Healthy Benefits in Fruits and Vegetables

There was a reason Mom said eat your vegetables when you were a kid. Mom knew how good they were for you to give you the vitamins an nutrients you needed to grow. Broccoli is called little trees for some Mom’s to encourage their kids to eat their veggies. Not everyone likes these veggies even into adulthood and there are alternatives.

Apples and Banana’s – help blood flow in the brain and according to a study done in the Netherlands, they can prevent strokes by 52%.  Apples also are rich in flavonids that improve insulin sensitivity which help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes says the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Button Mushrooms – These delicious morsels power your immune system and help prevent colds and the Flu by generating virus destroying T Cells in your blood system.

Green Cabbage also is a great deterrent for colds and flu because of the Geutamine and amino acids aiding your immune system. Use it in Coleslaw, as a sautéed side dish or in your soups and stews.

Cauliflower the cousin of Broccoli, can cut your cancer risk according to an Oregon State University research. The cancer fighting ingredient Sulforaphane found in cauliflower and broccoli can attack cancer cells in two ways at the same time. Eat is raw for the most benefits. Cooking it too much will destroy the Sulforaphane.

Good Ole Potatoes – Who doesn’t like Potatoes? Mashed, Baked, Fried, Boiled, they are a great staple for most meals. The researchers over at the University of Washington have another important reason you should eat Potatoes, they are good for your heart. Potatoes are loaded with Potassium as are Banana’s which helps to lower blood pressure. They are also a great go to for  Vitamin C that cuts plaque buildup in the heart vessels.

You will probably want to keep mints on hand for these! Onions and Garlic – The Medical university of South Carolina says eating onions and garlic puts your at a lower risk for Ostearthritis then any other fruit or vegetable. They have a compound Disulphide that protects your joints from wear and tear that can cause Ostearthritis.

Eat up and eat healthy!

#this is not medical advise. If you are suffering from an ailment of any sort, contact a doctor.

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Suat Eman at FreeDigtialPhotos.net

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How To Make Take To School Lunches Healthy and Extra Special

If you pack school lunches you know that your child is getting a well balanced meal to carry them through the rest of their school day.  Plan some surprises included in their lunches to give them a smile.

Here are some idea’s to get your creativity going…

You could write on a napkin or a note card to let them know you are thinking of them with a smiley face and a special saying. You could also Give them something to look forward by writing about an after school activity they would enjoy like, “Making cookies after school and need my helper”, etc. Make them laugh by including a joke or a riddle to figure out. You can get jokes, riddles and so much more learning activities at Ducksters.com and EnchantedLearning.com.

Packing fruit? Write a note on a banana. Simply take a toothpick and write or draw on the skin part of the banana. As the oxidation takes place during the day, by the time your little on opens their lunch box, the words or drawing will be darker and easy to read.  The banana will not be affected as long as you do not go to deep with the toothpick.

Kids love finger foods and you can make them fun by cutting shapes out of their sandwiches and some fruits. Give them hearts, stars, half moons, animals shapes and seasonal figures like snowmen with cookie cutters. Cut out shapes from watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe and more.  Food that looks fun and appetizing will be intriguing to them and for those healthy foods that you want them to eat but they are not to crazy about, cut them into shapes or and your chances will better.

Get more ideas for packing healthy school lunches.

 

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Why Protein For Breakfast Is So Important Plus Recipes

They say Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Makes sense since it is the meal that will get your body going and set the pace for the day. It’s like fueling your car, little or no fuel, your running on fumes or no go at all.

Drinking a cup of coffee for most folks in the morning is a given and enjoyed. Combining that with a couple of donuts for breakfast may satisfy your craving for sugar and be a quick meal, but in just a little while you will feel the lag of energy that was elevated from the sugar, and caffeine together. To keep your energy going longer and stay full longer, try eating protein for breakfast to give your body and mind a good start for the day.

Protein takes longer to digest and will keep you full far longer then that coffee and donuts type breakfast that are full of carbohydrates. Eggs are a good option to get protein, and there other tasty foods you can add to your breakfast recipes and have a variety.

The folks over at Kitchn.com have put together an article 21 Ways to Eat More Protein for Breakfast with delicious healthy recipes idea’s to get your day started with protein.

They also have a few articles to help you better understand how protein works and why it is good for Breakfast.

What Is Protein and What Does It Do for Our Bodies?

10 Ways to Eat Your Daily Protein

 

Thanks Kitchn!

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of jill111 at Pixabay.com

 

How To Grow an Organic Vegetable Garden Tips

Spring time means starting a garden to enjoy vegetables all summer long. Not only are organic gardens great for healthy food and flavor, they also add a nice bit of landscape to your property and save you money at the grocery store.

There’s nothing like just walking out into your yard and gathering fresh vegetables to cook with or make a salad that day. You also know where they came from and how they were grown with your own hands and the love you put into your garden.

Bring in the entire family on this fun project! Don’t just go it alone, this is a great for teaching your kids about eating healthy and how to grow their own food organically. Who knows maybe they thought they did not like a certain vegetable or many vegetables before but are willing to give them a try after they get to help grow, pick and prepare them going from the garden to the table.

Check out this video from Howdini with Scott Meyer, editor of Organic Gardening magazine, who has great information and tips for Organic gardening and how to grow an organic vegetable garden.

Grab your shovel and get started! Enjoy :}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of jill111 at Pixaby.com

Benifits of Eating Kale for Your Health and a Beautiful You

Kale is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C and K, Fiber and more. With just 33 calories per one cup of raw Kale, not only is it good for your health, but by consuming it you could see a difference in your hair and skin. If you have dry skin, it could be a sign that you are low on Vitamin A. Kale offers 100 per cent of our daily needs for Vitamin A.

For your Hair, the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids together in a glass of Kale juice give it great benefits adding circulation to your scalp and helping your hair to grow faster and healthier.

Read more about other benefits of Kale and get recipes from WebMD.com and StyleCraze.com

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