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Woundrous Watermelon

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I love watermelon. It’s a fact! And a complete joy to my taste buds. For those of you unaware, July is National Watermelon Month. Yes, every month in our calendar associates with some food, cause or Hallmark occasion so I know you aren’t too surprised.

Why is July set as the auspicious occasion to celebrate the wondrous watermelon? Watermelon harvests peak in July of course! According to the USDA’s statistics the United States produces 4,200,000,000 pounds of watermelon annually. Estimated per capita fresh watermelon consumption in 2010 was 15.5 pounds. Wow.

There is much more to watermelon than its flavor. It contains powerful health benefits for you too. Watermelon is an excellent source of the vitamins A, B6, and C, fiber, and potassium, which are vital to good health and disease prevention. As a bonus, a cup of watermelon is only 46 calories. That’s all great and good, but here are five things you may not know about the wildly wonderful watermelon:

5 Wacky Watermelon Facts

1. Is a fruit and a vegetable! – As with most fruits, watermelon is a seed producing plant with a sweet taste. They are classified in the family of Cucurbitaceaes, including cucumber, pumpkin and squash. Plus, it is completely edible; rind, seeds and all!

Watermelon Rind

2. The juice relieves muscle soreness. – A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that drinking watermelon juice helped ease muscle soreness for athletes. It’s attributed to the naturally occurring citrulline found in watermelon. Citrulline is known for its ability to relax blood vessels, improve artery function and lower blood pressure. However, the most citrulline is found in the rind so juice it or pickle it for later!

  1. It has more lycopene than raw tomatoes. –Lycopene, a powerhouse antioxidant, found only in a few red plant foods, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. The USDA estimates watermelon has 1.5 times the lycopene than a large fresh tomato!
  1. It is packed with…you guessed it…water. Watermelon is estimated to be 91.5 percent water. This is a big deal as dehydration, even mildly so, can cause headaches, poor concentration, fatigue and grumpy moods. Most of us wander through the day partially dehydrated so if you aren’t a big water drinker, consider adding watermelon to your day!
  1. It is an anti-inflammatory food. –There is an enzyme reaction blocked by COX-2 inhibitors – think NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen. The lycopene and other antioxidants found in watermelon reduce the activity of the inflammation causing enzyme reactions and help with pain relief.

Not sure how to pick the perfect watermelon? Follow these tips:

  • Look for a pale, butter-yellow spot on the bottom. This is where it Pick Watermelonsits on the ground to ripen. Be sure the spot isn’t white or green.
  • Make sure your watermelon is heavy for its size.
  • Some say the melon should have a hollow sound when thumped.

Looking to grow your own? Here’s a good resource: Watermelon

As with any food, moderation is key. While the watermelon offers up fantastic nutritional benefits, it is also higher on the scale in fructose.

Enjoy!

 

5 Surprising Beauty Foods

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Beauty foods?!? Yep, BEAUTY foods. Get you glow on without all the toxic muck from the ‘beauty’ industry. Heck, you can grow your own beauty foods in the backyard, balcony or kitchen window sill!

All fresh fruits and vegetables contain magical powers when it comes to shiny hair, clear skin, and strong nails. However, the ones I’ve chosen below are perhaps not as well known for their powerful beauty benefits. Try and include these foods into your diet if you want to look your best without the need for botox or other unnatural remedies.

1. Red Peppers. All red and orange colored foods contain beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Red peppers are particularly beautifying due to the minerals A, C, and K. Vitamins A and C can help prevent cell damage that leads to premature ageing, and they can also reduce inflammation, which can cause a puffy-looking face. Pepper also has Vitamin K, which is an excellent property for protecting our cells from damage.

2. Spinach. All leafy greens are actually very powerful in terms of being a beauty food because of the chlorophyll they contain. There are also loads of other phytochemicals and fiber in spinach that help build blood that is super clean and which will show through in your skin.

3. Turmeric. This yellow-colored, Indian spice has a load of powerful antioxidant qualities. Turmeric assists in protecting our cells from free radical damage and also contributes towards cleaning up metabolic waste in our systems. It is also great as a liver flusher to get rid of any poisons and chemicals which are stored there.

4. Pumpkin Seeds. Wow, these really are powerful. What don’t pumpkin seeds have in them?! The humble pumpkin seed contains high levels of zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins B, C, and E. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, all essential for healthy cell maintenance. Make a handful of pumpkin seeds a regular part of your diet, and you will definitely notice a change in your appearance.

5. Parsley. Next time your plate is garnished with parsley, don’t push it aside. This is a pretty powerful herb when it comes to anti-aging, as well as purifying and cleansing the body. It contains vitamins A and C as well as anti-oxidizing flavonoids that protect our cells from free radical damage. Parsley also helps to purify the blood, kill bacteria, aid digestion, and cleanse toxins from the liver.

The best thing is that all these foods are easy to incorporate into your diet. Add turmeric to juice and combine the other foods with some other fixings to make a great, beautifying salad. Who said that beauty was hard to keep?

Looking for more tips? Check out my tips for Sexy Summer Legs!

Smoothie Slim Down

 

Let’s Talk Tea

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Hot tea. It used to evoke memories of being sick. When I was a kid, Mom would try to get me to drink hot tea when I had a sore throat. Which was often! Consequently, my only experience with this healthy brew was not a pleasant one until recently. In all my research, the benefits of green tea could no longer be ignored. I had to find out what I was missing. I started with green tea, iced and flavored, and found I really enjoyed it. Could I actually enjoy hot tea? You betcha’! You can too!

First, let’s talk health benefits. The antioxidants and polyphenols in tea may be responsible for some of its health benefits, such as stronger bones, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer – all of which are enjoyed by regular tea drinkers. So what kind is best? Depends. According to Dr. Weil each of the following teas have health benefits.

Let's Talk Tea
I love my cup as much as my tea!

The Types of Tea

Green tea. With tea leaves that are steamed, rolled and dried – a method that preserves the content of polyphenols – green tea is high in antioxidants. Its flavor is a bit earthier than that of white tea. Green tea provides EGCG, a polyphenol than may help to fight inflammation, lower cholesterol, prevent cancer and boost the immune system.
Oolong. This tea’s healthful properties (as well as taste and color) fall between those of green tea and black tea. It has a floral and fruity taste, and may help relieve itchy skin associated with atopic dermatitis.
Black tea. This is the tea that the English, Irish and most Americans drink. The oxidation process causes the leaves to change both their color and flavor, reducing the content of polyphenols. It is a hearty tea that has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, colon cancer and the bacteria associated with cavities and bad breath.
Pu-erh. Highly valued in China, pu-erh (pronounced POO-air) is a dark red tea that is bold and earthy and the most oxidized form of tea. It may help to reduce cholesterol and aid in digestion.
(Source: Dr. Weil)

Not All  Brands Are Created Equal

After reading this post by Food Babe and doing further research myself, I’ve landed on three brands that I love; Traditional Medicinals, Rishi and Numi.

tea
FoodBabe.com

Skip the Caffeine

While there are scientifically proven benefits to drinking tea, there are also fabulous health benefits in herbals. Rooibos is made from the South African red bush (Aspalathus linearis). Using rooibos instead of tea is a great way to enjoy a caffeine-free hot (or iced) drink without using any chemical decaffeination process.

Rooibos is full of antioxidants, Vitamins C and E, iron, zinc, potassium, and calcium. It is naturally sweet without adding sugar. I love Blueberry Rooibos from Rishi. Not only is it a tasty treat sensation that fills the house with happy smells, rooibos packs a punch as an antioxidant without the caffeine. This is a good one to have in the evening.

Treat yourself to this tasty treat sensation!

Why not start a healthy habit of relaxing for a few moments every day with a cup of tea? I’m glad I did!

Here is a great place to buy tea at great prices!
Coffee, Tea & Beverages! Save up to 55% today! Free shipping on orders over $49.