Cool as a Cucumber

This information was in The New York Times some time ago (and was forwarded to me by one of my clients - thanks Blanche!) as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways to solve common problems. The cucumber is definitely an under-appreciated veggie!

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc (and they left out that it is very high in Vit A and Molybdenum as well... in fact the B vitamin content, while good, is not exceptional as it is for Vit C and Vit A).

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free... Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath...

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass first became widely known in the West in the 1930s when a man named Charles Schnabel began touting its benefits. Schnabel claimed "15 pounds of wheatgrass is equivalent to 350 pounds of the choicest vegetables." Although science hasn't proved that claim, it has proven that wheatgrass has one of the highest concentrations of nutrients and is the fastest and easiest grass to grow. The best way to absorb its goodness is by extracting the juice.

Wheatgrass works by filling nutritional gaps in the diet and cleansing the blood. It is high in vitamins A, C, and E, containing the same amount of Vit C as an orange. It is also an excellent source of essential B vitamins, which are necessary for normal brain and body development, for helping your body deal with stress, and for digestion and metabolism of all macronutrients. Wheatgrass juice also contains many essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sodium) that are necessary for healthy bones, teeth, hair and skin.

Wheatgrass juice contains natural enzymes, which help the body's defense mechanism by strengthening cells and removing poisons from the bloodstream. It helps eliminate toxins accumulated from eating processed food, breathing polluted air and drinking impure water. Wheatgrass is approximately 70% crude chrlorphyll, which can alkalize the body and have a highly energizing effect.

Wheatgrass also has a dilating effect on the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. This improved circulation means valuable nutrients can be distributed more efficiently throughout the body. It also has an effect on red blood cells, increasing the iron content in the blood.

I do want to make note, however, for those who have celiac disease, or a strong reaction to gluten, Wheatgrass may not be well tolerated and it is best to avoid.

Where to get Wheatgrass:

• juice bars (Booster Juice, Big Carrot juice bar) sell shots of wheatgrass
• health food stores like Whole Foods Markets, Big Carrot, and Planet Organic carry frozen and fresh wheatgrass juices in individual containers
• grow your own wheatgrass at home (http://www.growwheatgrass.com/)

How to Take Wheatgrass:

• take on an empty stomach
• start with a quarter of a shot and build up to a full shot, gradually
• chase it with a glass of water
• mix with other vegetable juices such as celery, parsley and spinach

Recipe: Simply Green Juice
from www.wheatgrassforlife.com

Ingredients
stalk of celery
4 large spinach leaves
half cup parsley
2-3 inch round of wheatgrass
1/4 cup water (optional)

Directions
Wash greens thoroughly, cut up celery and juice everything
dilute with water if desired