Toxin Fighting Foods For Clear Skin

The food we put inside, shows up outside if it’s not doing any good.

And now with the change of season, our bodies need to adjust.

Here’s a list of toxin fighting foods that will help with clear skin -

1 – tomatoes – rich in Vitamins A & C, nutrients and antioxidants

2 – beets – detoxifies and supports the liver

3 – lemons – helps balance body’s acidity and clears skin

4 – avocado – rich in Vitamin E and great for skin health

5 – fennel – supports digestion and intestinal health

6 – berries – full of antioxidants promoting healthy skin and reducing body stress

7 – sweet potato – contains beta-carotene for intestinal, skin and menstrual cycle

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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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Watermelons!

The weather is getting warm in NYC and there’s nothing like a big, juicy, chilled watermelon.
Here are some benefits of watermelons -

• prevents heart disease
• prevents prostate cancer
• reduces cravings
• high in vitamin C
• helps deal with stress
• anti-inflammatory & antioxidant support
• improves cardiovascular function
• reduces body fat
• a natural diuretic which helps increase the flow of urine
• great immune support

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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. 

* Click on image for larger view * 

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

Tip Of The Day - For Kids!

Did you know, if you give your child 2 of the Cuties, Clementines or the Citrus tangerine/oranges - it is equal to 300 grams of Vitamin C.  And because of it's natural vitamins, it helps rid the child from any coughs, colds and flu.  Stock up for your kids this winter.  I know I have for my nephew and niece!

Kale

As you all already know, my mother makes us all eat healthy by giving us a variety of fresh vegetables everyday!
We've been eating a lot of kale.
And it's delicious!
Especially the many different ways my mom cooks it.
Here's why we have kale once a week.

(Click on image for larger view)

The Amazing Health Benefits of Pomegranates

No wonder my father gets 6 at a time!

Besides being nutritious fruit rich in antioxidants, pomegranate has been considered as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life for centuries, and is especially popular for its juice, seeds and oil.

Records of pomegranate can be found in many cultures and religions, and pomegranate is considered to be one of the oldest fruit trees known to mankind.

Most studies confirm that it is one of the world’s most healing fruits due to its useful impact on cardiovascular, nervous and bone structure.

Pomegranate contains large amounts of vitamin C, it is an excellent source of vitamin B5, potassium, organic acids and sugar.  Nutrients found in pomegranate inhibit the growth of breast, prostate and colon cancer, leukemia, and prevent changes that encourage tumor growth.

It has been proven that a glass of pomegranate juice daily has a stronger antioxidant effect than a glass of red wine or green tea. 

Pomegranate juice helps reducing the risk of some types of cancer, protects against osteoporosis, improves immune system, protects your teeth, destroys bacteria such as Escherichia coli and staphylococci.

For better immunity, experts advise consuming 2.5 deciliters of fresh pomegranate juice.

Also, pomegranate is rich in phytoestrogens that facilitate menopause and pre-menopause symptoms, mood swings, night sweats and lack of libido.

The use of pomegranate in household is wide-ranging, it is used in preparing cookies, syrups, juices, liqueurs, wine, vinegar and tea.

Pomegranate oil is ideal for massage and can be used orally and locally. It is used in production of ​​soaps, luxurious face cosmetics and other beauty products.

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.