Eat The Green Stuff!

Oh My Gosh! After all the battles with your mom over eating your veggies has finally come down to this...you've gotta do it. Yes, they are most definetly very important for health, being loaded with essential vitamins and minerals.
Pregnant women especially need to eat greens for the folic acid! And I mean REALLY NEED TO FOLLOW THROUGH! No offense ladies, but if you are pregnant, and just don't "feel like" eating the greens, find a way to like them! The folic acid isn't just essential for you, it is essential for the brain development of your baby. I'm not talking about high test scores in grade school, I mean the actual formation of the brain. Spina Bifida is a serious problem affecting many women now, due to poor dietary habits, and lack of proper supplementation. Sadly this can be prevented, but not enough people know. Pass this on if you can.
I didn't like green vegetables when I was younger-even into my 20's, and would only eat broccoli now and then. When I was having my second child, in my fifth month of pregnancy, the doctor announced that he would schedule my abortion for the following Thursday. This was after myalpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP), and he was telling me that the baby was there ,but had no brain to speak of. He said the base of the spine hadn't "sealed" and that spinakl fluid in the amniotic fluid showed a massive birth defect. He was quite cold, and I didn't truly believe him. He was upset, and argued that I could go ahead but the baby wouldn't live, and I should just do as he says. I searched for understanding and rational thought at that moment, and prayed for help and the ability to cope at the same time. I refused and demanded a second test. He didn't want to do it, but when I was getting upset (and very loud around all the other expectant moms) , his partner calmed me and helped me make an appointment for an ultrasound test for fetal nuchal translucency- (checking out the baby's spine and skull.) It was really clear !! And I could see everything ! I didn't even have to go through the torture of drinking a barrell of water and "holding" for the test. The doctor kind enough to perform the test, (yes! DOCTOR!! YAY!!) was wonderful and thorough. She also became angry when I told her what happened. She announced that there was nothing wrong with my baby, and showed me where there was a tiny opening at the base of the spine before, but it had healed.
It was a blessing because he had no problems, but it was a lesson because appearently there had been something once. I knew I didn't eat as well as I should-avoiding veggies most of the time. That was a long time ago, and I enjoy them every day, along with my children. That baby is 14 years old now, 6 ft. , and in honors classes in high school. For the rest of us, it can help with the nervous system, and with stress in today's day and age-we need the nutrients! It's also the best way to get calcium and vitamin K!
Because of the scare with my son, and wanting to care for my kids the best way I could, I became a free-lance student of nutrition. I highly recommend you do the same. The library on this site is full of information, and you should access it for your health and that of your family. Greens are really good when you find your best way to prepare them. Here's a very green way to get vitamins and minerals in a quick glass! It seems extreme, but it tastes amazing!
GREEN SMOOTHIE!
1 Blender!
1 cup frozen fruit of any kind you like! (add ice if using
fresh fruit!)
I suggest berries in the mix!
2 or 3 handfuls of spinach, or kale, or collard greens
water to mix it up well-add slowly for consistency.
You can add protein powder if you like! :)
Put it all in a blender and blend for 1 to 2 minutes! It's sweet from the fruit, and you don't taste the bitterness of the greens!
* Try to alternate greens to keep your system alkaline, ( not to throw off your pH balance!!) Enjoy-and share with the family!
Be happy and healthy! http://classicnutrition.net