Tag Archives: anti-oxidants

T is for Turmeric – Truly Terrific Treatment! And Tasty Too!

Posted on August 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

It’s not often that I will tout a cure-all, but today I’m telling you to go get yourself some Turmeric!  Turmeric, or really its’ active ingredient curcumin,  is one of those first aid remedies that goes beyond the household and right into scientific research for numerous former deadly and debilitating diseases. Turmeric has been shown to act as a strong anti-inflammatory with no toxic side effects.   It’s  a powerful anti-oxidant, an incredible anti-inflammatory, a cancer reducer, and even a skin healer.  Turmeric will add some zest to Indian food, of course.  Add it to some lentils or rice or quinoa and you’ve got a terrifically tasty treat with some added treatment gusto.  I put a teaspoon or tablespoon in everything from salad to cereal – just in case!

Here’s a list of 20 natural health benefits of turmeric (and I’m only listing 20 – if you do some research of your own, you’ll find dozens more!):

  1. Turmeric is a powerful and natural anti-inflammatory that is effective without harmful side effects.
  2. Has been shown to help prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to self-destruct.
  3. Turmeric cooked with cauliflower, is effective in slowing down the growth of or preventing prostate cancer.
  4. Is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic agent which is useful in disinfecting burns & cuts.
  5. A natural anti-inflammatory and as such, a treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
  6. Research is showing that turmeric prevents breast cancer from spreading to lungs in mice.
  7. Being studied as a way to slow down or prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer’s by removing amyloidal plaque buildup in the brain.
  8. Turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier.
  9. It also is a cox-2 inhibitor and natural painkiller..
  10. May help in weight management by aiding in fat metabolism.
  11. Works to  prevent metastases in many different types of cancer.
  12. Is being studied as a means to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis.
  13. Chinese medicine has long used turmeric in the treatment for depression.
  14. May help in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis.
  15. Boosts the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel as well as mitigating the side effects.
  16. Research has proven positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.
  17. Promising research is underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.
  18. Turmeric has proven to be effective against Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
  19. Aids in healing wounds and damaged skin.
  20. May help to reduce the risk of childhood leukemia.

 

 

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P is for Pomegranates for Passion, Prostates, and Perfect Skin!

Posted on July 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Pomegranates are popping out all over my neighborhood and I’m so excited about their powers!   Pomegranates pack a powerful punch for your natural beauty and for your natural health and while they’re available for the next few months, should be used in your beauty regimen and on your plates. Pomegranate juice, popular in the Middle East, is now touted as one of the “superfruits” like acai and goji berries.  Pomegranates have been shown to have more antioxidants than green tea.  A 100 ml-serving of pomegranate juice contains 16 percent of the daily adult requirement of vitamin C, as well as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folic acid, potassium and iron.

The pomegranate appears in a lot of ancient literature, from Rumi to Shakespeare.  Some say the forbidden fruit of the Bible was not the apple after all, but a pomegranate fruit (which makes sense because the ruby red pomegranate is native to the Middle East.   Pomegranates, like most foods that are considered aphrodisiacs, look juicy and sexy.  A recent study in London showed that men and women who drank one glass of pomegranate juice a day for 14 days had a significant increase in testosterone, and increased sex drive.

Pomegranates are also powerful potions for your natural beauty.  Pomegranate oil is used in hot oil treatments prior to shampooing for dry, frizzy hair.  For strengthening nails and conditioning cuticles, apply the fruit’s oils to the nails or soak your fingers in it before a manicure.  It’s especially helpful to repair any damage right after removing gel nails.

 Here are a few benefits to drinking pomegranate juice:

1.  Pomegranates, once again, have more antioxidants than even one of our other favorites – green tea.  Antioxidants lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, and have powerful anti-aging results.

2.  Pomegranates also have anti-inflammatory properties and help to decrease the incidence and damage caused by osteoarthritis.

3.  A study conducted by the Harvard Medical School, showed that pomegranate juice slowed down the proliferation of prostate cancer cells, great news for men.

4. Pomegranates also contain phytonutrients which can suppress estrogen production that slows the growth of breast cancer cells.

5.  Pomegranates significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the amount of arterial plaque buildup which can lead to cardiovascular disease.

6.  Pomegranates have been shown to inhibit the aggregation of abnormal platelets which can cause strokes and heart attacks.

7.  Pomegranates are packed full of vitamin A which decreases wrinkles and helps to prevent the aging of your skin.

8. Pomegranates are a good remedy for skin damaged by sun exposure.

POMEGRANATE FACE SCRUB for healthy, glowing skin

Ingredients

  • 1 TBL. Honey (preferably organic)
  • 3 TBL. Olive oil
  • 3 TBL. packed brown sugar
  • 2 TBL. fresh whole pomegranate seeds

Place the sugar in a bowl and slowly pour in the olive oil and honey, mixing to create a smooth paste (add more oil if it’s too dry, or more sugar if it’s too wet).  Stir in fresh pomegranate seeds, trying not to smash too many.  Apply the mixture to your face, gently pushing on the seeds to release the juice. The bursting seeds will give your skin a healthy, rosy glow.  Massage the scrub gently into your skin for 5 minutes.  The rinse very well with warm water.

 POMEGRANATE MARTINI

 

 

This is a favorite drink of one of our favorite people, Oprah Winfrey –

2 oz vodka
1 oz Cointreau or Controy orange liqueur
6 oz pomegranate juice

 

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker 1/4 filled with chopped ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Serves 2.

 

 

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A is for Avocado – Awesome Aid for Natural Health

Posted on January 28, 2012 | 1 Comment

Avocados for your Natural Health

Guacamole, look out!  Avocados have so many other uses we might never get to dip our chip in.  (But do – cause it tastes really good!)

Avocados are full of fat and that’s a very good thing! While it’s true that avocado is a high-fat food (with about 85% of its calories coming from fat), the fat contained in avocado has many excellent health and anti-aging benefits.  Avocados have phytosterols (a part of a plant called plant sterols that actually lower your cholesterol)  and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs) which help t0 keep inflammation under control and reduce the incidence and pain of diseases like arthritis.

Avocados have one more kind of mono-unsaturated fat called oleic acid which helps lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and can inhibit the growth of cancerous cells without damaging the healthy cells. The oleic acid in avocados is especially effective in preventing breast cancer and reducing the effects of prostate cancer as well.

Avocados are full of vitamins like A, C, and E as well as nutrients like potassium.  Because they contain 30% more potassium than banana, avocados are useful in regulating blood pressure and prevents circulatory diseases. They also contain folate, monosaturated fats and antioxidants

We love our antioxidants for anti-aging and the beautiful avocado can prevent aging symptoms.  The glutathione in avocado boosts immune systems, slows the aging process, and encourages a healthy nervous system which cuts down on stress, and less stress means less wrinkles!

Avocados have nutrients and enzymes that soothe  the inflamed mucous lining in the stomach and small intestines which can help people who suffer from digestive diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

We used to think that only red plants had carotenoids, but now we know that most dark and rich-colored plants contain them.  Avocado has the carotenoid lutein.  Lutein keeps the eyes safe from oxidative stress, macular degeneration, and cataracts – more symptoms of aging that are reduced by caring for your natural health.

And let’s not forget how delicious avocados are.  Here’s a simple recipe from www.simplyrecipes.comfor that wonderful guacamole!

Guacamole is full of Natural Health benefits and delicious!

Perfect Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 1/2 red onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1-2 serrano chiles, stems and seeds removed, minced
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  • A dash of freshly grated black pepper
  • 1/2 ripe tomato, seeds and pulp removed, chopped

Garnish with red radishes or jicama. Serve with tortilla chips.

 

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A is for Apples — An Amazing Answer for Natural Beauty & Health

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Apples are Great for Natural Health and Natural Beauty

An apple a day can keep the doctor away, right?  But did you know that an apple is great for your complexion?  Just like the most expensive spa products for exfoliating your skin and those wonderful spa facials, the alpha-hydroxy fruit acids (AHA) in apples are great for gently peeling away flaky old and dead skin and leaving your face looking naturally beautiful, healthy, fresh and bright.

For an easy and frugal way to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, grate an apple and apply to clean skin.  Leave the pulp on for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Apples are fabulous anti-oxidants.  What is an antioxidant?  First, let’s look at what is oxidation.

Take our friend the apple and cut it in half.  Let it sit for just a minute or two.  Can you see  how it’s turning brown?  That’s oxidation.  When an apple turns brown,  it becomes diseased and decayed, just like a car does when it rusts or a person does when they are ill.

The skin of the apple prevents it from oxidizing by acting as an antioxidant.  So eat the skin! And then eat the rest of the apple to get all the vitamins in it.  Vitamin C to prevent colds,  Vitamin B-6 for healthy brains and less stress, Vitamin E for anti-aging, Pantothenic acid for reducing stress, Niacin for lowering cholesterol, Vitamin A for healthy skin and hair, and Folic Acid for more energy and a healthy immune system.

You can grate an apple and mix it up with some honey for a great facial mask.  Or try any one of these recipes, mixing apples with cucumbers:

CUCUMBER APPLE MASK – This combination of healthy fruits and vegetables will add a little gentle exfoliation to your treatment.  Put half a cucumber and half an apple into the blender with a teaspoon of honey.  Blend and apply to face, avoiding the eye area.  Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with cool water and enjoy the refreshed feeling.

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A is for Almonds for Anti- Aging for Any Ages

Posted on January 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

Almonds are great for Natural Beauty

Nuts to you!  And nuts to me to when we’re talking about anti-aging and looking younger and having more natural health.  Nuts are powerhouses of anti-aging ingredients. They’re like little balls of natural health all rolled into one of nature’s perfect foods.

All kinds of nuts are high in fiber for great digestion and lower cholesterol.  Nuts have lots of omega-3 fatty acids (EFAs),  which are essential for your brain’s natural health.  They are packed full of protein and have lots of antioxidant vitamins and minerals, which go after and destroy free radicals that cause disease and aging.

1.   Almond oil makes a fantastic moisturizer for the skin as it is easily absorbed and has a high concentration of oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids for your skin’s nourishment.

2.  Sweet Almond Oil is the best carrier to use for massage oil.  Essential oils can be added for aromatherapy benefits.

3.   Almond milk can be used as a substitute for dairy products in people who are lactose intolerant, or who want to restrict their use of dairy products.

4.  For a great anti-aging hand scrub (hands are the first place to show signs of age and the hardest to hide), grind some almonds finely in a blender and combine with extra virgin olive or sweet almond oil to make a gritty paste.  Spread all over hands, then rinse with warm water.  Apply one of our wonderful homemade moisturizers.

4.   Almonds can help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and maintain recommended levels of good cholesterol (HDL), helping people with the potential for cardiovascular disease.

5.   Almond oil can be applied directly to your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your face and neck.

After All, who wants to look Ancient!

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