Foods For A Leaner Body

Summer’s approaching and we all want that lean body!
Guess what?!  Vegetables can help – along with a good amount of water intake, balanced lifestyle, exercise, meditation and a nutritious diet.
Here’s a list of foods you can eat to gain a lean body -

Kale – kale is high in vitamins A, C, and K; manganese, antioxidants and fiber

Lemons – increases bone strength

Almonds – great for the heart and blood sugar levels

Spinach – improves vision, bones, blood pressure, immunity, skin, brain and nervous system

Blueberries – high in antioxidants and helps reduce belly fat

Olive oil – improves skin, complexion and slows the aging process

Parsley – rich in vitamin C, folic acid, iron and beta-carotene

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Why Are Apples So Healthy?

We all know that old saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.“ But have you ever wondered why that is? How one apple a day can bring about significant health benefits? If you have, then you’ll be glad to read this article. From strengthening the immune system, through preventing cancerous growths and to losing weight, say hello to your one apple a day!   How do apples do what they do? An important research published in 2008 by the German cancer research center, showed that apples offer a significant health advantage. When comparing between a group that had less than one apple per day and a group that had one or more apples a day, the latter was found to have less risk of mouth cancer, larynx cancer, breast cancer, intestinal cancer, kidney cancer and ovarian cancer. These findings support a new research performed at Cornell university, showing that the peel of the apple has strong anti-oxidant properties, a powerful block against the influences of breast cancer cells. Researchers found that the higher the concentraion of apples, the lower the concentration of cancerous cells. Cancerous growths are uncontrollable growths of cells independently spreading through the body. The growths are based on three principal levels: The first stage causes mutations in cell DNA. The second, when the growth becomes malignant and grows faster, and finally when it metastases and spreads throughout the body. In the case of a cancerous growth, apples aren’t only used as anti-oxidants, but also improve the function of the immune system, which helps clean out the growths at the early stages. In addition to boosting the immune system and fighting cancerous growths, apples also help control the levels of cholesterol and sugars in the blood, prevent heart disease and improve mouth hygiene. The fact that they contain more than 80% water and a long line of essential vitamins, makes them one of the healthiest foods available. The secret is in the nutritional fibers Apples are considered a vital source of nutritional fibers. Eating one apple a day (with peel) can award us about 4.4 grams of nutritional fibers, which is 1/5 of our entire day’s recommended amount. Nutritional fibers are materials found in foods that come from plants, and have a very important role in stimulating the digestive system and encouraging its function. Since they are not digested and taken apart in the body, they sate our hunger for a longer period of time. Extensive research has shown that those that do not get their daily recommended amount (at least 25 grams a day), deny themselves a host of health benefits. In addition, the researchers found that consuming these fibers is quite the effective method of losing weight. The secret is in the chewing. Drinking apple juice will not bring about the same health benefits. We’d be happy to receive the essential sugars and vitamins, but we would not get the fibers. A research conducted in China found that chewing can help the body regulate the amount of calories it absorbs from food. What does this have to do with apples? Everything. Apples are a terrific source of nutritional fibers, especially a group of fibers called Pectin. This is a group of complex carbohydrates that regulate our bowels, improve good cholesterol rates and is a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial. Researchers from UCLA have shown that consuming pectin instead of regular fibers, doubles the time it takes the stomach to empty from one hour to two. Meaning that we don’t feel hungry for a longer time. In fact, a recent research paper entitled: “Weight Loss Associated with a Daily Intake of Three Apples or Three Pears among Overweight Women”, shows that women suffering from overweight and were instructed to eat an apple or pear before each meal, lost significant weight, just for doing so. The women in the experiment were asked to eat regularly and just add the apple before the meal. What happened was that the apples and fibers crowded the stomach, increased the feeling of being full, and made the body absorb less calories. Other sources of nutritional fibers are: Pears, Peaches, peas, carrots, seeds, nuts, peel of fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, oats and whole wheat. But apples offer many more advantages. So if you want to: Lose weight, eat one apple a day. Strengthen your immune system, eat one apple a day. Control the level of cholesterol, eat one apple a day. Prevent the spread of cancerous cells, eat one apple a day. And if you want to keep the doctor away - EAT ONE APPLE A DAY!

Benefits of Cauliflower

My mom is making cauliflower for lunch today, my favorite!!!




Here are some health benefits of cauliflower.




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Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

My mom made a great sweet potato dish for lunch today.

Sweet potatoes are really good for you, better than regular potatoes and here's why. 

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Green Up Your Insides

Green up your insides with the following list of green vegetables.

Greening It Up Is Cleaning It Up!

Vegetables have the best nutritional value such as - potassium, iron, calcium, fiber, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, E.

Best to include at least one at least once a day - to start :)

Celery
Brussels Sprouts
Kiwi
Green apples
Cucumbers
Avocado
Arugula
Asparagus
Green grapes
Green pears
Green beans
Cabbage
Broccoli
Broccoli rabe
Kale
Limes
Artichokes
Honeydew melons
Bok choy
Artichokes
Spinach
Avocado
Turnip greens
Collard greens
Chard

Uses Of Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is getting more and more recognition these days because of it's many and positive effects.  This oil has a rich source of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Here are a few uses for coconut oil -

• acne
• eczema
• massage oil
• sunscreen
• moisturizer 
• pre shave
• after shave
• herpes
• body scrub
• hair conditioner 
• skin problems
• soothes pain and menstrual cramps
• use as sunscreen 
• boosts energy
• clears cellulite
• clears stretch marks
• relieves stress
• weight loss
• heart health
• healing
• used in cooking
• removes eye make up
• chap stick
• athlete's foot, fungus
• reduce itch of mosquito bites
• improves sleep
• natural deodorant
• helps treat yeast infections
• rub on cuticles to help grow nails

Dark Chocolate Lovers

Lately, I've been wanting dark chocolate every day, especially Kit Kat dark chocolate - it's great.

After knowing the benefits of dark chocolate, having a couple of these kit kat bars everyday makes me happy! 

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Power of Pumpkin

It's Halloween!!!
And the pumpkin is the all mighty.
Here is some information about pumpkins.
Believe it or not, we can eat this as a main vegetable instead of in a pie :)

Pumpkin is a fruit of the plant of the same name and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family that also includes gourds.  It is quite similar to gourd in its appearance and is believed to have originated in North America.  However, there is no fixed shape of pumpkins and they usually vary from being oblate to oblong.  The rind is smooth, lightly ribbed and usually, orange or yellow in color.  With a high nutritional value, pumpkins are associated with a lot of health benefits.  Apart from the flesh, even the seeds of pumpkins boast of a large number of nutrition benefits.  Read on to know more about the nutritious ‘pumpkin’.

Nutritional Value of Pumpkin.  Given below is the amount of nutrients present in 1 cup Pumpkin (cooked, boiled and drained): 

• Calcium - 37 mg

• Carbohydrate - 12 gm

• Dietary Fiber - 3 gm

• Folate - 21 mcg

• Iron - 1.4 mg

• Magnesium - 22 mg

• Niacin - 1 mg

• Potassium - 564 mg

• Protein - 2 grams

• Selenium - 0.50 mg

• Vitamin A - 2650 IU

• Vitamin C - 12 mg

• Vitamin E - 3 mg

• Zinc - 1 mg

• Calories - 49 

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Pumpkin 

• Pumpkin is very rich in carotenoids, which is known for keeping the immune system of an individual strong and healthy.

• Beta-carotene, found in pumpkin, is a powerful antioxidant as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. It helps prevent build up of cholesterol on the arterial walls, thus reducing chances of strokes.

• Being rich in alpha-carotene, pumpkin is believed to slow the process of aging and also prevent cataract formation.

• Pumpkins have been known to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a serious eye problem than usually results in blindness.

• The high amount of fiber present in a pumpkin is good for the bowel health of an individual.

• Being loaded with potassium, pumpkin is associated with lowering the risk of hypertension.

• The presence of zinc in pumpkins boosts the immune system and also improves the bone density. 

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds 

• They promote overall prostate health, apart from alleviating the problem of difficult urination that is associated with an enlarged prostate.

• They comprise of L-tryptophan, a compound that has been found to be effective against depression.

• They are believed to serve as a natural protector against osteoporosis.

• They have been known to reduce inflammation, without causing the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Studies have revealed that they help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.

• Being rich in phytosterols, they have been associated with reducing the levels of LDL cholesterol.