Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Hello beauties!
So let's get to it!
Hello Beautiful People!
HAPPY JULY! I am back again with another green smoothie recipe. Like I said in my previous smoothie series post, I absolutely adore green smoothies!
So, without any further ado, let's get to it.
This recipe calls for ingredients for one serving. Each serving has about 186 calories and the preparation time is about ten minutes.
Ingredients:
1 cup of organic spinach
0.5 cups of chopped up mango
0.5 cups of blueberries
4 medium sized strawberries chopped up
0.5 cups of pure coconut water (I used the brand Zico)
0.5 cups of ice
A nutribullet/magic bullet or any other blender
I purchased all my fruits from the local farmer's market, and the spinach from Sam's Club. The Zico pure coconut water was purchased from Trader Joe's.
Remember, as stated in the previous smoothie post, half of the smoothie serving needs to be comprised of greens.
Steps:
1. Clean all the fruits and spinach thoroughly.
2. Chop up the strawberries and unpeeled mango.
3. Place the spinach, strawberries, blueberries, and mango in the nutribullet.
4. Add the a quarter of the Zico coconut water.
5. Blend the mixture until it forms a puree.
6. Add the remaining coconut water and ice.
7. Blend until it is the consistency of a smoothie.
8. ENJOY!
This is an excellent green smoothie option. I already told you about all the benefits of spinach and strawberries (which you can read here). So, let me tell you about the benefits of blueberries, mango and coconut water.
Blueberries are rich with antioxidants, which are vital for good health, making this juicy blue fruit a super food. The antioxidant properties of blueberry have been studied tremendously and have shown to reverse and prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as a whole other slew of ailments. Blueberries are also abundantly full of manganese, vitamin C, and fiber - to name a few. Manganese aids in strengthening your bones and metabolizing proteins, carbs, and fats. The vitamin C in blueberries is shown to protect your immune system, keep your gums healthy, maintain the health of your capillaries, as well as aid in the absorption of iron. The fiber in blueberries keeps your cholesterol leveled, which in return keeps your heart healthy. Fiber also keeps your digestive system regular, which is key for weight loss.
Mangoes are personally my favorite fruit. I guess that is because of my inner Indian. During the summer, I am always anxiously waiting to indulge in the juicy decadency of mangoes. Along with blueberries, mangoes are also rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. Additionally, they are full of several nutrients and vitamins that keep your body feeling fuller longer, which helps in weight loss. Mangoes are also a natural skin cleanser, clearing your pores. They also have a low glycemic index (41-60), which helps in regulating diabetes. Mangoes also have vitamin A, which is essential in promoting good eye health. Mangoes have over 20 carotenoids that keep your immune system healthy.
Pure coconut water is a natural sweetener. It is low in calories. It provides energy and a whole array of vitamins and minerals. Coconut water is a healthy alternative to any other juices or carbonated beverages. It keeps away fatigue. Coconut water contains no cholesterol. Also, it increases your metabolic rate, which proportionally speeds up weight loss.
This is a great smoothie in boosting your overall health. It is quick to make and very delicious!
If you try it, comment/share to let me know how it came out for you. Also, remember to follow me on all my social media sites.
Hope you all have a wonderful day and an even more wonderful month of July!
HAPPY JULY! I am back again with another green smoothie recipe. Like I said in my previous smoothie series post, I absolutely adore green smoothies!
So, without any further ado, let's get to it.
This recipe calls for ingredients for one serving. Each serving has about 186 calories and the preparation time is about ten minutes.
Ingredients:
1 cup of organic spinach
0.5 cups of chopped up mango
0.5 cups of blueberries
4 medium sized strawberries chopped up
0.5 cups of pure coconut water (I used the brand Zico)
0.5 cups of ice
A nutribullet/magic bullet or any other blender
I purchased all my fruits from the local farmer's market, and the spinach from Sam's Club. The Zico pure coconut water was purchased from Trader Joe's.
Remember, as stated in the previous smoothie post, half of the smoothie serving needs to be comprised of greens.
Steps:
1. Clean all the fruits and spinach thoroughly. 2. Chop up the strawberries and unpeeled mango.
3. Place the spinach, strawberries, blueberries, and mango in the nutribullet.
4. Add the a quarter of the Zico coconut water.
5. Blend the mixture until it forms a puree.
6. Add the remaining coconut water and ice.
7. Blend until it is the consistency of a smoothie.
8. ENJOY!
This is an excellent green smoothie option. I already told you about all the benefits of spinach and strawberries (which you can read here). So, let me tell you about the benefits of blueberries, mango and coconut water.
Blueberries are rich with antioxidants, which are vital for good health, making this juicy blue fruit a super food. The antioxidant properties of blueberry have been studied tremendously and have shown to reverse and prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as a whole other slew of ailments. Blueberries are also abundantly full of manganese, vitamin C, and fiber - to name a few. Manganese aids in strengthening your bones and metabolizing proteins, carbs, and fats. The vitamin C in blueberries is shown to protect your immune system, keep your gums healthy, maintain the health of your capillaries, as well as aid in the absorption of iron. The fiber in blueberries keeps your cholesterol leveled, which in return keeps your heart healthy. Fiber also keeps your digestive system regular, which is key for weight loss.
Mangoes are personally my favorite fruit. I guess that is because of my inner Indian. During the summer, I am always anxiously waiting to indulge in the juicy decadency of mangoes. Along with blueberries, mangoes are also rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. Additionally, they are full of several nutrients and vitamins that keep your body feeling fuller longer, which helps in weight loss. Mangoes are also a natural skin cleanser, clearing your pores. They also have a low glycemic index (41-60), which helps in regulating diabetes. Mangoes also have vitamin A, which is essential in promoting good eye health. Mangoes have over 20 carotenoids that keep your immune system healthy.
Pure coconut water is a natural sweetener. It is low in calories. It provides energy and a whole array of vitamins and minerals. Coconut water is a healthy alternative to any other juices or carbonated beverages. It keeps away fatigue. Coconut water contains no cholesterol. Also, it increases your metabolic rate, which proportionally speeds up weight loss.
This is a great smoothie in boosting your overall health. It is quick to make and very delicious!
If you try it, comment/share to let me know how it came out for you. Also, remember to follow me on all my social media sites.
Hope you all have a wonderful day and an even more wonderful month of July!
Bon appétit, mes amis!
XOXO SSummer is here, and, along with the long fun summer nights, comes the more unpleasant gift of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes have often stood between me and my love for the outdoors during the summer. To escape suffering from the constant, annoying itch, I used to choose to stay indoors. However, in reality, that was never an ideal solution.
Through the years, I have tried a lot of home remedies to treat mosquito bites. Many have not worked, but a few have remained loyal in treating them. Today, I will be sharing with you four of my favorite home remedies to cure mosquito bites and one remedy to prevent them.
Remedies to Cure Bites -
1. Mix milk and cold water in equal parts. Take a paper towel or hand towel and submerge into the mixture. Apply the towel to the bite, in compressing motions. Milk soothes the bite and reduces the inflammation. It also decreases the itching.
2. Apply dabs of raw (unpasteurized) honey to bites. Honey is an anti - bacterial and anti - inflammatory agent. It prevents infection and reduces redness and itching.
3. Take tea bags soaked in ice water and pat them on the bites. Tea has several antioxidant properties. They fight off infection and prevent tenderness, itching, and inflammation. The cold temperature of the tea bag is also very soothing.
4. This one is my favorite! Apply aloe vera to the bite. From an aloe vera plant, break the leaves to access the "juice" within the plant. Apply that gel like "juice" to the bite. Aloe vera is an excellent healing mechanism. It not only heals, but it reduces swelling and tenderness from the bite. It also reduces inflammation and itching. I also add 2 drops of almond oil to the aloe vera for some extra protection.
Remedies to Prevent Mosquito Bites -
1. Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent mosquito repellent. However, it takes a while for it to do its job. Apple Cider Vinegar has several beneficial factors that range from weight loss to curing ailments. However, when it comes to mosquitoes, the smell keeps them away. ACV has B complex proteins that make your skin smell different to mosquitoes, keeping them away. I usually add two tablespoons of ACV in one cup of water and drink it in the morning. It takes a while to notice it working as a repellent. I don't know if it is a mental thing, but I do notice a decrease in mosquito bites when I have been taking the mixture of water and ACV for a while.
If you try these out, comment and let me know if they work for you as they do for me. Also, follow me on all my social media sites.
XOXO S
Disclaimer - These treatments are concoctions from personal experiments and old family remedies. I am in no way an expert. I am just sharing what works best for me.
Through the years, I have tried a lot of home remedies to treat mosquito bites. Many have not worked, but a few have remained loyal in treating them. Today, I will be sharing with you four of my favorite home remedies to cure mosquito bites and one remedy to prevent them.
Remedies to Cure Bites -
1. Mix milk and cold water in equal parts. Take a paper towel or hand towel and submerge into the mixture. Apply the towel to the bite, in compressing motions. Milk soothes the bite and reduces the inflammation. It also decreases the itching.
2. Apply dabs of raw (unpasteurized) honey to bites. Honey is an anti - bacterial and anti - inflammatory agent. It prevents infection and reduces redness and itching.
3. Take tea bags soaked in ice water and pat them on the bites. Tea has several antioxidant properties. They fight off infection and prevent tenderness, itching, and inflammation. The cold temperature of the tea bag is also very soothing.
4. This one is my favorite! Apply aloe vera to the bite. From an aloe vera plant, break the leaves to access the "juice" within the plant. Apply that gel like "juice" to the bite. Aloe vera is an excellent healing mechanism. It not only heals, but it reduces swelling and tenderness from the bite. It also reduces inflammation and itching. I also add 2 drops of almond oil to the aloe vera for some extra protection.
Remedies to Prevent Mosquito Bites -
1. Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent mosquito repellent. However, it takes a while for it to do its job. Apple Cider Vinegar has several beneficial factors that range from weight loss to curing ailments. However, when it comes to mosquitoes, the smell keeps them away. ACV has B complex proteins that make your skin smell different to mosquitoes, keeping them away. I usually add two tablespoons of ACV in one cup of water and drink it in the morning. It takes a while to notice it working as a repellent. I don't know if it is a mental thing, but I do notice a decrease in mosquito bites when I have been taking the mixture of water and ACV for a while.
If you try these out, comment and let me know if they work for you as they do for me. Also, follow me on all my social media sites.
XOXO S
Disclaimer - These treatments are concoctions from personal experiments and old family remedies. I am in no way an expert. I am just sharing what works best for me.
Hello again!
The most important meal of the day - breakfast - can be a struggle sometimes. Personally, I am not such a big fan of breakfast, only for the reason that I am not a morning person. On the contrary, I do adore breakfast foods any other time of the day. One of my favorite dishes to eat for breakfast are eggs. Not only are they tasty, but they are very healthy as well. Like I stated in one of my previous blog posts, I am a vegetarian. My friend's sister who is a doctor informed me that the egg whites are considered the "vegetarian" part of an egg, and not the yolk. The egg white is pretty much the chicken version of placenta. (My apologies for the gross analogy) Ever since then, I only eat egg whites and not the yolk. Plus, egg whites contain no carbohydrates, so it is an excellent addition in the diet of anyone who is trying to lose some weight.
Eggs are extremely satiated with beneficial qualities. They are full of protein. Eggs will keep you full for a long period of time, thus aiding in the weight loss process. They will also maintain your cholesterol levels. If I haven't sold you on it yet, eggs also help sharpen your memory. This was found to be true when it was discovered that eggs have choline, which helps in brain development. Furthermore, leutin and zeaxanthin are two antioxidants present in eggs that help protect your eyesight from UV damage.
Now let's get to the fun part!
One serving has approximately 300 calories. This recipe calls for ingredients for one serving, and the preparation time is about 35 minutes.
Ingredients:
Whites of 2 large eggs or egg whites substitute (such as Egg Beater)
½ of a green bell pepper
½ of a red bell pepper
½ of a yellow bell pepper
½ cup of chopped onions
½ cup of chopped tomatoes
½ cup of black olives
½ cup of chopped spinach
½ cup of chopped kale
½ of a whole wheat/whole grain kaiser roll
½ tbsp of fat free grated parmesan cheese
salt and black pepper to taste
½ tspn of cayenne pepper
2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
1 nonstick pan
toaster oven
The veggies I chose can be substituted to personal preference.
Steps:
1. Thoroughly wash all veggies and proceed to chop them all up.
2. Once all chopped up, mix all the veggies together, adding the salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix everything up.
3. In the pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil and turn on your stove to a low simmer. Let the pan warm up slightly.
4. Add the mixture of veggies to the pan. Sautée the vegetables until they are slightly brown.
5. Take the roll, and remove the inside of it. In other words, hollow it out. Do not throw the bread pieces away.
6. Take the sautéed veggies and place them in the bread bowl you just made.
7. In the same pan, add another tbsp of olive oil and allow it to heat up. Add the egg whites, and scramble them up.
8. Add the scrambled egg whites and the inner part of the bread (which was removed in step 5) over the veggies in the bread bowl.
9. Bake the bread in a toaster oven for about 15 minutes. or until the egg whites turn slightly brown.
10. Once baked, sprinkle the parmesan cheese over it.
11. ENJOY!
Hope you enjoy this egg white breadbowl! If you try it out, comment on this post to let me know how it came out! Also please share/like me on all my social media sites to get updates on blog postings! Merci beaucoup!
Bon appétit, mes amis!
XOXO S
Eww greens. We've all been through that phase where anything green has, frankly, just disgusted us. I guess in terms of those super healthy green vegetables, our inner child will never die. However, it is time for you to put on your big boy/girl pants and to get over the "ickiness" of them.
Green drinks are the latest diet fads. It is a staple diet secret for many. To include this in your daily diet is completely justified because of its wide range of benefits. I try to drink one green smoothie a day, usually for breakfast. Green smoothies have been found to be a key to weight loss. There are so many varieties of green smoothies; so, go crazy with them. Add your favorite fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The green smoothie recipe I will share with you today has spinach, strawberries, a banana, almond butter, yogurt, and ice.
Haven't sold you on the green smoothie yet? Well maybe these benefits will. Green smoothies are jam packed with nutrients and minerals. You know how they say, "diamonds are a girl's best friend". Well, greens are the diamonds for your body. Green smoothies also fulfill a large percentage of your daily vegetable and fruit intake. Greens are dense in carotenoids, vitamin K and fiber. The fiber in spinach helps in digestion, boosts your metabolism, and speeds up weight loss. It also has vitamin E and C, beta - carotene, zinc and manganese. These are all antioxidants and help with high blood pressure. Strawberries are also full of nutrients and antioxidants, plus they are so delicious to indulge in during the summertime. The vitamin C in strawberries boosts immunity, prevents wrinkles, fight bad cholesterol, and protects your eye sight. Bananas are full of calcium, potassium, iron, pectin, and vitamin B-6. The calcium and potassium give you energy. aid in weight loss, and lower your blood pressure. The iron in bananas relieve anemia and boost your circulatory system. Vitamin B-6 helps to strengthen your nervous system and boosts the production of white blood cells, and lastly the pectin aids in digestion. Yogurt is a probiotic that provides your intestines with "good" bacteria, aiding in digestion. Yogurt also provides your body with calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium. Last but not least, almond butter is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are the type of fats that reduce levels of cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart ailments Almond butter is a healthier alternative to peanut butter.
So, let's get to it.
This recipe is for one serving size and has approximately 250 calories. The preparation time is about 10 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 cup of spinach
5 to 6 medium sized strawberries
1 medium sized banana
1 spoon almond butter
2 spoons fat free yogurt
1 cup of ice
Nutribullet or any other blender
If this is your first time trying a green smoothie, you may want to add 0.5 cups of 100% white grape juice to add a little sweetness to the smoothie. Once you become comfortable with the taste of the smoothie, you can stop using it.
Steps:
1. Thoroughly wash the spinach and strawberries.
2. Chop up the strawberries and bananas.
3. Add all the ingredients to your NutriBullet or blender and blend everything up.
4. Enjoy your smoothie.
You may want to drink your smoothie with a straw to prevent the green color from staining your teeth over time.
XOXO S
Green drinks are the latest diet fads. It is a staple diet secret for many. To include this in your daily diet is completely justified because of its wide range of benefits. I try to drink one green smoothie a day, usually for breakfast. Green smoothies have been found to be a key to weight loss. There are so many varieties of green smoothies; so, go crazy with them. Add your favorite fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The green smoothie recipe I will share with you today has spinach, strawberries, a banana, almond butter, yogurt, and ice.
Haven't sold you on the green smoothie yet? Well maybe these benefits will. Green smoothies are jam packed with nutrients and minerals. You know how they say, "diamonds are a girl's best friend". Well, greens are the diamonds for your body. Green smoothies also fulfill a large percentage of your daily vegetable and fruit intake. Greens are dense in carotenoids, vitamin K and fiber. The fiber in spinach helps in digestion, boosts your metabolism, and speeds up weight loss. It also has vitamin E and C, beta - carotene, zinc and manganese. These are all antioxidants and help with high blood pressure. Strawberries are also full of nutrients and antioxidants, plus they are so delicious to indulge in during the summertime. The vitamin C in strawberries boosts immunity, prevents wrinkles, fight bad cholesterol, and protects your eye sight. Bananas are full of calcium, potassium, iron, pectin, and vitamin B-6. The calcium and potassium give you energy. aid in weight loss, and lower your blood pressure. The iron in bananas relieve anemia and boost your circulatory system. Vitamin B-6 helps to strengthen your nervous system and boosts the production of white blood cells, and lastly the pectin aids in digestion. Yogurt is a probiotic that provides your intestines with "good" bacteria, aiding in digestion. Yogurt also provides your body with calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium. Last but not least, almond butter is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are the type of fats that reduce levels of cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart ailments Almond butter is a healthier alternative to peanut butter.
So, let's get to it.
This recipe is for one serving size and has approximately 250 calories. The preparation time is about 10 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 cup of spinach
5 to 6 medium sized strawberries
1 medium sized banana
1 spoon almond butter
2 spoons fat free yogurt
1 cup of ice
Nutribullet or any other blender
If this is your first time trying a green smoothie, you may want to add 0.5 cups of 100% white grape juice to add a little sweetness to the smoothie. Once you become comfortable with the taste of the smoothie, you can stop using it.
Steps:
1. Thoroughly wash the spinach and strawberries.
2. Chop up the strawberries and bananas.
3. Add all the ingredients to your NutriBullet or blender and blend everything up.
4. Enjoy your smoothie.
You may want to drink your smoothie with a straw to prevent the green color from staining your teeth over time.
Take control of your health and join my Green Drink Challenge. By drinking one green smoothie a day, you are on your way to a very healthy, long life.
Bon appétit, mes amis!
XOXO S
We have all heard the expression, “What you put into your body is what you get out.” Although this is not a formula derived out of the labs of Einstein, it is easily forgotten. The maintenance of your health lies within you. Only you have the power to control how you want to live your life. We live in a generation where everyone is constantly on the go, from school to work to the stresses of a hectic daily lifestyle. It is easier to grab unhealthy fast food when in a rush, and believe me I know how tempting that whole ordeal is. I have fallen victim to the Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell many at times. However, it is vital to have the control and tolerance to overcome the urges. Take about 30 minutes out of your crazy 24 hour day to make yourself a healthy lunch and dinner. Now, is that to much to ask for in order to maintain good health?
Personally, since I am a vegetarian, clean eating is something that I have enjoyed from even before the fad existed. One of my favorite things to eat are salads because of the wide diversity of options you can choose from. I find myself at my local farmer’s market way more than I would like to be because of all the wonderful options of fruits and vegetables. I am always experimenting with new salad recipes. Since it is summertime, one of my favorite salads to eat have a mixture of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Here is the recipe for a new salad I concocted while fighting off boredom in the kitchen today.
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Materials Needed for one serving:
Most items were bought from the local farmer’s market, except the walnuts, cranberries, and apple sauce which was from Trader Joe’s.
1.5 cups of spinach
1 cup of medium sized strawberries
1 cup of fresh kale
0.25 cups of crushed walnuts
0.25 cups of cranberries
1 cup of cherry tomatoes
1 cup of mixed red, yellow, and green bell peppers
4 small radishes
10 baby carrots
1 Earth’s Best Organic Apple Sauce
Steps:
1. Thoroughly wash the spinach, strawberries, kale, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, radishes, and baby carrots. Let them sit in a bowl of water for about 5 minutes to ensure they are completely clean. Dry them once they are thoroughly rinsed clean.
2. In a bowl or plate, place the spinach and kale.
3. Then chop up the strawberries, bell peppers, radishes, and baby carrots. And place them over the spinach and kale. Add the cherry tomatoes as well
4. On top of that, add the crushed walnuts and cranberries.
5. Top it off with a serving of the Apple Sauce. This will serve as a healthy alternative to salad dressing.
And voilà! There you have it, a healthy, clean alternative to your lunchtime McDonald’s meal.
Bon appétit, mes amis!
XOXO S
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