20 Healthy Reasons To Love Strawberries

Here’s a great find about strawberries!

1 – Prevents Hypertension: Strawberry contains potassium and magnesium, which are both highly effective in lowering high blood pressure or Hypertension caused by sodium.

2 – Prevents Leukemia: Strawberries also have a very good therapeutic effect for preventing leukemia, anemia (lack of blood) and blood diseases.

3 – Digestive Support: Strawberry contains soluble fiber and Vitamin C that can help stimulate the secretion of salivary and gastric juices, thereby improving the digestion of starchy and protein foods, and prevents constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

4 – Hearty Health: Strawberry contains fiber, potassium, folate, anti-oxidants vitamin C, anthocyanidins, and flavonoids (quercetin), that helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, lowers homocysteine levels, platelet built up, blood clotting, and reduces LDL cholesterol. Strawberry also contains Vitamin B which strengthens the heart muscle.

5 – Anti Cancer: Strawberry is high in antioxidant with flavonoids, Vitamin C, and also phytochemicals called ellagik acid that fight oxidation, inhibiting tumor growth and decreasing inflammation in the body, and preventing damages caused by free radicals in our body.

6 – Boots Immune System: Strawberries are very rich in vitamin C, which plays a key role in enhancing immune system function, as well as in preventing and fighting infectious diseases such as flu and cold.

7 – Strengthens Bones: Along withpotassium, vitamin K and magnesium, strawberry contains manganese, a mineral that helps maintain bone formation and bone structure.

8 – Anti Inflammation: Antioxidants and the flavonoid- Anthocyanidin, in strawberries help inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX), reduce inflammation in the joints that can lead to asthma, intestinal bleeding, gout, artherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

9 – Healthy Brain: Strawberry contains iodine and folate, support the brain and nervous system, and help improve memory, concentration and the brain’s ability to process information. A variety of antioxidants also play a role in preventing brain cell damage that can lead to dementia.

10 – Anti-Anemic: Strawberries can help prevent and fight certain types of anemia, due to their high content in folate, which is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

11 – Anti-Coagulant: Strawberries contains moderate amount of acetylsalicylic acid, that helps thin blood and prevent blood clots formation, thereby reducing pressure on the heart and improving its function.

12 – Diuretic: The high content in potassium found in strawberries enhances diuresis, which contributes to detoxifying the body, as well as regulating blood pressure.

13 – Calms the Nerves: Consuming strawberries, as fruit or juice, stimulates the release of serotonin, which improves mood and is responsible for a feeling of relaxation and a general sense of well-being.

14 – Skin Tonic: Strawberry contain vitamin C, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), salicylic acid, ellagic acid, antioxidants, flavonoids and exfoliants , that help remove dead cells, tighten pores, remove impurities, soothe allergies, removing age spots, freckles, wrinkles and blemishes, protects the skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays, and clear acne. Being astringent in nature strawberries can reduce puffiness and circles beneath the eyes.

15 – Prevents Alopecia: Strawberry is abundant in folic acid, vitamins B5 and B6, and ellagic acid, protects your hair from thinning or falling and delays onset of androgenetic alopecia. Manganese and copper in combination with dicarboxylic acids produce complexes that can inhibit fungal growth on the scalp.

16 – Fights Allergies: Anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin C and quercetin, help alleviate symptoms of asthma and allergies including runny nose, watery eyes and hives.

17 – Diabetes: Strawberries have low glycemic index, are rich in fiber, and contain fisetin, a flavonoid, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce diabetic complications such as kidney disease and neuropathy.

18 – Pregnancy: Adequate folic acid intake is essential for pregnant women to protect against neural tube defects in infants.

19 – Depression: Folate in strawberries combats depression by preventing an excess of homocysteine formation, that interferes with the production of the feel-good hormones-serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate not only mood, but sleep and appetite as well.

20 – Eyes: Strawberries provide abundant Vitamin C that your eyes need to protect from free radical damage from the sun’s UV rays and to strengthen the cornea and retina of our eyes, and preventing eye related diseases like cataracts.

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More On Triphala

Triphala should not be used during pregnancy due to potential risk to the fetus.  Since triphala stimulates the digestive system, the thinking goes that it will stimulate the baby.  Not only will the baby be more active, but the heartbeat can also increase.

Triphala also causes miscarriages.  Triphala causes a lot of the downward movement or downward flow, as to why this might occur. Muscle contractions are also known to be induced by triphala.

Triphala should be avoided if you’re trying to get pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding.


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Strong Digestion & Constipation

Creating a strong digestion is very important for the system especially when you're constipated.
Foods that are not properly digested create toxins and impurities that get absorbed and localize in tissues and disrupt their true nature of functioning.

Here's what you can do to strengthen your digestive system so constipation won't occur -

• herbal preparations 
• favor foods that enhance digestion
• use of proper spices
• knowing what to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• exercise, yoga and breathing techniques 
• proper food combinations
• lifestyle and daily routine
• stress management
• balancing the nervous system
• herbalized oil massage 

Menstruation Guidelines

In today's world, women curse to the knowledge of having their period.  But according to Ayurveda, having your period is a blessing and not a curse.  Apart from preparing the body for conception and pregnancy, the body is being cleared of all toxins.  Every month we get to clean out our system and we don't even have to do anything!  Nature does it for us!  Our bodies are being renewed.  We are born again!  What a beautiful support from the laws of nature.

Constipation, diarrhea, irritability, mood swings, bloating, upset stomach, cravings, fatigue, breast tenderness, breakouts, sadness, anger, sensitivity - just to mention the very few variety of symptoms we might experience.

Here are some guidelines that will help during our menstruation -

• the body needs to be free of ama - this means no fast food, junk food, leftovers, alcohol and drugs.  Best to favor vegetables, grains, fruits, milk.  These fresh foods will keep your body clean and be easy on your digestive system.
• favor light and warm foods - the ones that will pacify your Vata.
• take it easy!  Don't engage in certain activities or people that will get you moody.  Best to be more inwards.
• light to moderate exercise is recommended; walks in particular
• avoid daily massages during menstruation 
• definitely follow a routine when menstruating as this will help in regulating your menstruation 
• use the following spice mix when cooking to help balance your cycle - 
• 6 parts fennel
• 1 part black cumin
• 1 part cumin
• 6 parts coriander 
• 1 part turmeric 
• 1 part black pepper 
• sauté this mix in ghee and add to your meals 

Benefits Of Curry Leaves

My mom adds curry leaves to everything she cooks.
Not only does it make the food even tastier, you get to eat the leaves as well.
When I asked her why she includes this in most of her dishes, she mentioned its many benefits.

Curry leaves help with -

digestive problems
kidney problems
helps with nausea and vomiting
stimulates hair growth
prevents diabetes
can be used externally for insect bites
controls cholesterol
protects liver

Thanks mom!

Wonders of Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most popular ingredients in the kitchen, but it can also be found in the medicine cabinet and even on a night stand.  In fact that it is rich in vitamin E and essential antioxidants, makes it one of the most efficient measures to balance blood pressure levels and cholesterol, to precent heart attacks, cancer and fight aging.  And if you thought that's where its benefits end, you are sorely mistaken.

Here are 25 more uses for this excellent material - the olive oil

1 - to precent snoring - swallow a spoon of olive oil before bed

2 - to reduce stretch marks - massage olive oil before bed

3 - to treat acne - prepare a mix made of 3 table spoons of olive oil with 4 table spoons of sea salt, put on your face for 1-2 minutes.  The mix will clean the pores and keep the moisture of your skin.  Wash with hot water and soap.

4 - to alleviate ear pain - spill one drop of warm olive oil in your ear

5 - to reduce stomach ulcers and pain - mix one table spoon of live oil with a 3/4 cup of citrus juice or vinegar and drink

6 - olive oil can serve as a substitute for shaving cream

7 - to strengthen your fingernails - soap them in a bowl of olive oil

8 - to rehabilitate your skin - to treat dry skin of the hands, elbows and knees, warm a few table spoons of olive oil (until it's luke warm) and smear on the relevant areas.

9 - to treat colds - warm a mixture of 1/3 cup of olive oil, 1/3 cup of sesame oil, 4 drops of thyme, 2 drops of rosemary oil and massage the warm mixture on the chest area 

10 - to treat dandruff - massage olive oil into your scalp and leave overnight.  Wash your hair in the mooring and wash with a regular shampoo.  Try this treatment for a week.

11 - to treat dry hair with split ends - warm the oil and smear on scalp for 45 minutes

12 - to treat after hair coloring - soak a soft cotton towel with olive oil and wipe the spotted skin, it may take some time but the color will come off the skin

13 - to prevent hair loss - mix 2 eggs with 2 table spoons of olive oil.  Smear on the scalp and hair for 40 minutes and then wash with cool or luke warm water.  It's recommended to repeat this 3 times a week.

14 - to treat lice - mix 1 table spoon of olive oil with 5 drops of the the tree oil and smear on the scalp for several minutes.  Then comp your hair with a live comb and wash with hot water.

15 - Relieve toothache - mix drops of clove oil with drops of olive oil, in about a ratio of 3:1 and use a cotton ball to put on the aching area.  Not recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

16 - remove mascara - drip a bit of olive oil on a cotton ball and wipe the make up from your eyes.

17 - relieve coughing - swallow a spoon of olive oil mixed with a spoon of honey.  Another option is to massage the upper back and chest with the oil at body temperature. 

18 - treating swollen/red gums - wash your mouth with a mix of olive oil and water.

19 - prevent diaper rash - mix 2 spoons of olive oil with a spoon of water and smear on baby's rear

20 - to polish furniture - mix olive oil and lemon juice at a ratio of 2:1.  Use a gentle towel soared in the mix to polish the furniture 

21 - to maintain garden tools - smear a bit of olive oil on garden tools to keep them from accumulating filth and corrosion.

22 - to prevent squeaks - smear some olive oil on screaming hinges to make them silent 

23 - for digestive problems - swallow a spoon of olive oil every morning on an empty stomach.  Another option is to drink a glass of water with a spoon of olive oil and spoon of lemon juice.

24 - to maintain knives - after washing thoroughly with water and soap, wipe the blades well and then use a small amount of olive oil and gentle rub it on the blades with a towel. 

25 - prevent wax from building up in the candlesticks - just drip a bit of olive oil and it won't stick. 

Drink Hot Water

60% of our body is made up of water.
70% of the brain is made up of water.
90% of our lungs is made up of water.
It's not joke that all parts of the body needs to be well hydrated to work and look good.

For the past 13 years I've been drinking hot water every morning.  After waking up, brushing and evacuating the bowels, I drink 1.8 liters of hot water.  I started during my college years at Maharishi University of Management and have been hooked ever since.

Here's why.

Hot water basically clears out the toxins and undigested food particles, or ama that are being blocked in the channels.  These blocked channels can interfere with life energy, metabolism, and elimination.  The hot water gets absorbed in the circulatory system and travels throughout the entire body providing warmth and opening the circulation and washing out toxins.

The result of this hot water flow through the digestive tract helping dissolve waste products and cleansing the body - better eliminating and prevention of ama.

I highly recommend you all to try it.
It's great to remove waste!

The 7 Don'ts After A Meal

An interesting read I received and want to share.

1     Don't smoke - Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of   cancer is higher).                                                                                          2    Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause the stomach to be bloated with air.  Therefore take fruit 1-2 hours after meals or 1 hour before meal.                                            3     Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid,  this substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.      4     Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted and blocked.                                                5    Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs and body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease.  This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.                                                                                                                                                6    Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99.  In actual fact this is not true.  Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.                                                                                                                              7    Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly.  Thus will lead to gastric and infection in our intestine.