Secrets of Lemon

Many are times where we use lemon in our tea's, curries and for weight loss but can one say they truly know the health benefits of eating lemon. Today it will be my pleasure to interest you in the many secrets that this
( Lemon) small yellow fruit hold:

 1. Balances pH

Lemons will help alkalize your body. Many may think that lemons are an acidic food, the acid in lemons does not create acidity once it is metabolized by your body.

2. Improves circulation

Lemons contain Vitamin P a bioflavenoids that help Vitamin C perform its function. It is known to strengthen the blood vessels.

 3. Aids bad breath

Lemon juice is a great oral cleanser. Brushing your teeth with a warm mixture of lemon and salt water will leave your mouth with a fresh smell.

4. Good for you liver

“The lemon is a wonderful stimulant to the liver and is a dissolvent of uric acid and other poisons, liquefies the bile,” says Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden. Lemons have powerful antibacterial properties; experiments have found the juice of lemons destroy the bacteria of malaria, cholera, diphtheria, typhoid and other deadly diseases.

5.  It destroys intestinal worms.

6.  Lemons can halts or slows down the growth of cancer.

Lemons contain 22 anti-cancer compounds, including naturally occurring limonene; oil which slows or halts the growth of cancer tumors and flavonol glycosides which stop cell division in cancer cells.

7. Decreases cholesterol levels

These are also helpful in decreasing the cholesterol levels in the body which results in maintaining good health of our hearts. This is due to the presence of polyphenol flavonoids in lemon peels.

8. Promotes Weight loss

Lemon peels contain a component known as Pectin, which is responsible for the promotion of weight loss in the body. You can grate the lemon peels and drop a few in your cup of tea.

9. Improves bone health

Lemons contain a high amount of calcium and vitamin C, these  help in maintaining and improving the health of our bones. Lemons also helps in preventing bone related diseases likes osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Small with big health benefits (Lentils)

Summer is very near in South Africa and we all want that gorgeous body to show of at the beach :). Low in calories and high in nutrition, lentils are the perfect legume to eat in the summer in salads, spreads and crackers. Stated bellow are the benefits of including lentils in your diet....

 1. Weight Loss

Lentils include all these beneficial nutrients like fiber, protein, minerals and vitamins, they are still low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full.

2. Reduces risk of heart attack

Lentils help to reduce blood cholesterol since it contains high levels of soluble fiber. Lowering your cholesterol levels reduces your risk of heart disease and stroke by keeping your arteries clean.

3. Rich in Iron

 The body uses iron to produce red blood cells and adenosine triphosphate, or ATP.  A man needs 87% of iron per day and a woman needs  only needs 2/3 of that amount. Just one cup of lentils can provide you with your daily dose of iron.

4. Cancer Prevention

Studies conducted by the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, Boston revealed that both lentils and peas are able to reduce the risk of breast cancer. One of the reasons is that both these foods are rich in flavones, a class of antioxidants.

5. Stabilized Blood Sugar

Adding to the many benefits of fiber, soluble fiber traps carbohydrates, this slows down digestion and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This can be very helpful for people with diabetes or insulin resistance

Tomorrow I will share my favorite, easy to make lentil soup..

Lets have a Date.....

It's a wonderfully delicious fruit to eat, dates are one of the most popular fruits packed with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for normal growth, development and overall well-being. Below are a few benefits of adding dates to you diet.

1. Prevents abdominal cancer:

 It is high in natural antioxidants which helps in preventing development of some colonic cancers. It does not have any side effect on the body and is completely natural.

2. Improves digestive system:

 Dates contain different kinds of amino acids as well as soluble and insoluble fibers which help regulate the digestive system.

3. Helps treat aminia:

Dates have high iron content and are very useful in treating anemia. They also have fluorine that slows down the process of tooth decay.

4. Good for your vision:

They are moderate sources of vitamin-A, which is known to have antioxidant properties and essential for vision. Additionally, it is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin A is known to help to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

5. Aids oxygen flow in the body:

Dates are an excellent source of iron. Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

6. Loaded with needed minerals:

They are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Calcium is an important mineral that is an essential constituent of bone and teeth, and required by the body for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve impulse conduction. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required for the production of red blood cells. Magnesium is essential for bone growth.

7. Boosting Brain Health:

 Some studies, such as one found in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that sufficient vitamin B6 levels are associated with improved brain performance and better test scores.

DIY Banana hair mask and cracked heels healer.

Hair Mask (Treats hair loss,prevents split ends and breakage)

1 banana
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup natural yogurt

Mix all ingredients together. Mash rapidly for a couple of minutes. Let it stay on your hair for 15 minutes followed by hair wash with your favorite shampoo.

Heals cracked heels

 Banana is a good remedy for cracked heels. Take two bananas and  mash it into a smooth paste apply the past onto clean  feet. Leave the paste on your heels for 10 minutes and rinse the feet with luke warm water. Pat them dry and apply your favorite moisturizer ( mine is Coco Butter by Vasiline).The banana will live your feet soft and smooth.

A Banana a day keeps the Doctor away...

Its not just a banana after all. This yellow skinned fruit is not just deliciously sweet but it has so many unbelievable benefits for our body. Here a reasons why you should include a banana in your daily diet to kep the doctor away....

1. Aids digestion

Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body. They act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients. Helps with relieving constipation and heart burn.

2. Prevents kidney cancer

3. Makes you smarter

Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.

4. Reduces Stroke 

Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar. The potassium it contains is also helpful for reducing strokes.

5. Depression and stress

Bananas help overcome depression due high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin mood brain neurotransmitter.   When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance.

6. Anemia

 High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood therefore helping in cases of anemia.

7. Smoking and hangovers

 Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6,B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Hungover? The banana calms the stomach and builds up depleted blood sugar levels.

8. For beauty

Banana contains Vitamin B6, C and a high percentage of water, which nourishes and hydrates the skin. These nutrients also help to maintain the elasticity of your skin.

PS: Banana's do not make you fat. The fiber content of bananas helps to control hunger much better for those who are trying to lose fat.

Reduces Cellulite Appearance (DIY Coffee Body scrub)

As I shared in my last blog the benefits of coffee are more than just our favorite wake up boost. Today I share how coffee can help reduce the appearance of cellulite by plumping up your skin. If you check the labels, caffeine is in many of those very expensive cellulite creams ( so why pay more when you can do it yourself at home?). Here's an easy DIY Coffee body scrub that will not leave a dent in your monthly beauty budget :)

What you'll need:

1/2 cup ground coffee
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp sea salt

Mix the ground coffee with the brown sugar and sea salt. Add the olive oil mix well. Quick and easy coffee body scrub DONE!

Benefits of Coffee for your Health

Many people preach about how bad coffee is.. Well today I have good news to with all the coffee lovers (like myself) out there. Coffee is good for our health and our skin... Below I list a few benefits of including coffee in our diet...

1. It helps make your reproductive systems.

If you're looking for a drink to lower your risk of prostate cancer, and ladies lower your risk of endometrial cancer, then keep that coffee habit going. Journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention found that women who drank more than four cups of coffee a day had a 25 percent lower risk of endometrial cancer and men who drink  at least six or more cups a day reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 20 percent.

2. Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat 

Coffee contains caffeine, caffeine partly due to its stimulant effect on the central nervous system, both raises metabolism and increases the oxidation of fatty acids.

3.  Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Coffee helps to block a substance in the body called human islet amyloid polypeptide that may play a role in the development of diabetes. 

4.  Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s ( makes you smarter)

Not only can coffee make you smarter in the short term, it may also protect your brain in old age.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world and a leading cause of dementia. In prospective studies, coffee drinkers have up to a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

5. It's great for your skin.

Drinking coffee may help you to ward off the most diagnosed form of skin cancer. In the journal Cancer Research that looked specifically at the caffeine in coffee demonstrated that coffee drinkers had a lower risk of developing basal cell carcinoma. 

Stay tuned for a Coffee Body Scrub that will help reduce the appearance of cellulite, make your skin firm and brighten the skin.

Blueberry DIY Face Mask

In my last blog I talked about the great benefits of Blueberries and what they can do for your skin and your body as a whole. Today I will share with you my DIY Blueberry Facial Mask recipe.

This face mask will assist in the elimination of acne, blemishes, pimples and uneven skin tone problems. It will also help in slowing do the aging of your skin. Here's what you'll need...

1/4th cup dried crushed oats
1/4th cup of blueberries
2 tablespoons each of rose water
2 tablespoons each of honey
A pinch of turmeric and lemon
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Instructions

Blend everything together into a smooth paste. Apply to your face and leave on for 20 minutes. Wash of with lukewarm water.

Your face will feel soft and smooth... Enjoy....

Health Benefits of Blueberries

We eat them by the handful, toss them into salads and sprinkle them on cereal and vanilla

 ice - cream.No matter how you eat them blueberries do so much good for our bodies. Here a 5 benefits of including berries in your diet...

1. Blueberry's antioxidants and their potential benefits for the nervous system and for brain health is amazing. It helps improve memory. 

2. Blueberries are not really considered to be low in glycemic index (GI) as their GI is between 40 - 53. Either way they have a  favorable impact on blood sugar regulation in persons already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

3. Aid in reducing Belly Fat

4. Blueberries help promote urinary tract health. The building of colonies of certain bacteria like b-coli along the lining of the inner walls of urinary tract is responsible for this infection, resulting in inflammation, burning sensation during in passage of urine and other complications. Blueberries can help decrease the building of bacteria.

5. Blueberries can slow down visual  loss. They can prevent or delay all age related ocular problems like dryness and infections related to the retina.

NB : Tomorrow I'll be sharing my Blueberry Face Mask recipe.

Dark Beauty. ( Bright lipstick for dark skin)

Many dark skinned woman think they can not wear bright lipstick. Here are some tips on how to wear bright lipstick:


1. Keep eye makeup minimal. Wear only champagne eyeshadow, a little bit of black eyeliner, and a coat of mascara. And if you're wearing a very saturated lip color, don't top it off with gloss bright and shiny lips can look cheesy.

2. Use a thin nylon brush to outline your lips with concealer (choose a dry formula). This keeps lipstick from smudging or settling into lines around your mouth and doesn't look harsh, the way a lip pencil can.

3. Pat lipstick onto your lips with your finger to get a soft, stained finish—it's more flattering and less maintenance than an opaque layer of color. (Use your ring finger—the pad is smaller and more precise, and you won't apply as much pressure as you might with your index finger.)

My favorite color is Lipstick n 20 - Matte Finish from Black UP.

Anti aging and skin lightning Face mask (papaya)

As promised yesterday.. Here I share with you my favorite Papaya homemade facial recipe. It will keep your face smooth and soft and also leave it even toned.

What you'll need

• 1/2 a ripe papaya—peeled, seeded, and sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon of tumeric

Mash the papaya in a bowl with a fork until evenly mashed, mix in the other ingredients by hand. Spread over your face, be careful that no mixture gets into your eyes. Let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes. Wipe or rinse your face clean with warm water.

Other products that  contain papaya:

Papaya Body Balm by June Jacobs  - R 490


This unique synergistic action works to soften, protect and penetrate the skin as it replenishes lost moisture. Not only is the papaya scent intoxicating, but it leaves the skin refreshed and revitalized.

For the best result, apply the June Jacobs Papaya Body Balm daily after showering to keep the skin fresh and supple.

The Papaya Glow

Papaya is a very nutritious fruit with many benefit to the body. It contains a special enzyme called papain that can kill dead cells and cure skin impurities and is a good source of Vitamin A which acts as an anti-oxidant.
Direct application and eating of papaya will help you achieve smooth, supple and soft skin.


Bellow is are the benefits and ways to use papaya on you body :

• Use mashed papaya for cracked and sore heels.

• Applying raw papaya on the face for about 20 minutes helps reduce those nasty pimples and other unwanted blemishes on the face.

•  Regular consumption or application of papaya also provides a  long lasting shine to the skin.

• Because of the  Vitamin A papaya helps the skin by reducing the aging signs on the face.

• You can rub the inside of the peels of papaya on your legs to whiten them.

NB- Tomorrow I'll share my favorite Papaya DIY facial....

Chocolate for a healthier you

Dark chocolate has a number of health benefits but  is also high in fat but some of the fat contained in dark chocolate is healthy.. Bellow are 4 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate...

1. Dark Chocolate is Good for Your Brain

It  increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function. It also helps reduce your risk of stroke.

2. Dark Chocolate is Full of Antioxidants

Antioxidants help free your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be the cause of cancer, eating antioxidant rich foods like dark chocolate can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging.

3. Dark Chocolate is Good for Stress Reduction

Dark chocolate also helps combat beauty’s public enemy number one: Stress. Cocoa helps reduce stress hormones, which means less collagen breakdown in the skin, and fewer wrinkles.

4. Dark chocolate can Protect your Skin

German researchers have found that the flavonoids in dark chocolate absorb UV light. This helps protect and increase blood flow to the skin, and improve skin’s hydration and complexion.

How to shop for a good chocolate:

"Buy dark chocolate that has 70% or more coca. Anything with sugar or milk  as the first ingredient will not contain 70% or more cocoa." Thierry Muret, Godiva Executive Chocolatier.

Try these Chocolates for a health treat.

 

5 Benefits of an oats breakfast

Oats is a healthy inexpensive meal to eat. One can serve it with fruits, honey or syrup to give it that extra pop.

Here are 5 benefits of having outs for breakfast, apart from the fact of saving money.....

1. Low calorie food; stops cravings.

A cup is only 130 calories!  It also stays in your stomach longer, making you feel full longer.  You will have less hunger and cravings.

2. Provides high levels of fiber and protein.

For healthy bones and skin. Not forgetting a healthy nervous system.

3. Removes your bad cholesterol (without affecting your good cholesterol).

Many studies have shown that the unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-glu, has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels. Bad cholesterol can cause a heart attack.

4. Enhances immune response to disease.

5. It tastes good.

The good thing with oats is that you can pimp it up with fresh fruits like strawberries and berries to add that special twist. Or just simple add honey.

Enjoy :)

Cure eye bags....

It is really hard to feel gorgeous when your eyes are droopy, because of those ugly bags under them. They are a sign of stress and fatigue but they can be cured with a few easy steps.

All you need is a Potato

• Place a raw potato in a refrigerating for a couple of minutes. Slice it into half and circle it gently on closed eyes.
• Place it on your eyes so that it also covers the puffed areas under your eyes and leave it like that for about 15-20 minutes. 

You'll notice a tremendous difference in those bags as they'll be decreased in size.