Boosting Platelet Counts and Juicing

Today a friend asked if I had any suggestions for raising platelet counts naturally. I have recently discovered the joy of juicing and was thrilled to be able to actually offer her some ideas.

Let me start off by saying the idea of a juicer sounded like something my grandmother would use. Therefore, for a long time I wouldn't let my 30-something year old self even consider the idea of having another appliance on our counter top. Especially not THAT one.

Then we watched the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" on Netflix. The story chronicles the journey of a man who is overweight and dealing with an autoimmune disorder, as he "juices his way to health."

First off, who doesn't want to shed a couple pounds--- so it made me reevaluate the juicer idea. Maybe juicers weren't just for grandmas.

We went out and bought our Breville Juice Fountain Plus (because it was easy to take apart and clean & because we didn't have to chop up the food before we put it in--- it juiced a whole apple without being cut!--- Come on, that's really cool!)

Anyway, we made a basic concoction of kale, green apples, celery, cucumber, some lemon and a bit of ginger root... and it was.... GREEN...

Most juices are not GREEN--- so that took a bit to overcome. The taste however, wasn't objectionable--- making sure it was cold helped. As the days went on, I started to play with the concoction a bit more and add pears and blue berries, and sometimes carrots. The taste improved---but the overall color was still GREEN.

I'm not on a juice "fast"--I know that's trendy for some people right now, but for me I have simply incorporated a juice into my daily meal plan. What I've noticed is what I have dropped from my normal meal plan unintentionally since adding the juice.

The "juice" is actually giving me more energy than my morning coffee did. Weird. So I let go of my morning coffee and replaced it with the "juice." The nice thing is I haven't had that "oh no the caffeine wore off " feeling with the juice. Also, I haven't been craving different "not- so- good- for -me" foods as much. I'm not going to lie and tell you the idea of ordering a big plate of Tikka Masala doesn't sound delicious right this second, but I haven't been wanting cookies and cakes the way I had previously. Hmmmm... juicing.

Then comes all the benefits to someone who has cancer.

I realize as an educated individual I should have made the connection between nutrition and health a long time ago... but honestly I didn't take the time to think about it.

Dark leafy green vegetables, dark skinned berries--- yada, yada, yada--- grandma, grandma, grandma.

Super foods-- improves skin, helps with weight loss, boosts platelets, re-sets your cravings, rejuvenates your body with nutrients--- current, trendy, helpful, something I want!

So when juicing was reframed in my mind, I was willing to try it.

I'm no expert on cancer, weight loss, or super foods, but personally as a novice I can tell you those articles from experts about that list where juicing is concerned might really be on to something.

hmmm... juicing... thanks grandma!