely healthy for you. 

Beets pair up excellently with tasty berries to create fantastic vegan smoothies. If you want to try one out, we have an antioxidant smoothie that we’re sure you’ll love. 

#2 Vegan hot chocolate

It’s not just all juices and smoothies. Sometimes it’s a good idea to expand your notion of what vegan drinks can be beyond just juices for detox and green drinks. Hot chocolate is generally viewed as a sugary and unhealthy treat. But, as we’ve shown, it can be made into healthy vegan versions as well. If you want something with more kick, then you can always look online for the flavorful Mexican varieties

#3 Vegan eggnog 

We’d be remiss to bring up vegan hot chocolate and not include a mention of our amazing vegan eggnog recipe. With a fantastic blend of spices and almond milk, it’s just as amazing as the traditional version. If you’re feeling up for some fun (and not on a blended juice cleanse) you can even add some brandy to it. Sounds wild? Then wait until you read the next entry. 

#4 Vegan margaritas

A margarita on this list? Really? It’s not as strange as it sounds. You can find many great recipes for fully vegan margaritas online, generally with coconut or pineapple juice. This means you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage free of pretty much any allergen. Not something we’d recommend that you chug, but you can make your next summer party a little fancier by whipping some of these out. 

#5 Cane sugar lemonade

When life gives you lemons… well, we already made that joke. But lemons and juices for detox just seem to be a great pairing. Of course, most store-bought lemonade is filled with artificial sugars. If you can get your hand on fresh juices, and some natural cane sugar, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make a healthier version. You can even get really creative with some of your fruit choices! 

#6 Chocolate milk

Hey, if we’re putting hot chocolate on this list, we should be allowed to put regular old chocolate milk on here. Chocolate milk being vegan seems too strange to you? It’s more achievable than you might think. There are plenty of great healthy vegan versions of the drink online. 

#7 Golden milk 

Do you know what’s better than chocolate milk? Golden milk. When it comes to benefits for your digestive system and reducing inflammation, this drink really is golden. The secret comes down to the ingredient that gives it that distinctive hue — turmeric. Our version even features some fresh ginger for a truly fantastic detox juice recipe, and an excellent golden alternative to our green drinks. 

#8 Ginger smoothies

Fresh ginger needs a lot more love in the world of healthy juicing. Its health benefits are incredible, and it’s terrific for boosting your immune system and helping calm down digestive issues. It’s not as hard to work into smoothies as you might think. Just check out our apple ginger apple berry smoothie for an example. 

#9 Celery juices

So, we’ve discussed some of the side effects of drinking celery juice in our experiment on the subject. We’re still not convinced celery juice can be a replacement for healthy green smoothies and juices for detox. Celery juice side effects can be pretty pronounced for some people, especially on an empty stomach. 

However, while it might not be a juice cleanse star, fresh celery juice is still a tasty treat for many people who enjoy something light and refreshing. To make it tasty, get creative with the ingredients. Adding in some lime is never a bad move

#10 Our Chef V green drink

Is it cheating ending our list like this? Maybe. But too often we only get to talk about our green drink (loaded with vitamins and minerals, of course) in the context of our blended juice cleanses. And in the role of a juice cleanse staple, it certainly does its job. From weight loss to managing blood sugar and high blood pressure, our green drink is always ready to go to bat for your health.

But that’s forgetting the fact that it’s also a delicious and healthy vegan drink option. It goes wonderfully with any meal, or any time of the day, not just for when you’re on your blended juice cleanse. Juices for detox don’t need to be just for detox. And with our Chef V Plan, you don’t even need to do any prep work yourself. Just build your plan, and get it delivered to your door. It’s that easy! 

Low Impact Outdoor Exercises to Pair With Your Green Drink

When you’re tackling something as ambitious as a 21 day juice cleanse for weight loss, it pays to be cautious with how active you are. However, you’re also probably eager to enjoy the great outdoors while the weather allows it. There’s no reason you can’t get out and active while on a juice cleanse diet to lose weight. You’ll just have to look for low-impact options — and we’ll give you some suggestions to get you started.

Exercising on a juice cleanse

A common question we get about juice cleanse diets is whether or not it’s okay to exercise while doing one. Thankfully, this is a question we’ve already answered. If you want the answer spoiled, it’s yes — sort of. 

While you’re on a juice cleanse for weight loss, your caloric intake will be much lower. That’s sort of the point, after all. If you’re mainly drinking juice, you’re simply not going to have the calories to undertake rigorous weightlifting or sprinting. 

However, it’s always vital to keep limber and moving. Hence the need for “low-impact” exercises that keep you active without risking your health while on your 21 day juice cleanse. But what sort of exercises are best when on the green drink? And which ones can you enjoy during the summer? 

Not everyone wants to be stuck inside walking on the treadmill when there’s sunshine and fresh air to enjoy. Outdoor exercises don’t have to mean running, of course. Here are some of our favorite suggestions.

#1 Walking

Why run when you can walk? Getting out for a brisk walk around the neighborhood is a great idea when you’re on a juice cleanse. If you’re taking a quick 3 day juice cleanse over the weekend, it’s a great excuse to relax and browse those local stores you’ve wanted to visit.

#2 Swimming

Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise, suitable even for people with joint pain. Its low-impact nature also translates well for people on low-calorie juice cleanse diets. But what makes swimming really great is how much more fun it is outside, at an outdoor pool, or even on the beach. 

#3 Kayaking

Rather be cruising over the water than in it? If you live near the water, we recommend kayaking as a wonderfully fun, low-impact exercise for those on a juice cleanse for weight loss. It’s much easier than it looks, and you can do it all while sitting down. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might spot some amazing aquatic wildlife.

#4 Golfing

There’s a perception among many that golf is only for the professionals or the wealthy. However, there may be more accessible clubs in your area than you realize. Even if you don’t want to go out for a full round of golf, driving ranges and minigolf offer a way to enjoy a low-impact activity. Golf is a great way to maintain balance, flexibility, and strength without straining yourself.

#5 Yoga

We couldn’t talk about exercise in a juice cleanse diet blog and not mention yoga. We’re already huge fans of mixing together yoga and green drink. Yoga is a wonderful way to get some low-impact stretching and exercise into your day, without putting too much strain on your body. Even in the midst of a 21 day juice cleanse, yoga is going to be an excellent option for anyone looking to be active. 

Of course, many of us do our yoga indoors, but that’s not a requirement. Anywhere you can take your yoga mat is a great place to enjoy yoga — and a great place to enjoy your green drink as well! Make sure to check out some of our other great blogs on the subject, too! 

Foods and Detox Juices to Keep You Energized

Feeling sluggish throughout the day? Finding your focus slipping at work? Can’t be bothered to get to your workout when the day is done? Well, that can of energy drink isn’t the best option to beat the dreaded slump. Sometimes the natural choice is the best one. With certain foods, you can stay energized throughout the day because of how they’re absorbed by your body. This blog will cover all the essentials about food, drink and energy. 

Understand the glycemic index

Before we can get into the listing of food and green drink recommendations, it’s essential you understand the glycemic index. It’s an important index for anyone attempting a twenty-one-day cleanse, or any other adjustment to the number of carbs in their diet.

Let’s get back to basics. Your body is like an engine that needs fuel. We measure the power of this fuel in calories. Every calorie represents a little bit of energy provided to you. So you might think the answer is just to get as many calories as possible, right? Well, there’s a bit more complication here. Foods don’t just contain calories, after all. They also contain nutrients. We can divide nutrients into macronutrients and micronutrients. 

Micronutrients are the things that your body needs in small amounts. You probably know about vitamins and minerals. If the macronutrients are the fuel your body needs, micronutrients are like the oil; they keep everything running that little bit better. 

Macronutrients are what your body needs in bulk, and what you tend to be measuring. Indeed, we often worry about getting too many of these macronutrients. Worries about this is probably why you’re looking into things like twenty-one-day cleanses!

Macronutrients include proteins, fat, and carbohydrates. Even people who don’t know anything about nutrition have a general idea about carbs. You may be surprised to learn not all carbs are equal. Nutritionists often divide carbs into simple carbs and complex carbs. Simple carbs release their energy (calories, remember) faster into the body. This isn’t a benefit, however. Simple carbs release energy in short bursts, followed by the dreaded sugar crash.

Complex carbs take longer to digest. This means they give more sustainable energy over a longer period of time. 

The glycemic index (GI) is used to measure how complex the carbs in food are. If a food has a high GI, it means it’s more likely to cause wild blood sugar fluctuations. Low GI foods are better at giving sustainable energy levels throughout the day.

Foods for energy

Now that we understand the basics of how food gives you energy, we can start to better identify foods that will be fantastic energy boosters. These foods are those with a low GI, as well as a nice blend of macronutrients and micronutrients. For best results, eat a balanced diet to help mix those complex carbs with an excellent selection of different nutrients. 

Avocado

Very often, green is good when it comes to your food choices. People often think of leafy greens such as those found in green drinks. However, avocados are also an excellent food for boosting energy. Not only is it loaded with vitamins, but it also contains healthy fats. These help lower the GI and make them a great power food. 

Beans

Too often we might overlook the humble bean. However, most kinds of beans bring a great one-two punch when it comes to providing long-lasting energy. They give a lot of the important macronutrient protein and the gut digests them at a slow and steady pace, giving you a regular injection of energy throughout the day. 

Brown rice 

Brown rice is going on this list to make a particular point about how small food choices can have significant impacts. While white rice and brown rice may be similar in some respects, brown rice has a much lower glycemic index and is filled with fiber. This makes it great for your digestive system, as well as being great for energy and lowering blood pressure. 

Nuts

There are too many great nuts, seeds, drupes, and legumes to cover in just one blog. Let’s take the walnut as our poster child of this culinary food group. Walnuts are a great example of why it’s essential to understand the difference between calories and carbs. 

Walnuts are considered, for their size, a high-calorie food. But because of their low GI, they provide energy in a sustainable way, without much risk of sugar spikes or weight gain. They’re also great for heart health! 

Spinach

When it comes to the best in fruits and veggies, it’s hard to beat those leafy greens. There’s a reason we put things like kale and collard greens in our green drink after all! Spinach marks a good case study of the power of these leafy greens. The secret power of many of these leafy greens is that they contain a ton of iron, a vital micronutrient. Iron is essential in helping your blood carry oxygen around your body. This helps give you energy even during the most hectic of days. 

Water

Alright, so water isn’t a food. But this list wouldn’t be complete without emphasizing the incredible power of hydration when it comes to maintaining your energy levels. Water can be considered the “final ingredient” that brings the rest of a healthy diet together. Water helps carry all of those vital nutrients around your body. It also helps regulate their intake into your bloodstream, giving you better control of your blood sugar levels. Drinking plenty of water is excellent for managing appetite, as it fills you up, leaving less room for those unhealthy options. 

Keep energized with Chef V

Have you been snacking too much on foods with a high GI? Are you in a constant spiral of blood sugar crashes? Then it might be time to get your blood sugar back in order with our delicious green drinks. 

This detox juice won’t just help you with your weight loss. Our low-sugar green drink can also help you get your blood sugars under control. Whether you’re going for a twenty-one-day cleanse, or just want some tasty green drink, Chef V has you covered.

Look for These Green Flags in Your Green Drink

Picking the right green juice to cleanse with can be exhausting. This blog helps you look for some “green flags” to look out for. From weird preservatives to added sugars, what do you need to steer clear of? Beyond organic leafy greens, what do you need to include? In this blog, we’ll discuss green flags you need to be on the lookout for to find the best juices for detox. 

Organic

When is a juice not a juice? When it’s labeled a “beverage,” “cocktail,” or “drink.” Companies use these euphemisms to cover up the fact that what they sell isn’t pure juice. 

If you’re going for a juice cleanse, it’s always best to make it an organic juice cleanse. There are a few reasons for this. Organic juice cleanses have been less processed. This means it’s more likely that you’re getting the maximum amount of nutrients from all those vegetables and fruits. 

Processed foods found in non-organic green drinks can often have adverse effects on your health. These could include preservatives or added sugars for flavor. Plus, there are all the side benefits you get as well. Organic simply tastes fresher, hands down. It’s also more likely that organic green drinks were created in a sustainable manner, a bonus for the environmentally conscious. 

Leafy Greens

What would a green drink be without the greens? When examining the contents of a green drink, Look for the maximum nutritional value. If it’s just celery and cucumber it might taste fresh, but you won’t be getting the most nutritionally dense vegetables. Worse, “lighter” green drinks like this can often be a bit tough on the digestive system. 

What you’re looking for in the leafy greens are ingredients high in vitamins and minerals. The deeper and darker the green, the better. You want things like kale, collard greens, and chard. 

Low sugar

Often, our customers find us when looking for juices for detox to get their sugar levels under control. By slashing your sugar intake, you can get better control of your weight, your energy levels, and even your mood. Blood sugar can be a temperamental thing, however. Only through maintaining a low sugar intake can you get it to stabilize.

So why would you want to ruin your green drink by adding a lot of extra sugar? You could argue that it’s for the taste. It’s still possible to have a great-tasting green drink without loading up on the sugar. Take our own detox juice recipe. We add in just enough apple juice for an all-natural sweeter taste. 

Unpasteurized

When buying juice in the store, you probably want to go pasteurized. This means it’s more likely to have kept fresh while it was waiting for you on the grocery store shelf. 

However, if you’re getting juice for detox delivered right to your door, then it’s another story. Since the green drink is freshly made, and you’re going to drink it right away, you don’t need to worry as much about pasteurization. In fact, unpasteurized is often the better option. Pasteurization kills off harmful bacteria that can grow while waiting on the shelf. But it can also kill off good bacteria in your digestive system. The pasteurization process also mutes the delicious flavors of the fruits and veggies. 

Cold blended

You want to get the most out of those vegetable juices, don’t you? That’s why it’s vital you go for blended juice cleanse recipes over pressed juice cleanse recipes. Pressed juices might result in a “cleaner” end result, but you’re missing out on all the great stuff, like the pulp and seeds, which contains a lot of the nutritional value.

At Chef V, we’re very proud of the cold blended process that goes into creating every glass of our delicious green drink. We make sure you’re getting the absolute best experience when drinking green juice. That’s our guarantee — all green flags on your green drink, all the way. 

How to Prevent Heat Exhaustion With Food and Drink

With summer approaching, the likelihood of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration increases. Forgetting the suitable precautions can result in severe complications if not looked out for. This blog helps you stay on top of your summer with all the tips you need to prevent heat exhaustion. Make sure summer is time for fun and games, not for dehydration!

Difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Before discussing ways to prevent heat exhaustion, it’s vital you understand the difference between this condition and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is linked not just to the temperature, but to your hydration levels. Heat stroke, meanwhile, is connected to your body’s ability to control its heat.

Heat exhaustion is caused when your body loses too much water and salt. Heat exhaustion is caused by exposure to high temperatures, especially when doing physical activity or not getting enough to drink. In these conditions, your body will sweat out its water and salt content, leaving you deprived. The effects of heat exhaustion are caused by withdrawal from these essential substances. 

Heat stroke is generally considered a much more severe condition. It’s caused by similar conditions to heat exhaustion. However, heat stroke is a more extreme example, where your body temperature rises to over 104F (40C). Under these circumstances, the body can no longer properly regulate its heat. This poses a serious medical risk and can require hospitalization. 

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Just because heat exhaustion is less severe than heat stroke doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry about it. Heat exhaustion can be dangerous if left unchecked. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include any or all of the following:

  • Dizziness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness upon standing
  • Muscle cramping
  • Nausea
  • Weak, fast pulse

Tips for preventing heat exhaustion

Want to know the best way to beat heat exhaustion? Avoid the heat! If you stay inside, or in the shade, you’ll be safe. Of course, sometimes this isn’t an option. Water will be your best friend here. Get plenty of hydration, whether through plain water or green drinks. Hydration is one of the major benefits of juicing, after all. 

If you do start to feel the effects of heat exhaustion, that means it’s time to take a break from what you’re doing. Grab some green drink, find some shade, and let yourself cool down. 

Prevent heat exhaustion with these foods

Hydrating with a green drink during a heat wave makes sense. But did you know there are foods that have heat-beating properties as well? Eating these foods is a great way to prevent heat exhaustion symptoms. Of course, make sure you’re getting plenty of water and green juice at the same time!

Banana

One of the main symptoms of heat exhaustion is cramping. If you eat foods high in potassium, you can alleviate this cramping. Potassium also helps regulate fluid inside our cells, helping out the sodium in our body. So, any foods high in potassium are going to be great to eat during a hot day.

Few foods are as famous for their potassium content as bananas. Not only are they great for you, but bananas can easily be turned into a variety of frozen treats for those hotter months. 

Chocolate milk

Really? Chocolate milk? This beverage has been a secret favorite among many athletes. But what made it jump from school lunch boxes to the sports field? 

The secret is that it includes electrolytes, substances your body needs to provide energy in your cells and muscles. Electrolytes as a category include substances such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and, yes, potassium. Chocolate milk manages to have all of this.

While you shouldn’t be drinking chocolate milk constantly during the day, a little bit after some heavy exercise can help balance your electrolyte levels. 

Coconut water

Not a big chocolate milk fan? Then you might want to check out coconut water as a summer beverage. Like chocolate milk, coconut water is packed with electrolytes. It also has a bunch of natural sugars and easily digestible carbohydrates that help refresh you. It goes great on its own, or as part of a smoothie

Kiwi 

Not a big fan of bananas? There’s another potassium champ waiting out there you may not have thought of. Kiwi fruits are a delightful green fruit, are full of water, and, yes, are excellent sources of potassium. They’re also amazingly tasty and go well with tons of summer dishes. 

Pears

If you’re looking for another fruit that’s full of water then you can’t go wrong with pears. What’s especially great about pears is that not only do they have a lot of water in them, but they contain a good amount of fiber. This means they’re great for your digestive system as well as being a way to prevent heat exhaustion. 

Watermelon 

It has “water” right in its name, so what’s not to love? There’s more than just being over 90% water going for watermelons, however. Not only are they high in electrolytes, but they also contain antioxidants which are good for keeping down inflammation and cramping. Best of all, watermelon is flexible. Eat it as is, mix it into your salsa, or toss it on the grill! 

Refresh with Chef V’s organic juice cleanse

Looking for a way to stay hydrated and lose weight this summer without sweating yourself to heat exhaustion? Why not look into one of our great organic juice cleanses? The benefits of juicing let you shed pounds without relying on heavy and potentially dangerous hot-weather exercise. So grab your green drink, enjoy some light workouts, and most of all, stay hydrated!

Diet and Juicing for Allergies

Seasonal changes often adversely affect people with allergies. Allergy season can be difficult, but there are ways to ease the impacts of hay fever this season. From natural remedies to Chef V’s juices, get ahead of allergy season with this blog. 

What causes allergies?

When we’re talking about allergies, it’s essential to understand our terms. An allergy simply refers to a condition where your body’s immune system goes into overdrive in reaction to a substance. 

However, when we talk about “allergies” we often refer to hay fever. This is the colloquial name for the medical condition known as “allergic rhinitis.” If you’ve had hay fever, you’ll recognize it instantly. The sneezing, the running nose, and the itchy and watery eyes are not a fun time. 

This condition crops up every spring or summer for many people. But why? Well, there are a few things that trigger hay fever. Generally, it’s caused by an allergic reaction to something floating in the air. This could be dust, mold, or the skin particles of animals like cats and dogs. But the major culprit behind hay fever is pollen from trees and flowers. As plants bloom in spring, many of us get a slight whiff of pollen and immediately develop intense hay fever. 

How to deal with hay fever

Many of us scramble to get expensive medication as soon as hay fever kicks in. But are there other ways to mitigate it? One way to cut back on the effects of hay fever while in the home is to be more rigorous in your cleaning. 

Use hypoallergenic bedding that’s washed regularly, and have a well-ventilated living space. If you have pets, clean them and their bedding frequently. However, did you know you can also help fight hay fever through what you eat and drink? Here’s where juices for allergies come into play.

Hay fever-busting foods

So what kinds of foods and drinks can help beat hay fever? You might be surprised to learn that green drinks and raw juice cleanses are great options. But why is this?

Green drinks keep you hydrated. Dehydration tends to make allergic reactions far worse. This is why you often have really bad stuffiness on spring mornings before you get your first drinks. Stay hydrated with green drinks.

Green drinks usually include foods known as alkalines. These include apples and leafy greens, such as parsley and watercress. It’s still being studied, but there seems to be evidence these alkaline foods help reduce the severity of allergies. They’re often high in immune boosters.

But it’s not just the juice! There are a plenty of foods that have allergy-busting properties. These include some of the following.

Garlic: Is there anything garlic can’t do? Garlic is excellent for fighting against all that extra mucus you’re collecting in your sinuses during an allergic reaction. 

Ginger: While garlic helps fight off the mucus, ginger swoops in to help deal with the swelling and irritation caused by allergies.

Onions: Onions contain quercetin, a compound linked to the allergy-busting abilities of apples. Quercetin is believed to mute the severity of allergic reactions from your cells. 

Turmeric: When it comes to spices, little is more terrific than turmeric. Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, helping you beat the worst that hay fever throws at you. 

Beat allergy season with Chef V green drink and detox soups

Apart from being delicious, do you know what all the ingredients mentioned above have in common? You can find them in the Chef V raw juice cleanse! Between our green drinks and flavorful detox soups, you get the full power of some of the most effective allergen busters. So don’t dread the arrival of spring and summer. Hit that warm weather in the best health possible. 

Before You Reach For The Cleansing Detox Juice – The 7 Keys For Better Digestive Health

Got gut problems? Stomach strains? Good digestive health is good health overall. If your digestive system has issues, it will bring your life to a painful, bowel-clenching halt. However, before you jump into a raw juice cleanse, there are a few steps you can take for overall better digestive health. Here are some of the best ones. 

#1 Schedule

Sometimes it’s not about what you eat, but when you eat it. Carefully scheduling your mean times can have surprising benefits for your overall digestive health. You want to give your meals all the time they need to digest. Try to space out meals and snacks four to three hours apart. If you’re on a raw juice cleanse, try to schedule your juices at the same time each day and interspersed evenly.

#2 Fiber

If there is one secret to good digestive health, it has to be fiber. This really is the magic ingredient that keeps everything else moving along at a reasonable rate. Proper fiber intake lets you keep your bowels healthy, manage cholesterol, and even regulate blood sugar levels. It’s excellent for overall health, not just digestive wellbeing. Make sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables for their fiber content. 

On a side note, many people are wary about enjoying juice cleanse benefits because they’re worried about the lack of fiber when drinking juices. Remember that with Chef V, we add in delicious detox soups and detox smoothies, so you’ll always get the fiber you need.

#3 Hydration

Fiber is super essential for digestive health, but it can’t do it alone. Getting plenty of water is also key to good digestive health. It’s the counterpart to fiber, working together as a dynamic duo to provide smooth sailing for all your digestive functions. Together, water and fiber help protect you from conditions like constipation. 

#4 Low-Fat 

Cutting the fat isn’t just so that you can lose weight. Too much fat in your diet will tend to slow down your digestion and increase your risks of things such as constipation. It can mess around with your blood sugar levels, affecting your appetite. This creates a spiral where it’s hard to maintain a consistently balanced diet. 

#5 Probiotics

Good gut health is often determined by having a healthy supply of gut flora. Probiotics are a mixture of good bacteria and yeast that boost your overall digestive health. A lot of fermented foods are good probiotics, most famously yogurt. 

#6 Exercise

Exercise is another excellent way to help avoid constipation. Physical activity helps provide blood flow to the muscles that work your digestive system. Whenever you get a workout, your digestive system gets the same benefit

#7 Stress Management

Mind over matter is very real. Having high-stress levels can make your body think you’re in a life-or-death situation and send your digestive system into overdrive. Not only can this produce things like stomach aches, but it can also increase your appetite. You might get a craving for high-fat snacks, starting a whole new set of digestive issues.

Sometimes stress is just a part of life. But it doesn’t need to be part of your raw juice cleanse. With Chef V, it’s easy to get your delicious green drink delivered – and get detox soups and detox smoothies as well! So don’t sweat the small stuff, and enjoy your easy and convenient way to cut the fat and improve your digestive health. 

Eating for Good Mental Health

If you’re exploring ways to enhance your mental health, green drinks are the way to go! A study conducted in 2007 discovered that people with depression have lower serotonin levels, which is connected to poor diets. So, it’s no news that gut health goes hand in hand with your mental health. 

Green drinks have antioxidants that remove free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. Swapping junk food with healthier alternatives for better mental health can be daunting. But it’s not impossible! This blog guides you through the best practices for better mental health. Whether you want a mood booster or need a healthy pick-me-up, Chef V’s green drink elevates your serotonin levels! Our green drinks are power-packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants that transform your health.

What is Serotonin?

The ‘happiness hormone,’ serotonin, is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It is formed from the essential amino acid known as tryptophan. Serotonin maintains vital bodily functions such as regulating sleep patterns, body temperature, memory, and mood, making it a significant hormone for a healthy and happy life.

Approximately 90% of serotonin is found in the gastrointestinal tract cells, and only 10% is produced in your brain. Thus, your serotonin levels highly depend on the food you consume, as it can’t be made by your body. To lead a better quality of life, balanced serotonin levels result in overall better mental health. Some other simple steps to improve serotonin levels include better stress management, getting adequate sunlight, and consuming foods and tryptophan-rich juice for detox.

How Eating Affects Your Brain 

When this amino acid enters your body through diet, foods rich in tryptophan increase your serotonin levels. Fast food might provide instant gratification, but the lack of a balanced diet leads to lower serotonin levels. Serotonin deficiency has also been linked to insomnia, depression, anxiety, and mania. 

Incorporating healthy alternatives like seasonal fruit, organic juice cleanse, and vegetables significantly enhance your mental health. Fresh fruit juice for detox has yielded results of boosting energy levels and a life-changing impact on health. With a better diet, including more tryptophan-rich items like green drinks or organic juice cleanse, you can expect to feel:

  • Calmer mind.
  • Longer attention span.
  • Fewer mood swings.
  • Lower levels of anxiety.
  • Happier State of Mind.

Antioxidants like Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene are also known to reverse the impact of free radicals damage. Honorable mentions of Vitamin E are excellent antioxidants that help signs of depression.

Eating for Mental Health 

Trying to consume foods for Improved mental health doesn’t have to be stress-inducing. Holistic health begins at home or anywhere you go!  Bright, flavourful, and fiber-abundant organic juice cleanses transform how you consume your nutrients. 

We whipped this list of best foods for better mental health, so you don’t have to!

  • Eggs: Rich in biotin, protein, and tryptophan, eggs boost your blood plasma levels.
  • Pineapples: Pineapples have a bountiful of bromelain and serotonin that enhance any mood!
  • Salmon: Contains rich amounts of tryptophan, omega three fatty acids, and Vitamin D. Salmon is beneficial to your bones, heart, and skin.  
  • Cheese: Rich in calcium and tryptophan, cheese strengthens bones and teeth while boosting your mental health.
  • Nuts and Seeds: If you have a vegetarian or a vegan diet and can’t consume salmon, nuts and seeds are a great replacement and a preferred source of protein and tryptophan. 

Whether you want a serotonin boostin’ smoothie or need a healthy pick-me-up, Chef V’s juice for detox enhances your mental health! Our Green drinks are power-packed with serotonin and fibers for improved holistic health. 

Love Your Liquids: Importance of Hydration

Did you know that juice diets aren’t just limited to hydration, especially- green drinks. They are a great source of electrolytes, nutrients, and fiber. We all know how important water is for carrying out bodily functions, but did you know that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? Despite endless options for hydration, we tend to forget our liquids. Chef V is here to remind you of the lasting benefits of hydration.

Whether you prefer juices for detox, green drinks, raw juice diets, or filtered water, this blog aims to remind you that hydration can be fun. And before you go, ‘water is boring,’ well, it doesn’t have to be. A plain tall glass of water might not be the easiest to drink as a prime source of hydration, and we get it! That’s why juice diets that consist of green drinks are the way to go!

This blog goes into the details of everything you need to know about hydration.

Why Hydration Matters

Because human bodies are composed of more than 60% water, it’s the regulating force of life- a literal elixir, if you will. You can stay alive without food for days, perhaps weeks. But, the lack of water can be fatal. Every action your body takes loses water- from perspiring to breathing. Our bodies constantly lose water, and constant fluid intake replenishes the lost nutrients.

Other benefits of staying hydrated include:

* Water is known for carrying out toxins and bacteria from your body.
* Lubricates your joints.
* Regulates body temperature
* Provides nutrients and oxygen to body parts.
* It keeps your skin supple and aids in anti-aging.
* Prevents constipation.
* Aids the health of the bladder, liver, and kidney by removing waste.

We get why it might be challenging to meet your recommended water intake, but you can opt for unsweetened green drinks to stay hydrated and meet your daily quota. Other preventative measures include a solid intake of green drinks- consisting of a juice diet, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Wondering if the items you’re consuming have enough water content? Here’s a list to help you determine the water content of the most commonly consumed items.
This table lists the water content of commonly consumed food items.

Risks of Dehydration

Dehydration can be due to rigorous exercise, fever, excessive sweating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Any situation where you’re going to lose excessive water puts you in immediate danger of dehydration. Dehydration often occurs when your water intake is less than the water you lose. When the body doesn’t have enough water to carry out bodily functions, you’ll feel these eerie symptoms kicking it.

Here are some signs to look out for:

* Dizziness
* Light Headedness
* Unquenchable thirst
* Little to no urine / infrequent urination
* Dry mouth, lips, and eyes
* Muscle Cramps

Moderate to mild signs of dehydration can be repaired through regular fluid intakes like juice diets, green drinks, water, and fluids packed with electrolytes. Experts suggest that you should consume 10-15 cups of water during the day, depending on age, gender, health conditions, and body weight.

Another great tip is always to be aware of the liquids you’re losing throughout the day, whether from urinating, sweating, or even crying! Tread with caution if you’re going to be in hot weather conditions. Take a rain check on that hot summer afternoon exercise session, and don’t forget to pick up that water bottle before your workout.

Or always carry that delicious bottle of green drink wherever you go!

Reverse Osmosis Filtered Water

Reverse Osmosis is a method for removing inorganic solids from tap water. It is different from most standard filtration methods because of its unique function of forcing water through a membrane. It drains all the pollutants, such as fluoride, lead, pesticides, sulfates, and nitrates. Along with a few more harmful molecules like cyanides, mercury, and arsenic. When these compounds are not removed, it can lead to reproductivity issues, cancer, and organ complications. With reverse Osmosis, you can have great-tasting water in the comfort of your home.

Stay Hydrated With Chef V

Chef V helps you meet your daily hydration needs with juice diets curated just for you!
Dehydration is the least of your worries with fiber-packed green drinks, smoothies, and soups. All the Chef V juices are easily accessible nationwide and can be stored up to 7 days after opening!

A Small But Super Part of Juice Diets – The Complete Micronutrient Guide

If you’re starting to pay more attention to nutrition, the terminology can be one of the biggest initial hurdles. Antioxidants, free radicals, juice detox diets – you sometimes feel like you need to be a chemist just to keep up

However, it’s not all as confusing as it might sound. Today, we’ll go over one of the most important concepts – micronutrients. Don’t let the name fool you. Micronutrients can have a gigantic impact on your overall health and are a big part of why juice diets and 21-day cleanses work. 

Okay, So What’s a Micronutrient Already?

Nutrients are good. We get that. A reason why juice diets are so popular is that people are looking out for those valuable nutrients. A nutrient is, in essence, anything that an organism needs to grow and live. Us humans have a particular set of nutrients that we require. When talking about the nutrients that people need, most nutritionists divide them into two categories. These are macronutrients and micronutrients. 

Macronutrients are the raw fuel that we need for energy. Think of your body as a car. In this metaphor, macronutrients are the gas in your tank. They include things like proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Micronutrients are things you need in smaller amounts for very specific tasks in your body. Going back to the car analogy, they would be the things like oil, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluid. Not as immediate a concern as gas. But you wouldn’t want to drive without them! 

Generally, micronutrients are divided into two categories, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re curious, the main difference between the two is that vitamins are purely organic. They can be broken down by acid or heat. Minerals, meanwhile, are inorganic and indivisible. As far as nutrition goes, they work close to the same way. 

Why Micronutrients Matter

Just because your body needs something in a small amount doesn’t mean it’s not essential. Every vitamin and mineral has a particular role in your body. If you’re lacking even just one micronutrient, you’ll start to suffer from serious health consequences. Don’t believe us? Following is a quick list of some of the most vital micronutrients and what happens when you miss out on them. 

Minerals 

Calcium: Calcium is a necessity for healthy bones and teeth. If you’re missing out on calcium, you can develop osteoporosis or cataracts. 

Iodine: This mineral helps with thyroid function. Missing out on it can cause swelling, weight gain, weakness, hair loss, skin conditions, and even memory loss. 

Iron: Your muscles need iron in order to get the oxygen they need. Without it, you’ll be anemic and short of breath. 

Phosphorus: You need Phosphorus for healthy cells. Deficiency in phosphorus results in stiffness, fatigue, and anxiety. 

Potassium: This mineral helps regulate fluid in your cells and your nerves and muscles. Without it, you’ll be cramping, aching, and have blood pressure issues. 

Magnesium: Magnesium helps with managing your blood pressure. Signs you’re lacking include tremors and twitches. 

Sodium: Like Potassium, you need sodium to manage the fluid levels of your cells, plus for handling blood pressure. Without enough sodium, you’ll end up lethargic and confused. 

Zinc: This mineral is vital for proper growth and immune function – super essential for kids! Without it, you can expect a weakened immune system and stunted growth. 

Vitamins 

Vitamin A: You need plenty of Vitamin A for your eyes and organs to work correctly. Night blindness and a weakened immune system follow if you’re lacking it. 

Vitamin B1: Known as thiamine, this vitamin is necessary for turning other nutrients into actual energy. A deficiency in vitamin B1 can lead to nerve damage, anorexia, and even memory loss. 

Vitamin B2: Also known as riboflavin, you need B2 in order to produce energy and for your cells to function. A deficiency in B2 can do some nasty things to your appearance, including giving you skin disorders and hair loss. 

Vitamin B3: Niacin (B3) helps us get energy from our food. Not getting enough B3? Enjoy a nasty combination of dementia and diarrhea. 

Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid (B5) is used to help your body break down fatty acids. Deficiency is rare but unpleasant, including vomiting, stomach pains, and fatigue.

Vitamin B6: Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is needed to help turn carbohydrates into sugar and create new red blood cells. Without enough of it, you’ll suffer from anemia, depression, and a weakened immune system. 

Vitamin B7: Biotin (B7) is needed to metabolize your body’s fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose. Signs you’re missing out include hair loss and rashes. 

Vitamin B9: Folate (B9) is used to help form actual DNA and metabolizes protein. If you lack B9, signs include anemia, fatigue, and hair loss. 

Vitamin B12: Cobalamin (B12) is needed for the proper function of red blood cells, your nervous system, and your brain. A deficiency in it will result in loss of muscle coordination and chronic nausea. 

Vitamin C: Technically known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is critical in helping build up the collagen in your skin and boosting your immune system. You’ll find that wounds heal slower without it, and you’ll get nasty issues with your gums. A good juice diet is critical to avoiding getting as scurvy as a pirate! 

Vitamin D: You need Vitamin D for your bones to properly absorb calcium. Without it, your bones will become brittle, and you’ll have issues with insulin levels.

Vitamin E: This Vitamin is necessary for your immune system to work. Without it, you will suffer damage to your nerves and muscle. 

Vitamin K: You need Vitamin K for proper blood clotting and bone growth. Without enough vitamin K, your wounds won’t heal properly. 

Avoiding Micronutrient Deficiencies

That’s a pretty impressive list, isn’t it? As you can see, micronutrients are essential for every part of our lives. And deficiencies in them can be nasty, to say the least. Thankfully, a lot of these deficiencies are pretty rare. By eating a regular balanced diet, you can end up with most of them.

But that’s not always the case. Deficiencies in Vitamins D, B6, and B12, as well as iron and calcium, are more common than you may realize.

Why these ones in particular? Well, these micronutrients can all be found in leafy greens. And that’s something that many of us lack, given our diets are filled with processed foods and animal products. 

This is why a green juice diet can be one of the best short-term steps for your long-term health. By going on a juice detox diet, you can make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. 

Of course, some juice diets end up causing as much harm as good because while they add in some micronutrients, they’re lacking in others. 

Not with Chef V. Our 21 day cleanse comes complete not just with green drink but with detox soup and detox smoothies as well. You can lose weight with a juice diet and get all the health benefits of a wide range of nutritious fruits and vegetables. Like micronutrients, a small juice cleanse can have huge health benefits. 

Common Food Toxins And How to Fight Them With Juice for Detox

We’re going to guess that most people reading this are from at least a somewhat industrialized country or region. Nothing wrong with that, of course! There are certainly plenty of benefits to living in the 21st century. We enjoy comfort and convenience unthought of in earlier ages – including the ability to order Chef V’s green juice detox entirely online.

However, modern life also comes with downsides. Chief among these is the prevalence of artificial flavors, preservatives, and flat-out toxic stuff in our food. To some extent, this is simply a fact of living in a world where food needs to be preserved for transportation across the entire globe. 

That doesn’t mean that you need to accept that you have no control over what gets put into your body. Detox juices are popular for a reason – people are searching for more and more organic options so that they have the power of choice. 

Of course, you can’t avoid toxins and their effects on your digestive system without knowing what toxins actually are. So Chef V is putting together a quick lineup of some of the worst offenders of what you’ll find in modern food.

What Makes a Toxin?

Before we get into a list of toxins in food, it’s essential to understand what that term means. Talking about toxins in foods can be a surprisingly controversial issue. 

Mostly this is semantics. Scientifically a toxin is a harmful substance created within living cells or organisms. However, in the sense of nutrition, a toxin is used to refer to anything harmful that ends up in your food.

Precisely what “harmful” means depends on who you ask. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pretty strict about not letting anything life-threatening into food products. But just because something is safe does not mean that it is healthy or good for you. 

Of course, technically, any substance can be harmful to you if you get enough of it. This can even include things that are usually considered beneficial. Still, there are some substances that you can be pretty confident in cutting out of your diet. 

There’s also the consideration that (despite the best work of the FDA) some really dangerous stuff can sneak into your food, depending on how it’s made.

So, in summation, this list will cover some of the worst substances, artificial or otherwise, that might be sneaking into your grocery list. It will also help explain how worried you really need to be about them.

Added Sugar

Sugar, a toxin? Well, under our definition of what a toxin is, there are plenty of times when sugar could be considered a hazard. Consider how many people seek out juice for detox to get blood sugar levels under control.

Essentially, added sugars refer to things like high fructose corn syrup. These cause you to severely overdose on sugar without adding any nutritional value. Excess added sugar is linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. That sounds pretty toxic to us. 

Added sugars are especially dangerous because they can play havoc with your sense of appetite and cravings. It’s no wonder that green juice detoxes to get blood sugar back under control are so popular. 

Aflatoxin

Aflatoxins are a nut-living fungus connected to various nasty conditions, particularly those affecting your liver. This even includes liver cancer. Aflatoxin is a major concern for those buying nut products in less developed parts of the world. 

In America, concerns over Aflatoxin are less severe. This doesn’t mean it poses no danger at all. If a nut looks discolored or strange, don’t eat it. And make sure that any nut products like peanut butter you eat aren’t expired. Leaving them in the fridge is often the best practice. 

Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that has been used in a variety of plastics since the 50s. This makes it somewhat unique as a toxin in that it affects the container food is packaged in rather than the food itself. You probably remember hearing about worries of Bisphenol A in canned tomatoes or water bottles

While low levels of Bisphenol A might not do you too much harm, higher levels can potentially prove dangerous, particularly to pregnant women. If you want to hedge your bets, simply try to introduce more organic products into your life. Also, make sure not to put plastic containers into the microwave – the heat could cause more significant leaching of Bisphenol A. 

Coumarin

Coumarin is a natural ingredient found in tonka beans and cinnamon. Getting too much coumarin has been linked to damage to kidneys and livers. However, in the United States, tonka beans are often banned. As for cinnamon, you should be fine as long as you aren’t doing daily cinnamon challenges!

Diacetyl

Diacetyl is a food product that affects you in a rather unorthodox way. Rather than messing with your digestive system, breathing in diacetyl can give you lung disease! Thankfully diacetyl has a narrow application in foods. It’s mainly associated with providing a gross fake “buttery” flavor to things like movie theatre popcorn. Just keep an eye out for this ingredient in any popcorn products you buy.

Free Radicals

Free radicals have entered the public consciousness in a big way recently. These harmful atoms can directly damage human cells, leading to conditions such as cancer. While free radicals occur in chemicals (like those in tobacco products), they’ve also been increasingly found in food, particularly in cooked meat products.

Thankfully for those worried about free radicals, research indicates that you can counter them with foods high in antioxidants. If you think you’ve been going too heavy on the cooked meats, a green juice detox is just what the doctor ordered. 

Mercury

Mercury is one of the better-known toxins out there, particularly when associated with seafood. Too much mercury from fish products can lead to some serious neurological health issues. 

How dangerous seafood is depends on the kind. Swordfish and sharks are significant sources of mercury, but those probably aren’t staples of your diet. The most common high-mercury fish purchased in grocery stores is canned tuna. Keep an eye out for organic or mercury-free options!

Trans Fats 

We started this list with the ubiquitous ingredient of added sugar, so it seems fitting we’d end it with the similarly ubiquitous trans fats. Generally, your body does need a little bit of fat in your food. Trans fats, however, are artificially created and added to foods to give them a longer shelf life. They add extra fat content without any real nutritional value. Any artificially preserved foods are going to be heavy on trans fats. They’ll make you put on the pounds, with no nutritional benefit to speak of. 

Don’t Sweat the Toxins – Get Juice for Detox

If trans fats worry you, organic is the way to go. And if you want to lose weight and get the effects of those trans fats out of your system, then juice for detox is the way to go. With Chef V’s green juice detox, you’re guaranteed a weight loss strategy that features only the freshest juice recipes. With Chef V’s fresh juice, you get only the vegetables and fruits you need for a successful green juice detox – nothing more, nothing less. 

Are Green Drinks Safe for Kids to Drink?

Can children enjoy green juice? You may have asked this question if you’re a Chef V customer with a family. After all, being a kid in America is difficult when it comes to healthy eating. 

You’ll be happy to learn that the answer is, of course!

Let’s get one fact established first and foremost, however. It’s certainly not a great idea for a child to undergo a juice cleanse! A child needs constant nutrition for their growing bodies. Juice cleanse nutrition is designed to give adults everything they need, not children. Kids are also less likely to understand how to pace themselves on a juice cleanse. 

However, the need for plenty of vitamins and minerals means that incorporating green drinks into your kid’s diet can work out great. Here are some of the reasons why. 

Green Drinks are Delicious and Nutritious

Getting kids to eat their vegetables has been a battle for parents throughout history. However, with green drinks, you can give your kids a tasty beverage that can go along with any meal, no matter what you’re eating.

Ever felt bad because you had to go for the fast and easy option instead of turning into a vegan supercook for the night? Well, worry no more! Cleansing juicing drinks are a fantastic way to sneak in leafy greens along with any meal.

Green drinks are convenient in their portability as well. This makes them great for school lunches or refreshments at a sporting event. 

Of course, it’s not all about convenience. Nutrition is essential for anyone, regardless of age. The benefits of blended juice are pretty well understood by anyone who takes health seriously. 

However, nutrients and vitamins are even more important for growing children. Brain and body development are constantly ongoing during the early stages of childhood. You need to make sure you give those growing bodies everything they need for success.

Dealing With Picky Drinkers

Naturally, not every kid will take to vegetable juice immediately, especially if they are used to sweeter fruit juices. If your kid is a picky drinker, there are plenty of options you can take to try and entice them into some healthier choices.

Firstly, one of the best things you can do is simply make sure you enjoy green drink yourself. By undertaking cleansing juicing, you’ll give your child something to emulate. Children are the ultimate copycats, after all. 

If your kids see you drinking green juice regularly, they’ll want to give it a try too. Similarly, if they see you enjoying plenty of fresh fruit and avoiding processed foods, they’ll also copy those patterns. 

The younger you start, the better as well. Kids often develop a love of sweet things simply by becoming used to them. If you start them on green juice recipes early, it will merely become a healthy part of their regular routine. 

You can also try to make green drinks more “fun” with a bit of imagination. Crazy straws and special cups are a good start. But you can also turn it into popsicles or other frozen versions. This will get kids curious and engaged with the taste. 

In some cases, kids might just not like the taste of green drink – and that’s okay! Children usually don’t need to worry about losing weight or having eating disorders. If you still want to get them to enjoy the taste, you can add additional apple juice to the green drink to make it more palatable. 

If you want to get some green drink into your family’s diet, then make sure to check out our Chef V plans

Juice for Detox for a Better Mood

Some days you’re just not up for it. And you know what? That’s okay. Depression, anxiety, and panic are rampant in America. You’re not alone in feeling like this. 

But life doesn’t have a handbrake. There is a ton of pressure to be your best self from the start of the week until the end. And that’s pure nonsense. It’s okay to feel bad once in a while. Your emotions are your emotions, and they’re healthy to accept.

That said, it’s hard to tackle a week’s worth of work if you’re constantly feeling down and irritable. Everyone is looking for the secrets to improving their mood. Thankfully, little things can have a massive impact on how you feel. 

In fact, some juice for detox could be just the ticket to help you get ready to kick butt. How can green drink help? Glad you asked!

The Power of Green Drink Ritual

Throughout human history, people have developed personal, cultural, and religious rituals. It’s just a part of the human experience. Rituals help calm us down, providing a moment of comforting consistency in our busy lives. Having a routine helps keep us focused and feeling productive. Even simple everyday tasks give us little jolts of confidence. 

A morning ritual of green drink will make you feel like you’re taking an important healthy step. That’s just the sort of positivity you need to start your day with!

Super Ingredients

Suppose you can find a quality organic juice cleanse with delicious ingredients. There’s a good chance many of those ingredients also come with mood-boosting powers.

Take the products that come with our cleanses – our green drinks, detox smoothies, and detox soups. They include tons of great ingredients for mood, including some of these superstars: 

  • Ginger: Boosts those serotonin levels, giving you a feel-good buzz. Ginger can also help you cut down on nausea and muscle pain – good feelings all around!
  • Kale: Beyond being great at putting the “detox” in juice for detox, kale provides the nutrients your brain needs to work and helps beat excess fatigue. 
  • Collard Greens: Beyond boosting your immune system, these healthy greens contain choline, a fantastic mood booster

The Keys to Fitness 

A detox juice cleanse is more than just the great ingredients, of course. It’s a way for you to cut down on your blood sugar, lose weight, and cut the toxins and bad stuff right out of your balanced diet. And that’s not even getting into how much better you’ll feel with a healthy digestive system.

Being overweight or having issues with blood sugar are linked to mood issues. In fact, the line between physical health and mood is a thinner one than you might think. If you’re feeling terrible, then your mood probably isn’t going to be great, will it?

Thankfully with Chef V, you can ensure you’re getting your fruits and vegetables and staying in the best mood possible. You’ll also be on track to meet your weight loss goals. The week may seem long, but you’re sure to master it with Chef V and our delicious green drink

Worst Ways to Boost Your Energy

As juice detox diets have taken over the internet, we know 3 day juice cleanses boost productivity, metabolism, and energy levels. With so many methods to energize, there are endless yet overwhelming options in the market. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to stay energized throughout the day? If you’re confused about energy drinks, coffee, tea, energy shots, and topical patches- and still wondering what is the best way to stay energized? Let us guide you!  As the best juice detox diet company, we know a thing or two about staying energized, especially if you’re constantly exploring innovative ways to stay energized. 

Ask yourself this, do you find yourself chugging down energy drinks and large cups of coffee to keep up with your daily tasks? And find yourself crashing post midday? Well, it’s time to switch to a more sustainable energy source- Juice detox diets!  This blog guides you through some options you need to steer clear of for better energy levels throughout the day. From caffeine to energy drinks- we discuss it all. 

Do you want to get a headstart on your day, but you’re having difficulty feeling energized? Here’s how you can feel unstoppable in the morning.

You Don’t Need Energy Drinks: Here’s Why

The sad truth about energy drinks is that with an influx of consumption there have been increased trips to the ER. Most energy drinks have adverse side effects on your heart, leading to irregular heart beating, palpitations, and increased blood pressure. They’re often loaded with sugar, preservatives, artificial flavoring, and caffeine.

Here’s a perspective: a cup of coffee has about 70-100MG of caffeine, whereas an average energy drink contains about 100-250mg of caffeine. Short-term consumption of multiple energy drinks results in significant drawbacks, such as an increase in cardiac QT intervals- resulting in sudden death. As there isn’t much research on topical energy patches, it can’t be proved that they’re a reliable source of energy, unlike the juice detox diet.

Steer Clear Of Sugar

In the US added sugars account for almost 20% of calories consumed by an adult, when in reality the dietary guidelines suggest about 10% or less per day. Frequently, just consuming one prepacked sweetened drink like artificially flavored juices, energy drinks, or soda can put you above your daily sugar intake. Heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure levels, and obesity are significant concerns associated with consuming too much sugar.

  • Causes weight gain
  • Tooth decay
  • Linked to acne and other skin conditions
  • Puts you at risk of depression
  • It can cause skin aging and damage
  • Increased kidney and liver risks

A great alternative to sugary drinks is fresh juices, unsweetened juices, or a juice detox diet. At Chef V, our 7-day juice cleanse improves your metabolism, gives you energy, and removes toxins from your body. They are packed with flavors and natural sugars and the added benefits. 

Boost Your Energy, Naturally. 

Here are some of the best practices to sustain your energy levels throughout the day. Keeping a journal and track of all the activities can help you plan your day better, resulting in less fatigue.  

  • Light exercise
  • Include energy foods
  • Meditation
  • Include raw and fresh fruits and veggies in your diet
  • Take small breaks throughout the day
  • Delegate and divide tasks
  • Get adequate sleep at night

Lifestyle changes will ensure your energy levels are stable throughout the day. Chef V’s juice detox diet include fiber-packed green drinks, detox soups, and protein shakes. They provide you with consistent energy throughout the day, without any crashes. As our 7-day cleanses are filled with juices packed with phytonutrients and essential amino acids, they improve digestion and mood and increase metabolism.

Why Organic Produce Helps You Lose Weight

Why Organic Produce Helps You Lose Weight

There are a lot of apparent benefits to organic food. It’s tasty, for one, and it’s much less likely to have a bunch of weird stuff like preservatives or chemicals in it. But it’s often claimed that organic food can also help you lose weight. Since all our detox juice cleanses are organic cleanses, this is a pretty exciting claim for us. But does this really hold true? Let’s find out!

So What Counts as Organic?

Essentially, organic food is that which has been grown without any artificial ingredients. This means no chemicals, artificial pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms are used during the growing of the food. There’s also generally an overlap between “Organic Foods” and “Whole Foods.” This means that even after the food is ready for packaging, it uses a minimum of preservatives and additives. The closer something is to the natural cycle of growth and consumption, the more organic it is.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t actually handle any food labeling as organic or not. Instead, it’s run by the National Organic Program (NOP), part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They handle giving out the seals and labels to mark something as organic. So keep your eye out for these certifications when you buy an organic cleanse.

Why is Organic a Big Deal?

Organic cleanses and foods are such a hot topic because of worries about things like preservatives and other additives to food. No one wants to be eating something that could be potentially harmful.

Many chefs and foodies will also swear by the tastiness of organic food. Because organic food is low in things like preservatives, it’s generally prepared more freshly. While this can make getting organic food somewhat more complex, it’s often well worth the taste.

Organic food is also considered to be healthier. This is because processed foods tend to remove a lot of nutrients in the, well, process of making them. Organic food has more of its original goodness in it, so you are more likely to get maximum nutritional value out of it. For example, studies have been linked to higher levels of antioxidants and other immune boosters in organic foods.

What About Weight Loss?

Generally, weight loss is about amounts and types of food. The less you eat, the less weight you gain from any sort of food. However, organic foods do have a lot going for them. Firstly, since they have more nutritional punch, they’re more likely to fill them up, and you’re less likely to overeat.

Secondly, organic foods are less likely to have added artificial fats and sugars. These additions tend to create foods that cause you to put on a lot of weight without giving you many nutritional benefits.

Lastly, the benefits of having food you actually enjoy can’t be underestimated. If you have a lot of tasty organic food on hand, you’ll be more likely to savor it and take your time rather than filling up on empty calories.

Looking For a Great Dose of Organic?

If you’re looking for the best organic cleanse out there, then you’re in luck. From our famous 21 day cleanse to our green drinks, everything at Chef V is 100% organic and delicious. Make sure to check out all our organic cleanse options today!

Are Short Juice Cleanses Worth It?

Are Short Juice Cleanses Worth it?

At Chef V, we offer a variety of juice cleanses to suit your needs. Any juice cleanse is an impressive goal – so feel good about undertaking one! However, some people have an attitude that is very “go big or go home” when it comes to juice cleanses. Essentially, unless it’s a full 21 Day Cleanse, it ain’t worth it. But is this true? Do short juice cleanses have their place? We’ll explain here.

What Happens During a Juice Cleanse?

Firstly, you need to understand that not all juice cleanses are made equal. Your ideal juice cleanse will be low in sugar and calories while still giving you all the nutrients and minerals you need to successfully complete the cleanse.

This means that a good juice cleanse is different from simply fasting. Instead of cutting off all food and drink, you’re merely trying to cut down on targeted kinds of food that are dense in carbs, fats, and sugars.

Cutting down on the number of carbs and fats during a juice cleanse will soon dramatically affect your body in terms of weight loss. Essentially, what happens is that your body will start to transfer into the mode of “intermittent fasting.” This means you stop storing fat and instead begin to consume your fat reserves for energy. And presto, you will start to get some serious weight loss.

Cutting back on sugar will also have other significant effects. Once your blood sugar levels stabilize, you’ll start to notice that your sugar cravings diminish. You’ll also find that you have much more consistent energy throughout the day. Eating a lot of sugar, especially refined sugars, will lead to spikes and crashes. Cutting back on the sugar will give you a more stable energy level throughout the day.

So Is a Short Juice Cleanse Worth It?

So we know that juice cleanses have great benefits. But is doing a short 2 day juice cleanse worth it?

You might be surprised to learn that even a very short juice cleanse can have some significant impacts. The main reason is that our body transfers to the “fasting” mode sooner than expected. After just 12 hours of cutting back on the carbs and fat, you can expect the weight loss to begin. True, 2 days might not show a lot of visible weight loss – but it will be present, and you will be on a definite pause from gaining weight.

Getting your blood sugar levels under control is doable with a short juice cleanse, as long as you follow it up with healthy low sugar eating. A 2 day juice cleanse won’t provide miraculous results for your digestive system. But what it can do, is make you feel better about yourself and be an excellent springboard into healthier habits.

Get the Cleanse that Works For You!

At Chef V, we’re all about empowering you to get the exact weight loss results you need. Even a 3 day juice cleanse from Chef V will leave you feeling fantastic and ready to tackle your future health goals. So go check out all our cleanse options, and find what fits you best – or just grab some green drink for a healthy boost!

Before Juice Cleansing – The History of Diets

Before Juice Cleansing – The History of Diets

It’s hard to imagine a time before dieting. Anywhere you go online, you’ll find tons of information about ways that you can maybe, just maybe, lose a few pounds. However, this isn’t a new age desire. People have wanted to get control of their weight, one way or the other, since ancient times. To the ancient Greeks, “diet” or “diaita” represented an entirely healthy way of life, not just your choices with food. We’ve come a long way before the juice cleanses today’s diets, so let’s see where the concept of dieting comes from!

Old School Dieting

For a lot of human history, the idea of a “diet” as we understand it wasn’t really a consideration. For many people, getting enough food was more of a concern than getting too much food. Indeed, being overweight was seen as fashionable in many places since it was an indicator of wealth.

Some of the wealthiest people in history took the whole “showing off their wealth” a little bit too far. Medieval kings, queens, and other rulers would have been the people most prone to overeating. What’s neat is that these were also the people most likely to have records about their attempts to combat their overeating.

Take Sancho I of Spain, given the rather unflattering title of “Sancho the Fat.” Sancho apparently ate seven meals a day, mainly focused on meat. Naturally, this kind of diet led to the king developing what we would call today “morbid obesity”.

Sancho I lived in 10th Century Medieval Spain, and he didn’t really know much about nutrition or dieting. In fact, his obesity got so bad that he was deposed as king! Thankfully, Sancho managed to run into one of the first nutritionists, Hasdai ibn Shaprut, a Jewish physician.

What’s sort of crazy is that Hasdai ibn Shaprut recommended Sancho take what could be considered the predecessor of an early juice cleanse diet, drinking a mixture of roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. Sancho managed to lose enough weight to retake his throne – which just goes to prove the power of a good juice diet or liquid cleanse.

Of course, not all liquid diet trends were great back in olden times. It was surprisingly popular to adopt a diet of severe calorie restriction… mixed with copious amounts of alcohol. Apparently, it worked for many medieval noblemen, but we wouldn’t recommend swapping your green drink for a martini today!

Modern Diets

What we consider to be the more “modern” style of diet can be said to have emerged in England. During the 18th and 19th centuries, England prospered on the world stage thanks to a global empire – which also meant there was a lot more tasty food being imported to Britain to enjoy. However, this was also a time when science was taking off, and there was a much more rigorous approach to dieting.

One of the first people to prescribe a diet was the 18th century English Physician George Cheyne. As an up-and-coming doctor, Cheyne got the bright idea that to best connect with potential patients in his area, he should spend as much time at local taverns as possible. Too many beers and bar snacks ended up giving Cheyne a bad case of obesity.

Cheyne decided, as a doctor, it was time to prescribe himself a solution. He was mocked at the time for his idea – a diet that dropped meats in favor of more vegetables. Despite the doubters, Cheyne’s diet worked wonders. He even penned a best-selling book about it – making him maybe the first nutritional blogger in history.

The Diet Craze

If we’re going to talk about the real rise of dieting as a craze, then we definitely need to cover William Banting. An undertaker living in Victorian Britain, Banting’s family handled funeral arrangements for the British Royal Family. This was a prestigious duty, but Banting’s comfortable lifestyle resulted in a less than comfortable waistline.

Since there weren’t really juice cleanse diets yet, Banting was on his own as far as coming up with a solution. He eventually found success in the advice of physician William Harvey, who was studying the diabetes management ideas of French doctor Claude Bernand. Banting seemed like the perfect chance to experiment with these ideas.

Banting’s diet focused on cutting the carbohydrates and sugars out of his diet – something that should be familiar to anyone interested in modern juice cleanse diets. The program was a resounding success. Banting would shed his pounds and live into his 80s. Banting was so excited by the change in his body that he shared his experience widely, starting one of the first dieting crazes in Victorian England. The Banting diet is still used by some today and is the precursor to the idea of “low carb diets.”

Counting Calories

Once people had figured out about carbs, the next thing on their list would be calories as a whole. At the turn of the century, Diet and Health: With Key to the Calories was published by Lulu Hunt Peters. This book was possibly the first to popularize the idea of “counting calories,” which is a major dietary trend to this day.

Dieting Today

Today, you’ll see ads or advice for dieting anywhere you look. Among the most popular diets of the post-WWII era are the juice diet and its derivative, the juice cleanse. What’s cool about the juice cleanse diet is how you can see the ideas that started it throughout the history of dieting – the desire to cut back on sugars, carbs, and calories.

Of course, not every juice cleanse diet is made equal. With Chef V, you can make sure you are getting a liquid cleanse that you can complete. Between our green drink and detox soups and smoothies, you’ll get all the nutrients and minerals you need to finish even a 21 day cleanse. Plus, it’s just plain delicious!

Why is There an Obesity Epidemic in America?

When it comes to living in America, we tend to take it for granted that controlling our weight will be a constant, lifelong struggle. But did it always have to be this way? We’re, of course, super proud of our 21 day cleanse. This leaves the question, however, of why there is such a demand for effective weight control methods in America? Before you go looking up how to do a juice cleanse, it’s important to understand just how serious the obesity epidemic is in America – and what causes it. 

What An Obesity Epidemic Means

At first glance, calling obesity an epidemic seems a little off. The word epidemic is designed to refer to virulent diseases, after all. However, when it comes to cold, hard numbers, it’s challenging to find a better word. It’s estimated that approximately two-thirds of Americans have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) than is healthy. And in America, roughly a third of all people are obese, which means having a BMI over 30. When you factor in that approximately 4 million people a year die directly from being overweight, it puts the severity of those numbers into real perspective.

Why America?

Contrary to what you might have heard, America isn’t the nation with the highest obesity rates in the world – but it consistently manages to score in the top 20. (If you’re curious, countries from Oceania generally top the list, with Arabic countries also hitting high numbers). 

Why does America manage to keep being a top scorer for obesity? It comes down to a few factors. One of the major ones is, of course, the average American diet. Take as an example a country that consistently scores near the bottom of the obesity list – Japan. The traditional Japanese diet focuses on plenty of seafood, vegetables, and minimal sugar or fat. Perhaps even more importantly, serving sizes are kept modest.

In America, on the other hand, for every advertisement you’ll get for something like a 21 day cleanse, you’ll get two or three for high-fat fast food. America has enjoyed decades of incredibly agricultural bounty, which has encouraged us to go big or go home when it comes to portions. More food, more obesity.

However, there are also more subtle reasons for the rise of obesity in America. A lot of how we work and live is designed to make us gain weight, even if by accident. Take American cities. A lot of American cities are designed to be only navigable by car. A lack of daily options for walking can have a creeping effect on weight gain.

Think of the jobs we do these days as well. You’re much less likely to get outside for your job or even move around the office. Everything we need is conveniently all at a single computer – often right inside our homes. There’s no real incentive to get out of our comfy office chairs. 

And part of it must be chalked up to simply complacency. Obesity in America is nothing new. We’ve been living in the obesity epidemic for so long that we’ve simply accepted it as part of the American landscape. 

The Risks of Obesity 

Obesity might have been reduced to the punchline of jokes at America’s expense, but it’s no laughing matter. Higher BMIs lead to various adverse effects on your overall health, such as a greater risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep apnea, mental illness, and even cancer.

You can get medication and treatment for all these conditions. Still, the best solution is to simply never encounter them at all. That means tackling your high BMI directly to cut back on these severe risks.

Thankfully, just like modern America provides many avenues for weight gain, it also offers many options for weight loss. If you’re looking to quickly lose weight, there’s little more effective than a detox diet. Try out one of our shorter cleanses to get started, or undertake our 21 day cleanse for a guaranteed transformation of your quality of life. 

Understanding Calories

Doing the Math: Understanding Calories

How many calories should you be consuming in a day? Are there different rules for women vs. men? But how exactly do calories work? Is counting calories a legitimate strategy for losing weight? This blog explains the basics you need to know, including covering intermittent fasting vs. calorie counting.

What is a Calorie?

You may be surprised to learn there isn’t a specific thing known as a calorie. Instead, “calorie” is a term of measurement, just like “mile” or “liter.” Specifically, a calorie is a unit used to measure energy.

Our bodies are pretty amazing machines if you stop and think about it. And just like any machine, we need fuel. Such a complex machine needs a complex set of fuel sources. Your body needs water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Water doesn’t have a calorie count, nor do vitamins and minerals. However, we can measure how much energy we get from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in calories.

If you’re interested in the math, every gram of carbs and proteins gives you 4 calories of energy. Every gram of fat gives you 9 calories of energy. This information becomes more useful if you start to count calories and build your own custom meal plan.

Calories and Fat

Many people tend to confuse calories and fat with each other when talking about the healthy (or not healthy) properties of food. Fat is often associated with high calories – as the math we showed demonstrated, fat tends to have more calories per gram than protein or carbs. However, while there are plenty of high-fat foods that are also high in calories (like bacon), just cutting fat isn’t a guarantee of cutting calories. You have to be aware of fats and carbs at the same time.

Calories and Weight Gain

So as we’ve established, calories are energy. But the human body isn’t quite like a car. Calories that we don’t use don’t simply stay in our stomachs waiting for us to use them. Our body extracts and stores them. Unfortunately for us, our body will store the calories of energy as fat to use at a later date. If you eat more calories than you consume as energy, you’ll gain weight. (If you’re wondering, it’s estimated that about 3,500 hundred calories translate to about a pound of body weight).

Intermittent Fasting vs. Calorie Counting

It’s easy to oversimplify calories as a concept. If excess calories equal fat, the solution is then to simply drop the number of calories, right? This sort of approach is often known as calorie counting. It seems like a clear winner, but how effective is it?

One problem is that the amount of calories is only one part of the equation when it comes to the food you eat. Imagine if you ate only potato chips every day, but just very few of them. Your calorie count might be low, but is that really healthy eating?

Plus, no human can tell you precisely how many calories they are burning in a single day. Some days we’re more active than others – and some people simply have more active metabolisms than others.

Intermittent Fasting and Detox Juice Cleanses

Reducing calories is important. But it’s also essential to get plenty of exercise, eat food that has plenty of vitamins and minerals, stay hydrated, and not starve yourself to the point that you can’t maintain your calorie counting.

This is why intermittent fasting and detox juice cleanses are so popular. Essentially, these are temporary reductions in calories from most sources. In something like a 7 day juice cleanse, you may restrict yourself to juices and detox soups and smoothies.

In the end, both methods probably are losing the same amount of calories, and it’s hard to judge them using a “math” method. However, something like a detox juice cleanse is good not just for keeping weight off but also for losing weight.

This is because going on just a 7 day juice cleanse can have impressive effects on your body. To go back to the car analogy, not only do our bodies consume fuel, but we actually can shit into different “gears.” When we reduce our calories through a detox juice cleanse, our body shifts over into a mode where it starts consuming those excess calories stored as fat – hence, weight loss.

Since juice cleanses also tend to be low in things like fats, carbs, and sugars, they also help us get better control of our blood sugar level, and our hunger cravings.

A detox juice cleanse works not just because of the calories you’re losing, but because of what it adds. Too often, calorie counting diets, or hard fasts, end because they’re just not feasible. You just end up feeling too hungry and can’t manage to make it through.

However, something like Chef V’s Blended Juice Cleanse is totally feasible. From our 3 day to 7 day juice cleanse, all the way up to our 21 day detox, all our cleanses contain green drink and other products that are filled with vitamins, minerals and even protein – all the stuff your body needs as essential fuel. This lets you start shedding those pounds quickly and with confidence!

Coolest Vegan Restaurants in the World

With summer coming up, it’s time to travel, get out of the house, and visit some great restaurants. We know a lot of our subscribers are interested in vegetarianism and veganism. So we thought we’d put together a list of some of the most fabulous vegan restaurants worldwide, from the fancy to the fanciful. So we’ll provide your juice cleanse from San Diego or New Jersey this summer while you go looking for some prime spots to eat around the world! Whether you’re a urab-snob or just looking for something funky to enjoy after your juice cleanse diet is over, this list will provide some (vegan) food for thought.

Eleven Madison Park

This one is really fancy – a three-star Michelin Restaurant! Of course, just being fancy isn’t enough to make this list. So what makes Eleven Madison Park so unique? Well, the restaurant wasn’t originally vegan when it was earning its Michelin chops. Just in June of 2021, the restaurant abandoned many of the staples it had based its reputation on to go entirely vegan. The restaurant also operates a sister food truck designed to help New Yorkers suffering from food insecurity.

Haus Hiltl

Haus Hiltl is located in lovely Zurich, Switzerland. Generally, this Alpine country is a place that loves its meat dishes, making Haus Hiltl’s dedication to vegan cuisine all the more impressive. The Haus has grown into its all small chain of restaurants and bars. Its cuisine is known to be home-cooked delights, with a surprising focus on Indian cuisine. But what really puts it on this list is that the original Haus Hiltl is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest vegetarian restaurant in the world!

Kaijitsu

It’s hard to find a list of the best vegan restaurants online that doesn’t include a mention of Kaijitsu (Japanese for “Fine Day”). What makes this New York restaurant unique is its approach to food. Kaijitsu specializes in Shojin cuisine, a kind of vegetarian cooking with roots in Zen Buddhism. Kaijitsu is as much an experience as a restaurant. Only the freshest in-season ingredients are served on pottery made by master Japanese potters – some of which are centuries old!

LOV

Let’s say you’re north of the border in Canada and can’t get your delicious Chef V Liquid Cleanses delivered. What can you do to cheer yourself up? It’s well known that brunch is a big deal in Canada, and if you’re looking for vegan brunch in Montreal or Toronto, no one makes it better than LOV. This beloved Montreal icon is expanding, making it even easier to get their fantastic vegan brunch dishes.

Meta Burger

Did you know that you can get our Chef V cleanse as far off from the coast as Colorado? Did you also know that you can still get a great burger while remaining vegan? Did you guess that all this was leading up to an introduction to Meta Burger? If you want American staples while still remaining vegan, then look no further.

Mildreds

Let’s pop over to the United Kingdom to give them some love, shall we? And what’s more lovely than the famous set of Mildreds restaurants? Established back in the 80s, Mildreds is a staple of London’s vegan restaurant options. Mildreds are all cozy homes away from home, and offer a wide array of global vegan food.

ONA

ONA stands for Origine Non-Animale. This restaurant, found in Arès, France, has historical importance as the first vegan restaurant in France to be awarded a Michelin Star. The restaurant was partially crowd-funded in its creation and founded by a former archaeologist. ONA is unique because of its on-site garden, with over 140 types of plants! Combined with a rotating, seasonal menu, there’s always something new to be found here.

Phatties

Who said that great Mexican food can’t also be vegan? Located near our San Marcos headquarters over in Escondido, Phatties is a great way to indulge yourself after your juice cleanse in San Diego is finished. Vegan quesadillas, vegan taquitos – you name it, they got it.

The Pitted Date

Not many people know it, but you can get a ton of authentic Mexican food, in Mexico, that is also totally vegan. If you’re a tourist, you might need to dig around a little. Unless you’re heading for the sunny beaches of Playa del Carmen. Then you just need to head right on over to the Pitted Date. It’s the only 100% vegan bakery on the Playa, the food is excellent, and all the menus are English. You have no excuse to not give it a look.

Rollin Roots

Since we created our first juice cleanse in San Diego, we want to give the city some love. One of the greatest places for vegan food in San Diego is also one of the most surprising – a food truck! Rollin Roots is dedicated to putting out the most delicious staples of African American comfort food, including Po’ Boys – but all with totally vegan ingredients! After you’re done a liquid cleanse, this is a great way to treat yourself for your accomplishment.

Veganized

If you’re closer to our New Jersey side of operations, then make sure to check out Veganized in New Brunswick. They make all sorts of amazing vegan dishes but are perhaps most famous for their mastery of vegan pizza.

Yellow

If you had to ask a vegan foodie to quickly name a vegan restaurant in Australia, they’d probably shoot back with Yellow. This cozy bistro evokes the golden styling its name suggests. This is absolutely the place to go if you want to commit to your vegan adventure, with full five or seven-course vegan meals!

We really want to keep this list going, but we’re starting to run out of steam! To make sure you don’t run out of steam, check and see if wherever you are in America can get our juice cleanse diet products delivered!

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