You’ve been eating like crap, drinking too much wine/champagne/Prosecco, not exercising enough and your pants are getting too tight. It’s time for an intervention. But if you’re considering doing a cleanse/detox, is the cure worse than the intervention? Before you splurge on a week’s worth of fancy juice or other detox product, take the time to learn about cleanse side effects.
If you’ve come to this article because you’re researching “cleanse side effects,” allow me to introduce myself and help you steer clear of negative symptoms many people experience while trying to reboot their metabolism and give their detoxification system some TLC. My name is Veronica Wheat. I’m a certified nutritional therapist and founder of ChefV.com. I grew up in Palm Desert, CA and started my nutrition career in the San Diego area as a private chef. One thing I offered to my clients was a veggie juice with these 7 leafy green veggies: black kale, green kale, collard greens, green leaf lettuce, curly parsley, green chard, and dandelion, all sweetened with a tiny bit of organic green apple and apple juice. (You have to have a tiny bit of sweetness otherwise it tastes too much like grass clippings.) Anyways, demand for this healthy juice steadily increased, not only with my clients but with their friends and their friends’ friends, and so on. Eventually (this was in 2012), there was enough demand for the juice that my husband, Brandon, convinced me to launch a business delivering this ORGANIC GREEN DRINK to people’s homes. Brandon quit his job to help me with my new business, ChefV.com. Because of the soaring popularity of juice cleanses, I created my own cleanse and detox protocols. The reason I entered the highly competitive, overly-saturated juice cleanse market was because I saw a pressing need (pun definitely not intended, as my Green Drink is cold-blended not pressed to preserve the fiber). I realized that practically every fancy juice cleanse on the market was the same. The leading juice cleanses on the market all have the same flaws that cause side effects in many people.
The problem with most juice cleanse or detox products: Why are juice cleanses made this way? Because it’s cheaper to include sugary fruits than high-nutrient-dense green, leafy veggies. Also if someone isn’t trained in reading food labels and sees that the juice is green, they will automatically think it’s healthy. In other words, most juice companies place one green veggie in the bottle but the rest of the ingredients are tropical fruits. So the juice looks healthy but is actually loaded with blood-sugar-spiking fructose (fruit sugar). Many juice cleanse companies load their products with 30-50 grams of sugar per bottle! (Organic Green Drink contains just 3 grams of sugar per 8 oz serving.) How can they get away with this? Well, if their customers think it’s healthy because it’s green and get hooked on the taste because they’re already addicted to sugar, then let the buyer beware.
So what do most people feel when they do a commercial juice cleanse? Without a doubt, they can lose weight pretty quickly. And isn’t that the point of doing a cleanse? If you’re invited to a wedding in Cabo in a few short weeks and you have to lose weight fast to fit in that new dress, isn’t the devil in the details? I’m here to tell you that there’s no point in losing weight quickly if it will make you feel miserable. There’s also no point in wasting your money if you’re quickly going to put the weight back on. The fact is that you can lose weight safely and steadily and keep it off without experiencing side effects. I’ll tell you how in just a moment. But first, here’s what consuming only (mostly) fruit juice for 3, 5, 7, 10 or more days will do to you: And that’s just by day 3 usually. The longer you do one of those crazy juice cleanse or detox diets, the more likely it is you’ll experience more severe juice cleanse side effects such as heart arrhythmia (a rapid heart beat from a lack of electrolytes and trace minerals from solid, whole-food).
Whether doing a juice cleanse, a colon cleanse or taking detox supplements, here’s the best way to support your health and avoid side effects. Before starting any cleanse/detox protocol, it’s critical that you do a pre-cleanse. That means no immediate transition from eating mostly fast food and processed food to doing the cleanse. It also means no subsisting on caffeine and energy drinks and then quitting cold turkey. You need to gradually change your habits for a minimum of 3 days. Ideally, 7 days would be great but I realize many people want immediate results. However, I refuse to compromise about doing a minimum of a 3-day pre-cleanse to avoid any detoxification side effects. Now the question becomes what’s a pre-cleanse and how do you go about it? The answer is so simple yet I’ve never seen any other juice cleanse business educate customers about the pre-cleanse. That’s why I designed the ChefV.com 1-DAY, 3-DAY and 5-DAY cleanse with pre-cleanse (and post-cleanse) instructions. Basically, ChefV.com provides you with several practical resources such as an EAT THIS/NOT THAT guide, a HEALTHY PORTIONS guide and an e-cookbook I wrote with dozens of recipes, including healthy mocktails and smoothies.
Most juice cleanses are just that, a menu that consists only of juice (to reiterate: mostly fruit juice with a tiny bit of green veg to trick ya into thinking it’s healthy). But to avoid the side effects I listed above, you have to consume more than just juice. Now I know what you may be thinking. How can I detox my liver and digestive system if I’m eating? Who said anything about eating? With the ChefV.com CLEANSE, I provide you with not only 4 Green Drinks per day but also 2 vegan Protein Shakes and 1 DETOX SOUP. The protein shakes provide ultra-absorbable pea protein to maintain your lean muscle mass and prevent brittle nails and hair. The Detox Soup accelerates the purging of toxins from the body and contains a tiny bit of healthy dietary fat to prevent cravings. Now ask yourself this: Have you ever seen a cleanse that offers protein shakes and detox soup? If you have, there’s a good chance they’re copying us, but hey, as they say, imitation is the best form of flattery.
In addition to doing a ChefV.com cleanse, here are other things I recommend:
Thousands of satisfied ChefV.com customers can’t be wrong. If I staked my reputation entirely just on the number of pounds my customers lost, well, I’d be like McDonald’s (over 1 billion served). It’s not about the number on the scale. It’s about how the Chef V community feels. Awesome, rock-steady energy, no caffeine needed, healthy-looking skin, stable mood, high vibrations and yes, looser-fitting jeans. Got any questions about my cleanse and 21 Day Detox program? Feel free to email me at [email protected]. To your health and happiness, Veronica “V” Wheat
Why Juice Cleanses Lead to Side Effects
The Most Common Juice Cleanse Side Effects
How To Avoid Cleanse Side Effects
Pre-Cleanse
Avoid Juice Cleanse Side Effects By Having More than Juice
Another thing to look for in a cleanse is to learn what to do immediately after the cleanse is over. That’s why I provide all my cleanse customers with instructions on how to keep the results going. 
Other Ways To Avoid Cleanse Side Effects
Experience The Chef V Cleanse Difference
ChefV.com founder
Tag: chef v
How V Quickly Lost 45 Pounds After Having Her Baby—Without Exercising
Two short months after giving birth to almost 10-pound Kaden Samuel Kress, Veronica — the “V” in Chef V” — has lost 45 pounds of the 55 she gained. Just 10 more extra pregnancy pounds to shed and V will return to her pre-pregnancy shape. What’s her secret and tips for postpartum weight loss?
I’m stoked! I just got clearance from my OBGYN to resume my pickleball obsession, hit the gym and practice yoga. I’m soooo ready to get back to my active lifestyle. It’s not like I was a total sedentary sloth after giving birth to baby Kaden. I made sure to move around a little here and there. But giving birth is not only a miracle, it’s exhausting! Rest and recovery are just what the doctor ordered.
But going two months without engaging in my favorite physical activities was starting to drive me crazy. Being super active and then having to stop for weeks is like telling a tiger to ditch its stripes.
Despite feeling shackled and prohibited from doing high-impact exercise, the post-partum speed bump in my belly has almost completely flattened. And most importantly, I feel amazing. I’ve lost 45 of the 55 pounds I gained during my pregnancy. How did I do it without spending hours on the pickleball court or running on the beach and completely abstaining from serious exercise?
The Answer to V’s Post-Partum Weight Loss Success
Well, I’m not just the founder of ChefV.com, I’m also a client. And no B.S. here, I attribute my quick post-partum recovery to ORGANIC GREEN DRINKS and diet.
If you’re planning on giving birth soon or down the road and you want to know the secret to quick post-partum weight loss, I realize my answer might be disappointing.
Maybe you were hoping I’d reveal a few tricks. But completely getting rid of the pregnancy pounds is not magic. It’s actually very simple. And no matter what stage of life you’re in, whether you’re trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, are nursing, or done raising kids, it always comes down to diet. Pure and simple.
The Green Drinks are a tremendous help though in the post-partum phase because they eliminate cravings. Just like I did before I got pregnant (and while pregnant), I started each day by drinking a glass of water with fresh lemon juice. After 30 minutes, I’ll have at least 8 ounces of Organic Green Drink. If I’m still feeling hungry, I’ll make a plant-based protein smoothie. Even with my increased appetite due to breastfeeding, the Green Drink/smoothie combo leaves me satisfied until my first real meal of the day in the early afternoon.
Like I said, it’s no rabbit-out-of-the-hat routine. It’s a whole-food, nutrient-dense liquid breakfast followed by a well-balanced lunch and dinner and a healthy snack or two if I really need it.
How Long Should It Take To Lose Pregnancy Weight?
Is it okay to take your time losing pregnancy weight? Nobody would blame you if you did. But you might not want to take too much time. That’s because according to a 2019 study published in the journal Nutrition, postpartum weight retention is both a short- and long-term risk factor for being overweight and obese. The researchers write, “Postpartum obesity has remained a clinical and public health challenge. The greater gestational weight gain is a strong predictor of higher postpartum weight retention.” In other words, the more weight you put on during pregnancy, the more weight you’ll have to lose after you give birth.
Again, it’s not rocket science.
But it’s not just how much you weigh after you give birth that’s at stake. It’s also your overall health. “The physiological and biological changes coupled with high-calorie intake and restricted physical activity may further augment the risk of higher postpartum weight retention, weight gain and related metabolic comorbidities later in life,” suggests a research study in an Indian OBGYN journal.
So what’s a decent goal for losing pregnancy weight? That same journal suggests that postpartum women with normal body weight but substantial postpartum weight retention — at least 10 pounds — as compared to pre-pregnancy body weight “should be motivated to attain pre-pregnancy body weight over a period of 12 months after delivery.”
Ten pounds in a year? Easy peasy. Especially if instead of eating a typical American breakfast, you’re replacing it with a Green Drink and a protein smoothie.
Other advice from the experts:
- Don’t skip meals.
- Avoid crash- or fad-diets.
- Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
- Include fermented and sprouted foods in your diet.
- Take a supplement that includes calcium, iron and vitamin D if your obstetrician recommends doing so.
- Limit consumption of high-caffeine drinks such as tea and coffee.
- Limit your intake of fatty foods, sugar and salt.
- Consume lots of green leafy vegetables and whole grains to encourage breast milk production. (Can’t stand eating green-leafy veggies? Drink them instead.)
These days I'm enjoying my Mandarin Asian Salad with my Almond Flour Crusted Chicken.
How Quickly Should You Resume Exercise After Giving Birth?
That study from India I mentioned? It says that postpartum women with uncomplicated delivery should be encouraged to gradually resume physical activity within four to six weeks post-delivery or as soon as they feel comfortable.
Women with cesarean or complicated deliveries should gradually resume physical activity after their first postpartum check-up (i.e. six to eight weeks post-delivery).
No matter what, postpartum women “must be encouraged to engage in low impact exercises such as walking and gradually include core muscle group strengthening exercises,” the researchers suggest.
Shoot for building up to 5 days a week of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, including some muscle-strengthening activity.
Eat This, Not That For Post Partum Weight Loss
I love giving back. It’s a research-backed way to feel awesome. And one way I want to pass it on is to offer a free download of my e-cookbook, Making Cleansing Easier. If you follow the recipes, diet resources and instructions to a “V” then you should have no trouble losing the pregnancy pounds.
The appetizers, snacks, drinks, entrees and even desserts include powerful anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense ingredients.
But look, everybody and post-partum body is different. Take it easy. Be kind to yourself. If it takes you 6-12 months to lose the baby weight, then so be it. In fact, it’s common for it to take that long. But your baby is a precious lifetime miracle, so focus more on that bundle of joy than the meaningless number on the scale. If you eat real food the overwhelming majority of the time, you’ll feel great and that’s what counts.
To your health—and baby’s!
Love,
Veronica “V” Wheat
Founder, ChefV.com
A Research Study Worth “Weighting” For: CHEF V Clinically Proven For Weight Loss
The word “detox” has dubious connotations: Slick-marketed detox pills, crazy fad diets, water fasts, and fruit juice fasts. So it’s no wonder most people put more weight back on than before trying a detox.
It’s also not surprising that few research studies have proven the effectiveness of detox supplements. That is until now! An independent laboratory has recently concluded that Chef V’s Detox and Green Drink leads to significant weight loss.
#MakeDetoxesHealthyAgain
I should implement this on social media immediately!
One question we’re asked almost daily on DM is if Chef V Detox is effective for weight loss. “Will I keep the weight off?” customers want to know.
Despite thousands of customer success stories, it’s inevitable that not everybody who reaches out to us tries the 21 DAY DETOX.
And I can’t say I blame them.
So many people have been burned by ineffective detoxes in the past. Maybe they lost a bunch of water weight (and were glued to the toilet in the process). But they put the weight back on after the detox.
I get it. Detoxing sometimes has a bad rap. But, unfortunately, there’s a lot of crappy detox products out there.
But doing a safe and effective detox can be transformative. For the better part of two decades, I’ve believed in the power of detoxing whenever I needed to improve:
- Elimination: Less constipation
- Liver function: Clearer-looking skin
- Digestive enzyme function: Enhanced nutrient absorption and digestion
- Inflammation: Lower levels of C-Reactive Protein
- Energy: Better physical energy and mental stamina
- Body composition: Less stored body fat (WEIGHT LOSS)
That’s why several years ago, I created the Chef V 21 DAY DETOX. My goal was to develop a safe and effective detox program with amazing results that lasted well past the end of the three weeks.
In addition, I wanted to provide the education that customers so desperately need to keep the weight loss results going and adopt lifelong healthy habits.
Even though I knew in my heart that the detox program I created was effective, most mainstream health websites will tell you that there’s minimal scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of detox programs for weight loss.
Well, it was time to put my money where my mouth was and not just rely on anecdotal evidence to back my claims. It was time to put CHEF V’s Detox under the microscope.
Clinical Trial Results: Participants Lose Avg. 8 POUNDS
Recently, CHEFV.com commissioned Santa Monica-based Citrus Labs to independently analyze the effects of following a 21 DAY STARTER DETOX, followed by a 7-day ORGANIC GREEN DRINK PLAN, for a total of 28 days.
For the clinical trial, 38 men and women between the ages of 31-65 were recruited. At the beginning of the trial, participants weighed, on average, 176 pounds. By the end of the 28 days, the participants’ average body weight was 168 pounds. Of course, some people lost significantly more than 8 pounds.
(If you check out our SUCCESS STORIES, you’ll see that people who have more weight to lose have lost an impressive amount, in some cases over 50 pounds in just 21 days. And the best part is they have kept the weight off!)
Now, if you don’t think 8 pounds is a lot in 28 days, I want you to consider two things.
First, none of the study participants had any chronic metabolic disorders such as obesity or type 2 diabetes. In other words, study participants didn’t necessarily have a significant amount of weight to lose.
And secondly, going from 176 to 168 is a drop of almost 4.5%. Imagine melting away nearly 5% of your body, especially the part you least want to keep.
But it wasn’t just the impressive weight loss that the participants were stoked about. Nearly 80% of the participants said they felt in a better mood, and over 72% felt they had more energy. And 88% felt better overall.
I can’t say I was surprised by the results. That’s because in creating the 21 DAY DETOX, I didn’t have just the scale in mind. Instead, my mission was to create a detox program that safely improves digestion and elimination while teaching customers how to eat healthily for the rest of their lives.
“Participants experienced a significant reduction in weight across the trial, losing 7.74 pounds on average. Overall, Chef V products were very effective at promoting positive changes in biomarkers measured during this trial.”
—Citrus Labs
Mackenzie's Success Story
During my 21 day detox I lost 19 lbs! My BMI went from 24.0 to 16.9! I am super excited for when I do my next detox because I will be doing the expert challenge! LOVE LOVE LOVE Chef V.” – Mackenzie
Chef V Weight Loss Study Detox Method
So how did the participants lose all that weight and feel great? By, as I like to joke, following the directions to a “V.”
A Chef V Starter Detox has 3 phases:
- Days 1-7: Healthy Routine
- Days 8-10: 3 Day Cleanse
- Days 11-21: Healthy Routine
For the first and third phases, study participants prepared lunch and dinner from Chef V’s Meal Planner, which contains delicious recipes, helpful tips, and resources such as a healthy portion guide, an Eat This/Not That chart, and more. For breakfast, participants enjoy a 16 oz. Green Drink and then are encouraged to have a vegan protein shake (also provided by Chef V) 30 minutes later.
During the 3 Day Cleanse phase, participants consumed four 16 oz servings of Green Drink, two vegan protein shakes, and a Detox Soup for dinner. All three Chef V products—GREEN DRINK, PROTEIN SHAKE, DETOX SOUP—supply the nutrition you need for optimal health outcomes, including healthy and sustained weight loss.
There’s no need to do a radical fast to lose weight. Instead, you can fuel your body with healthy carbs, lean protein, and a tiny bit of dietary fat and not have to skip meals to achieve a healthy weight loss.
And now we have the science to back it up.
Experience what the Chef V study participants felt. Learn more about Chef V Detox options here.
Rick's Success Story
“I noticed that there is a lack of 21 Day Cleanse reviews, compared to 3 day, 5 day, and 7 day reviews. So I feel obliged to share my experience.
This is not the first time I have done a cleanse, so I have others to compare it to as well. In a nut shell: CHEF V ROCKS! Thats the simple version. The long version is that the 21 Day Cleanse is worth every penny, it is a challenge, and it is positively altering!
So far, I am down a whopping total of 51 LBS, due in part to Chef V's 21 Day Cleanse! From day 1 to day 21 of the challenge, I lost a total of 22lbs….and I continue to lose weight. This cleanse has aftershocks.
(BOOOOOOOM!)” – Rick
Chef V’s Cooking with V – Vegan Moussaka
Welcome to Chef V's Cooking School!
I'm Veronica, Certified Nutritional Therapist, author, and proud owner of Chef V. You might know me for my Green Drink and Cleanses, but I started Chef V as a personal chef. In my first video cooking series, I'll be sharing some of my clients' favorite recipes with you.
Using this blog and my YouTube channel, I welcome you to my kitchen. We're going to laugh, learn and cook – together.
In this special episode, we have a virtual guest. Michael lost over 200lbs with Chef V and implemented a healthy lifestyle. His story is so inspiring. We make a vegan version of moussaka using a dairy-free Béchamel sauce and mushrooms instead of meat.
Michael says:
“I’ve reached my goal weight in June, losing a total of 245 plus pounds over the last 22 months. Chef V has helped in this as my morning drink since I started my Green Drink Plan from you. Thank you.”
Vegan Moussaka
Step by Step
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil, divided use
- 1/4 cup sliced white onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 pound minced mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free flour
- 1 cup Chef V's Raw Almond Milk
- 3/4 cup vegan mozzarella shreds
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 large (or 2 small) zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise like lasagna noodles
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly coat a 6×6 inch baking dish with coconut spray.
PREPARE THE INGREDIENTS
ONION
Cut off both ends of the onion, remove the skin, give it diagonal cuts all the way across the cut end. Slice across cut end for perfectly diced onion.
MUSHROOMS
Chop the mushrooms – I love the nice meaty texture they give to the dish.
ZUCCHINI
Cut off the ends so the end is flat. Slice lengthwise making pieces like a lasagna noodle.
SAUTE THE ONION, MUSHROOMS & GARLIC
In a saucepan, saute onions in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for about one minute, until translucent. Add the garlic, then the mushrooms. Continue cooking for about 3 minutes more.
MAKE THE BECHAMEL SAUCE
Add one tablespoon olive oil to a saucepan, add the flour into the oil, and stir. Slowly add the almond milk while stirring. Add 1/2 cup vegan cheese.
Once the cheese is melted add the spices – 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon rosemary.
The sauce will get creamy and thicken. Reduce the heat and simmer it. Add the broth and continue stirring.
ASSEMBLE THE DISH
In a 6 by 6-inch baking dish, assemble the moussaka.
- Cover the bottom with a layer of zucchini slices.
- Sprinkle with 1/2 the mozzarella shreds.
- Top with mushroom mixture.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella shreds.
- Cover with a layer of zucchini slices.
- Top with sauce.
BAKE THE DISH
Bake for 45 minutes, or until the sauce is golden brown.
Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
TASTE!
Is Cleansing While Pregnant Or Nursing Safe?
Veronica (the “V” in Chef V) is now a mommy to one big beautiful baby. Kaden Samuel Kress was born weighing almost 10 pounds! Baby, momma and daddy (Brandon) are all doing great. Now that Baby Kaden is here, can V get back to her pre-pregnancy weight by doing a brief cleanse? V reveals whether it’s safe, and provides pregnant and breastfeeding moms with other practical nutrition facts.
As I write this right after the July 4th holiday, I feel grateful to live in the USA. But after having just given birth, I’m dreaming of being a Scandinavian. You see, in Denmark, moms get 4 weeks of leave directly before the due date and then 14 weeks of leave after birth.
But when you’re running a mini Organic Green Drink delivery empire, ain’t nobody got time for that much maternity leave.
Speaking of Green Drinks, they are the cornerstone of ChefV.com cleanses (4 of them per day, available in 1-DAY, 3-DAY, and 5-DAY options), and now that my Baby Kaden is here, I thought I’d write about whether it’s safe for new moms to do a brief cleanse to get back to the weight they were before they had a watermelon in their belly.
Cleansing For Expecting & New Moms
To answer whether it’s safe to cleanse while breastfeeding or pregnant, I’m not gonna leave you with a cliffhanger. I’ll cut right to the chase. I don’t recommend cleansing while breastfeeding or pregnant. That’s because when you’re doing a cleanse, it accelerates the liver’s detoxification pathways.
Totally a good thing when you’ve been eating lots of bacon double cheeseburgers and don’t have a tiny human in your belly. But when the liver’s detoxification pathways are accelerated, trapped toxins get released into the bloodstream. Not good for a fetus or a nursing baby!
Are Green Drinks OK For New Moms?
Does that mean that pregnant and nursing moms shouldn’t have Organic Green Drink? Actually, having a Green Drink every day as a supplement to your diet is safe. I had one every day during my pregnancy. But don’t take that as medical advice. You should consult with your doctor or OBGYN.
So why is it safe to have a Green Drink while pregnant or nursing if it’s the cornerstone of the Chef V cleanse? Because the 7 green leafy veggies are nutrient dense. And you’re not doing a cleanse, you’re just having one daily green drink and eating a normal diet.
Another reason it’s not a good idea to do a cleanse, even a 1-DAY cleanse is because you’re consuming fewer calories. Although the Chef V cleanse is one of the only detox programs that supplies all the essential macronutrients (protein, fat and low-sugar carbs), it does not provide enough calories and nutrients for a developing baby.
Are Raw Juices Safe For Pregnancy?
Better For Mom & Baby’s Gut
ChefV.com prides itself on being the only company that delivers low-sugar, unpasteurized (raw) cold-blended Green Drinks made fresh. The advantage of raw and cold-blended is it’s better for your gut microbiome.
Less Harmful Bacteria Than Store Produce
Another advantage of drinking your greens from ChefV.com is that all our produce comes direct from farms. That means hardly any hands have touched the 7 certified organic green leafy veggies. In comparison, think about how many people handle or touch the produce sold at grocery stores: distributors, employees and customers. Supermarket-bought produce carries far more bacteria!
No Bugs, Literally!
Another reason Chef V Green Drinks are safe is that after we receive the produce directly from our farm suppliers, we wash it with a certified organic solution. The produce soaks in this solution and is then power-washed with cold water and inspected for bugs. This process reduces bacteria that could potentially harm your baby.
Finally, just a quick word of caution about consuming raw drinks and foods: make sure it’s from a brand or local farm that you know and trust!
Does Eating Veggies Affect Your Baby’s Future Diet?
Obviously, eating a diet high in fruits and veggies is not only great for mom’s health, but for developing baby’s as well. But a 2020 study in Public Health Nutrition posed an interesting question: Does a mom’s diet while breastfeeding affect what the baby will eat later in life? In other words, if mom eats lots of fresh fruits and veggies, will it “train” baby’s taste buds to like them too?
According to the study authors, children breastfed during infancy consume more fruits and vegetables than formula-fed children. “This pattern is likely due, in part, to infants learning from flavors of the mother's diet transmitted through breast milk.”
And out of nearly 1400 b mom-baby combinations, the study authors concluded that longer breastfeeding duration was associated with a higher rate of fruit and vegetable consumption when the child reached one year.
Even better, the study conclusion was the same when the children reached 6 years of age. Exposure to vegetable flavors through breast milk promotes later child vegetable consumption, the authors concluded.
Take It Easy On The Garlic & Onions
Garlic and onions are great for stir-fry dishes but alliums, the family that garlic and onions are in, are not good for babies. In fact, alliums can make a colicky baby cry like a banshee even more.
A randomized clinical trial (the gold standard of research) from 2018 (published here) was conducted because “therapeutic diets for infantile colic lack evidence.”
So the study authors examined the effects of a low-FODMAP diet. FODMAPS stands for “Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols,” which are types of sugars. Alliums like garlic and onions are fructans, which are oligosaccharides.
The study examined breastfed infants at least 9 weeks old with colic. One group of moms went on a 10-day low-FODMAP diet while the other group ate a typical Western diet. The low-FODMAP diet was associated with a 32% reduction in “crying-fussing durations of infants with colic.”
You know how garlic and onions can make you burp? Remember that those alliums travel through the breast milk and make babies cranky!
Do Breastfeeding Moms Need Nutritional Supplements?
The University of California San Francisco recommends that breastfeeding mothers take a daily multivitamin that contains 100 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). If taking a prenatal vitamin, you can continue to take it, but you’ll likely be consuming too much iron, which may cause constipation or indigestion.
A research article from a Spanish pediatric journal suggests that moms should pay special attention to getting enough thiamine (vitamin B1) and vitamins A and D, because these 3 nutrients are the ones most likely to be the most deficient in breastmilk if mom isn’t getting enough of it through the diet. The researchers also say that moms should consume at least 1800 calories a day.
All this writing about postnatal nutrition is making me hungry. I’m off to go eat and feed baby Kaden. I hope this article is useful if you’re expecting or nursing.
To your health — and baby’s too!
Love,
Veronica
Founder, ChefV.com
The Formula for Sustained Weight Loss with Chef V
Anybody can do a juice cleanse to lose weight. But for sustained weight loss and a major health transformation, use my Chef V Cleanse + Green Drink and follow my recipes and meals!
My Chef V’s 21-Day Challenge makes nutrition the first priority. It's the only clinically proven long-term program that includes organic Green Drink, plant-based protein shakes, filling detox soups, a varied choice of food, and a plan for sustaining your positive results.
The Chef V Clinical Research Study
“Will I keep the weight off?” customers want to know. Lots of companies make weigh loss claims, but I want to prove the results people get from my products.
So rather than just relying on social media testimonials and hype, I decided to boldly go where few natural food companies have gone: get the (very expensive) backing of an independent clinical trial.
The clinical trial had participants completing a 21 Day Challenge followed by a week of Green Drink. Before the 21 Day Challenge, the participants weighed, on average, 176 pounds. At the end of the trial, participants’ average body weight was 168 pounds. And some people lost significantly more than 8 pounds.
What's Your Secret? How Can You Help Me?
How can I get people to end their addiction to artificial ingredients, sodium, sugar, and unhealthy processed fats that are so pervasive in packaged foods? What can I do to help people conquer insulin resistance and high blood sugar that lead to so many chronic health problems?
These were burning questions I asked myself when I decided to pass on going to graduate school after getting my degree in psychology. Instead, I decided to take a leap of faith and launch a career that combined two of my passions: cooking and educating people about health and wellness.
Over a decade later with thousands of success stories under ChefV’s belt, people often ask me the secret to my Cleanse and Detox programs in helping people safely lose weight, feel great and keep their results going. I would say it’s these elements:
Completely Organic
Organic Foundation – Chef V is a certified organic brand with bicoastal kitchens that exceed the rigorous standards set forth by the National Organic Program. When trying to cleanse/detox your body, you can’t do it with pesticides and herbicides. The ingredients have to be organic! That’s not something I’ll ever compromise on just to save money.
Eat Healthy and Sustain!
Healthy Eating Resources – Before you start a cleanse, do you know how to avoid side effects? Do you know how to keep the weight off once the cleanse ends? Over the years, I’ve created pre-cleanse instructions, a handy Eat This/Not That and Healthy Portion printout, and other resources so you can experience a long-lasting health transformation. The recipes in my cookbook “Cleansing Made Easier” transform your favorite recipes to healthier alternatives. And my blog and weekly emails have hundreds of recipes and articles to keep you motivated.
Every month I send you new “What do I Eat Today” menus that make it easy to plan on a busy day. Michael, whose before and after photos are shown above, was a guest at my “Cooking with Chef V” moussaka video. Watch the video and click the image below for complete recipe instructions.
Cooking with V Video Series
Healthy Cooking Video Series – How does an organic turkey cream-free risotto sound? Or a vegan mousaka. Or a dairy-free, gluten-free chicken pot pie? Maybe you prefer quinoa enchiladas instead? All these delicious recipes and more are available on the Chef V Life channel on YouTube and offer a healthy alternative without sacrificing taste.
Support!
No Quick Fix Promises – Everybody deserves to live a healthy life. But there’s no quick-fix solution. It takes some time and effort. But when you have someone holding your hand to guide you on the transition from a diet full of processed food to eating a (mostly) plant-based whole-food diet, it’s an enjoyable journey. Our Facebook Community support each other as they cleanse and after.
Emphasis on Nutrition while Cleansing
More than Juice – It’s easy to lose weight doing a juice cleanse. That’s because you’ll be consuming way fewer calories than normal. But if you’re just drinking juice containing high-sugar fruits, you’ll starve your body and have blood sugar fluctuations. In comparison, Chef V CLEANSES include 3 products that prevent cravings and maintain lean muscle tissue:
- Protein-Packed Shakes: Unlike water or juice-only fasts, our shakes provide a significant amount of protein, essential for muscle maintenance and overall bodily function.
- Fiber-Rich Organic Juice: Many cleansing juices on the market are nothing more than sugary traps. Our organic juice is blended, not pressed and is rich in fiber, aiding in digestion and contributing to a fuller feeling.
- Vegetable-Enriched Soups: We don't ignore the importance of whole foods in our cleanse. It includes soups with essential nutrients making sure you're well-fed and satisfied.
- And to keep weight off after your detox you eat delicious (and healthy) food.
Research
Backed By Research – I commissioned an independent lab to research Chef V products. Citrus Labs concluded that Chef V products, including the ORGANIC GREEN DRINK PLAN combined with the healthy recipes, resulted in improved health and weight loss for all participants in the study. You can check out the findings from the clinical research here.
Chef V: A Path To A Healthy, New Lifestyle
Before I launched ChefV.com Organic Green Drink delivery, I was a private chef. I’ve always loved cooking and eating flavorful healthy foods, even as a teenager.
My mission is to help you transform your kitchen into a haven for health. All of the recipes in my cookbook, MAKING CLEANSING EASIER, include 100% cleanse-friendly ingredients. When a recipe calls for sweetness, stevia or a low-sugar natural alternative is used. As I said in the intro to my cookbook, these recipes are so yummy. Not only will you not feel deprived, you will think are indulging big time!
Experiencing a health transformation as I said takes time but the formula is pretty easy: Eating right + Drinking lots of water + exercising.
Just remember you don’t have to eat perfectly healthy 100% of the time. Even I indulge in my favorite vice occasionally: french fries. The key is to be consistent. Don’t just try to lose weight to fit into a wedding dress and then go back to eating fast food.
START YOUR HEALTH TRANSFORMATION TODAY!
If you want to look and feel your best, get on a Green Drink Plan. And if you want to accelerate your weight loss and other health goals, try a CLEANSE or 21-DAY DETOX. With all organic ingredients, healthy eating resources, dozens of recipes and cooking videos, and the backing of research, you’re well on the path to success!
Love,
Veronica Wheat
Founder, ChefV.com
What Do I Eat Today – Menu with Chef V’s Moussaka
This “What Do I Eat Today” menu starts with warm lemon water, then Green Drink. For breakfast, Easy Cereal with Chef V's Almond Milk. For lunch, my Creamy Sweet Potato Soup, and for dinner, Vegan Moussaka, demonstrated in this month's Chef V Cooking School video. Dessert is a creamy Chia Seed Pudding with fruit.
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I'm hungry to have my Green Drink.
For Breakfast – Easy Cereal with Chef V's raw Almond Milk
Chef V’s Tip: My Raw Almond Milk is easy to make and so versatile; I use it throughout my book. Or, an ice-cold glass of it is refreshing on a hot summer day.
This “What do I Eat today” lunch is Sweet Potato Leek Soup. Sweet potatoes are the uber tuber – packed with fiber and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar regulating nutrients. The best ways to prepare them for maximum health benefits are boiling, steaming and stir frying.
Dinner – Vegan Moussaka
For dinner, you are having my Vegan Moussaka, made with healthier ingredients that will taste great and make you feel good. My vegan version of moussaka uses a dairy-free Béchamel sauce and mushrooms instead of meat.
This recipe is featured in my Cooking series on YouTube and you can watch me prepare the recipe here.
Dessert – Chia Seed Pudding
For dessert or snack we offer a recipe for Chia Seed Pudding. Chia seed pudding is great for breakfast, dessert, or anytime, and kids love this recipe.
Chia seeds are tiny superfood heroes. They come in either white or dark brown/black and have a huge nutritional profile.
Electrolytes: Keep Your Levels Optimal
If you know me, you know I love to exercise. After recently giving birth, I was frustrated to not be able to do any of the active sports I enjoy, and now that I've been cleared by my doctor, I'm so ready.
I'm sort of obsessed with pickleball. And it's a sweaty game in sunny San Diego. I'm breastfeeding and I want to be sure I'm getting the electrolytes Kaden and I need to thrive.
Electrolytes are not something we usually think about. But when you’re playing pickleball like it’s an Olympic sport in hot weather, electrolytes matter. Lactating mothers need increased levels of electrolytes, starting with with sodium. And we also need more potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus.
If you don’t have enough electrolytes—or an imbalance of them—it can lead to serious problems: dizziness, fainting, nausea, muscle cramps, headaches, vomiting, tremors and even death.
Some people only know about electrolytes because of high-sugar, artificially-colored and artificially-flavored sports drinks. Obviously, that’s not healthy to drink, ever. But electrolytes aren’t just for serious athletes engaged in sweat-fueled competition.
Check out my healthy Electrolyte Orange Drink Recipe at the end of this article.
What Are Electrolytes?
Many people can name some of the most important electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. But do you know what electrolytes are and what they do?
Don’t feel bad if you don’t. I needed a refresher on what they do at a deeper level. So I geeked out a bit and read this research on it so you don’t have to. OK, so here’s what they do in simple English.
Electrolytes are essential for basic life functioning. You wouldn’t be able to contract a muscle, or think clearly, or have your heart beat effectively without electrolytes. These minerals are like mini electricians hard at work in your body. You see, we all have trillions of cells in our body. And each cell requires the perfect amount of electricity. Electrolytes send electrical signals that generate and conduct electricity that flows through our nerves and into our muscles. Without enough electrolytes, your heart, brain, muscles and nerves wouldn’t be able to properly function.
In addition, electrolytes regulate fluid balance in our cells. This helps keep us hydrated.
Which Minerals Are Electrolytes And Where Do They Come From?
All electrolytes are important. But the 3 main ones are sodium, potassium and chloride.
Phosphate, calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium are also important electrolytes. Other minerals like iron, copper and selenium are also considered electrolytes.
Besides taking a sea salt bath, pretty much the only way to get electrolytes is through food and drinks. Yet another reason why diet matters.
Any time you eat or drink something, the electrolytes dissolve in your blood and water. After the minerals dissolve, electrical impulses called ions are created. These ions are to your nerves and muscles what spark plugs are to a car. In other words, they serve as a catalyst. So in essence, electrolytes are the internal body’s spark of life.
Best Food Sources Of Electrolytes
One of the best selling points of a plant-based diet is that it’s rich in electrolytes. Fruits and veggies are hands down the best sources. Green leafy veggies, like the 7 certified-organic ones in the Chef V Green Drink delivery plan are especially high in calcium and potassium.
When you sweat, you mainly lose sodium and potassium. Even though there’s a tiny bit of sodium in Green Drink, I know I need extra if I’m sweating my butt off on the pickleball court or hot yoga.
So what I do BEFORE exercising is I add a teaspoon of Himalayan Sea Salt to my Green Drink. That way, I know that I won’t deplete my sodium and potassium levels. And to make sure they are fully replenished, I’ll have another serving of Green Drink.
Or, if I’m running low on Green Drink or am just in the mood for something else, I’ll make my own healthy, homemade Electrolyte drink.
Chef V’s Electrolyte Orange Drink Recipe
Here’s how I make a healthy alternative to Gatorade and other sugar-filled, artificial sports drinks.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange or mandarin
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar
Method:
Blend in a blender. Serve cold. Keep for up to 2 days in the fridge.
Creamy Sweet Potato & Leek Soup
Chef V Food Fact: Sweet potatoes are the uber tuber – packed wth fiber and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood sugar regulating nutrients. The best ways to prepare them for maximum health benefits are boiling, steaming and stir frying.
For a healthy variation to this recipe, add 1 tbsp fresh ginger and 1 tsp fresh turmeric.
In a saucepan, sauté the leek and garlic in the coconut oil for 2 minutes over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes, carrots, and vegetable broth and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the veggies are tender. Add the cashews. Transfer to a Vitamix in batches, if necessary, and process until smooth. Soup is best served warm.
Ingredients
Directions
Chef V Life Before & After Success Stories
Above, Chef V clients' before/after photos
Check out these Chef V experiences!
These customers have amazing before and after stories to tell about Chef V's Green Drink and Cleanses. Many have lost weight and feel “amazing!”.
Chef V customers might start with a Chef V Cleanse, but they continue to drink it daily for its continuing health benefits. Plus, at only $7 a day, it is much more affordable than grocery store brands.
As you can see from these success stories, our customers are happy to tell their friends, family, and us their success stories.
Pashelle's Success
Pashelle says: “Thank you so much. I work about 13-14 hours a day in the wardrobe department of a television show. It is so easy to eat junk food allday. Me and the driver of my wardrobe trailer committed to the 3 day cleanse and we feel amazing. Day 1 was the toughtest day Day 2, I saw the difference. And day 3 was an introduction to my New Self. Thank you Chef V.”
Makenzie's Story
“During my 21 day detox I lost 19 lbs! My BMI went from 24.0 to 16.9! I am super excited for when I do my next detox because I will be doing the expert challenge! LOVE LOVE LOVE Chef V.”
Michael's Dramatic Weight Loss
“I’ve reached my goal weight in June, losing a total of 245 plus pounds over the last 22 months. Chef V has helped in this as my morning drink since I started my Green Drink Plan from you. Thank you.”
“I’ve reached my goal weight in June, losing a total of 245 plus pounds over the last 22 months. Chef V has helped in this as my morning drink since I started my Green Drink Plan from you. Thank you.”
Rick's Story
“Wow!… have I been excited to write this review! (READ WITH CONFIDENCE) This is not the first time I have done a cleanse, so I have others to compare it to as well. In a nut shell: CHEF V ROCKS! That’s the simple version. The long version is that the 21 Day Detox is worth every penny, it is a challenge, and it is positively altering! From day 1 to day 21 of the challenge, I lost a total of 22lbs ….and I continue to lose weight. This cleanse has aftershocks. (BOOOOOOOM!) THANK YOU Chef V; for all the countless hours of study you have done to deliver a detox that gives noticeable results and restoration! Thank you, Chef V!”
Acai Bowl
Chef V tip: Try an acai bowl for breakfast, too!
Acai is a berry-like fruit native to the rain forests of the Amazon. It has a bitter taste and a very short shelf life, so we don’t often find them fresh in the store. Acai berries contain antioxidants, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen unsweetened acai smoothie packet (I like Sambazon)
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup frozen raspberries or blackberries
- 1/2 cup Chef V’s Raw Almond Milk
- 1/2 cup fresh seasonal fruit (blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, peaches) use your favs!
- 1 tablespoon shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup crushed raw almonds, optional
Directions
In a Vitamix, process frozen acai juice, blueberries, raspberries, and almond milk on medium until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and top with your favorite fresh fruit, coconut, and almonds, if desired.
Raw Cucumber + Avocado Gazpacho
Cool and creamy, soups are a great way to start a meal, but are also awesome as a main course. You can easily double or triple my recipe and have delicious leftovers. The beauty of my veggie-rich recipe is that its high water and fiber content slows how fast you eat and fills you up quicker.
TOTAL TIME: 15 min
SERVES 2-4
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 2 cups filtered ice water
- 1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 lime, juice only
- OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Chopped tomatoes
- Fresh chopped chives
- Cucumber slices
Directions
Refrigerate all the ingredients overnight. Peel and seed the avocado and peel the cucumber and garlic.
Place all the cold ingredients in a Vitamix and process until smooth.
The colder the ingredients are, the less foam there will be. Serve cold and top with chopped tomatoes for a bright pop of flavor.
Chef V’s BBQ Salmon
Get outside for the last enjoyable parts of summer! Chef V founder Veronica Wheat created this BBQ salmon recipe as the main course of a special outdoor meal for her husband Brandon.
Serving Size: 2 People
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets (6 oz.)
(skin on preferred)
Marinade
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp organic honey
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Directions
Marinate the salmon in the sauce for 30 minutes on the counter. Then, slap the non-skin side down on a bbq grill heated to 375 degrees.
Cook for 3-5 minutes and flip to the skin side with a large spatula. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes depending on the thickness of the salmon and how much you like it done. I personally like it medium rare and under cooked. I can’t stand dry over done salmon. You can always add it back to the grill if need be, but not the reverse.
Serve with a salad, rice, sweet potatoes, or any side you desire.
Is there a Safe Detox for Diabetics? Diabetes and Juice Cleanses
Maintaining blood sugar levels is important for everyone, but especially pressing for those with diabetes. Blended juice cleanses can help you get your blood sugar levels back under control, and cut sugar cravings as well – this makes them an incredibly useful tool for both preventing diabetes, and alleviating its symptoms.
Individuals with diabetes do need to be very careful with changes in their blood sugar levels, and with what they eat in general. This means that diabetic cleanses need to be approached with a little bit more care and thought. We’ll cover some of these considerations right here.
Juicing to Prevent Diabetes
In an odd twist, juice is both one of the main causes of diabetes, and one of the main ways to prevent it. How does that work, you might ask?
The risk of Type 2 Diabetes can be increased significantly by the consumption of sugar (overall diet, lifestyle and genetics also play a role). A lot of the juice products you can buy in the grocery store tend to be filled with sugar, often artificially added in order to create a sweeter flavor. Since we tend to think of juice as “healthy”, we might gulp down a lot of sugar without realizing it.
However, there are also a lot of healthier juice options out there. The green drink in our blended juice cleanses, for example, is filled with only the healthiest fruits and vegetables, and has low overall sugar content – an 8oz serving has 26 calories and 6 g of sugar.
Blended juice cleanses can be a great way to help regulate the dangerous sugar levels that might lead to the development of diabetes. They’re also a great way to help regular sugar cravings. This doesn’t only promote weight loss, but it helps you better stick to a healthy diet that can be used to manage diabetes risk factors. While reading the labels on blended juice cleanses, check for the amount of sugar – some have up to 100 g of sugar!
Juicing and Diabetes Concerns
So, a blended juice cleanse can be a great way to help prevent the high blood glucose levels that can be a risk factor for Type 2 Diabetes. But should people with Type 2 Diabetes be taking part in blended juice cleanses? Can it do anything for diabetes after it has developed?
If you are considering the possibility of a safe detox for diabetics, there are a few things to consider. Blood sugar levels for those with diabetes are much more difficult to control. This means that if you go all out on a hardcore diabetic cleanse to lose weight, you could possibly drop your blood sugar down to levels that are potentially unsafe.
If you have diabetes and aren’t sure about participating in a juice cleanse just yet, it doesn’t mean that you have to abandon the good stuff in a blended juice cleanse entirely – far from it. It does mean that you should try to set more limited and realistic blended juice cleanse goals for healthy living.
Cutting out sugary drinks is still important, as are managing sugar cravings. This is why incorporating green drinks into your regular diet can be a great way to help you achieve weight loss goals, and blood sugar level goals, even if you do have diabetes. By losing weight and cutting sugar cravings, you can help better manage your diabetes overall. With Chef V, you can get a green drink plan developed just for you, delivering the exact amount of the healthiest green drinks out there for your own health needs.
So while undergoing long cleanses may not be the best idea for those with diabetes, blended juice cleanse products can still play an important role in maintaining good health.
Recently Chef V had a clinical research study of its detox and green drink products completed. It shows that a 21 day Chef V detox plus a week of Chef V organic green drink lower A1C blood sugar levels.
Additional Resources on Diabetes
Chef V Clinically Proven To Lower A1C Blood Sugar Levels
Is It Safe For People With Type 1 Diabetes To Do A Cleanse?
Chef V’s Perfect “Prescription” For Eating Healthy While Taking Ozempic
Chef V’s 24-Hour Guide For Elevating Your Mood
More than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mood disorder at some point in their lives. If you suspect you may be suffering from any mental/mood disorder, seek professional help. If you’re looking for practical tips to elevate your mood, Veronica — the “V” in Chef V — Wheat provides a daily guide for activating your feel-good chemicals.
When it comes to natural ways to boost mood, I have a bone to pick with Johns Hopkins University. JHU is one of the most preeminent higher educational institutions in the country, a de-facto Ivy League school on par with Stanford and MIT. But when I did a Google search for “boosting your mood,” this ridiculously short and worthless article of only 4 paragraphs was the second-highest-ranked.
I wasn’t looking for advice that reads like a doctoral thesis. But considering millions of people are in desperate need of a mood makeover, JHU’s article reads more like a third-grade book report. Pathetic.
So instead of relying on the so-called experts, I decided to draw upon my real-world experiences. The following are 12 things that I do every day to support my mood. And they work like magic. I’m not saying that every day I feel like a unicorn who poops 24-karat gold. But on way more days than not, my mood is stable and elevated.
Natural Ways To Boost Your Mood
Tip #1: Wake Up Early & See The Light
If you like to sleep in and you’re thinking, ain’t no way I’m getting up before 8 — and just because I have to for work — just hear me out. Here are 5 reasons why waking up around sunrise will boost your mood:
Circadian Rhythm Reset
First of all, waking up at first light is like superfood for your circadian rhythm. It finetunes your body’s internal natural light-dark cycle and promotes a more harmonious sleep-wake pattern.
Melatonin Regulation
Not only should you wake up at dawn or by sunrise, I want you to look outside your window. If you have a panoramic view, all the better. You see, when you wake up early and are exposed to sunlight and a broad, sweeping vista, your body receives a signal to decrease melatonin production. Your brain gets the signal to wake up and be alert but with a calmness-inducing, mood-enhancing effect.
Vitamin D Synthesis
Vitamin D isn’t just for bone health, it’s also helpful for mood. So before you start scaring at your screen all day for work, get outside and expose your eyes and skin to the sun to synthesize vitamin D.
Serotonin Production
Getting outside and enjoying the early morning sun increases your serotonin levels, a feel-good chemical. Low levels of serotonin are linked with depression and other mood disorders.
Sets You Up For A Successful Day
Rolling out of bed when it’s the last thing you wanna do sucks. But eventually, you’ll learn to love the routine of waking up with dawn’s early light. It establishes a routine that makes you feel good for the rest of the day—unless you’re hungover, which you should never be if you want to boost your mood.
Boost Your Mood Tip #2: Meditation or Deep Breathing
After I wake up early and expose my eyes to a panoramic view with sunlight (even if it’s a cloudy day), the next thing I do is meditate or do some deep breathing exercises. If meditation is too weird or difficult for you, you don’t have to sit with your eyes closed for long with your mind free of thoughts (that’s not the point of meditation, plus it’s impossible). Just staring out your window for a few minutes is meditative. But if you only have time for meditation or deep breathing, I’d pick deep breathing because almost anybody can do it and instead of trying not to think, your mind is simply focused on breathing. I like this Wim-Hof dialogue-free guided video. The journal Neurological Sciences says “deep breathing can induce an effective improvement in mood and stress.”
Boost Your Mood, Naturally. Tip #3: Exercise Before Work
I realize that asking you to do the following 3 things before you have coffee is a big ask: 1) wake up early and stare out your window; 2) meditate or do deep breathing exercises, and 3) do a total-body exercise routine. Especially if you have a busy day. But keep in mind that when you wake up with the roosters, you’ll have plenty more time to do most, if not all, of these natural mood-enhancing activities.
So before you start your work day, squeeze in a 30-minute walk or other exercise routine like yoga. Bonus if you can exercise outdoors. Going for a walk in a fasted state (before you eat) is not only good for your mood but also for your metabolism.
Mood-Booster Tip #4: Journaling
OK, one more thing to do before it’s time to break your fast and that’s journaling for 10 minutes. Whatever’s on your mind, anything that you are anxious about, write it down on paper. You can even rip the paper up at the end of the day. Doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that you’re easing the anxiety triggers by putting pen to paper. It’s proven to be therapeutic. I prefer to journal in the morning because if I wait until nighttime, I’ll be too tired.
Boost Your Mood Tip #5: Green Leafy Veggies For “Break-Fast”
You don’t have to be a certified nutritional therapist like me to know that having donuts or cereal for breakfast: not healthy. Sure, devouring a maple frosted will give you a shot of dopamine. But this false sense of happiness is short-lived. Instead of a standard American breakfast, break your fast with green, leafy veggies. I’m not suggesting making a huge salad. There’s a far easier way to get your daily dose of green, leafies: drink them fresh, delivered to your home!
9 out of 10 Americans don’t consume enough veggies. Having an Organic Green Drink first thing in the morning kills 2 birds with one delicious bottle. It hydrates and gently detoxes your system and is proven to support mental health.
Tip #6: Have A Protein-Rich Smoothie for 2nd Breakfast
Relatively few people have an extreme case of protein deficiency. But many people aren’t getting an optimum amount of protein in their diet. And most people who are eating a lot of protein are eating the wrong kind: factory-farmed meat.
As Mental Health Connecticut beautifully explains it:
“The foods you eat impact the structure and function of your brain, playing a major role in emotional regulation and cognitive function. Foods rich in protein contain amino acids to help produce key neurotransmitters in preventing and treating depression and anxiety.”
And unlike carbs and dietary fat, we need to eat protein every single day because our body does not do a good job of storing it.
So about 30 minutes after having a 16-ounce serving of Organic Green Drink, I’ll make a protein-rich smoothie with an easy-to-digest vegan protein like brown rice or pea powder. I add some dietary fat like sunflower seed butter and avocado to fill me up and keep me satisfied until it’s time for my first true meal of the day a few hours later…
Tip #7: Have a Big Mediterranean-Style Lunch
By now, you’re feeling great and you’re brain is firing on all cylinders. You’re doing great work but now you’re tummy is rumbling. It’s time to eat a real meal, not a liquid lunch. Now here’s where many people go wrong. Instead of eating a big meal, they just have a sandwich or a salad. It’s quick and filling enough but not bloating.
The problem with soup, a sandwich and a salad is that a couple of hours later, you’re hungry again and your energy crashes. You didn’t eat enough!
That’s why I recommend eating a large lunch that consists of these 4 things:
- Whole grains – quinoa, brown rice, couscous, farro, millet, etc.
- Veggies – steamed, stir-fried, or baked
- Lean protein – a double fist-sized portion of high-quality fish or chicken (beans or lentils if you’re vegan/vegetarian)
- Dietary fat – a small portion of avocado, nuts and/or seeds, or extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
Research shows that not getting enough of these ingredients, common in the Mediterranean Diet, may help prevent depression. Plus, when you eat an entree-sized portion of these ingredients, you’ll be satisfied, leading to a more stable mood for the afternoon. (You may not even need a cup of coffee in the afternoon.)
Tip #8: Eat Dessert After Lunch Every Day!
Don’t stuff your face at lunch. Make sure you have room for a tiny portion of dessert. A healthy dessert of course. Have a couple of handfuls of berries and a couple of small pieces of dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa). Dark chocolate contains several compounds that boost mood.
Chef V's cheesecake recipe is delicious and healthy in small portions. Get it and all her dessert recipes here.
Tip #9: Walk After Dinner
No joke … walking for just 2 minutes after dinner lowers your blood sugar levels. But what does blood glucose management or diabetes prevention have to do with boosting your mood? Research shows that high blood sugar levels have been shown to “closely mirror mental health symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety, and worry.” This should come as no surprise, says the University of Michigan School for Public Health, as the brain runs primarily on glucose.
Tip #10: Cuddle Time
Whether it’s with a significant other or pet, cuddle up with a loved one. Even brief cuddle sessions have been shown to boost well-being. Don’t have a loved one, bipedal or furry? There are other ways to raise your oxytocin levels, the so-called cuddle hormone. Lie down, place one hand on your heart, the other on your belly and take several deep, slow breaths.
Tip #11: Affirmation Meditation Before Bed
Finally, before you go to sleep (hopefully by no later than 11 p.m.), take 5 minutes to recite self-affirmations. (Here’s a simple one I like: “I am happy, healthy and wealthy.”) There are many free videos and apps you can follow. The Association for Psychological Science says, “Self-affirmation has been shown to have powerful effects … it can minimize anxiety, stress, and defensiveness.”
Tip #12: 28 Days To A Happier, Healthier You
The ChefV.com 21-DAY DETOX was recently the subject of a clinical trial by Citrus Labs. The 38 participants who completed the 21-DAY DETOX followed by a 7-day continuation of a GREEN DRINK plan reported a significant improvement in mood and several other wellness markers.
Experience a mood-boosting transformation with organic green drinks, vegan protein shakes, detox soups and healthy meals. Learn more here.
Here’s to a happier, healthier you!
Love,
Veronica “V” Wheat
ChefV.com founder
Grilled Artichokes with Two Sauces
Grilled artichokes, precooked and finished at the picnic. They’ll love these on the barbecue. Serve with my two vegan sauces: Raw Horseradish Mayonnaise, and Vegan Herb Aioli.
Serving Size: 2 People
Ingredients
- 6 cups filtered water
- 1 large fresh artichoke
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 white onion
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Bring the 6 cups of water to a boil in a stockpot.
Trim the thorns from the artichoke leaves with scissors. Cut the artichoke in half vertically and remove the fuzzy center. To the boiling water, added the artichoke, garlic, and onion. Boil, covered, for 45 minutes – one hour, or until the leaves pull out easily. Transfer the artichoke halves to a paper towel cut side down or drain the water.
Heat a grill or grill pan. Place the artichokes cut side down on the hot grill or grill pan and char for 2 to 3 minutes, until you get good grill marks. This will add a nice smokiness. Plate the artichoke halves cut side up. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice and vinegar, drizzle over the artichoke, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and serve with Vegan Herb Aioli or Raw Horseradish Mayo.
Raw Horseradish Mayonnaise
Sometimes you just need a luscious rich tasting spread – so I created this cashew-based mayo. Easy to prepare, you can use it in dressings, dips, on a sandwich, anywhere you want that mayonnaise experience – only healthier. Add raw horseradish to make a zippy dip for my Grilled Artichokes. – Veronica
TOTAL 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serving Size: 2 People
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, washed and drained (pre-soaked 1 hour)
- 1 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. of lemon zest
- ½ tsp. organic sea salt to taste
- 1 tsp. raw coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon horseradish
Directions
Blend mayo ingredients together in a Vitamix or food processor.
How Does “V” Reboot Her Mind & Body? Cleansing Lessons From ChefV.com’s Founder
Through her email newsletters and blog posts, Chef V has helped thousands of customers by providing useful tips and tricks on how to prepare for a cleanse and what to do during before and after the cleanse to maximize success and long-term healthy habits. Now it’s time to turn the tables and find out how “V” (Veronica) cleanses…
You might assume that someone who literally wrote the book on Making Cleansing Easier frequently does a cleanse. But Veronica Kress, the “V” in Chef V, admits to only doing a full-blown cleanse about twice a year.
Why only twice a year?
Well, when you practice what you preach and do a mini cleanse every day, you don’t need to purify yourself that often. Having an Organic Green Drink every morning on an empty stomach is a daily religious rite of passage for V. “Each one of us naturally cleanses every night while we’re sleeping,” V explains, adding, “And when I have a Green Drink for breakfast after drinking some pure water, I’m prolonging the process.
But on the rare occasions, she feels she’s in a rut and experiencing cravings for junk, it’s time for V to get her cleanse on!
How Does V Know When To Do A Cleanse?
“I know when I need to do a full cleanse if I’m at a party and have a couple Doritos and then suddenly I’m craving the whole bag and other junk food.”
V reveals an intimate detail about why she did a cleanse in the summer of 2021. The reason why she chose to do it? In the hopes of getting pregnant. “I’ve had several customers tell me that after they did a Chef V cleanse, they became pregnant so I thought I might as well try too,” V laughs. (She is now the proud Mom of baby Kaden!)
But there was another reason that V does a full cleanse that doesn’t have anything to do with procreation. “People may think I’m this perfect saint of nutrition but I’m not. Before that last cleanse, I had family in town and we did a lot of wine tasting,” V explains.
What is V’s Motivation For Doing A Cleanse?
Most people do a cleanse with the singular goal of losing weight. V says that even though weight loss isn’t her primary goal, she will lose 3-5 pounds after doing a 3 day cleanse. But the primary reason V does a cleanse—besides purging the urge to eat junk—is to sharpen her mental clarity.
“If you’re frequently craving unhealthy foods, brain fog usually accompanies the cravings,” V says.
In addition, V is motivated to do a cleanse because she realizes the plethora of benefits that accompany it, including improved sleep quality and clearer skin.
V emphasizes the amazing power that a brief cleanse has in resetting the taste buds. If you’re frequently craving starchy carbs and chemicals even a short cleanse has the potential to restore the appreciation for the natural sweetness of fruit. “When you stop eating foods with synthetic chemicals and added sugars, berries will taste amazing and then you won’t crave the bad stuff,” she says.
V’s Favorite Cleanse
In choosing between ChefV.com’s cleanse options, V says she’s partial to the 3 day cleanse because it’s the most doable.
But a 3 day cleanse isn’t really just a 3 day cleanse, V explains. That’s because the pre-cleanse phase is crucial. V says that the number of days she does a pre-cleanse depends on how her diet has been. If she’s done more wine tasting than usual or indulged in her favorite other vice—french fries—V will pre-cleanse for at least 3 days.
V’s pre-cleanse instructions are crystal clear with the 1-day, 3-day and 5-day options. Basically, V provides a list of foods to eat and to avoid before the cleanse, which is more calorie-restricted, begins.
How V Preps For A Cleanse
There’s no point in doing a cleanse if you’re not going to pre-cleanse in order to properly prepare your body, V says. “Why spend all this time and money if you’re not going to do it right?” she asks.
And while some of the “Don’t Eat This” foods on the pre-cleanse list may seem obvious, V avoids certain seemingly healthy foods leading up to the start of the official cleanse. For example, bananas are a no-no because of the high amount of sugar. Grapefruit contains an enzyme that actually slows phase 1 detoxification in the liver.
V also avoids strawberries, even organic ones, because they may contain a high amount of pesticides. Same deal goes for grapes and then there’s tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers, all of which are in the nightshade family. V avoids nightshades leading up to the cleanse because they may promote inflammation, especially if there’s already excessive inflammation in the body.
But the most important foods V avoids in the days leading up to her cleanse—and the immediate days after the cleanse is over—are anything with gluten; dairy products, red meat, caffeine and alcohol.
V says she decided to make caffeine a no-no on the pre-cleanse list because it takes a lot of energy for the body to detoxify from caffeine. But the good news is that she has helped thousands of people overcome their caffeine addiction. “They feel amazing afterwards,” she says.
below, click image to download pdf of includes and excludes
Why V Created The Pre-Cleanse Phase
So how did V come up with the idea of a pre-cleanse phase in the first place? Was it the certified nutritional therapy course she took? Nope. She was inspired to create it when a few customers walked into her former commercial kitchen in San Diego and said, “We’re going to Burger King for our last meal before the cleanse!”
V emphasizes that lots of people still don’t realize the importance of the pre-cleanse phase. If you go from filling up your car’s gas tank with sugar and then all of a sudden fill it up with the proper fuel, your car will still run like crap.
So later that night after the Burger King fiasco, V researched everything she could find about gut healing and cleansing, including what foods to eat and not to eat. The pre-cleanse instructional materials that are provided to every ChefV.com cleanse customer was soon after completed!
In addition to properly preparing your body for the cleanse, the pre-cleanse phase, V says, helps her customers typically lose 5 pounds. “The pre-cleanse phase can be just as successful as the cleanse phase.”
What V Does If She Has Cravings During A Cleanse
V doesn’t like to use the word “cheating” when it comes to experiencing cravings during a cleanse. It’s too much of a negative connotation. V likes positive reinforcements instead. Which is why V employs the concept of “intuitive eating” when her brain tells her that she’s hungry during the cleanse phase.
Instead of giving in to cravings for unhealthy snacks, V says that she’ll have a tiny bit of healthy fats like a teaspoon of coconut oil and a slice of avocado added to her Detox soup.
“The tiny amount of avocado felt so indulgent. I admit that I did feel like I was cheating a little bit, but I was making a wise decision by listening to my body.”
V also says that during the cleanse phase, one way to satisfy a craving without ruining the benefits is to puree or blend an extra veggie juice. Eating lots of cooked food, even healthy foods like low-starch veggies takes a lot of energy for the body to digest. For this reason, V says to eat a liquid lunch or dinner—if your body is really telling you that it’s hungry. Having a handful of nuts, berries, and a few carrot sticks and hummus won’t sabotage your success either.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself during the cleanse phase,” V says.
Stacey’s 5 Day Cleanse Weight Loss!
Vegan Herb Aioli
Aioli, a traditional Mediterranean sauce, is just right for dipping veggies or drizzling over toasted baguette. It makes a delicious accompaniment to my Grilled Artichokes. – Veronica
TOTAL 10 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serving Size: 2 People
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, washed and drained (pre-soaked 1 hour)
- 1 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. of lemon zest
- ½ tsp. organic sea salt to taste
- 1 tsp. raw coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic
Directions
Blend mayo ingredients together in a Vitamix or food processor.
Taunya’s 5 Day Cleanse
Green Drink vs Greens Powder: Is There A Unanimous Winner?
When it comes to drinking your greens, which is better for your health …
Option 1: Make your own veggie juice or have GREEN DRINKS delivered.
Or, option 2, mixing a greens powder?
Powder? Backed by billions in venture capital funding, social media influencers, and slick marketing campaigns, it’s easy to see why greens powders may have a leg up in popularity. But how does dehydrated powder stack up to cold-blended veggie juice nutritionally? ChefV.com founder and certified nutritional therapist Veronica “V” Kress weighs in…
I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted me to start with a disclaimer.
Yes, my opinion on the fresh, cold-blended green drink vs. greens powder debate is biased. After all, ChefV.com, which I founded in the early 2010s, delivers the former and has no plans to sell the latter. I’ll explain why in just a bit…
But first, let’s go through each variable and see who comes out on top, green veggie juice (green drinks) or greens powder.
Convenience
I understand that one of the biggest selling points of greens powder is convenience. If you’re traveling out of the country, it’s easier to bring a tub of powder than a gallon carton of Green Drink.
Advantage greens powder? Score: Greens Powder 1 Green Drink 0???
Not so fast.
ChefV.com’s Organic Green Drink home delivery plan offers a convenient way to consume your daily dose of green, leafy veggies. Both Green Drink home delivery and Greens Powders are far easier than the hassle of shopping for produce each day, chopping the veggies and cleaning up the juicer.
So let’s consider the score a tie after the first frame. And I’m scoring generously here because I’ve tried several greens powders that did not disintegrate when I stirred, even after a full minute. Clumps and all, I’ll call it 0-0.
The bottom line is that 90% of Americans aren't eating the minimum daily requirement of vegetables, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In light of this, whatever way you find it easiest to get your daily dose of disease-fighting green, leafy veggies, go for it.
But let me tell you why I have no plans on offering greens powder even if one of the VCs from Shark Tank called me offering to bankroll it.
MORE GREEN DRINK ARTICLES
How To Save $4000 On Green Drink & Cleanses—And Feel Like A Million Bucks
Top 5 Research-Backed Benefits of Green Drink
Nutrient Density
Again, if someone goes from eating fast food and drinking soda for the majority of their calories to using a greens powder, I’m all for it. But if we’re keeping score here when it comes to nutrient density, cold-blended raw Organic Green Drinks hits a grand slam. Greens Powder strikes out. Is my scoring a bit exaggerated? Mmm, maybe. But without a doubt, fresh green juice is superior for maintaining nutritional integrity.
You see, many brands of greens powders freeze-dry their ingredients. Besides killing the fresh right-out-of-the-ground taste that only farmer’s market produce has—Chef V sources all 7 certified organic green leafy veggies from local farmers—this freeze-dry process destroys some of the nutritional content.
Are Greens Powders better for you than a Big Mac? Of course, but when comparing fresh green drinks to freeze-dried powders that can sit on the shelf for months, there’s no comparison when it comes to who wins the nutritional preservation contest.
Winner: Green Drinks
HEALTHY EATING RESOURCES
CHEF V’s COOKING SCHOOL (Free videos)
What Do I Eat Today? (Free recipes)
Making Cleansing Easier (Free e-cookbook)
Purity
“I love drinking juice that taste’s like grass clippings,” said nobody, not even people who love doing wheatgrass shots. To make a green veggie juice taste appealing, it needs to have something added.
With Organic Green Drinks, my recipe contains a tiny bit of organic green apple and organic apple juice. Even with these two additions, the total sugar content for an 8-oz serving is 3 grams. (For those who have a sweet tooth and are weening off of added sugars, Chef V offers a Tropical Green Drink with mango, pineapple and pineapple juice, which adds only 3 more grams of sugar.)
What do some (not all) Greens Powder makers add to make it sweet? Sugar or fillers and additives that enhance texture. Not to mention that Greens Powders had a problematic history of being contaminated with heavy metals.
On the other hand, cold blended leafy green vegetables are prepared using fresh produce. This ensures that the nutrients remain intact and that the flavors are preserved. While green powders might be convenient, the advantage of consuming fresh, organic, whole-food vegetables cannot be understated.
In making Organic Green Drinks, Chef V takes no shortcuts. Every order of Green Drink is made to order fresh and contains 7 certified organic leafy greens for maximal nutrient density.
Winner: Green Drinks
Below, Veronica takes you on a tour of the Chef V kitchen
Bioavailability
Bioavailability means how quickly and effectively your cells uptake (use) the nutrients. I admit that there are no studies (none that I found anyway, believe me, I looked high and low) directly comparing the nutrient absorption of green drinks versus greens powders. (If you’re a nutrition geek like me and come across a study like this, let me know!)
In theory, the synergistic effects of various compounds in whole foods might contribute to better nutrient absorption than freeze-dried powders. But here’s what I’ll do since I can’t find a smoking gun, scientific comparison: I’ll call it a draw.
Winner: A Draw
Truth In Advertising
With wellness influencers and well-funded marketing campaigns promoting greens powder brands, it’s very easy to be swayed and trust that what you see is what you get.
But as ConsumerLab.com, an independent non-profit research organization points out, “Although many greens products contain a long list of ingredients, specific amounts for each ingredient are not always provided.” Even worse, some brands of greens powders make false claims about their health benefits, such as curing hangovers.
In comparison, with ChefV.com Green Drinks, what you see is what you get. 7 certified organic green leafy veggies and a wee bit of apple added for some sweetness. There’s even clinical research that backs using Green Drinks for improving several health and wellness biomarkers.
Winner: Organic Green Drink
Gut Health
Chef V Organic Green Drinks are raw, which means that the beneficial bacteria are retained in the cold-blending process. The same can’t be said about greens powders, many of which use high-heat pasteurization, which can kill many of the friendly microorganisms that feed your gut and create healthy compounds called short-chain fatty acids.
Winner: Organic Green Drink
Above, take a tour of the Chef V kitchen with Veronica
Final Verdict: Organic Green Drinks Vs Greens Powders
Look, I didn’t intend to get into a pissing match with greens powders. But I felt like I had to defend the honor of my humble Green Drink. This is a David vs. Goliath nutritional showdown. Chef V is clearly the David in this picture. We haven’t reaped the benefits of multi-million-dollar checks from deep-pocketed Silicon Valley backers. The fruits of our labor and sweat equity have come at the expense of inflation, the soaring cost of goods and services, all the while doing our best to keep prices steady for our loyal customers.
But I’ll take the easy way out and give the final parting slingshot to registered dietitian Jemma O'Hanlon, who told Huffington Post Australia, “I'm not a huge fan of green superfood powders, simply because they're a highly processed version of the real thing, and are not really a 'food' that we can cook up a meal with.” O’Hanlon added, “We don't have strong research to support … health benefits from consuming them, but we do have a huge body of evidence to support the consumption of 'real' fruits and vegetables. You know, the ones that you can pick off a tree and eat or pull out of the garden bed.”
Increase your intake of organic, fresh, green, leafy veggies the easy way with Chef V’s Organic Green Drink delivery plan.
The Health Benefits Of Drinking Breakfast
Genetics isn’t the only reason V maintains a slim figure. For years, a vital component of her weight-management and gut-health strategy has been breaking the daily fast with liquids. Replacing a conventional breakfast with liquids has many health benefits and V’s here to explain…
If you’ve been following me for years, you already know how important NOT eating breakfast is.
But if you’re new to this concept, maybe you’re thinking, “Wait. I thought breakfast was the most important meal of the day.”
Now, I don’t wanna suggest that your mom didn’t know what she was talking about when you were a kid. Without doubt, eating nutrient-dense foods like fruit and eggs is important for a developing brain and body.
However, now that you’re an adult, your metabolism might be starting to slow down. And one reason why might not have anything to do with your age. Rather, it’s the fact that your body has a high toxic load. In other words, your detoxification organs such as the liver can’t clear toxins out more quickly than they accumulate.
There are several reasons why toxic overload occurs. For example, heavy metals can accumulate in your body. There’s pesticides from the food supply and harsh chemicals in skin care products, hair care products and household cleaners.
So what does this have to do with not eating food for breakfast and instead only having liquids when it’s time to break your fast?
The answer is that by not eating food, you’re giving your body a longer time to detoxify.
V’s Liquid Breakfast Routine
Actually, before I break my fast with Organic Green Drink, I have a tall glass of warm lemon water. Then I wait until I'm hungry to have a Green Drink.
Like naturally waking up with the morning light instead of being startled awake by a harsh alarm clock, a liquid breakfast gently wakes up your digestive system. And the water and Green Drink keeps the detoxification going. Your body naturally detoxifies every night. Or at least it tries to. But when you eat a standard breakfast first thing in the morning, your digestive and detoxification systems are hard at work again.
Now, in order to feel satisfied with a liquid breakfast, here’s what I do…
About half an hour after having my Green Drink, I’ll make a smoothie with fruit, veggies, vegan protein (pea protein is my fav) and healthy fats such as avocado, chia and flax seeds.
With my cookbook, Making Cleansing Easier (which you can get as a complementary download with a purchase of a CHEF V 21 DAY CHALLENGE), you’ll never get bored of smoothies.
In addition to my cookbook smoothie recipes, I have even more smoothie recipes on my blog. My Tropitaya Smoothie, featuring super-easy-to-digest pea protein, is one of the most popular. I also like to add ginger and turmeric to it to support my metabolism and keep inflammation in check.
Benefits of Drinking Your Breakfast
In addition, I’ll add ingredients that support my gut health without bloating my belly, such as bio-k fermented vegan products. Unlike regular probiotic drinks that have dairy—one of the biggest triggers of inflammation in the body—the vegan probiotic drinks I use have fermented oat and pumpkin seed as a base.
Not only does a liquid breakfast make it easy for the digestive system to “wake up,” there are other benefits as well.
Of course, you could have a liquid breakfast consisting of coffee, orange juice and Red Bull to kickstart your day. Obviously, that ain’t healthy. But as long as you’re sticking to a routine of lemon water or herbal tea; Organic Green Drink followed by a smoothie with vegan protein and a small amount of fats, you’ll be supporting your health in many ways.
Healthy liquid breakfasts may help prevent overacidity in the gut enviroment (stimulates alkalinity) and help cleanse the colon of harmful bacteria.
But don’t just take my word for it. There’s plenty of research that supports this. For instance, a study in the British Journal of Nutrition, suggests that a liquid breakfast improved the blood sugar levels of 123 patients with type 2 diabetes.
Another study in the journal, Appetite, concluded that a plant-based liquid breakfast (made with plant protein) led to consuming less calories and was more satisfying to the subjects than eating a conventional breakfast.
In general, I believe that liquid breakfasts are awesome for improving digestion, boosting detoxification and sharpening mental focus.
Give it a try for a couple weeks and see how you feel. For me and my husband, Brandon, and for thousands of Chef V customers, making the switch from a conventional breakfast to a liquid one has been one of the simplest yet most profound things we’ve done to look and feel our best.
Love,
V
The Juice Cleanse Trap: Why 99% Fail to Deliver Promised Results—Except One Our Editors Discovered
Doing a juice cleanse is an epic failure for many people. They feel miserable and quickly put on more weight than they lost after it's over.
If you’ve been frustrated by juice cleanses that promise miraculous results but leave you feeling disappointed, you're not alone. Most juice cleanses on the market fail to deliver on their lofty claims.
Here's why:
- Excessive Sugar
Many juice cleanses are loaded with fruit juices, causing a spike in blood sugar levels and triggering unhealthy cravings for junk food. Many commercial juice brands contain up to 50 grams of sugar per serving!
“Juice is the easiest way, other than soda, to get your blood sugar up.” — US News & World Report.1
- Not Enough Calories
Severely restricting your calorie intake during a cleanse can lead to energy crashes, irritability, and a slower metabolism.
“The low calorie content of most juices can elicit fatigue, headaches, cravings and dizziness.” — Houston Methodist medical group.(2)
- Dangerous, Rapid Weight Loss
Store-bought juice cleanses may result in quick weight loss, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy and sustainable.
“Not only is rapid weight loss unhealthy, but it doesn't last. The number on the scale may be lower, but that doesn't mean any fat has been lost.” — Houston Methodist(2)
- Inadequate Protein
Without sufficient protein, your body starts breaking down muscle tissue and bone. If you previously tried a juice cleanse and your nails felt more brittle and your hair was thinner or lacked luster, it’s because of this lack of protein.
“A person on a juice cleanse may not consume enough proteins or fats. Both are crucial to physical health, healing, and brain function. Eliminating food groups for extended periods may also lead to malnourishment.” — Medical News Today. (3)
- Lack of Green Leafy Vegetables:
Store-bought juices are mostly made from high-sugar fruits and lack the essential nutrients found in green leafy vegetables, leaving you malnourished and unsatisfied.
- Lack of Fiber
A lack of fiber in juice cleanses can result in constipation and discomfort, making the detox process anything but enjoyable.
“Fiber is important for feeding the healthy bacteria in our gut — helping us feel full, keeping blood sugar from going up too quickly and preventing constipation.” — Houston Methodist. (2)
These aren’t the only factors that make most people’s juice cleanse experiences miserable. There’s also the horrible grassy taste and low-quality ingredients, not too mention the very high cost.
The dirty secret of the juice cleanse industry is that most store-bought brands prioritize quick fixes over long-term health and wellness.
JUICE CLEANSE PROBLEM SOLVED!
But in researching the “best juice cleanse delivery,” our health editors found an effective solution that is backed by a clinical trial: ChefV.com
CHEF V: Must-Have Qualities That Make It 2023’s Top Juice Cleanse
In seeking the nation’s best juice cleanse delivery company, our editors meticulously researched the following attributes:
A Healthy, Sustainable Juice Cleanse Unlike No Other
- Organic Ingredients:
All Chef V's juice cleanse ingredients are made-to-order fresh and organic, ensuring you detox without ingesting harmful pesticides or chemicals. Organic juice cleanses help your liver purge toxins responsible for weight gain and skin problems.
- Blended Low Sugar Veggies, Not Juiced:
Forget juice cleanses that are mostly fruit juice and loaded with sugar. Chef V's cleanse contains 7 blended green, leafy vegetables – the ultimate organic green drink. This approach stabilizes blood sugar levels, banishing unhealthy snack cravings.
“With a blended juice cleanse, the vegetables are blended together, so the person consumes all of the edible parts of the vegetables.” — Carbon Health. (4)
- Low Cost:
With options starting as low as $69, Chef V is far more affordable than the competition.
- Raw Green Leafy Veggies:
Chef V's juices retain their health-supporting antioxidants because they are not processed with high-heat pasteurization (HHP). Unlike store-bought juices, these raw green drinks are better for your gut and overall health!
- No Starvation Sensation!
Chef V is the only juice cleanse our editors found that provides Green Drinks, vegan protein shakes and nutrient-dense/low-calorie soup. The result: just enough calories to provide satiety, and encourage weight loss.
- Before & After Cleanse Instructions:
Maximize your juice cleanse experience and keep the results going with precise “What Should I Eat” before & after guidelines. Knowing what to eat and drink before, during, and after the cleanse prevents rebound weight gain and helps you maintain healthy habits.
- No Mess In The Kitchen!
With home delivery, there’s no chopping veggies and cleaning the blender/juicer/mixer.
- Backed by a Clinical Trial:
Chef V stands out from the $5 billion global detox drink market with its clinical research support. In a study by Santa Monica-based Citrus Labs, participants experienced significant weight loss, reduced bloating, improved sleep quality, increased energy levels and many more wellness markers.
REMEMBER: A successful cleanse is more than just quick weight loss. It's about feeling great — before, during, and after the cleanse!
Real People, Extraordinary Results With ChefV.com Cleanses
“I finally found a juice cleanse that makes me feel amazing both during and after. Chef V's organic green drinks are so delicious, and the protein shakes keep me energized throughout the day!” – Sarah L.
“After trying multiple juice cleanses, Chef V is a game-changer. No more feeling miserable and cranky. The detox soup is a satisfying way to end each day, and I love that it's backed by clinical research.” – Michael R.
Experience the Chef V Difference – Get Started Today!
Chef V offers more than just a juice cleanse. With Organic Green Drinks, Organic Vegan Protein Shakes, and Organic Detox Soup, you get a comprehensive detoxifying experience that conquers cravings and nourishes your body.
Each day, on a Chef V Cleanse, you'll enjoy:
- Four (4) 16 oz Organic Green Drinks: Cold-blended to preserve nutrient density, packed with the most detoxifying leafy greens, and sweetened with a touch of apple – only 3 grams of sugar per 8 ounces!
- Two (2) 16 oz Organic Cinnamon Protein Shakes: Delicious, easy-to-digest vegan protein that fuels your muscles, hair, skin, and nails without the chalky taste.
One (1) 16 oz Detox Soup: End each day with a warm, flavorful soup packed with local, organic ingredients to flush your vital organs and leave you satisfied.
Special Offer: Get Up to 50% Off Chef V Cleanse Today!
Join over 10,000 satisfied customers who have chosen Chef V for their juice cleanse journey. Say goodbye to miserable cleanses and welcome an enjoyable, effective, and affordable detox experience.
References:
1: https://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/06/06/the-dangers-of-juice-cleanses
2: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/jan/are-juices-cleanses-actually-good-for-you/
3: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323136#potential-risks
4: https://carbonhealth.com/blog-post/juice-cleanses-are-they-really-good-for-you
Adaptogens: The Medicinal Plant All-Stars That Help Conquer Stress And Fatigue
Out of tens of thousands of medicinal plants on Earth, only a tiny percentage have been classified as “adaptogens.” Over the last few years, adaptogenic herbs have become a huge health trend. Certified nutritional therapist and ChefV.com founder Veronica “V” Kress explains what’s so special about adaptogens.
Fungus is finally friendly!
It wasn’t long ago that mushrooms were just a squishy, flavorless topping for pizza or a second-tier ingredient in a stir-fry. Only eccentric people were fond of fungus for food.
Now all of a sudden, mushrooms are all the rage. Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Chaga and other fruiting fungal bodies now enjoy A-list, red-carpet superfood status. Mushroom coffee? Unthinkable a decade ago. But these days, more and more people are breaking up with coffee and sipping functional fungal elixirs instead. These edible ‘shrooms, mostly in powder form, are examples of adaptogens.
While adaptogens, also called adaptogenic herbs, have soared in popularity, relatively few people know exactly what makes an herb adaptogenic. So let’s get to know them…
What Are Adaptogens?
They’re the cream of the crop of the medicinal plant world. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, 50,000 to 80,000 plants are used medicinally. Although there’s no exact number of adaptogenic herbs on the planet, the number of herbs classified as ‘adaptogenic’ doesn’t exceed a few hundred. Some plant medicine experts put the number far lower, at a few dozen.
So what makes adaptogens the darling of the plant medicine world? Well, as the name implies, adaptogens help the body “adapt” to stress. Running an Organic Green Drink delivery company, doing everything in my power to keep costs low for my customers despite inflation and the soaring cost of goods and services, and nursing a newborn? Yup, I got some stress.
That’s why I’ll typically add an adaptogenic powder to my protein smoothie, which I take about 30 minutes after fueling my cells with Organic Green Drink in the morning. I’ll tell you which adaptogens are my favorites below, and suggest some Smoothie recipes to add them to.
(I should also mention that I have reduced the frequency and dosage of adaptogens now that I’m breastfeeding. There’s no telling if baby Kaden will get a sudden burst of energy and skip naptime because the power of adaptogens came through my breastmilk!)
To be classified as an adaptogen, herbalists and botanists generally agree on a few principles:
- Non-Specific Action: Think about a prescription medicine you’ve taken. That drug was designed to have one specific action, like lowering blood pressure or blood sugar or inhibiting serotonin reuptake. In comparison, adaptogens don’t just have one action. Instead, they help the body adapt to any kind of stress in a non-specific way.
- Promote homeostasis: Adaptogens restore balance to the body. They do this by regulating physiological processes. One of the top selling points for adaptogens is that they help regulate the amount of stress hormone, cortisol, released from the adrenal glands. In doing so, they help your body healthily adapt to stress.
- Non-Toxic and Safe: Unlike pharmaceuticals and many non-adaptogenic herbs, adaptogens are generally considered safe and have a low risk of toxicity and side effects.
- Biphasic: This means that adaptogens can have either an energizing or calming effect. For example, adaptogens can help the adrenal glands crank out more cortisol when needed or reduce the amount when the adrenals flood the bloodstream with cortisol like a burst dam. Adaptogens help energize an underperforming organ and reduce activity in a hyperactive one.
ADD ADAPTOGENS
TO THESE SMOOTHIE RECIPES
Chef V's Smoothie Recipes
Green Protein Smoothie with Kale
Adaptogens you might use are described below.
When Were Adaptogens First Discovered?
No, Gwyneth Paltrow was not the first adaptogenic trailblazer (despite what the Goop blog may say). That credit goes to Soviet scientists in the 1940s like Dr. Nikolai Lazarev and later, to doctors Israel Brekhman and Alexander Panossian.
Research on adaptogens in the mid-20th century was conducted when the Soviet Union was competing neck-for-neck with the USA for global superpower status. Russian scientists discovered that when soldiers, athletes and workers were given the adaptogenic herb, eleuthero (Siberian ginseng), they could perform at high levels under intense stress such as little sleep and extreme weather.
But the history of adaptogenic herbs dates much further back than a century. These special medicinal herbs (and fungi) have been used since prehistoric times. And what’s really interesting about many of the most commonly used adaptogens is their own resiliency to stress.
HEALTHY EATING RESOURCES
CHEF V’s COOKING SCHOOL (Free videos)
What Do I Eat Today? (Free recipes)
Making Cleansing Easier (Free e-cookbook)
Adaptogens Have Their Own Stress To Deal With
Adaptogens don’t have to worry about paying the bills. But many of them do have to survive under the harshest conditions. For example, I already mentioned Eleuthero. That grows in the harsh taiga of Siberia, where hardly any other plants can take root.
Another adaptogen that survives freezing conditions is Rhodiola root, which grows in high-altitude Arctic regions.
Maca root has developed a reputation as a libido enhancer and hormone balancer. If it can survive the harsh Peruvian Andes climate, with hurricane-force winds, blinding sunlight and miserable soil, maybe Maca can make miracles happen in the bedroom. (This study says Maca can help reverse sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women who took antidepressants.)
Another example of a fascinating tale of survival in the plant kingdom is the adaptogen known as holy basil (Tulsi). Native to the scorching-hot, arid Indian subcontinent, holy basil thrives even under desperate drought conditions.
One more example is Ashwagandha. Like holy basil, this adaptogen thrives in arid, hot AF India as well as North Africa and the Middle East.
Just as these adaptogenic herbs have not only survived but thrived in harsh climates, they can help us adapt to stress and support our own resilience and well-being, even in the face of adversity.
What Are The Benefits Of Adaptogens?
Adaptogens might be the ultimate natural stress-busters. And in helping our bodies adapt to stress in a balanced, non-specific way, they may also help:
- Support immune function
- Promote energy, vitality, stamina and endurance
- Improve mental clarity
- Balance mood
- Calm the mind
What Are The Best Adaptogens?
In addition to the adaptogens I mentioned, the following ones have shown promise in research studies:
- Licorice root
- Goji berry
- Schisandra fruit
- Astragalus
- Angelica root
- Acai berry
- Shatavari
Do Adaptogens Really Work?
Instead of asking me, let’s see what the research says. According to a review of several studies published in 2021, in the journal Nutrients, “adaptogens could provide a number of benefits in the treatment of chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and immune protection. In the future, there is great potential to register medicinal products that contain plant adaptogens for therapeutic purposes.”
Earlier this year, a study focusing on adaptogens and skin health concluded:
“Adaptogens can repair the skin barrier and maintain skin homeostasis by … influencing the oxidative stress pathway to inhibit inflammation, and regulating the extracellular matrix (ECM) components to maintain a dynamic equilibrium, ultimately achieving the treatment of skin diseases and the maintenance of a healthy state.”
Drug companies can’t patent adaptogenic herbs and make huge profits. So there are no large human clinical trials on adaptogens. Considering they’ve been used for thousands of years and our way of life seems to only be getting more stressful, I highly recommend adaptogens. But I’ll still pass on the mushroom pizza.
This content is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.
Chef V Tropical Smoothie
Chef V’s tip: Mangos contain tartaric acid, malic acid, and a trace of citric acid, which help maintain the alkaline balance of our bodies. Use my Tropical Green Drink as the base for this recipe for a cool, refreshing smoothie.
For a variation on this recipe, add fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, and vanilla pea protein powder.
TOTAL: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen mango pieces
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple pieces
- 2 large kale leaves
- 2 cups Chef V Tropical Smoothie Green Drink
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1 tbsp vanilla pea protein (optional)
Superfood boosts:
- 1 tsp. Fresh ginger
- 1 tsp. Fresh turmeric
- 1 tsp. Bee pollen
Directions
Process all ingredients in a Vitamix for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth. Will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated.
Bon Appétit!
Common Side Effects of Juice Cleanses: If You Should Worry and How To Deal With Them
Participating in a blended juice cleanse is a significant undertaking. You’re doing a hard reset on your body and naturally flushing toxins. Whether you’ve opted for a 3 day cleanse or a 21 day cleanse, you can expect to see and feel dramatic results.
I'm going to explain some common reactions people have to juice cleanses. I will cover which are normal and which are concerning, and why my Chef V cleanse is the safest and more achievable cleanse for you.
Understanding Different Juice Cleanses
Before discussing the side effects of juice cleanses, you need to understand the different kinds of juice cleanses. So how exactly do you define a juice cleanse? At its most basic, a juice cleanse is a temporary diet that looks to replace, in part or whole, your regular food with juiced fruits and vegetables. The goal of a juice cleanse can be to lose weight, boost the immune system, detox the body, get more nutrients, remove sugar cravings, or just feel great.
Of course, every juice cleanse out there has a different set of ingredients to it. When browsing recipes you might look for maximum nutritional value, or for the taste you prefer. Some juice cleanses are very basic, such as those based around only celery juice. Other juice cleanses are more involved, with many different ingredients.
Many juice cleanses go beyond the juice. It’s not uncommon to see juice cleanses that add in detox smoothies and detox shakes. These allow a juice cleanse to offer you more protein and fiber, meaning that you can stay healthy for longer during your juice cleanse.
Lastly, juice cleanses can differ depending on how long they last. Generally, the shortest kinds of juice cleanse are the 3-day juice cleanses. The longest kind of juice cleanse would be the 21-day juice cleanses.
Common Juice Cleanse Side Effects
Ideally, a juice cleanse should leave you feeling amazing. Yet, many report side effects while taking on a juice cleanse. Here we’ll go over some of the most common, as well as explain what might cause them – and if you should do anything about them.
Headaches
Headaches aren’t uncommon during many juice cleanses. But this doesn’t mean that they are good either. One of the major causes of headaches is from getting a lack of all the nutrients you need. Many juice cleanses don’t provide you with everything you need to get through a juice cleanse. This is particularly true of the very “basic” ones like celery juice cleanses.
Celery juice side effects often include the infamous celery juice headaches. While eating celery is certainly healthy, you can’t just live off of celery stalks! You must research your juice cleanses beforehand and make sure that they have all the proper nutrients you need. In particular, try to make sure you are getting enough protein out of your juice cleanse.
Dizziness
Dizziness during juice cleanses isn’t uncommon either. Dizziness during a juice cleanse normally happens because of a drop in blood sugar levels.
A little bit of dizziness is to be expected then, as your blood sugar levels start to stabilize. If you are experiencing prolonged dizziness, your juice cleanse isn’t providing you with enough carbs and natural sugars. Like the celery juice headache, you may want to look for a more sustainable cleanse, or try a shorter one.
It should also be noted that sometimes dizziness can be caused by a lack of iron, or dehydration. Make sure you are doing a juice cleanse that includes plenty of dark greens for iron, and always drink plenty of water.
Fatigue
If you are experiencing prolonged fatigue during your juice cleanse, it might be that you aren’t getting enough iron or protein. Like with the previous side effects, it’s a good idea to make sure you are getting a nutritionally comprehensive juice cleanse. This is especially important if you are aiming for a long-term weight loss goal like the 21-day juice cleanse.
Fatigue can also be caused during a juice cleanse by getting too much or too little physical activity. Remaining active during a juice cleanse is important, but you will want to try and keep it to mainly light exercise.
Bowel Issues
Getting on a juice cleanse does represent a fairly significant change to your diet, it’s true. So some digestive issues to start aren’t uncommon. If you find yourself running to the toilet, you might want to look into a juice cleanse that contains more fiber. A lack of fiber in your cleanse is often the most common reason for bowel issues. (In particular, celery juice side effects often include bowel trouble). It’s a good idea to go for a blended juice cleanse that comes with detox soups. This way you don’t have to deal with the results of putting too much juice in an empty stomach without fiber.
Get A Sustainable Juice Cleanse
The best kind of blended juice cleanse is the kind that you can finish. Undergoing even a 3-day juice cleanse or 7-day juice cleanse is a big undertaking. If you want to go for a 21-day juice cleanse, you are going to want a cleanse that works with you, not against you.
Thankfully, our 21-day juice cleanse comes with the extra detox smoothies and detox shakes you need to be able to make it all the way through. Our green drink juice recipes are also jam-packed with all the most nutritious fruits and vegetables we can find.
Just as important as our recipes is our support. Chef V wants to help you succeed, and will be with you for every step of your juice cleanse. As long as you listen to your body and take note of side effects, you’ll be able to finish your blended juice cleanse like a champ.
A 21-day juice cleanse should leave you feeling great, not suffering from things like celery juice headaches.
How To Save $4000 On Green Drink & Cleanses—And Feel Like A Million Bucks
Veronica “V” Kress, founder of ChefV.com, is paying it forward by reducing the yearly cost of a Green Drink plan and 2 Cleanses by $4000, to a select group of VIP customers. To be eligible for consideration, VIP customers must be fully committed to looking and feeling their best in 2023.
How are those healthy New Year resolutions going so far? Hopefully you’re not one of the 25% of people who quit within the first week of setting their resolutions.
The fact is that most people abandon their resolution before the end of January. And get this: less than 10% are successful in seeing their resolution through and achieving success.
Are you the rare person that not only wants to unleash your full potential in 2023, but will actually make it happen? Are you someone who wants to live life at the possible highest vibration this year?
Do you want 2023 to be your healthiest year yet? Are you excited about the possibility of looking and feeling your best ever?
Then I have an invitation for you.
But first I have to warn you about something…
Be A CHEF V VIP. Buy A New Wardrobe With Your Savings!
If you accept my invitation you’re going to get significantly leaner.
You’ll finally achieve the body you’ve been dreaming about for years.
And that means there’s a good chance you might have to buy new clothes.
But with all the money you’ll save, you’ll be able to buy a whole new wardrobe.
Plus you’ll still have lots more money saved to go on a dream vacation.
If this sounds too good to be true, there is a catch…
You need to be 100% fully committed to my plan.
You see, recently, I told you that Chef V’s Green Drink Plan is the best $7 you’ll spend this year for your overall health and well-being.
The same price as a coffee shop vanilla latte will help you lose weight, feel great and everything that comes along with that…
Like better sleep, more youthful looking skin and a stronger immune system…
The Chef V Green Drink Plan is a great place to start for looking and feeling your best in 2023.
If you want to take it to the next level and save thousands of dollars, I invite you into my inner circle: the CHEF V VIP group.
Here’s what you get when you join:
- $4000 off the retail price for 12 months of Green Drink or Tropical Green Drink
- Two (2) 3-DAY CLEANSES Included (accelerate your weight loss)
-
- Private Health Consultation with Chef V, a certified nutritional therapist (30 minutes $250 value)
- Hard copy of Chef V’s Cookbook, Making Cleansing Easier (a $47 value)
- A Chef V Tumbler ($20 value)
- Free samples of upcoming Chef V new products.
Be A VIP For Less Than The Cost Of A Burrito
My accountant is not very happy with me. You see, he thinks I’m not charging enough for my Green Drink Plan. And on top of that, I’m offering 2 free 3-DAY CLEANSES!
I’m sure you’re all too aware of how much prices of everything have gone up. Why would I then offer a huge savings plus several freebies on top of that?
Well, at the end of the day, CHEF V is a business, so I do have to turn a profit. But beyond being a business, CHEF V is a community. And I want to give back and help people achieve their health goals.
This is why I created the VIP PLAN. By becoming a VIP, you are purchasing not only the freshest, most gut-friendly, lowest-sugar Green Drink, you’re also getting something you can’t put money on…
ACCOUNTABILITY.
By becoming a VIP, you are not only purchasing daily Green Drinks and 2 CLEANSES, you’re also investing in your future health and success.
By prepaying for a VIP yearly plan, you are guaranteeing that you will stay motivated and committed to meeting your goals.
In becoming a CHEF V VIP, you eliminate the chance of failure!
You will be the rare person that sticks to their New Year health resolutions!
So what will all this cost?
I believe in being fully transparent. No waiting until the checkout cart pops up to see what the total cost is…
Your upfront investment in your health and happiness for 2023 is $2199.
That comes out to $183 a month.
That’s only $6.10 per day.
Way less than the breakfast burrito I ate the other day. It was $15!
Of course, I ate it at 1 p.m. because I do intermittent fasting and I break my fast with Green Drink every morning. Having Green Drink every day for your “break-fast” is the easiest way to lose weight and feel super-charged.
And with the VIP Plan, you’re guaranteed of securing the lowest possible price on Green Drink and sticking with it. No temptations to jump off the bandwagon and go back to your old ways of eating sausage, bacon, toast and bagels for breakfast.
I can’t emphasize enough how Green Drink starts off your day in the healthiest way possible.
—-> Read Chef V’s Health Benefits Of Green Drink For Breakfast
The point is, that gourmet burrito I had was delicious. But $15 on something that really isn’t supporting my health to the same degree as Green Drink? Delicious but ridiculous.
Whereas $6 a day for Green Drink plus free 2 CLEANSES during the year to support your body’s detoxification organs?
That’s far too much of a bargain, according to my accountant.
Is Your Brain Health Worth $2K?
The average person will think of a thousand excuses not to invest $2199 in their health.
But you’re not average. You realize that flooding your cells every morning with the world’s most potent, health-supporting phytonutrients is priceless.
And doing so affects your health in every possible way.
For example, your brain health.
But don’t just take my word for it. A study in the journal, Neurology, shows that just 1 serving a day of green leafy vegetables may help to slow age-associated cognitive decline.
Plus there’s research that shows how daily green leafy veggies supports sleep quality, collagen production, blood sugar levels and so much more…
The VIP Green Drink plan is like buying the best premium fuel for your body at Costco prices.
30 Day Challenge X 12 = Amazing Health Transformation
Every so often, we’ll do a 30 Day Green Drink Challenge on social media. Chef V customers who complete the challenge typically experience some amazing results. 10-20 pounds lost. More energy. Cravings for junk gone. Clearer skin.
Unfortunately, some people lose their momentum and go back to their old ways.
This is why becoming a VIP is the smartest thing you’ll do this year.
Imagine the success of a 30-day challenge times 12!!!
On a VIP plan, the motivation will never fade!
Make 2023 the year you finally see a health resolution through to the end of the year.
To your health and success!
Love, Chef V
Banana Blue Smoothie
A smoothie recommended for the nursing mom!
This is our most popular smoothie and the smoothie my husband has every day: Banana Blue. I don’t typically share banana based smoothies since bananas are excluded from the Chef V cleanse because of their high starch and sugar content.
However, for nursing moms, banana and blueberries are great for healing the uterus and producing breast milk. I’ve added some nutritional super boosts too like chia seeds and almond butter.
And of course remember to use all organic!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chef V's Almond Milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 loose cup of kale, spinach or other greens
- 1 cup ice
- 1 tbsp. Chef V vanilla pea protein
- 1 tsp. Chia seeds
- 1 tbsp. Almond butter
Directions
Blend in high for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Enjoy! Serves 1.
Want A Profound Wellness Transformation? Do This, Research Shows.
Research shows if you want a physical and mental-health makeover, do this. Certified nutritional therapist and ChefV.com founder Veronica Wheat reveals the secret…
Which supplements should I take to look and feel your best?
Which foods should I eat so that I’m not always bloated?
What’s the best exercise that won’t make me exhausted?
What should I do to improve my sleep?
How can I stay focused at work—especially in the afternoon?
Which products will make my skin and hair look healthier?
What should I do to keep my mood and mental health balanced?…
…It’s no wonder many people feel overwhelmed and quickly give up pursuing a healthier lifestyle.
There’s just too many variables and conflicting information. Not to mention the hundreds or thousands of dollars in supplements, apps, and other products you need to spend to experience a health transformation.
If you’ve ever wanted a wellness makeover but ultimately gave up, I feel your pain.
But what if there were just ONE thing you could do that would make you feel both physically and mentally incredible?
You’d probably think it was too good to be true.
But what if that one thing were backed by research? And not just an in vitro experiment (a “test tube” study) or even an animal study. But a clinical trial—research conducted on humans…
Would you be way less skeptical?
And what if this clinical trial showed that just one month is all it takes to experience a profound health transformation?
Would you be willing to give it a try?
28 Days To A New, Better You: The Research-Backed Results Of ChefV.com
In case you’re new to ChefV.com and you’re Googling “the best detoxes” or “best easy cleanse for weight loss”, as somebody who has been in this industry for most of my adult life, let me give you some advice…
You know how those detox diets always promise amazing things like weight loss, fixing gut problems, boosting energy, and making your hair, skin, and nails look incredible? Well, turns out those claims are pretty much B.S. And there haven’t been many studies to really check if detox diets actually work.
The truth is there’s hardly any evidence that any detox supplement or product actually works!
Now why would I be dishing out the dirt on this industry secret when the business I launched in 2012 with encouragement from my husband and biz partner Brandon specializes in short-term Cleanses and the 21 DAY DETOX?
Precisely to separate ChefV.com from the competition.
That’s why early in 2023, Brandon and I decided to spend a small fortune on having our products clinically tested.
Citrus Labs, a Santa Monica-based research company, examined the effects of using ChefV.com products for 28 days on 38 participants. None of the participants had any significant health problems but had complaints that almost everybody else has: low energy levels, occasional bloating, etc.
The 38 participants first completed the ChefV.com 21 DAY DETOX and then were given one 16-ounce serving of ORGANIC GREEN DRINK for 7 days. The participants’ health was determined by pre- and post-study blood work and questionnaires.
At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that ChefV.com products resulted in:
- 1.7% reduction in A1C blood sugar levels, an amount that might seem miniscule but is actually very significant.
- 23% reduction in fat in the blood (triglycerides).
- An average weight loss of nearly 8 pounds—in a population with healthy Body Mass Index.
- 34% lower levels of the inflammatory biomarker, C-Reactive Protein.
A Detox That Works Without The Suffering
The study by Citrus Labs showed that pretty much every wellness marker had improved after just 28 days, including:
- 43.7% improvement in energy levels
- 39.8% improvement in hair loss
- 46.2% improvement in bloating
- 49.6% improvement in muscle fatigue
- 48.6% improvement in back pain
- 43.8% improvement with sleep issues
- 32.3% improvement in the ability to focus
“Participants experienced a statistically significant improvement in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HbA1C, and body weight over the 28 days. Participants also experienced a significant improvement in almost all of the subjective perceptions measured via the surveys from Baseline to Day 28. Overall, the Chef V products tested in this trial led to significant positive physiological and psychological health outcomes.” — Citrus Labs conclusion
An incredible conclusion for sure. But will you have to suffer for a month in order to achieve a dramatic health and wellness transformation?
No! That’s the great thing about the ChefV.com 21 DAY DETOX. But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what the independent research company says about it:
“The detox diet used in this trial is not a diet that encourages people to skip meals but to use green drinks and other products alongside foods that can supply the nutrition needed for optimal health outcomes. The detox program provides the three primary macronutrients alongside antioxidants to promote detoxification.”
Whereas lots of other detox programs are actually short-term starvation diets, the ChefV.com 21 DAY DETOX nourishes your body’s trillions of cells with Organic Green Drinks, Vegan Protein Shakes and Detox Soups, plus low-calorie antioxidant-rich recipes.
Let me know if you come across any detox program online that remotely comes close!
The Journey of Lifelong Healthy Habits Starts With One Step
I’m excited for you to finally experience the wellness makeover you’ve been wanting and waiting for. You can have the confidence that your hard-earned money will be well spent on a research-backed detox that won’t jeopardize your health or make you have energy crashes and cravings.
The first step towards a new, healthier, happier you is learning more here.
Love,
Veronica “V” Wheat
ChefV.com founder
Certified Nutritional Therapist
Go Veg: Thicker Hair, Healthy Gut, Smooth Skin, and Strong Nails
The study Chef V commissioned from an independent laboratory concluded that when study participants completed the Chef V detox and continued to use the Chef V Green Drink plan, they experienced a 39.8% improvement in hair loss.
The best veggies for a healthy gut, skin, hair, and nails are the same as the ones in Chef V’s mega-popular Green Drink. And it’s no coincidence that these same veggies are also the best for helping you cleanse and detox. Chef V covers how each of the veggies benefits your beauty.
I created the recipe for Organic Green Drink several years ago back when I was a private chef. Over time, demand grew for my Green Drink and that’s really the catalyst for launching Chef V.
I did a ton of research for the Green Drink recipe. I wanted to select the best veggies that would not only taste amazing cold-blended, but that would also be the best for a 3 day cleanse or 21-day detox. And as it turns out, the seven veggies in Green Drink not only happen to be the best for cleansing and detoxing, they also happen to be the best veggies for skin, hair, and nails.
Now I admit, it would be a pain in the behind to have to chop green kale, black kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, green chard, curly parsley, and green leaf lettuce every day. And then have to juice it. Then clean up.
The main reason why I transitioned from being a private chef to launching Chef V: making healthier easier for people just like you. And it doesn’t get any easier than having a bottle of our certified organic Green Drink delivered to your home.
Not only can you lose weight, gain energy and sleep more soundly by having Green Drink every day, but there’s also a very good chance your skin, hair, and nails will look better.
So let’s take a look at how the ingredients in Green Drink are the healthiest veggies for skin, hair, and nails.
Best Veggies for Skin, Hair & Nails: Kale
Sure, there’s some excessive kale craziness these days. But for good reason. Kale is rich in vitamin K. And it’s really hard for most people who eat the average American diet to get enough K. Vitamin K actually helps minimize dark circles in your eyes. That’s why it’s one of the best veggies for skin.
In fact, kale can even help tighten your skin. How? Well, one of the reasons why your skin isn’t as tight when you get older is that the aging process weakens your collagen. Collagen is the body’s main structural protein. In fact, over one-third of the thousands and thousands of proteins in the body are collagen proteins. Collagen provides strength to your tendons, ligaments, teeth, nails, hair, bones, gut lining, and much more….
The vitamin C in kale along with the antioxidant, lutein, promotes collagen regrowth and production. In addition, the vitamin A in kale helps prevent damage to the skin. It also repairs and damage to the epidermis.
There’s a good reason why kale has been added to several beauty products. Because it’s such an efficient detoxifying nutrient, kale can help clean your pores. It’s even beneficial for your hair pores. Moreover, kale contains fatty acids such as omega-3s. These fatty acids provide moisture to your hair and skin.
There’s even a nail polish with kale extract. Supposedly, it can help stimulate keratin production. Keratin is the other main protein that’s in your nails.
These facts about kale make it one of the best veggies for skin, hair and nails. So drink your Green Drink and schedule that kale facial!
Best Veggies for Skin, Hair & Nails: Dandelion
Another incredible detoxifying green veggie in our Green Drink is dandelion. Dandelion widens your pores. That’s how it helps your body get rid of toxins. And according to this article, dandelion shrinks wrinkles. It may also help whiten dark spots and reduce fine lines.
Like kale, dandelion also contains lots of beta carotene and vitamin C. It’s also rich in the B vitamins and vitamin E, which is a standard ingredient in many skin care products. Moreover, the minerals and trace minerals in dandelion may actually help regrow hair.
Lettuce
One of the main reasons why lettuce is good for your skin is it contains the following three minerals: silica, sulfur and phosphorous. You don’t need a large quantity of these minerals from the foods you eat. That’s why they are called trace minerals. But these three trace minerals are vital for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails. Without doubt, you’re not going to get many benefits by eating iceberg lettuce, which is devoid of nutrition. But green leafy lettuce can also protect your skin against harmful UV rays.
So now do you see why I selected these six veggies (7 really; Green Drink includes two different types of kale)? Not only are they the best-tasting and most detoxifying, they’re also the best for your skin, hair and nails.
Lettuce
One of the main reasons why lettuce is good for your skin is it contains the following three minerals: silica, sulfur and phosphorous. You don’t need a large quantity of these minerals from the foods you eat. That’s why they are called trace minerals. But these three trace minerals are vital for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails. Without doubt, you’re not going to get many benefits by eating iceberg lettuce, which is devoid of nutrition. But green leafy lettuce can also protect your skin against harmful UV rays. So now do you see why I selected these six veggies (7 really; Green Drink includes two different types of kale)? Not only are they the best-tasting and most detoxifying, they’re also the best for your skin, hair and nails.
Is There Any Proof Green Drink Improves Sleep Quality?
Several Chef V customers recently posted how having a Green Drink first thing in the morning has improved their energy throughout the day and even their sleep quality. So I decided to look into the connection between how green leafy veggies affect sleep quality. I also provide a handful of tips on how to get restful zzzzz’s.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a thousand more times…
The easiest, healthiest thing you can do to start your day is to have 8-16 ounces of Organic Green Drink. It’s not a shameless sales pitch. Ask any of the thousands of Chef V customers who follow this daily piece of advice and they’ll tell you that it just sets you up for a great rest of the day. Your energy will be rock-steady. You’ll be slightly buzzing with a high vibration. Not jittery buzzing, but just an optimistic, pep-in-your-step great feeling.
But there’s a catch…
If you’re having a Green Drink in the morning, will the good vibes last well into the night? In other words, can consuming green leafy veggies actually support sleep quality? Yes – clinical research apparently proves the point.
In 2023, ChefV.com products were the focus of an independent clinical trial by Citrus Labs. The 38 participants who completed a 21 DAY DETOX and then continued on a GREEN DRINK plan for 7 days saw vast improvements in all areas of their life. This includes a 34% reduction in inflammation and an average weight loss of nearly 8 pounds, and a 44% improvement in sleep quality.
Research on Green Veggies & Sleep Quality
According to a 2021 study in the Swiss journal, Antioxidants, green leaf lettuce (one of the 7 certified organic veggies in Green Drink) was shown to bind to GABA receptors. I’ll break it down in plain English.
So GABA is a neurotransmitter, which are chemical messengers in the brain. Having great communication is key to almost everything in life and it turns out that for sleep and overall health, it’s crucial.
And in order to have rejuvenating sleep and feel relaxed, your GABA neurotransmitters have to be able to get the message that they need to be activated. This is because GABA is like your brain’s natural valium—without the addictive side effects.
So what’s in lettuce that activates GABA and leads to better sleep quality? Well, the researchers believe that the antioxidant called quercetin plays a big role. You may have heard of quercetin. I know people who take quercetin supplements. I guess it can’t hurt to take a quercetin supplement but I always advocate getting the real thing from food.
V’s 3 Most Important Sleep Tips (Besides Green Drink)
In addition to eating (and drinking) lots of organic green, leafy veggies and other produce, here are 3 things that help me get better sleep:
- Meditate
With so many meditation apps to choose from, many of them free, you don’t have to be a Buddhist monk in order to achieve a more restful, relaxed state. My favorite app is the Calm app.
I listen to the daily Calm every morning for 10 mins and usually every night before I go to bed.
It also helps me if I wake up too early – I can do the daily mediation and usually get back to sleep.
Try to listen to a sleep or meditation app for 15 minutes before you try to fall asleep for the night. If you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep, follow along to the app for another 10-15 minutes.
- Feast at lunch, eat a light dinner
A lot of people are so busy during the day that they barely have time to eat lunch and when they do, it’s usually something not substantial enough and not well-balanced. Turkey sandwiches come to mind. Instead, try carving out time and eating a large lunch with a healthy grain like quinoa, a big portion of roasted/steamed veggies and a lean piece of protein like fish or tempeh. Then for dinner, have soup and salad.
- Get Adequate Exercise
I notice that on days when I’m not as active as I’d like to be (hasn’t been happening that much lately because of my new pickleball obsession), I don’t sleep as well.
Make sure you move your body enough during the day. I know it’s tough for many people who work remotely on their laptop all day. But try to take a few mini-movement breaks during the day.
And don’t forget to start each day with Organic Green Drink! Here’s to getting plenty of restful zzzzz’s.
Leafy Greens in Green Drink Block Blue Light
I also came across a study in the curiously named journal, Cureus, which said that leafy greens contain micronutrients that can positively influence sleep:
- Tryptophan
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Fiber
- Iron
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Choline
- Beta carotene
So let’s talk about some of these micronutrients that are in Organic Green Drink. For starters, the researchers of this study said that fiber “has been shown to be associated with deeper and more restorative sleep.”
So in case you’re wondering what the heck lutein and zeaxanthin are, they are the most important antioxidants for vision and eye health. And the cool thing about these two micronutrients that are also found in Green Drink is that they are natural filters of high-energy blue light. That helps support sleep because blue light, which is emitted from smartphones and other electronic devices, suppress your body’s production of the sleep hormone, melatonin.
And that’s the reason why you should always put your phone in airplane mode when you go to bed and turn off all other electronics in your room a good hour before you want to fall asleep. If you have a TV in your room, get rid of it; move it into another room and stop watching well before bedtime.
Look, I could go on and on with these research studies. If you want to check more out, here ya go.) Now I’m not saying if you struggle with really difficult insomnia that having a little Green Drink in the morning is the cure, or if you eat a salad for dinner you’ll sleep like a baby. But there is plenty of evidence that associates green leafy veggie consumption with better sleep quality.
Nurturing a Healthy Feminine Microbiome
If you want to avoid yeast infections, minimize PMS symptoms and maintain great gynecological health, ChefV.com founder and nutritional therapist Veronica Wheat has some sage advice.
Weight. Gut health. Digestion. Elimination.
These are the things we most often think about when it comes to our food choices. But ladies, when it comes to our overall diet, we should also keep our vaginal microbiome and menstrual cycle in mind.
You see, we not only have an invisible world of trillions of bacteria in our large intestine, comprising most of the Gut microbiome. Women also have a vaginal microbiome. In fact, a study of 110 women of reproductive age revealed that the vagina contains anywhere from 10 billion to 100 billion bacteria.
And just like the gut microbiome, the vaginal microbiome is home to mostly friendly bacteria. But poor food choices and other factors I’ll highlight below can throw off the balance quickly, leading to yeast infections and irregular or painful cycles.
Similar to the relationship in the gut microbiome, in the vaginal microbiome, there’s a symbiotic relationship between the host (you) and the bacteria. Us ladies provide a humid, nutritious and warm environment for the microbes. And in return, what do we get?
In exchange for being able to live rent-free in our warm and cozy ‘ginas, the microbes provide “a first line of defense against nonindigenous microorganisms.” In other words, the friendly vaginal bacteria act like an army and immune system, protecting us from pathogenic invaders that don’t belong down there.
Causes of Vaginal Dysbiosis
But just as a neglected house attracts nasty critters, the internal environment of the vagina can result in vaginal dysbiosis; the unfriendly bacteria take over and wreak havoc.
Out of all the factors that can cause vaginal dysbiosis, I’ll focus mostly on diet. But before I do, I just want to mention other internal and external factors that can disrupt the vaginal microbiome.
- Hormone imbalance: Changes in estrogen and/or progesterone levels, that occur because of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can alter the vaginal pH and increase the likelihood of infections.
- Contraceptives: This is related to hormone imbalance
- Immune system weakness
- Heavy antibiotic usage
- Sexually-transmitted infections
It’s important to maintain a healthy ecosystem in the vagina because dysbiosis can lead to, among other things:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Candidiasis (a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans)
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Maintain Optimal Gynecological Health By Going Green
In addition to hygiene, regular exercise, managing stress, and eating a healthy diet are key to maintaining an optimal vaginal pH and microbiome. And for this article, I’m going to focus on nutrition.
People assume I’m the equivalent of a Catholic nun when it comes to nutrition. But I’m not always strict. Sometimes, I “take the habit off” and indulge in my favorite junk food habit: french fries. But the most important lesson I can impart is to eat super healthy like 85% of the time. If you do this, you’ll most likely provide your vaginal microbiome with a healthy environment to thrive in, and you’ll be less likely to experience yeast infections or a difficult menstrual cycle.
Am I just saying this because I’m in the business of delivering Organic Green Drinks to people’s homes across the country (the Green Drink Plan)? Well, yeah!
But low-sugar green leafy veggies (7 of them in Green Drink, all certified USDA Organic!) are clinically proven to support health in many ways.
In fact, Chef V’s 21-Day Detox and Green Drink was the focus of an independent research study. However, one health metric that wasn’t analyzed by Citrus Labs, the Santa Monica research company that conducted the analysis was vaginal health.
So I dug up some research of my own and here’s a couple of examples of how consuming green veggies can support a healthy vaginal microbiome.
What The Research Says About Vaginal Health & Diet
A study published in BMC Women’s Health says dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation with abdominal cramps) is one of the most prevalent gynecological disorders, experienced by approximately 60%-70% of young women during menstruation.
The biological reason why painful periods occur is the increased release of something called prostaglandins into the uterine tissue once menstruation begins. Your body makes prostaglandins (which are hormone-like lipids) at sites of tissue damage or infection.
When high levels of prostaglandins respond to tissue damage, the blood vessels constrict. In addition, you also get more contractions of the muscular layer of the uterus (the myometrium). But the fun is only just beginning. What also ends up happening is blood flow to the uterus is choked off, causing pain.
HEALTHY EATING RESOURCES
CHEF V’s COOKING SCHOOL (Free videos)
What Do I Eat Today? (Free recipes)
Making Cleansing Easier (Free e-cookbook)
Is this simply a physiological curse of being female?
Well, yes, if you indulge in “sugars, salty snacks, sweets and desserts, tea and coffee, salt, fruit juices and added fat (labeled as “snacks” pattern),” according to the research study in BMC Women’s Health.
So how protective are green leafy veggies for gynecological health? Well, a 2017 observational study in the British Journal of Cancer said that “a higher intake of green leafy vegetables was inversely associated with mortality from ovarian cancer.” Because it was an observational study, we can’t conclude that there is direct causation, but the correlation is very strong.
“Just finished my 3 day cleanse & I’m about to start my post cleanse. It was so much easier than I expected. I wasn’t hungry until the end of day 3 & the cleanse was actually very tasty. I lost 5.1 pounds & I feel great. I’m expecting to gain some of that weight back when I start eating solid foods again today but it’s a great kick start & great motivator to continue to eat healthy. Thanks Chef V!” – Sally
Why Do Green Leafy Veggies Support Vaginal Health?
Green leafies like kale, collard greens, lettuce, parsley, and chard (all of which are in Organic Green Drink) contain antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress, which prevents cellular damage. These nutrient-dense veggies also keep inflammation in check, which plays a big role in hormone balance.
In addition, green, leafy vegetables contain phytoestrogens. These plant compounds mimic the action of estrogen in the body. If your estrogen levels are low because of perimenopause or menopause, consuming more green leafy veggies may help balance your hormones, which leads to a healthier vaginal microbiome.
And let’s not forget how important it is to eat healthy while pregnant! As a new mom, I’m living proof! No gestational diabetes for me, thank you. You see, green leafies are abundant in essential vitamins and minerals for healthy fetal development. And after your baby is born and you’re back to having periods, the vitamin K in green leafies helps prevent excessive bleeding and encourages healthy blood clotting.
How To Get More Leafy Greens In Your Diet For Vaginal Health
Look, I could go on and on about the benefits of green leafies, but I think by now you get the idea. They’re not just important for maintaining a healthy weight and managing blood sugar. Green leafies are absolutely necessary for an optimal vaginal microbiome!
So here’s how you can incorporate more of them into your diet:
- Salads – Chef V Salads Recipes
- Stir frys
- Sauté or steam (add healthy fats like almond slices and avocado/olive oil)
- Frozen (I’m not a huge fan of frozen but if organic, they are convenient and just as nutritious as fresh veggies.)
- CSA: Get your organic fresh veggies from a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.
- Drink organic green leafy veggies, cold-blended and raw
Check out my entree recipes from my cookbook here.
And don’t forget to minimize your intake of added sugars. Your vaginal microbiome will thank you for it.
To your (vaginal) health!
Love,
Veronica “V” Wheat
Founder, ChefV.com
Vegan vs. Vegetarian
Choosing a healthy lifestyle is always the best choice. But it's important to be mindful of the diet you opt for because it needs to be compatible with your lifestyle, sync with your weight goals, and meet nutritional requirements.
Some of you may think of going meat-free or giving up dairy products, which often motivates people to turn vegan or vegetarian. Please note that these lifestyles are different from each other; both may include giving up meat, but vegetarians consume dairy and other animal products in their diets whereas vegans don’t.
Curious to know which one's best for you? Should you turn vegan or still enjoy your cheese and take the vegetarian route? At Chef V, you'll get all your answers as we briefly discuss vegan vs. vegetarian with their benefits and downsides.
Vegan vs. vegetarian – What’s the difference?
Let's take a look at the difference between vegan and vegetarian.
Choosing a healthy lifestyle is always the best choice. But it's important to be mindful of the diet you opt for because it needs to be compatible with your lifestyle, sync with your weight goals, and meet nutritional requirements.
Some of you may think of going meat-free or giving up dairy products, which often motivates people to turn vegan or vegetarian. Please note that these lifestyles are different from each other; both may include giving up meat, but vegetarians consume dairy and other animal products in their diets whereas vegans don’t.
Curious to know which one's best for you? Should you turn vegan or still enjoy your cheese and take the vegetarian route? At Chef V, you'll get all your answers as we briefly discuss vegan vs. vegetarian with their benefits and downsides.
Vegan vs. vegetarian – What’s the difference?
Let's take a look at the difference between vegan and vegetarian.
Veganism
Veganism is a lifestyle that encourages you to give up all animal products, ranging from clothes to food items, in an attempt to save the climate and limit the exploitation of animals. It’s a lifestyle that motivates individuals to consume plant-based and dairy-free products, including whole fruits, seeds, nuts, legumes, beans, and vegetables.
More than for social reasons, people are opting for veganism or a vegan diet because of its varied health and wellness benefits. According to a 2022 report, Americans are turning vegan six times faster in 2022 than they did in 2014.
As more and more people move toward veganism, the market is experiencing a change. Due to the increasing demand for vegan products, the global market for plant-based products is likely to grow by 12.95%.
There are many vegan food options and alternatives that won't let you miss your usual meat-based diet. There are vegan smoothies and burgers; you can also go for an organic juice cleanse diet and bake with plant-based ingredients, such as coconut milk and vegan meat.
Downsides of a vegan or vegetarian diet
- Most people following a vegan or vegetarian diet need to take vitamin B12 supplements to fulfill their daily vitamin B12 needs. The most significant source of B12 is seafood, including fish, sardines, and clams, but since vegetarians and vegans don't consume animal flesh, they take medications or other substitutes to meet health requirements.
- The limited option for complete proteins is also a significant downside of a vegetarian diet. Complete proteins contain nine amino acids, which are rare in plant-based diets. You may need to add a variety of different proteins, such as legumes, lentils, and nuts to meet daily protein needs.
- Believe it or not, a vegan diet can also result in weight gain because you tend to eat more to meet your daily nutritional requirements, which is why you should always include a juice cleanse diet or intermittent fasting in your lifestyle while turning vegetarian or vegan.
- Going vegan is challenging; be aware of whether the food item is vegan or not before putting it on your grocery list. It requires a complete behavioral and consumer change, especially when new to the diet and philosophy.
What works best for you?
This mainly depends on your lifestyle, weight goals, and health requirements. The journey will be tough if you eat meat and want to give it up to become vegan or vegetarian. Plan things accordingly to deal with cravings, find substitutes for favorite dishes and how you can accommodate the change in lifestyle.
Both vegan vs. vegetarian are lifestyle choices, and both do wonders for your health by encouraging you to eat healthily and focus on your overall well-being. You can always move back to your standard diet if things don't go according to plan or expectation. You just need to take that one step toward a healthy lifestyle.
Learn more about this on Chef V, a platform that helps you achieve your body goals. We offer multiple juice cleanses, ranging from one day to 21-day detox challenges to take you a step closer to a healthy lifestyle.
Brain Health: Keeping Sharp With Chef V
The study Chef V commissioned from an independent laboratory concluded that when study participants completed the Chef V detox and continued to use the Chef V GREEN DRINK plan, they experienced a 32.3% improvement in their ability to focus. Here are Chef V's tips for better brain health.
Feeling foggy brained lately? Did you forget where you put your phone — for the tenth time this week? Are you forgetting names more often? Now is the time to get serious about brain health.
Socially distanced, locked down people are finding themselves fuzzy brained and distracted. Learn how my Green Drinks and Cleanses can help you stay focused. And even if you’re sharp as a tack, here’ s how you can stay that way well into your 90s and beyond…. Plus, a vegetable with proven brain benefits – avocado.
Mom Was Right (And So Am I): Eat Your Veggies!
There are simple ways you can boost brain health and radically improve your thinking and reasoning skills.
First and foremost: exercise. Start a daily yoga practice. If you absolutely hate yoga or exercising at home, just walk in place for an hour at night while you’re watching TV. Just be active almost every single day for the rest of your life.
Just as important as exercising is diet. Now, I admit, when I came up with my Green Drink recipe several years ago, I didn’t realize it could play a big part in preventing dementia.
As it turns out, the seven certified-organic green-leafy veggies do just that. In fact, if you want to keep your brain younger than your chronological age, green leafy veggies are the best for doing that.
Don’t take my word for it. According to this CBS news article adults who consume a cup and a half a day of leafy greens have lower risk of developing memory deficits associated with dementia. This is based on a study of almost 1000 people over the course of five years. Those people who ate the most leafy greens were 11 years younger in brain age compared to those who ate the least.
Isn’t that an amazing finding?
There’s no easier–and smarter–way of getting your daily dose of green, leafy veggies than drinking at least 16 oz. of Green Drink every day. Combining Green Drink with my soups and protein shakes, a detox has a profound positive effect on your health.
Having Trouble Concentrating & Focusing While Working at Home? Ditch the Sugar
Most juice cleanses are way too high in sugar. (Learn how Chef V compares to the competition.)
And it turns out that if you have high blood sugar levels, to the point that you develop pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, your brain health will suffer.
What’s the connection?
According to this article people with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk for memory problems. Furthermore, older adults who have diabetes and high blood sugars perform worse on memory tests at the start of the study and show a greater decline in memory by the end of the study, in comparison to older adult without diabetes.
Can you see why it’s so important to not go overboard with your sugar intake? The good news is you don’t have to ditch dessert for the rest of your life. You just need to eat treats that are low in added sugars. Take my recipe for Raw Avocado Chocolate Mousse for example.
Avocado: It’s Brain Food!
Speaking of avocado, it’s one of the healthiest foods for brain health. Along with blueberries, wild salmon, nuts and seeds, beans and some other superfoods, avocado has long been praised for its positive effect on gray matter.
Here’s how avocado is good for your brain….
Even though it’s high in fat, the fat it does contain a lot of is the monounsaturated kind. The Mediterranean Diet, one of the healthiest ways of eating on the planet, is rich in monounsaturated fats. These fats contribute to healthy blood flow and lower blood pressure. Having high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cognitive decline.
So eat up to half an avocado a day to boost brain power!
Getting Enough Sleep Prevents Brain Fog
One of the toxic proteins that contributes to foggy memory is amyloid plaque. There’s more and more research showing that consistent good sleep can help prevent memory loss. What does this have to do with bad plaque in the brain? Good sleep is like a diligent janitor. Sleep sweeps away the plaque.
If you’ve let your healthy routine go to sh*t, staying up until midnight or later and not getting at least 7 hours, you’re putting yourself at risk for forgetfulness.
Not getting enough sleep? Eating too much sugar? Just feeling heavy and groggy and dragging around the house?
Then it’s time to do a Chef V Detox.
My 21 Day Detox programs will help reset your taste buds so that you won’t be tempted by sugary and junk foods. Your organs will also be working in better shape to help your body detoxify, and your blood sugar levels will go down. You’ll have more focus and better energy throughout the day; you won’t need that late afternoon sugary pick-me-up. As a result, you’ll sleep like a baby.
Look, I can’t guarantee that if you exercise, follow my healthy eating guidelines and get enough sleep you’ll be 100% guaranteed to have a sharper brain.
But the odds will be much better in your favor….
To your health!
Love,
Chef V
Mandarin Asian Salad
You can use lots of different greens to make this Asian inspired salad but I always include cabbage. If you are cleansing, just skip the mandarin oranges to keep it cleanse friendly.
For additional protein, add my Almond Crusted Chicken to the dish.
Salad
Salad
- 3 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 2 tbsp chopped green onion
- 1/4 cup bean sprouts
- 2 mandarins, cut into segments
- 1 tbsp Asian dressing
Dressing
Asian Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp coconut nectar
Blend well.
Vanilla “Milk” Shake
Vanilla milkshake recipe – Too much dairy can be bad for digestion, especially for kids, which is why more people are choosing to limit their intake or eliminate it completely from their diets. Here’s a creamy and delicious mock milkshake recipe that will please your taste buds and your tummy! – Veronica
- 1 cup – Chef V's Raw Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
- 1/2 cup – Cashews (soaked for one hour and drained)
- 1 cup – Ice 1 tbsp – Raw Coconut Nectar (I use Coconut Secret)
- 1 tsp – Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 Vanilla Bean, scraped (optional)
Process all ingredients in Vitamix blender until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Share a pic of your Vanilla “Milk” Shake with me! @chefvlife #chefvlife
Find this and other easy recipes in my new book, Making Cleansing Easier. Visit ChefV.com/book
What do I Eat Today? Welcome Summer!
CLINICAL RESEARCH HEALTH & WELLNESS CLEANSE
RECIPE ARCHIVE
DRINKS SOUP & SALAD SNACKS & APPETIZERS ENTREES
First Thing in the Morning
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I'm hungry to have my Chef V organic Green Drink.
Breakfast: Peaches & Cream Smoothie
On National Smoothie Day and National Peaches and Cream day we had to make up a healthy Peaches and Cream Smoothie. Peaches, cashews, honey, and pea protein make this yummy treat.
Lunch: Garden Salad with Yummy Viniagrette
Salads are easy to prepare and are a super convenient way to get more nutrients into your diet. This mix of greens and veggies is easy to assemble and goes great with my Yummy Vinaigrette Dressing.
This Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe uses my tomato-less bbq sauce and is vegan. Serve with my coleslaw on a gluten-free bun.
Dinner – Chef V's BBQ Sauce
Nightshades tend to cause inflammation in the body. Tomatoes are in lots of yummy sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce and marinara. These sauces can cause inflammation in the body and discomfort.
Try this tomato-less bbq sauce recipe as an alternative and see how much better you feel. You can use this sauce on anything that calls for BBQ sauce.
Dinner – Creamy Raw Coleslaw
This coleslaw recipe goes well with my BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich, my Pulled Chicken Sandwich, and my Sloppy Joes Sandwich.
Can’t Sleep? Try CBT!
If you think CBT is the latest, greatest form of CBD, like CBN, good guess, but not quite. CBT stands for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and just like Chef V products, it has the backing of research for improving sleep quality. ChefV.com founder Veronica Wheat provides an intro to CBT.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve covered something I’m incredibly proud of. ChefV.com products were recently the focus of an independent clinical trial by Citrus Labs, and the results were amazing.
The 38 participants who completed a 21 DAY DETOX and then continued on a GREEN DRINK plan for 7 days saw vast improvements in all areas of their life. This includes a 34% reduction in inflammation, an average weight loss of nearly 8 pounds, and for what I want to focus on in this article, a 44% improvement in sleep quality.
So that got me thinking…
What else can help the Chef V community get more restful ZZZs?
I’m not going to bore you with how important sleep is. I’m sure every article you’ve read details how sleep is linked to every facet of health. I don’t know about you but when I don’t get good sleep and I read about how important sleep is, it stresses me out a little. I’ll also skip the statistics on how many people suffer from poor sleep. (It’s obviously a lot of people.)
So I won’t pour fuel on the fire. Instead, I want to dive right in and tell you about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) because it’s received a lot of attention but many people are still unfamiliar with it.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
This is the textbook definition of CBT: It’s an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and modifying negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It aims to transform maladaptive patterns into healthier ones.
So what exactly does that mean? Well, to put it simply, your thoughts and actions/behaviors have a profound influence on how you feel. And obviously, if you have negative thoughts, it can interfere with your sleep quality. With CBT, under the supervision of a therapist, you learn how to basically rewire your brain in order to think and act more positively.
How Does CBT Work?
Again, let’s avoid textbook definitions and instead use an example of how cognitive behavioral therapy works for sleep.
Picture yourself in a CBT session. Suppose the therapist asks you about your concerns and thoughts about sleep. Maybe you tell the therapist something like, “I’m afraid that if I don’t get 7-8 hours of sleep, I’ll feel like crap and won’t be able to function.”
In response, the therapist would point out those thoughts contribute to anxiety, which can cause insomnia.
The therapist then might ask you, “Can you think of any times when you thought you weren’t going to fall asleep but you did, or when you thought you wouldn’t be able to function on less than 7 hours of sleep but felt ok nonetheless?”
You then reflect back on those nights when you were anxious about not being able to fall asleep yet you eventually did, and even though you may have needed a cup of coffee or two to wake up, you rallied and persevere through the day.
The therapist would then make you realize that your negative thoughts centered around your inability to sleep or function are just stories in your head; they are not entirely accurate. In addition, the therapist would help you reframe your thoughts about sleep anxiety. For instance, if it’s 1 a.m. and you’re thinking, “I'll never be able to fall asleep,” you recognize this thought and replace it with a more positive one such as: “Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep, but I can find strategies to help me relax and eventually fall asleep.”
CBT: Reshaping Sleep Perspectives
CBT teaches you that having occasional sleep difficulties is normal, not a crisis. If you’re feeling anxious at night about not getting enough sleep, a CBT therapist might encourage you to recite this phrase before you try to fall asleep:
“Even if I have a less restful night, I can still find ways to manage my day and take care of myself.”
It’s not exactly as simple as an Om mantra. But it helps take the pressure off; not everybody needs to get 8-9 hours of sleep, especially not every night.
Ultimately, a CBT therapist helps you develop a healthier, more positive perspective on sleep. You’ve probably experienced several challenges in life that you have overcome, whether it’s difficult breakups, moving to a new location, being stuck in a dead-end job, etc. Sleep can be a challenge at times, but through CBT, you learn tools to cope with the challenge and overcome it.
Longer-Acting Than A Sleeping Pill
Most people want a quick fix for their sleep problems. But the problem with most sleep medications is that they can be habit-forming, or eventually, they don’t work as well and you need to take a higher dose. Not to mention the potential side effects.
Although CBT is not a quick fix, it is a clinically-proven long-term solution. According to the American Psychological Association, the therapy works for a long time because it teaches one to face fears instead of avoiding them. CBT also employs role-playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others and teaches relaxation techniques.
Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Really Work For Insomnia?
According to the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, CBT is “the most effective nonpharmacological treatment for chronic insomnia.” CBT “produces results equivalent to sleep medication, with no side effects, fewer episodes of relapse, and a tendency for sleep to continue to improve long past the end of treatment.”
The study authors add that the long-term improvements in sleep quality “seem to result from the patient learning to support and promote the body's natural sleep mechanism.”
And in another study published in the journal, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, the positive effects of CBT were still present after 10 years. “Insomnia severity remained low, and two-thirds of participants no longer fulfilled the criteria for an insomnia diagnosis,” the study authors concluded.
CBT & Sleep Hygiene
You’ve heard of oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, oil pulling), but sleep hygiene?
Sleep hygiene refers to healthy sleep practices. For instance, before I go to sleep, I put my phone in airplane mode. I don’t want EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) potentially interfering with my sleep cycle. I also make sure the room is dark and turn off all other electronics at least 30 minutes before bed. I also try to go to sleep at roughly the same time every night.
I treat my bedroom as a sacred sleeping space, not a workstation or an entertainment room. If you have trouble sleeping, a CBT therapist will teach you these and other healthy sleep-preparation habits.
Breathing & Visualization For Sleep
Learning how to perform relaxation breathwork techniques, visualization exercises, and gratitude consciousness are other important components of CBT for sleep.
There’s a ton of free YouTube videos for each of these stress-management techniques. The problem, however, is that there are so many of them it can be overwhelming if you have anxiety—and the vicious circle of anxiety about not being able to sleep.
So if you need guidance on how to incorporate these highly-effective stress-management techniques, CBT is worth trying.
The Downside of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Sleep
Hopefully, you have good health insurance because if not, you may need to pay out of pocket, and CBT sessions aren’t cheap. A weekly session can cost $150 or more, depending on where you live. And you’ll likely need at least a handful of sessions to overcome sleep problems.
But in the end, I think CBT is worth it because not only can it help improve sleep, but it can also help improve your quality of life in other ways, such as feeling calmer throughout the day and having more energy—Just like ChefV.com products.
According to the conclusion of Citrus Labs study on the Chef V 21 Day Detox (followed by 7 days of daily Green Drink consumption), nearly 80% of participants said they were in a better mood after the study, nearly 75% said they had more energy since using Chef V, and 88% said they felt better overall.
In conclusion, Chef V and CBT make for an effective sleep-improving combination.
To your health and ZZZZ’s
Love,
Veronica “V” Wheat
Founder, ChefV.com
What Do I Eat Today – The Importance of Liquids
This “What Do I Eat Today” menu focuses on the importance of liquids, especially at breakfast.
Liquids are alkalizing to the gut, help cleanse the colon, and have so many other benefits.
Start your day with lemon juice and water, followed by Green Drink. Enjoy my Herbal Tea recipe with ginger and cinnamon, and take a probiotic- I like Bio-K+.
Chose from two smoothies – my Tropitaya Smoothie, this month with fresh Ginger and Turmeric, or my Tropical Green Smoothie with Ginger.
For lunch we have Creamy Carrot Soup, and Raw Cucumber & Avocado Gazpacho is a cooling afternoon snack. For dinner, Creamy Broccoli Soup finishes the day.
First Thing in the Morning
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I'm hungry to have my Green Drink.
For Breakfast – Tropitaya or Tropical Green Smoothie
This “What do I Eat Today” menu includes a Tropitaya or Tropical Green Smoothie. The Tropitaya Smoothie is one of the most popular smoothies (and one of my favorites) at our stores in New Jersey and San Diego. In this month's menu, I add fresh turmeric and ginger.
An alternative to my Tropitaya Smoothie in this menu, my Tropical Green Smoothie adds fruit and vegetables to Chef V's Tropical Green Drink. Optionally you can add 1 tbsp pea protein, 1 tsp fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp fresh turmeric to the smoothie.
Lunch – Creamy Carrot Soup
Creamy and delicious without dairy, this Carrot Soup recipe uses cashews to add richness and flavor. Fast and easy to make, the recipe is perfect for two, tasty and healthy. Add fresh turmeric and ginger for additional benefits.
Afternoon Snack – Chef V's Raw Cucumber Avocado Gazpacho
Cool and creamy, my Gazpacho is a great light snack. You can easily double or triple my recipe and have delicious leftovers. The beauty of my veggie-rich recipe is that its high water and fiber content slows how fast you eat and fills you up quicker.
Dinner – Creamy Broccoli Soup
My Creamy Broccoli Soup is for dinner. Made with coconut milk and coconut oil, the fiber in this soup supports gut health and has anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties. For additional gut health assistance, try my recipe variation adding fresh turmeric and ginger.
Super Antioxidant Smoothie
Antioxidants are substances that may prevent cell damage. Berries, kale, and beets are great natural sources of antioxidants. Enjoy ihis super antioxidant smoothie in the morning after your 16 oz. of Organic Green Drink.
TOTAL 10 minutes
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Serving Size: 1 Person
Ingredients
- ½ cup organic blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- ½ cup organic raspberries (fresh or frozen)
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup diced organic red beet, raw
- 2 pieces of organic green kale
- ½ cup ice
- ½ cup coconut water
- 1 serving of Chef V Ultra Shake protein powder or Powder of your choice
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!
What Do I Eat Today – “On The Go” Menu
First Thing in the Morning
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I'm hungry to have my Green Drink.
For Breakfast – Acai Bowl
This recipe is made in a Vitamix and can be served in a bowl or in an “on the go” cup.
The acai berry is a grape-like fruit native to the rain forests of the amazon. It has a tropical, sweet taste and a very short shelf life, so we don't often find them fresh in the store. Acai berries contain antioxidants, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
Lunch – Carrot Ginger Salad
Green is good! Starting with fresh locally sourced organic greens, add carrot, celery, radish, red onion, cucumber, and grilled chicken (optional). Top your salad with my Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing.
Make this as a mason jar salad and take it “on the go”.
Afternoon Snack – Chef V's Goji Berry Trail Mix
Trail mix is a healthy alternative to sugary commercial candy, loaded with artificial ingredients. My recipe includes super healthy goji berries, nuts and seeds.
Try different ingredients to create some fun mixes. I generally use one or two raw nuts, one seed, and one dried fruit. Some ideas for nuts: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, pecans, or macadamia nuts. For dried fruit, always choose unsweetened and unsulfured fruits. My favorites include pineapple, apple, mango, and blueberries. And, of course, goji berries.
Dinner – Bibimbap Bowl
10 minute meal! It’s the holiday season and I’ve been cooking all day getting ready for tomorrow. I need a fast but healthy meal. This one is a crowd favorite!
Dessert – Vegan Eggnog
Spread holiday cheer with my vegan take on a traditional favorite, eggnog. This thick, wonderfully flavored beverage can be made in many ways than one. Why not try my adult version with coconut nectar and almond milk. Not too thick, this chilled iconic drink will warm the hearts of your family and friends. Homemade, delicious and beautifully presented, how can it not?!
Red White & Blue Smoothie Bowl
My Red White & Blue Breakfast Smoothie Bowl is delicious, good for you, and easy to make. Start off the holiday celebration with this yummy breakfast!
Use any smoothie as the base. Top with raspberries or strawberries, blueberries and coconut shreds.
My favorites smoothies to use as the base are:
Ingredients
- 2 cups smoothie from my drinks recipes
- 1/2 cup strawberries, blueberries or other fresh organic berries
Optional: gluten free granola
Directions
Fill bowl with one of my favorite smoothies. Top with raspberries or strawberries and layer the coconut shreds and blueberries to make a patriotic treat.
Grilled Mango Salad
My Grilled Mango Salad makes any meal delicious. It combines the hearty flavor of black beans with the luscious richness of mangoes and avocado, all in a healthy salad, perfect before or after a Chef V Cleanse.
Chef V’s tip: Add grilled chicken or fish for more protein! – Veronica
Serving Size: 4 People
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 mangos, peeled and cut into thick slices
- 4 cups mixed greens (use your fav!)
- 1/2 cup red onion
- 1 cup cooked and cooled or 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup Chef V's Cilantro Lime Dressing
Directions
Preheat a grill or grill pan on a stove over medium-high heat. Place the mango sliced on the grill rack or pan and cook for 1 minute, or until grill marks appear. Transfer to a cutting board and cut the grilled mango into smaller chunks.
Plate the greens and top with grilled mango, red onion, and black beans. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Medicinal Herbs: Get Busy Cooking!
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
As a certified nutritional therapist, I strongly identify with the quote from the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates.
With the exception of a rare cheat meal, every single bite of food—and drink—you consume should support your health.
That’s why the first thing I do every morning after drinking a glass of water and waiting half an hour or so is drinking 16 oz of Organic Green Drink. The 7 leafy greens flood my trillions of cells with pure phytonutrients.
But when it’s time to get cooking in the kitchen, not only am I preparing low-starch veggies and lean proteins, I’m also sprinkling in an extra dose of medicine: herbs.
Herbs are so much more than flavor enhancers. For thousands of years in the Far East, medicinal herbs have been used topically to treat skin conditions, fevers and dozens of other symptoms. Medicinal herbs have also been used as food, not just to enhance taste but also to keep the body in balance, or help it get back to balance if you’re sick or feeling tired.
There’s a good chance you’re already using some medicinal herbs in your own kitchen. Here are some of the most popular herbs that are also used in traditional herbal medicine in China and other countries in the Orient. Start cooking with them daily and notice if you feel the difference!
Sample Code
Ginger
Every home chef uses ginger from time to time. But research studies show that it’s one traditional medicinal herb that’s worth using a lot more often than not.
When I was a kid and had a tummy ache, my mom would give me ginger ale. Even with all the sugar in the soda, the ginger compounds would get rid of my nausea or cramping instantly. I’m sure you can relate.
Over 100 compounds have been isolated from ginger. Studies (like this one) show that ginger functions as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and prevents inflammation in the brain. And ladies, if your monthly cycle is painful, get slicing on the fresh, raw ginger. (You may even want to consider also taking a ginger supplement.)
If you tend to run cold, even if it’s not a frigid winter day, cooking with ginger can instantly warm you up. Ginger also fortifies your immune system. If you tend to catch colds easily in the winter then you should definitely add ginger to your stir fries.
Turmeric
I believe this yellow-ish spice is just as valuable as gold, if not more so because, well, if you eat edible gold, you can’t absorb it. But turmeric on the other hand is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs. With the exception of ginger, turmeric has probably been the focus of the most research of any medicinal herb.
If you’ve ever had a curry dish, you’ve tasted turmeric. I know it might not sound appetizing and probably sacrilegious to Italian foodies and chefs, but I’m so down with turmeric I even add it to pasta dishes.
I admit that turmeric has an acquired taste; peppery, earthy, slightly bitter. But once you get used to it, you’ll learn to really appreciate its bold flavor. For at least 2,000 years, turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb in Southeast Asia. In traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is thought to unblock blood stasis and move the Qi. Translation: it improves blood circulation, which leads to feeling more energetic.
Mushrooms
Wait, mushrooms are herbs? I thought they were a fungus?
If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re not wrong. But according to herbalism, edible ‘shrooms are considered herbs precisely because they have medicinal value.
Mushrooms are having a magical moment in the West after being relegated to a bland, squishy pizza topping for the most part for so long. These days, mushrooms are added to coffee blends, adaptogenic herbal energy drinks and more.
And this is a good thing. That’s because mushrooms help support a balanced immune system.
Like all produce, the best mushrooms to purchase are organically-grown varieties that you can get at your local farmer’s market or CSA (community-supported-agriculture).
In traditional Chinese medicine, mushrooms like reishi—the king of all mushrooms in China—are added to soups and tea, and are used to treat coughing and wheezing.
Lately, I’ve been so impressed by how far edible mushrooms have come. I have sunk my teeth into a vegan mushroom burrito that I swear had the consistency and taste of steak!
Cinnamon
Another common medicinal herb that you’re probably already using is cinnamon, but most likely, you’re only adding this spice to coffee, tea, yogurt or waffles. (Both spices and herbs come from plants; spices are derived from roots.)
Try adding cinnamon twigs to other dishes from now on. Similar to ginger, cinnamon has warming properties. So if you’re constantly running cold, adding a cinnamon twig to your dishes can fire up your furnace.
Managing blood sugar levels is one of the biggest benefits of consuming cinnamon on a regular basis. If you gotta have some honey or maple syrup with your yogurt, then definitely sprinkle a bunch of cinnamon to slow down the blood sugar spike.
But try to also add cinnamon twigs to stir fry dishes, salad dressings, low-carb baked treats, and more.
Mint
I’ve included a couple Yang-fortifying herbs above: ginger and turmeric. Mint is a Yin-fortifying herb, which helps cool the body down. If you’re sweating over the stove in the summer, add plenty of mint to your food or drinks. Mint helps clear the body of excess symptoms associated with heat imbalances, according to Chinese medicine. So if you have a fever, rash, sore throat, or cough drink plenty of peppermint tea and add sprigs of mint to your dishes.
Mmmm. I’m getting hungry. I wish I could come over and help you get cooking with these medicinal herbs!
To your health.
Chef V
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
Chef V’s Tip: Most of my salads are delicious with my Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette or Creamy Avocado Dressing. Use these on any salads unless otherwise specified. Dressings serve 4-6. – Veronica
TOTAL TIME: 10 min
SERVES 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
- 2 tablespoons cold filtered water
Directions
For Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette, process all ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth and well combined. Will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Shake well before each use.
5 Easy Ways To Stay Positive & Healthy in a Hot Summer
During the Heat of Summer…
If you feel like holing up in an air conditioned house and having a summer hibernation, I don’t blame you. But it’s so important to stay active and healthy and I’ve got some easy, fun tips to do it! Stay fit and happy with my 5 easy tips.
It’s 5:30 p.m. It’s 104 degrees. All you feel like doing is plopping down on the couch and vegging out in front of a fan for a few hours. If that’s what you’re feeling, should you give in? After all, aren’t you supposed to listen to your body? And if your body is telling you that you should turn up the AC, grab a few of your favorite snacks, a glass of wine and the remote … well … what's wrong with that?
There’s certainly nothing wrong with chillaxing—from time to time. But if that’s how you’re gonna roll all summer that’s not going to be good for your mental or physical health.
So next time you’re feeling the heat, follow these tips to stay healthy and reduce stress:
Stay Positive & Healthy This Tip #1: Meditate In Bed
This may not come as a shock but it’s important to state: In general, people who meditate on a regular basis are happier, calmer, and better able to attract what they want in life. There’s lots of research to support this—at least the part about people who meditate being more positive and calmer.
The problem with meditation is that for people who have never tried it, it seems intimidating. But learning anything new is challenging. Beyond that, though, another problem with meditation is that many people assume that you have to sit completely still in the lotus position like a Buddhist monk, with your legs twisted into a pretzel. But that’s not the case at all…
I recommend starting each day meditating before you get out of bed, lying flat on your back. So how do you meditate? It’s simple. Listen to a meditation app. Try a guided meditation, which will tell you exactly when to breathe in and breathe out. Or, if you’d rather just listen to soothing meditative music, with Tibetan singing bowls or other ethereal sonic blissed out sounds, there’s no shortage of YouTube videos or smartphone apps for that.
Start each morning with a 10-minute meditation before you get out of bed. It will really set the stage for an awesome rest of your day.
Tip #2: 5 Minute Yoga Routine
After you’re done with your meditation routine (and your potty routine), despite how tired you are, force yourself to do a 5-minute yoga routine.
During the heat of summer, the hours between dawn and breakfast are your best time for activity. Before you start your meditation practice in bed, open up the house and let in the cool early morning air. If it's cool enough, try getting outside. If not, the room where you do yoga should be at its coolest this time of day. If you’re not sure which 5-minute yoga routine to do or how to do yoga at all, there’s a ton of intro yoga videos, many of them free.
I recommend doing a flow that keeps your body moving, from cat/cow to downward/upward dog or sun salutations. After just 5 minutes of a continuous flow yoga practice, you’ll feel like a new person, totally energized, in good spirits and ready to take on the day’s challenges. Try my easy yoga pose routine to stress less, feel better.
Tip #3: Seasonal Snacking
Let’s fast forward to the evening hours when there’s no kids around, all your work and errands are done and it’s tempting to get your Netflix on and snack away. This is the most challenging part of the day. Because even if you were successful at incorporating meditation and a mini yoga session or two (or other activity), succumbing to late-night snacking can sabotage all your healthy habits from earlier in the day.
And just like meditation is associated with a more positive attitude, snacking is more associated with depression.
So what can you do when it’s 9:00 at night and it’s time to watch a few episodes of your favorite show? Personally, I try to stop eating and drinking anything with calories by 8:00—unless I’m going out to dinner. Studies on the health impacts of late-night eating are conflicting.
If you have type I diabetes, it may be essential to have a late-night snack to prevent dangerous blood-sugar drops. If you want to manage blood sugar levels and don’t have type I diabetes, however, eating late at night has been shown to contribute to metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
But other studies suggest that having a small meal before bed does not appear to be harmful—especially if you exercise on a regular basis.
I realize that not everybody can resist the temptation to eat something. So if you are going to eat while watching TV on the couch late at night, eat a healthy, delicious mini-meal.
My favorite healthy mini-meals are seasonal with some healthy fats and spices.
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- My guacamole recipe with mango and pomegranate
- Popsicles made with fruit – blueberries and strawberries are a favorite
- Carrots with hummus and 'Everything But the Bagel' spice (Trader Joe’s) or Zhatar
- Blueberries and non-fat yogurt
- Almond flour crackers with cucumbers and lemon and pepper seasoning
I’m not going to demonize late-night snacking. The temptation is much too great. But do try your best to avoid all snacks with white flour and wheat flour (even 100% wheat). These common flours get metabolized too quickly. That means they turn into sugar and get stored by the liver as extra body fat.
But the healthy mini-meal snacks above metabolize slowly and may even help to keep blood sugar levels within a normal, healthy range.
Tip #4: Read
When’s the last time you read a good book? Many people go all day and all night staring at screens, hardly, if ever looking at printed pages, with the exception maybe of a restaurant menu.
Reading actual books keeps your mind sharp. And when you get in bed, opening a book gets your mind and body ready for restful sleep. Sorry, reading on a tablet isn’t the same. In fact, studies show that the blue light emanating from tablets at night lowers sleep quality.
“The use of commercially-available tablets may have consequences in terms of alertness, circadian physiology, and sleep,” the researchers concluded. Reading books has several health benefits, including keeping your mind sharp, reducing depressive symptoms, lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
So crack open a book and get reading. If you fall asleep after reading just one page, so be it. Let reading be your best sleeping pill.
Tip #5: Eat Before You Party
When I’m invited to a party, I never know what kind of food will be served. Will it be pigs in a blanket, deli finger sandwiches and chips and dip? Most of the time, you get what you pay for, and if the food is free, it’s going to be low quality. So what I do is I have a little Organic Green Drink and then a little later, about an hour or two before the holiday party starts, I’ll eat a full healthy meal. That way, I won’t fill my belly with empty carbs and veggies that have likely been sprayed with pesticides.
I’ll still indulge a little bit because I’m only human and when in Rome, ya know…
Hopefully, following these tips will keep you more positive and healthier this summer.
Cheers, Chef V
A Green Drink A Day Can Support Your Mood: Research Proves
Warning: stay away from me today. I got a late start to the day, skipped my daily morning yoga routine and didn’t have my Green Drink as early as I usually do. I’m having one of those days. Yes, dear hubby, Brandon, I still love you but watch out. Don’t get too close. I may bite!
Apparently, I’m not the only one who feels off when skipping a wellness routine. A green drink a day can support your mood. My long-time, trusted graphic designer, Jean, the one responsible for making the Chef V newsletter look like a fancy glossy magazine, told me she feels “down in the dumps” if she goes a couple days in a row without having her Green Drink.
Well, Jean, that’s exactly why I created my Green Drink Plan, to ensure you’ll never run out! But I get it, even if you get GD delivered to your home, life can get intense and overwhelming and you can just forget the things that help you live a high-vibration life. It happens, we’re only human.
And Jean’s certainly not the only customer that feels off when skipping GD for a few days. But what is it about the 7 green leafy veggies that after you drink it, makes you feel like you’re going to conquer the day? Do the greens serve as a catalyst for cellular energy?
No doubt that leafy greens are beneficial for cellular health and energy. But there’s also research that shows these highly-nutrient dense ingredients support a healthy mood.
Green Leafy Veggies For Mood
According to World Journal of Psychiatry, 12 nutrients are critical to the prevention and treatment of depressive orders: Folate, iron, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), magnesium, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and zinc.
The highest scoring plant foods (those with the most of the dozen nutrients) are leafy greens and cruciferous veggies. Lettuce and peppers also made the list.
Co-authors of the World Journal of Psychiatry study analyzed several foods for “Antidepressant nutritional density.” The results were tabulated in a scoring system called the “Antidepressant Food Score” or AFS.
“The AFS is based on a nutrient profiling system devised to identify foods with the highest nutrient density of nutrients with clinical evidence to support their role in depressive disorders,” the researchers explained in the article.
Could it be that the reason many customers feel like they’re on their A-game when they make Green Drink part of their daily routine is that the 7 ingredients are at the top of the AFS scoring system?
That’s food for thought. Er, drink for thought…
Lettuces like green leaf lettuce, an ingredient in Organic Green Drink, has an AFS score of 74% to 99%.
Green chard, another staple of GD, scores 90%. Parsley: 75%. Kale and collard greens score 62% and dandelion greens 43%.
Now that’s not to say that 43% is a low score. Remember, all these ingredients in Green Drink rank at the top of the list for the best foods on the planet for supporting positivity. Evidence that a green drink a day can support your mood.
“The nutrients considered have been shown in human studies to be beneficial with regards to treatment or prevention of depressive disorders,” concluded the researchers.
Are You Eating (Or Drinking) Enough Veggies?
Unfortunately, many foods with a high AFS are not staples of the Standard American Diet. Most adults in the U.S. don’t meet the daily recommendations for vegetables. In fact, The Healthy People Initiative, launched by the Federal Government’s Department of Health and Human Services found that only 27.2 percent of adults ate three or more servings of vegetables per day.
I get it. Life’s busy. And that’s why I created the Green Drink Plan so you can easily consume 7 leafy green veggies that are some of the best plant foods on the planet for supporting mental health.
Here’s to feeling good!
