Soap

I started my new diet in order to manage my psoriasis. I've done pretty well with that so far. I haven't applied medication in months and there is only a mild indication of my disease. Occasionally the psoriasis will flare up, but usually it's a result of eating something I shouldn't (like a chocolate bar).

In this whole process, the key thing I learned is that I my disease is sensitive to stress, and there are 4 sources of stress in my life. Food and environment, exercise (or lack thereof), sleep (or lack thereof), and work. My changed diet has helped to manage a huge portion of my stress by eliminating foods which stress my body out (i.e. eliminating foods which cause an inflammatory response). Getting a CPAP helped significantly with my sleep, but I still do not get enough quality sleep, yet. I get moderate exercise (30 minutes at least twice a week) so my body puts out hormones which help me counteract other sources of stress (e.g. work).

Changing my diet helped tremendously with my psoriasis, but I haven't seen a complete remission. Earlier in this process I was nearly to the point of no longer needing medication, but my psoriasis wasn't clearing up enough, yet. I was pretty sure that I had eliminated all inflammatory foods from my diet so I was searching for other things in my environment which might be causing a reaction.

One day I was looking for soap for my shower and I noticed that the bar soap I usually buy employs "sodium palm kernelate" as a primary ingredient. The word "kernel" means seed, which suggested to me that it was actually a palm seed oil. I looked it up and sure enough, it's derived from palm seed oil.

Uh oh.

I looked at all of the other bar soaps on the shelves, including those for sensitive skin, and found that all of them use "sodium palm kernelate". Ugh. It must be an industry-wide standard which is significantly cheaper than beef tallow.

So I immediately switched to using body washes. But it took a while to find one which didn't appear to use a pro-inflammatory ingredient. I started to see further improvement in my symptoms. Up until this point I was using medication weekly, although at a lower dosage than I use to. After my switch to a body wash I would now apply meds about once per month.

But I didn't stop searching for a better body wash. One day I decided to look through Amazon and see what kinds of unscented body washes were available and compatible with my diet. There were hundreds of options, but to my amazement almost none of them were entirely compatible with my diet. They almost always use some sort of corn-derived ingredients, soy-derived ingredients, or nut, seed, or kernel oils (for example, "shea butter" is a kernel oil).

However, most of the way through the search results I was able to find a single option which fit the bill for me: Alevia Ensymatic Body Cleanse.

After switching to that as my body wash I no longer apply medication at all. I haven't for at least 4 months now. As mentioned earlier, I still have some symptoms, but I expect that those are related to other stresses in my life (e.g. low sleep quality and work stress).

Blueberry Lemonade Smoothie

Blueberries have a more-delicate flavor to them than grapes or strawberries. I found that they are easily overwhelmed by lime. Consequently, lemons work better for this paring than limes do.

Tools

• Professional blender with jar

Ingredients

• Lemon juice from 1-2 medium lemons (or 1 large lemon), depending on desired tartness
• 6 oz blueberries
• 1/2 to 1 fully ripe avocado
• Approximately 3 to 8 heaping tablespoons cane sugar, depending on desired sweetness
• Ice
• Water
• Optional: desired amount of unflavored protein/collagen powder
• Optional:1-2 tablespoons Honey

Directions

1. Add the cane sugar to the blender jar. I typically pour until the pile of sugar covers the top of the central post that holds the blade in the Blendtec. You can adjust this to your own preferred sweetness level.
2. Add/Prepare the protein/collagen powder
1. If using a brand of protein/collagen powder that doesn't clump in cold water, add the protein/collagen powder to the mixture in the blender. (I prefer to use 2 scoops from this brand.)
2. If using a brand of protein/collagen powder that does clump in water, mix the protein/collagen powder with about 16 oz. of (preferably cool or cold) water following the directions on the container and set the mixture aside. (I use 3 scoops from this powder.)
3. Add the avocado.
4. Optional: if you find this smoothie to be too tart, add the honey.
5. Add the blueberries and lemon juice
6. Add about 500-750 milliliters of ice. (I add until the ice level reaches the top of the Blendtec logo.) Add less ice if you want more potent flavor.
7. Add water (or the mixture from step 6.2) until the fluid level is about an inch below the top of the ice.
8. Set aside an additional glass/cup with cold water.
9. Blend until smooth. (The Blendtec has a "smoothie" button for this.)
1. Warning: If the blender starts to struggle or spin freely--meaning the blender is running but the smoothie mixture is not moving or is sluggish--immediately start adding water from step 12 until the smoothie mixture starts to flow again.
10. Pour, serve, and enjoy!

Additional Notes

Blender

I use a Blendtec blender, but a similar professional blender like a Vitamix will work. 

Lemon Juice

When preparing the lemon juice, I try to use the lemon pulp as well. I slice the lemons off-center 3 times so that I get 4 lemon chunks which I squeeze by hand through a strainer into the blender. I will also use my fingernails to scrape the insides of the lemons to dislodge more pulp. I then pick out some of the pulp from the strainer (avoiding the seeds) and toss it into the blender.

Washing Hands

Before I work with food I wash my hands with soap and dry them using a paper towel. Any time I do something which might contaminate my hands--such as interacting with non-food-related items--I rewash my hands. I use paper towels because they are inexpensive and more sanitary than hand towels.

Ice and Water

The ideal ice-to-water ratio will result in a smoothie which has the consistency of yogurt or soft-serve ice cream. If you find the smoothie is too watery then either add more ice next time or cut back on the water added. When there is not enough water then the blender will start to spin freely as mentioned in step 8.1.

I use less water and more ice in this recipe because grapes are mostly water so I do not need to add as much water to get the same fluidity in the final product.

Avocado

1/2 of an avocado will get you a smooth texture, but you may find the smoothie is not very satisfying. Using an entire avocado will make the smoothie far more satisfying.

The ripeness of the avocado matters. If the avocado is not ripe, then the smoothie will be clumpy, will start to separate, and the flavor will be unsatisfying. If the avocado is ripe, then the smoothie will be satisfyingly creamy and will stay uniform for a long time--at least a half-hour.

I've attempted to use avocado oil in place of the avocado, but that particular smoothie doesn't have the right texture and starts to separate immediately. I've also tried to substitute coconut oil, but that also separates immediately and tends to be clumpy.

Avocados

Each of my smoothie recipes employs avocado. It doesn't add much flavor but adds significantly to the texture and satisfaction of the smoothie.

However, getting the right avocados can be difficult. I want to share some of my tips for choosing and maintaining great avocados.

I use the Large Hass variety of avocado in my smoothies, but only because I have never seen any other varieties in stores. I typically get my avocados from Costco, but those are often still green and not ripe. If I need a ripe avocado right away then I will buy some from a regular supermarket.

To pick a ripe avocado, I look to see if the avocado is a darker color--typically a rich brown or sometimes red--instead of the vibrant green of an unripened avocado. I pick up an avocado and squeeze lightly; it should have a little bit of give (meaning it squishes a little bit). That's when I know that it is ripe and ready to be used.

If an avocado has too much give, then it might be over-ripened. I find that the flesh of such avocados are streaked with brown which take away from the flavor.

If I buy multiple ripened avocados then I will keep the remainder in the fridge so that the ripening process slows down and they will last longer.

When harvesting, avocados are typically picked before they are ripe. They can ripen on their way to the store, or they can be refrigerated to prolong their lives. Costco avocados are refrigerated until they are delivered to the store, so they are frequently unripened at the time I purchase them.

When I buy avocados at Costco, I have no way of knowing when they will be ripe. Sometimes they will sit on the counter for weeks before they start to ripen, which can be pretty frustrating. I mentioned that to someone during checkout and they said to put the avocados in a paper bag and then they'll ripen more quickly. "That's what we did back in Cali'."

Because I do not have a supply of paper bags at home, but periodically I get boxes from Amazon, I decided to use a cardboard box to help ripen my avocados. It works great! I put the avocados in the box, close it up by placing a light object on top of the box, and then--using the squeeze test to check on their ripeness--I check on the avocados every day or two. The avocados will often ripen within 2 days, but sometimes it will take as many as 5.

Once the avocados are ripe I transfer them to the fridge so they don't quickly over-ripen. They'll last a few weeks in the fridge, but since I make 1-2 smoothies per day I typically go through 10 avocados a week and the avocados don't have time to spoil. I have a steady stream of avocados going from Costco, to cardboard, to fridge, to smoothie (not to mention the grower, picker, shipper, and anyone else who helps it get to the floor of my local Costco).

Seedless Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie

Pineapple doesn't like seeds in her smoothies, and I am not supposed to eat seeds, so I came up with this smoothie so that I can still get the berries I need without the obtrusive crunch and mouthfeel of the seeds. It takes a little longer to prepare than my other smoothies, but it's worth the extra effort.

Tools

• Fine-weave strainer (fine enough to catch raspberry seeds)
• Professional blender with jar
• Second blender jar or a bowl
• Spatula

Ingredients

• Lemon juice from 1 to 2 medium lemons (or 1 large lemon) depending on desired tartness level
• 4-5 oz raspberries
• 1/2 to 1 fully ripe avocado
• Approximately 3 to 8 heaping tablespoons cane sugar, depending on desired sweetness level
• Ice
• Water
• Optional: desired amount of unflavored protein/collagen powder
• Optional:1-2 tablespoons Honey

Directions

1. Put the raspberries in the blender jar (the smaller jar if you have 2 jars of different sizes).
2. Add water until just above the raspberries or they start to float.
3. Blend for a few seconds; long enough to break up the raspberries.
4. Set the blended raspberries aside
1. If you are using a second jar, just set it aside for later
2. If not, pour the blended raspberries into the bowl then rinse out the blender jar (to remove any remaining seeds)
5. Add the cane sugar to the blender jar. I typically pour until the pile of sugar covers the top of the central post that holds the blade in the Blendtec. You can adjust this to your own preferred sweetness level.
6. Add/Prepare the protein/collagen powder
1. If using a brand of protein/collagen powder that doesn't clump in cold water, add the protein/collagen powder to the mixture in the blender. (I prefer to use 2 scoops from this brand.)
2. If using a brand of protein/collagen powder that does clump in water, mix the protein/collagen powder with about 16 oz. of (preferably cool or cold) water following the directions on the container and set the mixture aside. (I use 3 scoops from this powder.)
7. Add the avocado.
8. Optional: if you find this smoothie to be too tart, add the honey.
9. Add the lemon juice
10. Strain the raspberries into the blender
1. Place the strainer over the mouth of the blender jar
2. Pour the blended raspberries into the strainer
3. Using the spatula, push down on the raspberries to help move the juices through the strainer
1. You don't need to exert much force
2. I find scraping across the pureed berries within the strainer is pretty effective
3. You will end up with a thick paste of mostly seeds when you are done
4. Scrape the exterior bottom of the strainer with the spatula to get the last of the juices into the blender
11. Add about 500-750 milliliters of ice. (I add until the ice level reaches the top of the Blendtec logo.) Add less ice if you want more potent flavor.
12. Add water (or the mixture from step 6.2) until the fluid level is about an inch below the top of the ice.
13. Set aside an additional glass/cup with cold water.
14. Blend until smooth. (The Blendtec has a "smoothie" button for this.)
1. Warning: If the blender starts to struggle or spin freely--meaning the blender is running but the smoothie mixture is not moving or is sluggish--immediately start adding water from step 12 until the smoothie mixture starts to flow again.
15. Pour, serve, and enjoy!

Additional Notes

Blender

I use a Blendtec blender, but a similar professional blender like a Vitamix will work. 

Lemon Juice

When preparing the lemon juice, I try to use the lemon pulp as well. I slice the lemons off-center 3 times so that I get 4 lemon chunks which I squeeze by hand through a strainer into the blender. I will also use my fingernails to scrape the insides of the lemons to dislodge more pulp. I then pick out some of the pulp from the strainer (avoiding the seeds) and toss it into the blender.

Washing Hands

Before I work with food I wash my hands with soap and dry them using a paper towel. Any time I do something which might contaminate my hands--such as interacting with non-food-related items--I rewash my hands. I use paper towels because they are inexpensive and more sanitary than hand towels.

Ice and Water

The ideal ice-to-water ratio will result in a smoothie which has the consistency of yogurt or soft-serve ice cream. If you find the smoothie is too watery then either add more ice next time or cut back on the water added. When there is not enough water then the blender will start to spin freely as mentioned in step 14.1.

Avocado

1/2 of an avocado will get you a smooth texture, but you may find the smoothie is not very satisfying. Using an entire avocado will make the smoothie far more satisfying.

The ripeness of the avocado matters. If the avocado is not ripe, then the smoothie will be clumpy, will start to separate, and the flavor will be unsatisfying. If the avocado is ripe, then the smoothie will be satisfyingly creamy and will stay uniform for a long time--at least a half-hour.

I've attempted to use avocado oil in place of the avocado, but that particular smoothie doesn't have the right texture and starts to separate immediately. I've also tried to substitute coconut oil, but that also separates immediately and tends to be clumpy.