gr e a t gr e e n s !   5 Acid-Promoting Habits to Avoid Eating a SAD (acidic) diet Not drinking enough water Soft drinks (diet or regular) or high-sugar drinks from any source Chronic stress/overwork Sleep deprivation Too little or too much exercise Smoking 7 What’s Your pH? Figuring out how acidic or alkaline you are is an easy DIY process. Using litmus paper (available at most pharmacies), you can measure the pH of your urine first thing in the morning. Either urinate directly on the litmus paper or collect urine in a cup and dip the paper into the cup. As the test paper is moistened, it will turn color. Simply match the color of the strip with the chart provided in your test kit. The ideal pH reading should be between 6.5 and 7.0. Another option that I use is to check salivary pH using litmus paper. It is best to check salivary pH first thing in the morning, but if you forget, just check it a few hours before or after consuming food and, in particular, after having nothing to drink but water. The ideal range for saliva is 7.0 to 7.4. Looking at both values can help you figure out just how healthy your diet is. Vegetables, and in particular greens, are rich in the alkalinizing minerals magnesium and potassium. If you are not going to eat a diet rich in these essential minerals then you should consider drinking nutrient- packed greens drinks. Greens to the Rescue! What can you eat to rebalance your pH? All vegetables, but especially leafy greens, top the list. These foods provide potassium and other minerals in a low calorie package that has the net effect of helping to alkalinize the body. Some fruits (but not fruit juice), and healthy fats like olive or avocado oil are also alkalizing. Many beans and legumes along with whole grains can be either neutral to moderately acidic. Sprouting beans and grains can change their properties, making them highly alkaline. The bottom line is that there is no substitute for green and sprouted foods to maintain one of the most important aspects of your cellular health. The goal is to eat about 75 to 80 percent alkalizing foods and about 20 to 25 percent acidifying foods. Including a high-quality powdered greens drink as part of your routine can help you reach this goal. Greens drinks help increase your consumption of leafy greens, as well as other alkalizing superfoods like chlorella and spirulina. Greens drinks improve hydration and deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When used on a regular basis, they can support digestion and immunity while enhancing the body’s natural detoxification capabilities. It is one of the easiest, most convenient ways to support good health every day.