2 Smoothies using Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion is one of the healthiest greens you can consume

, especially if it is plucked fresh from your back lot where you've been carefully growing food organically for a few years. Dandelions are said to help dissolve gallstones, detoxify the liver, clean out impurities in our bloodstream, dissolve kidney stones, help heal gastro-intestinal disorders, diabetes, and indigestion.  Today I will provide a couple of juice recipes -- use only organic, unsprayed leaves.  (ideas: you try your own ingredients):

Bitter-Sweet Love Juice
~Watermelon (organic with seeds, ideal)
~4 Dandelion Leaves (to start)
~small finger size fresh Ginger, peeled

• Wash and peel 1/4 medium-sized Watermelon leaving as much of the white inner layer as possible.  Cut into segments that will fit in your hopper
• Put all of the above through the hopper and drink!  You might want to repeat the process throughout the day using the same recipe above.  For me this made a 12 oz. glass, but it will depend on how much watermelon juice you get from the 1/4 Watermelon-- this is a good juice to make for 2.
• Watermelon and Dandelion are both natural diuretics.  Please talk to your physician or other trusted health care provider if you have a health issue that may flare up as a result of this.

Dandy Blended Salad
This is a fantastic detoxing and refreshing juice to help knock out the 'yeasty' infections and provide some relief from the itch.  

  Add enough organic stevia (1/2 teaspoon and up) to sweeten this salad without adding to the problem):

Put the following in a Vitamix (or other high power blender):

• 4 tender, large fresh Dandelion Leaves and fresh Nettle Leaves, if available
• Small bunch of Arugula Leaves
• Big Handful of Romaine or other mild Lettuce
• Juice of a Lemon
• Peeled and chopped Cucumber
• Sweet Red Pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 Cloves, peeled Garlic, chopped
• Small peeled nub of fresh Garlic root, chopped
• Turmeric, Salt, Pepper to personal taste
• 1/2 teaspoon organic Stevia powder (not the kind with alcohol or corn)
• Filtered Water to blend easily

This is zingy and nourishing when you are on a sugar-restricted diet.  I find it very refreshing during the time when the Dandelions and Nettles are actually growing when I can be so preoccupied with getting my garden into shape that I forget to drink/eat.  It's a great hot weather "liquid lunch" as well.  Be sure to "chew" each sip so as to have your mouth know that digestion has started.