Tag: Health

13 Healing Powers of Lemons – Fun Food Fridays!

Wiz, Bou's cousin
Lemons are so good for you! I love lemons, the look, the smell, the taste and the color! 

These words come to you from a care2 post on Feb 2, 2012.  This may not be the most glamorous list but…..(http://www.care2.com) “If you’re not getting fresh lemons into your diet, you may want to reconsider after reading the many health benefits of lemons, lemon juice, pith (the white part), or zest (skin).

Here are 13 amazing healing powers of lemons

  • Bowel-Cleansing:  The bitter taste of lemon gives these fruit the ability to increase peristalsis–a pumping-motion in the bowels–which helps to eliminate waste from the bowels and improve regularity.  Add the juice of one lemon to warm water and drink first thing in the morning.
  • Cancer:  Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including limonene—a naturally-occurring oil that slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors in animals.  Lemons also contain a substance called flavonol glycosides which stop cell division in cancer cells.
  • Colds and Flu:  Lemons are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids that work in conjunction for a serious punch against infection.
  • Liver:  Fresh lemon juice added to a large glass of water in the morning is a great liver detoxifier.
  • Nutrition:  Lemons contain vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoids, B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber.
  • Balances Body Chemistry:  While lemons are acidic they interact with the body’s metabolism to have an alkalizing effect on the bodily fluids helping to restore balance to the body’s pH.
  • Allergies:  Lemons contain the phytonutrient hesperetin which has been shown in studies to alleviate allergic symptoms.
  • Brain and Nervous System Disorders:  Containing the potent phytonutrient tangeretin in the peel, lemons have been proven to be effective for brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
  • Eye Disorders:  Rutin, found in lemons, has been shown in research to improve the symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy.
  • Anti-Viral:  In addition to being effective against cold and flu viruses, terpene limonoids found in lemons have proven anti-viral effects on other types of viruses.
  • Diabetes: In addition to improving eye problems linked with diabetes, lemons contain hesperetin which lowers blood sugar levels (when they are high).
  • Gall and Kidney Stones:  The citric acid found in lemon juice helps to dissolve gallstones, calcium deposits, and kidney stones.
  • Anti-Aging:  The vitamin C found in lemons helps to neutralize free radicals linked to aging and most types of disease.

Cook with Lemons!”

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-healing-powers-of-lemons.html#ixzz1mbarrzx3

 

Oh – and don’t forget, Drink that water too!  I like warm lemon water all year round.

See ya all on Monday!  

 

Zorba the Greek Salad?

I love a good greek salad – so that is todays feature! The ingredient we will look into is Olives. Another food I love. How about you?

A great thing about this simple recipe is that you ought to be able to get the tomatoes, the cucumbers, the onion and maybe even the feta if you are really lucky, at your LOCAL Farm Market! Remember to support your local growers and Eat Fresh when you can.

Good for You Greek Salad (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/good-for-you-greek-salad/detail.aspx)

6 servings
Ingredients

  • 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 6 black Greek olives, pitted and sliced
Directions
  1. In shallow salad bowl, or on serving platter, combine tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Sprinkle with oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle feta cheese and olives over salad. Serve.

Nutritional Information:
Amount Per Serving:  Calories: 187 | Total Fat: 15.6g | Cholesterol: 22mg

A few variations:  Instead of 4 tsp. of lemon juice, add 3 and 1 tsp of red wine vinegar. For the salt and pepper, add 1/4 tsp of each. Also, add half a red pepper chopped, kalamata olives instead of black… Add Romaine lettuce (and I say lots of it! -see yesterdays post for all the good reasons to eat romaine, or any lettuce! Now you have a main meal.)

Olives and your health— Eat up!
From Mother Earth News:  “Almighty Olives: These Small Fruits Pack Big Health Benefits. (click title for the link)

Looking for a simple (and delicious) way to keep your mind sharp? Offer your diet the olive branch! In addition to olives’ distinct flavors, these petite fruits offer impressive health perks.

The May/June 2009 issue of Psychology Today reports that the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol, abundant in olives, slows cell death in the brain and can thus reduce the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

More olive insight from Psychology Today:

  • Olives’ skin is rich in maslinic acid, a natural compound that destroys colon cancer cells in humans.
  • Choose extra virgin olive oil rather than virgin or “pure” varieties. Only extra virgin olive oil fully retains the olives’ healthful qualities. A rule of thumb: The greener the oil, the richer it is in polyphenols — antioxidants (including hydroxytyrosol) that research has shown to have a host of beneficial qualities, namely preventing degenerative diseases and cancer. “
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  • FYI  (You will see this message for a days now.) The Botanical Beauties and Beasties recognize a couple of things about human nature. First: In the summer folks like to relax a bit and even go on vacation. The Botanicals thought about it and decided that was a great idea! Second: Womes (that’s us -the Woman and the Men of the human race) seem to get A LOT of electronic information and emails. That is not necessary a bad thing but can get over whelming … Third: The Botanical are special creatures and want to stay that way. SO, after putting 1, 2 and 3 together, they have decided that starting next week they will be blogging on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, and taking a rest on Tuesdays on Thursdays. Your mailbox’s and minds will get a rest as well! They hope that you will love them even more when you hear from then a little less!!! Happy Summer!