Victoria Boutenko is one of our favorite people…
We spend the afternoon with her the other day and Annmarie and I completely enjoyed ourselves.
She’s open, honest, loving, gracious, direct, and amazing – all in one. 
She also made us a special bitter green smoothie with dandelion that was awesome.
BTW: Her skin is an amazing tone and color. Which is a testament to the healing properties of green smoothies.
Today, she discusses green smoothies (obviously!), oxidation, natural shaving cream, avocado pits, and more.
Check it out…
Your question of the day: What is the weirdest thing you ever put in a green smoothie? (And wish Victoria a happy birthday!!!!)
Click here, scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave your comment now!
If you want to pick up Victoria’s new book, please do so now! www.RawFamily.com
PS. Please wish her a happy birthday too!!!
Live Awesome!
Kev
7:23 pm on July 23rd, 2009
I put a shot of espresso in one smoothie. It was incredibly delicious.
8:17 pm on July 23rd, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Victoria !!! You just keep looking younger every time I see you . Thank you for this new insight and your new book.We love you
8:19 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Good show. Books look wonderful. And Happy Birthday!
8:20 pm on July 23rd, 2009
The weirdest thing was…ummm..Greens! – that’s what my friends think
)
8:24 pm on July 23rd, 2009
The weirdest thing has got to be the plastic label that said that it was organic.I’ve already told you where we found it :0
8:27 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Can’t say that I’ve added anything majorly ‘weird’ and Happy Birthday to Victoria!
8:27 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy Birthday to one very special person!
And what a very refreshing show. Thanks, guys:)
Weirdest thing in green smoothie? Hmmm, I have to think about that one.
8:34 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy birthday Victoria. I like your study about the oxidation. It always has been a concern for me as to know if smoothies were oxidizing or not. I’m going to do the experiment with the potato and see for myself. I drink a green smoothie every morning and I can say that I just feel great with it. My 20 year old son just loves it as well. Green smoothies can be a great health saviour for the billions –who can afford a blender.
Thanks Annmarie and Kevin for your show.
8:38 pm on July 23rd, 2009
I love avocados! Will try using the pit in smoothies – thank you!!
Cooked barley and cayenne powder…not “weird,” just different and delicious.
9:08 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Hi there, HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTORIA! Kevin, thanks for asking her such great questions. Really appreciated hearing the oxidation explanation. I haven’t had many green smoothies as I always opt for green juices to get the nutrients absorbed quickly. Now I am inspired to go on a green smoothie adventure. Thanks for the shows and for all you do!
9:10 pm on July 23rd, 2009
The only fruits I put in my green smoothies are salad fruits: cucumber, tomato, ripe pepper, avocado (sorry, Victoria, and happy birthday), olives, okra (yes, it’s a fruit, it has seeds). I love putting fresh herbs in my smoothies (sweet or savory), especially cilantro, basil, spearmint, oregano, chervil, lovage, turmeric root, ginger …. As far as weird ingredients go, define weird! I guess if the definition is unusual, I’d go with bitter melon from the Indian grocery. It truly is bitter (I also like it in my juice), the texture is cucumber-like, and it’s great for blood sugar. I’ve also been known to put Jerusalem artichoke (sunchoke) and radish in my smoothies. So, what’s weird? Wakame? Turmeric? I’ll go with my first answer, bitter melon. Love my greens! Health and peace.
9:25 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy Bday Victoria, just ordered the new book. Get it now, with free shipping in pre-order. What a deal!
9:37 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Not on purpose but sometimes some dirt, bugs and fungus gets into my smoothies because I try to add as much wild greens from my backyard into my smoothies; I do rinse but sometimes a combination of lots of greens and a shortage of time and trying to get a little (B12) from the dirt:) gets these weird ingredients into my smoothies.
9:44 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy Birthday, Victoria!! I was delighted to see you on Kevin’s and Anne Marie’s program this evening. I am looking forward to your new books.
I haven’t been very adventurous with ingredients yet.
10:04 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Excellent show and happy bday, Ms Boutenko. Weird ingredients in a smoothie? Well, there was the morning I was late for work and tossed in coffee and cottage cheese… really don’t recommend it. I assume the comments about avocados and oils are due to the fat content, which will slow down absorption of nutrients but also leave you feeling full for longer. According to purpose, I guess…
10:06 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy birthday Victoria.. thanks for sharing abt smoothies..
I am into holistic studies and practice myself and i do recommend people to eat raw – advocate healthy lifestyle. This is something people not used to in Asia.
How is like to help market yr books in Asia?
cheers
10:08 pm on July 23rd, 2009
That was great! Y’all hit it out of the park with this episode. Thank you so much! Keep the good vibes coming. My smoothies haven’t really been that wierd so far, but they will now! Best episode yet!
Thanks again.
10:23 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Wierd things in smoothies? I’ve only made one smoothie I didn’t like. That was when I added the papaya seeds to a smoothie. It was too peppery & I had to force it down.
Victoria mentioned shaving with green smoothies. After I drink my morning smoothie I scrape out the residue from inside the blender and smear it all over my face. I let it stay on for 5-10 minutes and then wash it off. It makes my skin really soft. This is how I wash my face every morning.
10:28 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria! I love the step by step photo recipe book, fabulous idea.
My husband might like the sausage green smoothie recipe. That is about as weird as it gets, I can’t top that. The weirdest tasting thing I have ever put in my green smoothie was kelp powder. I like my green smoothies to taste like fruit, not like fish! I enjoy kelp in savory dishes only now.
I agree that this was a great episode! Keep up the great work.
10:36 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Thanks Victoria, that answer my question of whether I should get a juicer or blender.
10:37 pm on July 23rd, 2009
I wonder if Vitoria who is the originator of
Green Smoothies having cured herself and her family from dreaded diseases in the past,is now practical and serious in consuming the wonder smoothies herself
11:02 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Victoria,You are delightful. Wishing you a very happy birthday. May all your birthday wishes come true!
11:13 pm on July 23rd, 2009
First of all, dear Victoria Boutenko, God bless you on your birthday. You’re a wonderful, generous inspiration to anyone who wants to live life in a healthy way.
Second, this week I discovered again that kitchens can be dangerous places. The lesson was learned by not paying attention. Instead of adding a couple of leaves from my basil bush to a beautiful smoothie of bok choy, cucumber, and kale and spirulina, I tossed in delphinium leaves and seeds (!) The beautiful kale was left sitting on the countertop.
Children! Don’t do this at home. It’s a waste of good produce and electricity for blending! Plus, you might get sick.
11:16 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Why is Victoria Boutenko still quite overweight after being on raw food over ten years and especially if she is drinking all those delicious green smoothies?
Does she even eat raw food and drink these smoothies?
11:29 pm on July 23rd, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria from Bill in Australia!
We had Victoria and Valya as house guests earlier this year. They are truly wonderful people!
I have never put anything weird into a smoothie, definately not sausage…maybe I am boring!!! LOL
I might try the avocado thing, sounds interesting!
12:13 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday, Victoria! Loved the video. I have also read that you shouldn’t put supplements in smoothies, and I wonder how that relates to “elixirs” being so popular lately. Hmm. I wonder if Victoria’s new book talks about that?
Weirdest thing I put in a smoothie? The store I buy organic food from has Chinese labels so I often don’t know what the greens are called in English. I thought I bought some kind of bok choy but it was so spicy I couldn’t drink it all. Still don’t know what it was, but I know what it looks like and I stay far away from it now.
12:24 am on July 24th, 2009
I planned to try the avocado pit in a smoothie and actually had it cut and ready to go in; then decided to taste it just in case. It was so bitter I was afraid it would ruin my smoothie so I threw it out! Maybe next time I’ll try a small piece of it. Haven’t put anything really weird in my smoothies as yet…
12:33 am on July 24th, 2009
Hi Kev, I think the weirdest thing I ever put in a green smoothie is a twinkie, NOT!
Just kidding.
I do agree with Victoria, just keep it simple.
1:08 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy birthday and I really enjoyed the show.
The weirdest thing I put in my smoothie was cooked quinoa in an attempt to get complete protein since I was always feeling hungry at school.
I have some questions. When should you drink those green smoothies(with only greens, fruits, and water)? Is it more satisfying and energising if you consume them for breakfast compared to smoothies with additional protein and fats? Wouldn’t you absorb less fat soluble vitamins by omitting fats? I never tried the combination before.
I always have sesame seeds, hemp, pea, and rice protein powders, kale, apple, and spirulina in my smoothie.
1:28 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday, Victoria! You are an inspiration to so many!
1:44 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria…
i keep it pretty simple! i am very excited to to try the sausage….lol just teasing! that’s hilarious…yuck! i cant wait to check out the new books Victoria…yummy!
1:53 am on July 24th, 2009
weirdest thing…..the moisture-absorbing plastic canister !!! that got hidden in the mound of cacao powder as i scooped it out of the jar into the blender. hmmm, what are these little bits of thing that i’m rolling around on my tongue…. wait, no way! i freaked out, then calmed down after reading up on the internet that the moisture-absorber wasn’t going to kill me. but i was haunted by it four hours later. needless to say, that batch of green smoothie went down the drain.
Happy Birthday, Victoria! been looking forward to your new books.
2:17 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy BDay Victoria great show I’m still new to making smoothie’s so nothing weird yet. I do plan to buy your books thank you so much for your inspiration
2:58 am on July 24th, 2009
Hi there
I heard about the avacado pit a while ago and have been putting them in the smoothies. I started with half and didn’t notice a difference so now i just toss in the whole thing – maybe I got accustomed to it. I do peel and quarter it before adding.
Happy Birthday Victoria. Looking forward to your smoothie book crossing the pond.
3:25 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday, Victoria! Did you know Fatima Leal got married to Matt Hansen recently? His job brought them to Ft. Bragg where they are living. I bet she would love to translate your latest books into Portuguese! Also, I see Lucy once in awhile. Boy, could I use a raw smoothie retreat!
Take good care!
Pat
3:25 am on July 24th, 2009
I wonder if raw people would consider green savory soup as smoothies. It has the consistency of smoothies?? I am a bit confused here. I concluded that for healing purposes water, fruits, and greens are the best combination but for taste, adding variety and maintaining a raw food program, savory soup may be helpful. For me it may not be weird, but I like to put Dr. Schultz, cayenne tincture into my buckwheat or sunflower sprouts green soup. Thanks for changing the whole one show at a time. Happy Birthday to Victoria, may you live a healthy long life. Carmyl
3:26 am on July 24th, 2009
great video!
Umm I once tried to blend up my salad (Lettuce, tomatoe, mushrooms, capsicum, cucumber) it was feral – a think brown sludge, which made me dry reach. But I got it down after 1.5 hours of drinking then chewing (yes i had to chew it still haha)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Victoria, i just finished reading your book and my whole family now has a quart of green smoothie each morning!
3:28 am on July 24th, 2009
woops forgot to write… it also had sunflower, pumpkin, flax and sesame seeds, almond and macadamias. Which made it thick!
4:37 am on July 24th, 2009
Nothing extremely wierd in my green (or red) smoothies..
Beets give it very nice colour though(:
one question I was always wondering about – many nutrients are FAT soluble, doesn’t it mean that you need to have some fat (nuts\olive oil\avocado) in your green smoothie in order to absorb them??
Thanks!
5:04 am on July 24th, 2009
I’ve tried a couple of different “weird” additions to green smoothies and all of them taste great: a piece of citrus peel w/pulp (absorb more iron, adds fiber, anti-parasitic, detox); japanese ume plum concentrate (very alkaline, immune booster – add a sweetener, very tart); japanese kuzu root starch (gut healer, digestive aid, immune booster – can boil in water prior to add); dulse or other seaweed (minerals); raw sauerkraut (neutralizes some of the bitter flavors); apple cider or coconut raw vinegar + sea salt + pepper + raw oxidized garlic + herb (e.g., fresh rosemary or thyme).
Happy Birthday Victoria – thank you for significantly increasing my awareness (and public awareness) about the importance of a raw food diet.
5:23 am on July 24th, 2009
Kevin and Ann Marie: For the first time ever, I didn’t get anything to open. Just the comments. Can you resend it? I love what you do.
Pat
5:38 am on July 24th, 2009
i always put soaked flax seeds in my green smoothie to make it more substantial. otherwise i have to eat too often.
i put alot of things in my smothies. lately rose petals, medicinal herbs,supplements, bee pollen, protein powder, egg yolks, etc.
happy birthday!
5:39 am on July 24th, 2009
kevin, why don’t you replicate the oxidation experiment for your show?
5:50 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy birthday, Victoria!
6:11 am on July 24th, 2009
lots of wild things for me just now, rosehips, rose petals,lavender and all the wild greens.
6:25 am on July 24th, 2009
I am totally new to the whole concept of raw foods. My family will (quite happily) have berry smoothies into which I sneak some spinach, bok choy, or a small beet, but that’s about as wierd as I’ve gotten so far.
Happy Birthday, Victoria! Thank you for your info on the difference between juicing and blending. I have a juicer, but I really love my Vita Mix!
And thank you to both Kevin and Victoria for making great information easily accessible to those of us who were raised on McDonalds and Spaghetti-Os and wouldn’t know where to start otherwise!
Blessings,
Suzanne
8:14 am on July 24th, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTORIA AND MANY MANY MORE.Thanks for all your hard work. Kevin I would like to know if and why it is not a good idea to put supplements in your smoothie. Was wondering what the difference was in putting in supplements and super foods like vita mineral greens, or dried anything super food. The wierdest thing i did put in was supplements because it is only way to get my husband to take his supplements that he needs. You can only guess all the stuff i stuff in a green smoothie to get it down him.LOL
8:20 am on July 24th, 2009
Oh i forgot one thing kevin and Annmarie. I wold love to send a picture of my 4 pound yorkie to victoria, My Yorkie Pixy loves green smoothies and I got a pic of her. Is there a way to send this to her. I think she would love to see it. My Pixy knows when I turn the vita mix on that I am making green smoothie and she comes running and stands on her back legs to beg for some. Sorry I know this isn’t a dog forum. But had to tell you.LOL
8:23 am on July 24th, 2009
Fun show, you two! I was laughing out loud! The sausage killed me. LOL!
I tried the avocado pit smoothie I found on YouTube (1 pit to a blender-full of water) – BLECH! VERY bitter. Never thought of just adding PART of the pit. Will have to try that.
Probably the weirdest thing I’ve added to a smoothie wasn’t an item, but an amount. Went a little nuts on the powdered wheat grass one day. Oh, my. I forced myself to drink it so it wouldn’t go to waste. Not a good day. ; )
Lisa Marie
Rite Food and Company
8:46 am on July 24th, 2009
Probably Daikon Radish. I love mustard greens – makes smmoothie hot and spicey. Happy Birthday Victoria. Look forward to getting the two books next week. Always good to hear from you!!
8:52 am on July 24th, 2009
I appreciate everything what Victoria is doing for humankind, but every time I see her in some new interview I become very shocked seeing how she becomes bigger and bigger in size. Is she still on 100% raw food lifestyle or she is eating some cooked foods or too much of avocados?
9:25 am on July 24th, 2009
As another middle-aged woman who eats high raw, I can offer the perspective that healthy comes in all shapes and sizes, and genetic predispositions are not easy to break! I think Victoria is positively radiant!
9:32 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria. Keep up the great work!
I also like fresh herbs in smoothies, especially chocolate mint. Mmmmm. I do use avocado in smoothies because I like to make a meal out of it. I tend to use way more veggies than fruit to keep the sugar down, and therefore the blood pressure down as well.
Always experimenting, but nothing too weird yet. Sausage?? My husband would agree with that too. Ugh!
Genevieve
9:33 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy BDay Victoria!
the weirdest thing I have put in my smoothie was when I mixed mango with kale, mustard greens and banana and carob, it was very difficult for me to drink it. I prefer to separate my smoothies, I usually do fruits and veggies separate and don’t ad nuts, chocolate or seeds to it. I do use coconut water in most fruit smoothies and lately I discovered that the more simple the better two or tree fruits only turn out better. I find that combining fruits of similar groups like papaya, mango and guava work great and I ad banana for the more creamy texture. Kiwi Pineapple and apple juice(Juiced) is great!
My veggie smoothies I call them stews or soups because I eat them as I meal and ad chunks to it. Cucumber, tomatoes and avocado stew and I cut pieces of the tree ingredients and ad at the end and eat it as a stew…
Great show!
9:36 am on July 24th, 2009
Sorry for the spelling meant “a meal” ont I meal and “three ingredients” not tree ingredients.
9:43 am on July 24th, 2009
What a great video, Thankyou! VB is such a great person to listen to. So sweet and radiant!
Kevin.. I heard you mention a soap that you use for shaving but couldnt quite hear it. Is there any way you could maybe do a show about these kind of products.. eg.. Shaving, shampoo or just good alternatives to the usual stuff you find on shelves which are packed with garbage. I know a few good brands but would be cool to hear you guys’ thoughts on it.
Weird smoothies? I once blended plums and added too much macca.. Big mistake!
I love the show! U.K’s Biggest fan! Luc
11:40 am on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria! Absolutely love your new information about the Green Smoothies! I make a smoothie every morning and people are now telling me how I look younger! I have had these comments from people I do not even know! I am excited to purchase your new books!
Thank you Kevin and Annmarie for all your work and dedication to health information! I LOVE it all.
12:13 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy birthday Victoria! I love your books and am looking forward to getting your new ones. I add extras to my smoothies because I use them as a whole meal, I get the added nutrition, and it keeps me full longer. Thanks so much to you and the Giannis for teaching us so much!
12:13 pm on July 24th, 2009
I suppose the oddest thing I have put in a smoothie was cream cheese. It was wonderful! It made it very creamy and velvety in texture.
1:19 pm on July 24th, 2009
Great stuff!! I’m working on getting all my clients to add smoothies to their diets…
1:23 pm on July 24th, 2009
Hey Kevin – very awesome interview!
Hm, weirdest thing…I’d have to say white asparagus. Don’t usually put things like asparagus or eggplant in my juice.
2:07 pm on July 24th, 2009
This has nothing to do with weird shake additives, but I was wondering… I have noticed lately that experts of the raw food world, many of them appear unhealthy looking especially the woman. The woman, the older ones appear to be on the heavier side and the men appear very thin and gaunt in the facial region. How is this possible when they are supposedly eating all healthy raw foods?
2:16 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria!
I think my mom put some weird stuff in my smoothies (blended soup) when I was a child. I was a very picky eater and did not eat veggies among many things. Out of desperation my mother would put my dinner (including cooked food) into the blender and make a smoothie soup out of it. It came out something like split-pea soup. Anyhow, it did work and I ate it, not knowing what was in it. This was all long,long before all this smoothie/raw diet stuff became cool. LOL
2:46 pm on July 24th, 2009
In response to Natalya and Dianne’s comments, I have to say that I think this is an honest and valid question that deserves an honest answer!
I’ve seen Victoria Boutenko at the Raw Spirit Festival in Sedona, and she does NOT look radiant and healthy.
Being overweight is not a sign of vibrant health, on the contrary it’s very unhealthy to be over that much over fat, especially in the midsection.
Anyone who raves about how healthy she looks is deluding themselves.
She ought to be a living example of what she teaches, however this is not the case.
So what’s really going on? Does she eat raw or not? Or only part of the time?
3:03 pm on July 24th, 2009
I once tried red cabbage in a smoothie. I think I mixed it with an orange and water. It was very bitter, difficult to get down, I and concluded that it may have been the pits. Made a note to never do that again!
I JUST purchased an Excalibur dehydrator and am looking forward to experimenting with it. My garden is overflowing with lettuce that I cannot keep up with, so I am considering dehydrating a quantity of that and then turning it into powder that I can use in green smoothies in the winter. I will probably do the same with some of the kale; fennel leaves; carrot leaves; pea shells, tendrils, leaves; beet greens; and nasturtium, etc. Anybody know if I can do the same with the leaves of broccoli and sunflower (since we do sprout them)?
Victoria, will your books be available from any distributors in Canada? I would love those two books, but last time I purchased books from you I was hit with heavy fedex and border charges and I decided never again.
Connie
3:06 pm on July 24th, 2009
Oh, I wanted to ask….since you mentioned making a Douglas Fir smoothie…are you planning on doing a book on wild edibles? (Or does anyone know of a good reference for northern Ontario?)
It would be awesome to have a good way to learn about all the wild greens we can eat when the going gets tough…or even if not.
Connie
3:25 pm on July 24th, 2009
Thanks Kevin and Annemarie for the information.
Happy birthday Victoria. I like to add to my smothies young wine grape leaves from our garden. We love the tangy taste.
3:33 pm on July 24th, 2009
Kevin,
Thank you for posting this interview.
I just ordered a couple of Mrs. Boutenko’s books. As a newly realized vegetarian, I am also learning the ways of raw food preparation and feel that her books will definitely speed my transformation.
Blessings,
Page
4:45 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria!!
Great info on oxidation, thanks for that. Victoria’s research is always so relevant to the questions we’re all asking.
The weirdest thing I ever put in a smoothie? I don’t know. If it’s a plant it can go in right?
4:47 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria! Kevin, could you please, please answer these questions:
1- What about candida people? It’s always with fruit, and if you want to move away from some basic cucumber/celery/spinach recipe it’s not very palatable. Is there a green smoothie book for candida people? I can’t even tolerate berries.
2- Could you please research on Donna Gates’ statement that since juices come without fiber they hit the blood so quickly that they actually have acidic effect and not alkaline. I just did Ejuva cleanse and was doing green smoothies the last week (with no fruit), and even though it is summer I would feel freezing cold after a green juice for hours, and it was getting worse by day. I think she is right that cold foods negatively affect thyroid, and I can’t figure out why so many people do well on raw, and I can’t.
Thanks for your show, love watching it every day!
Diana
4:49 pm on July 24th, 2009
sorry,… was doing green juices the last week…
6:09 pm on July 24th, 2009
I’m a little confused if Victoria doesn’t recommend avocado in smoothies what about the seed.
Does it contain fat or just soluble fibre?
Does she mean to use the seed alone with greens, fruit and water? I’d like to know as I hate wasting things and we always throw the seed away. Also if you cut it in half can you use store one half in any way for later use or does it oxidise to. I’ve never seen the inside of an avocado seed.
Thanks in advance for the reply and happy Birthday Victoria. Hope you have a wonderful day and a great coming year.
6:35 pm on July 24th, 2009
Kevin, again, thanks for giving us good healthy information.
I was going to ask the very same questions about the avacado that CINDY #54 asked. Hope you will expound on it as I love avacodos for the taste and great for keeping the skin from wrinkling.
Happy birthday Victoria!
9:07 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria. It was wonderful to see you as a real person after taking in the inspiration, healing and health benefits of your green smoothies from “Green for Life”.
The wierdest smoothies that I have made? For a start I use a juicer and recombine the pulp as I haven’t got around to buying a good powerful blender (still seems to work), then when I put beetroot greens, carrot, apple, tomato and other stuff in, the color is vile, then the texture of stringy beetroot stalks, lumpy tomato seeds and apple pulp makes for a very unattractive smoothie.
I am more careful about combinations now, as I don’t want to turn my wife and kids off the idea.
Once again, happy birthday Victoria!!
9:18 pm on July 24th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria! I have several of your books and love them. Already preordered the new smoothie one and am exited it’s on the way.
I haven’t been adventurous yet with my smoothies. Just simple and yummy!
Great show! I love it when I can learn and laugh at the same time !
Linda
2:27 am on July 25th, 2009
Thanks for the good show.
Regarding weight gain, it looks like Victoria has low thyroid function. A low thyroid condition would be made worse by eating raw cruciferous veggies.
Many of the greens that Victoria recommends, such as kale, collards, cabbage, turnips, broccoli, etc., are cruciferous, and they have a chemical in them which blocks thyroid hormone synthesis.
People with low thyroid function really ought to cook these veggies. Even lightly steaming them is said to inactivate the problem chemical.
Here is some important information regarding how cruciferous vegetables can interfere with thyroid function:
<<<>>
Kevin, this kind of information is important. People need to understand that raw is not necessarily better than cooked. I am all in favor of eating high raw, but people should know which foods are better cooked.
People who have a hard time losing weight or feel cold most of the time probably have low thyroid function, and they ought to be cooking their cruciferous veggies.
Michael T.
2:30 am on July 25th, 2009
Here is the link I referred to above:
http://www.fortherecordmag.com/archives/ftr_070405p34.shtml
For some reason, it was deleted from my post.
Or, do your own research. Just google cruciferous vegetables thyroid function.
4:23 am on July 25th, 2009
Happy Birthday Victoria!
Thank you SO much for the wonderful research that you do.
I don’t recall putting anything weird in my smoothies.
5:07 pm on July 25th, 2009
Michael T,
If a thyroid deficiency is treated, this should not cause a problem.
I suppose it would if a person was eating a very high volume of crucifers and the wrong diet, and not exercising while having an untreated thyroid problem, it could.
But it seems to me the benefits of a raw diet even with lots of brassicas would outweigh any thryoid supressing effects of brassica consumption.
The benefits of cruciferous vegetables eaten raw are so numerous it would seem unwise to limit their use, and it would take a lot of concentrated extracts of these foods to supress thryoid function, like they do in lab rats.
Btw fermenting these foods also eliminates the effects of the goitrogens.
7:23 pm on July 25th, 2009
Hmmmm thyroid not functioning. I always wonder why I see raw foodists with extra weight. I only shrink and shrink. And I have to say it, especially Victoria with all the green smoothies she does.
For me, I want a health advocate that I will see sheer health. Weight does not speak health to me. My opinion.
I know thin people who are not healthy for sure too.
8:33 pm on July 25th, 2009
Forgot to say….weirdest ingredient (not so weird )and not in smoothie but in juice was radish sprouts…was so hot it hurt my stomach….pain oh my!
12:57 am on July 26th, 2009
I really enjoyed this show. I can’t think of anything to weird that i’ve put in a smoothie. Maybe hemp seeds might be weird for people who don’t know about them. Thanks for your shows.
Deanna
9:48 am on July 26th, 2009
I haven’t put anything “weird” into a smoothie yet. But once I put in too my chard and it was too bitter for my taste. I managed to get it all down, slowly throughout the day. Can’t waste a green smoothie
12:02 pm on July 26th, 2009
Her step by step book looked interesting especially for someone like me.
12:36 pm on July 26th, 2009
Hope you had a great birthday, Victoria! Sorry about the belated wishes; didn’t get to my e-mail until this morning.
Loved the interview. I usually like to alternate between green juice and green smoothies. I enjoy both but do feel more sustained when drinking smoothies. Summer allows me more time to make juice and during the school year a smoothie is faster to make. My colleagues at work tease me every day–but I’m older than all of them AND healthier, as well.
Kevin, the interview was wonderful and Victoria, the information was great. Thank you both.
6:52 pm on July 26th, 2009
Whether we’re on a health forum or not, we should all try to be more tactful about weight issues. Victoria Boutenko is a lovely women full of kind words and smart ideas, but raw or not, her weight is none of our business if she hasnt mentioned it.
Different circumstances and experiments may change our health and appearance from time to time- we wouldnt dream of holding it against Kevin when he got lyme disease! Like all of us, Victoria is on a lifelong health journey.
We should let go of the attitude of “you appear less than perfect, why should i listen to you?”
Victoria has helped many on her journey to health and cured her family miraculously. She writes great, inspiring books that have been invaluable to me in my transition and countless others, i’m sure.
Let us remember that without kindness, all the raw in the world wont mean anything.
PS Does anyone know what nutrients are in avocado pits?
Great show!
7:16 pm on July 26th, 2009
What a great segement. Looking forward to learning about her new books this coming week. Can’t speak to anything weird in my smoothies but today I had a Grand Slam from Arden’s Gardens here in Atlanta. It’s four shots – one each of wheat grass, ginger, cranberry and lemon. It sure wakes up the senses and I notice a difference within 30 min. or so if I wasn’t feeling too good beforehand.
I also support the comments about more love and acceptance and less criticism of others.
Peace,
Susan
9:21 pm on July 26th, 2009
Happy Birthday Mrs B!
10:38 pm on July 26th, 2009
Ariel…
It is our business, because she is presenting herself to the public and to her paying audience as an expert in the business of health and wellness.
I think it’s fair and reasonable for her to expect people to ask her about her weight problem!
Lyme disease is hardly a good comparison, you don’t “catch” a weight problem from a virus.
It’s something a person has a great deal of control over.
No one is holding it against her, we’re just asking for an explanation.
Either A. She is living the raw food lifestyle and drinking green smoothies but despite that is still over fat and unfit, in which case, I want to learn why, and can I expect to gain weight also?
Or B. She is extolling the virtues of this lifestyle for a living but not practicing it herself.
Her readership deserves to know.
I do respect Victoria and admire her work, however, I would respect her more if she would deal with this question once and for all!
Yes it’s a lifelong journey, but she is teaching this lifestyle to others and basing it on her personal experience of the last ten years.
Is this a case of the blind leading the blind or what?
Meaning no disrespect, nor meaning to be tactless, I just think a lot of people would like to know what she has to say about it.
Many raw foodists are dealing with weight problems and perhaps she can shed some light on this that would even help others?
The important question is, if she can’t help herself to achieve health and wellness with what she is teaching, how can anyone who follows her advice expect to be helped by it?
1:03 am on July 27th, 2009
Maryam- you bring up some good points. It would be nice if she would address weight issues on raw food -not necesarily her own- because everyone is different even according to the same diet. No matter how clean the diet and lifestyle there are many other factors to consider: thyroid as you have said, stubborn genetics, etc.
I wouldnt go so far as to say we should hold her responsible for being overweight. I only hold her responsible for the validity of her information and thouroughness of her research.
Since she is not addressing the subject of her weight, its possible that she feels uncomfortable doing so and so it may be hurtful when people address it for her.
It can’t be easy to be in the spotlight.
Anyway, my main problem was that some of the comments seemed rude, and could have been presented more tactfully.
9:22 am on July 27th, 2009
I unknowningly blended the small white packet that is used to absorb moisture from the spiralina bottle. Not good. Happy B Day. Thanks for the show Kevin.
1:37 am on July 29th, 2009
Hey everyone,
i missed your b’day Victoria,but i am a total convert.sentyour 1st green smoothie book to my mum,and eagerly awaiting the new one.
Just wanted to add,don’t use arm pits instead of avocado ones..i tried it,and it didn’t taste too good.
3:09 pm on July 29th, 2009
Happy belated birthday Victoria.
The oxidation information explained a lot to me. I bought a VitaMix years ago, and they suggested using it to make drinks. However, we’ve all heard for years how wonderful juice is for us. Every time I’ve ever juiced, I see all the wonderful fiber being tossed away, and kept thinking something isn’t right here. After hearing Victoria explain the VitaMix vs juicer and what the difference in in the oxidation process, I now see it so differently, and will start making veggie smoothies. Up until now, my smoothies have only been fruit smoothies made with protein powder, yogurt, and fruit. Thanks for this information.
10:06 am on July 30th, 2009
Ladies!
Remember, the images you see in the media are not the norm for women. Look back at some old movies. Notice Marilyn Monroe’s thighs. She had curves and bumps. That’s normal, not the sculpted hard cord-like limbs of the movie stars today. They spend many hours and much money on physical appearance. Madison Avenue has sold us the thin is better myth. A normal woman as she matures becomes curvy and some of us even curvier -especially after expanding to make room for carrying babies. So lighten up, inside!
Now, that said, I have to agree that every one has to find the right ratio of raw veggies and fruits for their body type. We are not all created equal. No diet can be mandated as suitable for all body types, climes, or metabolisms. I’ve found that I become too thin on all raw and must eat some cooked veggies and hearty soups like mung dahl in the winter if I want to be healthy and energetic. So find out what’s optimal for you, exercise regularly, and be beautiful from the inside out.
debra
6:03 pm on July 31st, 2009
i put garlic, green onions and raw egg in mine!!
10:50 am on November 22nd, 2009
Not to be rude. So apologies in advance.
But, doesn’t this lady look over weight and not particularly healthy?
Thoughts?
9:47 pm on November 30th, 2009
I agree with Maryam. In her recent interview with Matt Monarch I think Victoria was being dishonest. She says she lives on steamed greens, sunflower seeds, no nuts, no salt, and all she uses for her salad dressing is lemon juice and water. I think it’s naive to think that’s not dishonest. The perfect image mentality that motivated her to say that statement I think is part of the problem. Real raw foodists like Matt and Angela are better to learn from because they show how to implement a raw food lifestyle in the real world. They are more raw than Victoria but they eat carob fudge and nuts every once in a while. I appreciate their transparency. I don’t like Victoria’s dishonesty but I think her books are still great. She doesn’t practice what she preaches but she preaches the truth. Others, though, who are raw in actuality like Matt and Angela, rawdawgrory, and others, are even better to learn from because they show what made them successful.
11:27 am on March 12th, 2010
I have to agree with K here.
I love what Victoria teaches and drink smoothies every day but I do not think she is being honest about why she has gained weight.
And, it is important to be honest about it because being overweight is not healthy and alot of people turn to raw food and green smoothies as a way to lose weight and become healthier as a result. If that’s not going to work, they let’s be upfront about that. We can still love Victoria and know the truth at the same time.
I have heard her say on a podcast that when you start eating raw your metabolism speeds up and you drop alot of weight fast but then is slows down and you gain it all back — which is what happened to her. I don’t think I buy that because at the end of the day calories in, calories out is going to determine weight and eating raw provides the enzymes for a speedy metabolism.
So, still confused over here and would love to understand what caused her to gain so much weight. I do not mean any disrespect to her and trying to be as tactful as possible but there has to be a open honest way this can be discussed.