As most of you know, I had a hip replacement last January 21, 2014. During the months leading up to it, I did many Nutrition Response Testing sessions to identify inflammatory components of my diet, and things I was exposed to. I was trying to get rid of the pain I was experiencing.
This is great for anyone heading into surgery for joint replacement (knee, hip) or recovering from an injury. Athletes also can find this helpful for recovery and eliminating stiffness, aches and pains from training.
Wheat, sugar, brown rice, petroleum based products and those that include isopropyl alcohol were included in my list based on Nutrition Response Testing. And it really did make a difference eliminating these. The inflammatory components are different for each person but avoiding wheat and sugar are usually the most helpful.
When I work with clients, I also help them find alternatives to the foods identified as inflammatory (or low energy) for them. I test all the grains so you know which will be okay.
In that time frame 2 weeks before surgery, I was not allowed to take any supplements, fish oils or Advil. I was taking less of it than before starting the anti-inflammatory diet and using this elixir, but the dread of pain returning without my supplements….oh my!
I modified my Green Monster from my Detox Plan for Athletes. And this Anti-Inflammatory Elixir was renamed by my clients as the J Shake. And it really works! Within the 2nd day of me doing this in my juicer, the pain just melted away… includ
ing the pain I would get before storms or cold blasts. My joints stopped telling me the weather!
Here is my anti-inflammatory smoothy recipe. If you do only this, it will help lesson your pain issues. But it may work better if you couple with the Anti-Inflammatory Diet to really get to the root of the causes if this is not quite enough!
JShake – Anti-Inflammatory Elixir
Modified from the detox shake I created called the Green Monster Shake
This is meant to be your first beverage after your ½ lemon in wa
ter every morning. It helps to reduce the inflammation anywhere and everywhere in your body. You should drink 12 ounces this at least in the morning, maybe twice per day if it is acute or you are using the blender vs juice extractor.
If you have a juicer, this is what I want you to have:
- 1-1 ½ apples (preferably organic)
- ½ lemon or juice of half lemon
- 1-3 leaves of kale (1/2 -1 cup) or collards or spinach (organic)
- 1 inch of turmeric root (less to start with)
- 1 inch of ginger root (less to start with)
- ½ cup pineapple fresh
- 1/4 cup green cabbage (1/8 wedge)
- 1 handful of parsley – curly vs flat leaf
- ½ inch daikon radish
- Optional –
- 1 inch of cucumber or stalk of celery
- 1 beet with the greens (optional but beneficial)
- 2-4 drops of each turmeric and copaiba essential oils or just copaiba if using turmeric root
If you are making this in a blender, use about 1- 1 ½ cups liquid.
This can be half apple cider and water (and adjust as you make it less sweet as time goes on).
- 1/2 cup apple cider (preferably organic)
- 1/2 cup water, purified
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (from about 1/2 of half lemon), preferably fresh squeezed
- 1-3 leaves of kale (1 cup) or baby kale/ spinach/ chard mix or spinach (organic)
- 2 inch of turmeric root (or use 4 drops of each turmeric oil with copaiba)
- 1 inch of ginger root (less to start with)
- 1/4 tspn black pepper
- ½ cup pineapple, frozen
- 1/4 cup green cabbage (1/8 wedge) – can be 1/3 cup cole slaw
- 1 handful of parsley – curly vs flat leaf
- ½ inch daikon radish
If you use the blender, increase the amount of turmeric and ginger you use and add the copaiba oil to boost the effect of the turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties as well as absorption.
Your goal is to have at least 1 x 12 ounce glass of this elixir per day. After some hard core training or hill repeats on the bike or run, this would be an awesome way to reduce the inflammation so you can do a second workout that day, or not wake up stiff the next day. It can be really great after a new challenging yoga class, too.
You will also want to continue this anti-inflammatory elixir for at least 1-6 months after an injury or surgery. And remain on the anti-inflammatory diet as well for just as long if not forever. I recommend athletes just continue drinking this shake or smoothie at least 4 times per week, and more in their heavy training season as a recovery booster smoothie. Then add some healthy fats and some protein on the side and you have a meal!
Note: The turmeric is better absorbed when you add black pepper. I have found the turmeric oil with copaiba oil (a phyto-cannabanoid – like CBD but a primary pathway so 1-4 drops is more than enough) are like an anti-inflammatory bomb. So you can add that into the shake which makes it easier than trying to locate turmeric root which seems to be only available lately at Whole Foods.
Let me know how it works! At first it may be a bit to handle, but keep working on it. You can use more fruit to start with less greens, but in time, use less fruit and more greens, more turmeric and ginger!
You should start to notice a difference within the week. It will be even greater if you pair it an anti-inflammatory diet. If you are ready to schedule your Anti-Inflammatory Diet session, schedule your 15 minute chat so we can discuss your situation and determine what is best for you to lower your pains.
You can read how to get started on an anti-inflammatory plan as an athlete or someone with pain before you call!