Benefits + Recipe of Pineapple and Raspberry Smoothie & Protein Shake

Benefits + Recipe of Pineapple and Raspberry Smoothie



Pineapple Raspberry Smoothie Protein Shake
All rights Reserved 2015

 

I made this simple and yummy treat as a recovery drink after my workout yesterday. We all know that adding protein to every meal is important especially after a workout session. But there is one ingredient I always make sure to add to my smoothies not only because it tastes delicious but mainly because it works wonder for the body. Yes, Pineapple!

A few Benefits of pineapple post workout
Pineapple contains some the following ingredrients:
Bromelain which helps with inflammation
Vitamin C which offers immune System Support
 Vitamin B1 which turns carbohydrate into the energy we need and is important for the proper function of our muscles and the operation of the nervous system.
Vitamin A, Phosphorus and Manganese.


A few Benefits of Raspberry
Low Glycemic Index
Anti-Inflammatory
Aids weight loss and digestion

Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is a magnificent healer read more here and see for yourself why and how you could add more of it to your lifestyle.




Ingredients
Protein Powder
Frozen raspberries
Frozen or non Frozen pineapple
Almond Milk
Turmeric just sprinkle a little before you blend
Fresh Mint ( optional)

Combine all ingredients except for the mint.
Blend
Enjoy with some fresh mint!

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Thanks for stopping by, sharing your comments, Following , Liking the FB page, subscribing by email, sharing with your friends and all those good stuffs...(smiles) Until next time have a better and healthier life... N'na

Healthy meals & healthy snacks: How to make grilled Okra.

Grilled Okra.

How to make a quick & healthy snack with Okra

     by Goodhealthdiva

    

My ingredients of choice: Olive oil, homemade seasoning mix with salt,  and ground oregano.

 Mix and coat my Okra , warm the indoor grill, as I am grilling I am brushing more of the oil mix on my Okra.

10 minutes later....after snacking on some as I was grilling the rest, here's what's left...

The meal version:
That's the only grilling I did on the 4th of July.
                          
                         
                     Healthy eating: Grilled Okra
                                                  by Goodhealthdiva

My husband and I used to enjoy eating grilled Okra at a local restaurant known for their BBQ sauces. I started getting tired of  their grilled Okra because their Okra was sometime overcooked and not always attractive. It seemed like we were sometimes given leftovers and that the okras has been warmed over and over again.

I decided to make my own from now on and... boy oh boy... what a great idea.

1 pound fresh Okra from a local Indian store.

Washed and rinsed with white vinegar and water.

 Seasoned with homemade seasoning mix (Turmeric, salt, ground and dried Oregano) & Olive oil.

5 to 10 minutes of the grill

                           

A healthy and inexpensive meal for 2...

Ready to chow and happy that...

I can now enjoy fresh Okra, seasoned with my favorite herbs, and for only $2 the pound versus $2.50 for a small serving.

Do you also like okra? How do you prefer yours? Do you have a favorite okra recipe?  Please share it here or on our Facebook page "Healthy can be done"

Thanks for stopping by, sharing your comments, Following on the site , Liking the Facebook page, subscribing by email, sharing with your friends and all these good stuffs...(smiles)
Until next time have a better and healthier life...
N'na

Benefits of detoxing: How and why to detox

                              Detox 101 : How and why to detox

Hi there,

I have a few friends who have asked about detoxing recently so I figured it would be great to share some basic tips with you as well.

Spring is around the corner and it's a great time to consider doing a detox and do a " Spring cleanse". Detoxing can ideally be done every 3 months, but doing one early Fall/Winter and one early Spring are good times as well.

So below I am  offering some general tips on detoxing that I hope will benefit and inspire you to detox.

There are different kinds of cleanses you can do and if you have never detoxed before a candida cleanse, a colon, liver and kidney cleanse are generally most recommended to free your body from toxins that have affected your health. Some cleanses can be done in 7 days, 14 days, 21 or 30 days. Embracing a healthier lifestyle and eating habits are crucial to further benefit from your detox.

                                                DETOX 101

Written by N'na. All rights reserved 2012.

Disclaimers: The suggestions below are not to replace doctors' advices. If you have certain medical conditions you should consult your doctor before starting a detox program or eliminating some things from your diet or adding to it.

Why should you detox?

We live a very toxic lifestyle and in spite of our best efforts to make healthy choices our surroundings,foods and cosmetics are loaded with toxins.

What are some benefits of detoxing?

• Cleanse your body from toxins
• Give your organs a chance to rest and work better
• Give you more energy
• Naturally heals your body from certain ailments : you get less  headaches, less diseases and sicknesses throughout the year.

• Better skin and complexion
• Give you a clearer sense of thinking and feeling
• More willpower and more positive outlook on life
• Weight loss (detoxing assits with weight loss because your organs working better once you give your body a chance to release toxins, bacteria, fecal matter etc).

                         
Which organs can mostly benefit from a detox?
Your whole body can benefit from a detox but some organs play a major role in the quality of our health such as:

• the kidneys
• the liver
• the colon

There is actually various kind of cleanses:
Candida cleanses, parasite cleanses, kidneys & liver cleanses, colon cleanses, colonics, lung cleanses, total body cleanses etc.  Each one is beneficial to your health and for optimal health it's recommended to do them all especially if you have never detoxed before.

When to detox? At least twice a year such  as Spring and Fall.

Please consider Fasting. Fasting is probably the best way to detox your body and your mind. It’s important to fast often. Fitting a one day fast weekly/biweekly or a 3 days fast in your monthly schedule are all reasonable endeavor. ( Please consult with your physician before embarking in any fast)

Keep in mind that while you are detoxing you might experience some headaches, you will have to take more frequent trips to the bathroom as your body must flush out many toxins, bacteria, fecal matter etc. Do not stop the detox on account of these as it's actually a proof that the detox was much needed but PLEASE if you suffer from any particular health condition consult with your physician before, during and after your detox.

To Jumpstart your detox.

Gradually eliminate or cut down certain foods from your daily diet.

Gradually add more healthy food and drink more water.

Drink every morning a glass of water with apple cider vinegar, freshly squeeze lemon juice and a spoon of honey.

Eat daily one or more grapefruits and/or apple.

Select a detox program and time frame as you can detox for 3 days, 14, 21, 30 days or longer.

Drink plenty of water to allow your body to flush the toxins.

Drink detox or herbal teas.

Foods to avoid when detoxing

Sugar

Dairy products

Wheat

Gluten: rye, wheat, bran, barley,baked goods...

Caffeine: Coffee, Black tea, sodas...

Other foods: yeast, alcohol, food additive and preservatives, chocolate, high fat foods.

Foods to eat when detoxing

Fresh fruits.

Fresh vegetables. Great detox vegetables includes broccoli, cauliflower, garluc, beets red and green vegetables.

Rice: Brown or basmati rice. Rice cakes, rice crackers, rice pasta.

Other grains:  quinoa, flaxseed, millet can be used instead of rice.

Beans:  Lentils are a great option.

Nuts and seeds:  such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds. Avoid peanuts.

Oils:  Extra Virgin Olive oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil.

Condiments: fresh herbs, sea salt, limited amount of honey, 100 % natural fruits and vegetables drinks, rice milk, almond milk.

Beverages: water, lemon water, herbal teas, freshly squeezed fruits or vegetables juices, smoothies .
                         

Herbs you can use daily to help with your detox: Ginger, oregano, cayenne, fennel, turmeric.

 Garlic: Fresh garlic is great to not only strengthen your immunity but it also cleanses your blood.

                                          Detox products on the market


There are many great products on the markets.

Please do your research before selecting a product. When selecting a product take time to ask questions, explain your goals, research the ingredients included and their roles and be aware of the fact that a detox program will not necessarily feel good at first!

A great website to check is http://www.drnatura.com/

                                  

Detox hygiene

Avoid beauty products that are harmful and loaded with toxins because your skin is your largest organ. Use organic, green or homemade beauty & cosmetics products.

During the time when you are detoxing avoid if you can and if it's not your workplace places such as Nail shop and Beauty Salon or any environment that would expose you to toxins.

Consider dry skin brushing before taking a shower.

Consider oil cleansing to cleanse your face.

Detoxing is about more than food & the body.

Detoxing is not just about food. There are emotional triggers to the food that we eat and habits strongly influenced or influencing our food choices.

Other things to consider when detoxing:

Rest your mind and body more.

Cut down or temporarily eliminate on TV time especially news and TV shows that cause the body stress. Cut down on activities or interactions that are unpleasant and unnecessary.

Train your mind each morning to expect the best.

Refrain from complaining unnecessarily focusing on negative things create more stress on your body.

Take time to start your day with a stretch as stretching allows trapped energy to be released.

Stretch often throughout the day.
see the benefits of stretching http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/05/benefits-of-exercising-stretching.html
the benefits of exercising http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/05/benefits-of-exercising-introduction.html

Walk more during the day.

Spread more love and do good more good deeds.

Smile and laugh more. ( Being scornful, sarcastic and laughing at the expenses of others is NOT what I recommend).

Keep a journal. Record your emotions, your goals…

Keep a gratitude journal. Make time each day to write things you are grateful for and start and finish each day by expressing verbally or in writing something you are grateful for.

DETOX  your environment.

Make time to go through your home, bathroom, closet, kitchen cabinets, home office and remove everything old, expired, useless etc.

In your closet get rid of everything stained, with holes, old and that no longer fit.

Declutter and cleam your space totally. A messy and dirty environment can also trigger stress and expose you to toxins.

Add some green plants in your home to purify your indoor air.

For more ideas please consider reading the following articles:
"The psychology of weight loss"

http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/11/psychology-of-weight-loss.html

"Pampering yourself is good for your health"

http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/01/pampering-yourself-is-good-for-your.html

If you consider fasting:

Disclaimer: Please consult with your physician before starting a fast.

Days before your fast drink plenty of water and eat more fruits and vegetables that are rich in water such as watermelon and cucumbers.

Determine the length of your fast. A meal, a whole day, a few days. Any  longer fast should be supervised.

The way you break your fast is very important. Eat foods that are light such as a fruit, a bowl of soup, a salad and eat slowly.
                       


There's a lot more to detoxing than the information I just provided. This article is meant to be an introduction and offer you some direction.

Detoxing is essential to your health and organs' cleanses such as the Colon  cleanses can improve your health and even assist with weight loss.

Detoxing has the power to heal, alleviate or prevent some conditions, so do it often and enjoy its many benefits.

I wish you a happy detoxing, a great health journey and if you are new here you are welcome to become a Follower, Like the FB page, subscribe for email updates and let us know about your detoxing experience!!!



N'na

Healthy refreshment : My homemade Punjabi Mango Lassi adaptation!

Last Saturday I was talking to a friend before heading to the salon to get my hair done and I mentioned to her that I would fix some Mango Lassi before going out! She did not know what a Mango Lassi was so I explained it to her before I started telling her about some great Indian spices she could use for health as well as beauty treatment! One spice I told her to shop for is turmeric! A spice I love to add in many things and you can read more about it on my article:  http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/01/benefits-of-turmeric.html
Anyway, since some of you might not be familiar with Lassi I guess I can give you too a little introduction to my Mango Lassi before sharing my version of it! I say my version because I am not sure that there is such a thing as the perfectly authentic Mango Lassi recipe. I think it initially starts with yogurt and mango but who knows how it finishes...

N'na's own: Mango Lassi

Lassi is a popular and traditional Punjabi-yogurt drink from India and Pakistan that is generally enjoyed fresh as a refreshment during hot weather. Punjab is simply a region in North western India and Pakistan, just in case you wonder what's a Punjabi yogurt! Punjab means the land of five rivers "Panj" means "five" and "ab" means "water"! I know I am sharing a recipe here but a little culture is good for you! Might as well feed the intellect too while we are talking recipe!




 So...Lassi  is made by blending yogurt with water or milk and adding some Indian spices. I think Punjab yogurt includes curry and turmeric among their Indian spices.  There are quite a few variations for the drink such as salted lassi, sweet lassi, mango lassi etc. The drink is called different things in different parts of the world! For example, in Turkey, a drink similar to Lassi is called Aryan,  while in Afghanistan and Iran a similar drink is called Doogh!

 Here on the left is a picture I found online of an Ayran drink, it's a yogurt and mint drinkThis one is a picture I found online representing a Doogh drink.


Anyway, to fix some Mango Lassi you mainly need Mango and Yogurt! I used plain Vanilla Yogurt. Don't worry,by the time I add some spices of my choices it will not be that plain.... I can guarantee that!!!!
In addition to Mango and Yogurt you add water or milk!
I personally would not add dairy milk to mine (having Yogurt is enough for me) I would suggest you add coconut milk, I think it's more tropical (smiles)...well that's my humble opinion...
Alright...what else..? Well...  let's  just use the pictures as a guide since they say a picture is worth a thousand words I will use them to save me some typing...

N'na's own: Mango Lassi in progress

I don't think that the recipe would specify to use some frozen mangoes but my version does! I am using some frozen mangoes as well as fresh mangoes. I always keep a stash of frozen fruits because it adds more texture to my drinks and I can benefit from them already being cold! I do my best to avoid crushing or adding ice simply because I want to take advantage of my blends full flavors and not 'water down the taste'.

In trying to decide what to add I am turning to my special 'natural medicine cabinet"! I call  this kitchen cabinet my 'natural medicine cabinet' because I use most of the things in there for their health benefits! More on that later.

Having to choose between water or milk I actually opted for coconut juice. I figured plain water would be boring to my taste buds and I was not in the mood for coconut milk! Coconut juice was a great compromise! I used about 1/4 of the can. (Next time I will try my Lassi with rosewater and let you know how it turns out)

Well... I know I said it's a Mango Lassi but it's my drink so I can add whatever I desire...I was thinking that the taste of pineapple juice and some pineapple could add extra flavors to my drink. You know...take it to the next level!!! I love flavors! So I used a couple of slices and blended them with a little bit of pineapple juice.

I sweetened with a little bit of honey this is truly optional, and figured I could make use of some spices from my ' natural medicine cabinet'! After all a Lassi include Indian spices... so I selected my own spices Ginger, Caraway, Fennel and a little bit of turmeric! I was actually hoping to add some Cardamon as one of my main spices but I did not have any left! I could have used other spices too but I figured my first selections were alright. I only added a few pinches of  my chosen spices.

I poured my mixture to my glass, decorated with some fresh mint from my garden and topped my drink with some crushed pineapple and mangoes. Why add the crushed pineapple and mangoes? I just felt that my promising refreshment could handle some extra 'texture' and hmm was I right! It was so good.... 

N'na's own: Mango Lassi

I did refrigerate my drink just a few minutes until I was ready to savour it!
I poured some in a glass and saved the rest for later enjoyment!
Keep in mind that the drink should be refrigerated before drinking, it's meant to be chilled and served as a refreshment for a hot day! I was able to enjoy mine without a long refrigeration simply because I have used some frozen mangoes in addition to the fresh ones!

Doesn't it look good????Now...you knoooow it tastes good! If it has mango alone it tastes good! Add all those other ingredients and it taste GREAT! Hey that's N'na's Mango Lassi! Taking a simple drink to the next level!That's the kind of things you drink and you smile for not apparent reasons...so..soooo....gooood!!!

N'na's own: Mango Lassi

 The leftover was a delicious treat later on in the day...

N'na's own: Mango Lassi

Voila, N'na's own version of a delicious refreshment! Mango and Pineapple Lassi! To be honest I haven't heard of pineapple Lassi, it's always Mango Lassi that I hear about but nobody said I could not come up with my personal variation! So from coconut juice to pineapple and some unexpected ingredients like Caraway and Fennel, my Lassi was not just delicious it turned out to be a very healthy refreshment!

Now, I have read that one variation of Lassi make people drowsy, that might explain why I yawned so much when I was at the salon getting my hair done! Who knows? I probably should blame the fact that I went to bed really late the night before (making a face)!

 If you have never tried a Mango Lassi it's worth trying, I guess any kind of Lassi is worth trying, but I can only recommend what I know for sure to be very tasty! Mangoes are delicious and are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat! It's also a great fruit for skin care and hair care treatments....if you want to know more about that you will just have to come back another time! Stay tuned! Become a Follower by joining this blog if you are new here, Like the facebook page Healthy can be done and Follow Goodhealthdiva on twitter as well! Alright that's it for today, hope you enjoyed learning about my adaption to Mango Lassi.
 I don't mess with alcoholic beverages so for a hot weather refreshment packed with health benefits I greatly recommend that you give the Mango Lassi a try!

Are you a Lassi drinker? If yes, what kind of Lassi do you drink? What's your favorite (healthy) hot weather refreshment?

How to knock out a cold the natural way!

Hello!!!
How are you doing? I hope all is well with you, I appreciate you stopping by!
I am currently working on the article I promised you all last week, my interview with my Natural friend Africa Brown, but something came up...
There's a nasty cold trying to knock here and I won't be having it!
I am knocking out this cold the N'natural way!! Cute hein?!N'na my name, the natural way...I might stick to this ..N'natural! N'natural way!!!Hum! Pretty good!!!

Ok let's get down to business (smiles)!
 I was working on the article that I am concocting for April 1st and I have a lot of  work to do because Africa and I are sharing a lot of stuffs, adding plenty of pictures and I suggest you get ready to just hangout on the blog! Pick some time over the week-end, make yourself comfortable and come hangout with Africa and N'na because if you like Natural hair you might have some fun here!

Initially,I was not planning on writing today but dealing with a cold I felt like it might benefits others to know how I knock out a cold! (Little disclaimer here this is by no mean supposed to replace medical advice, I am just sharing what works for me)

Even though I normally drink some healthy homemade fruit smoothies or freshly made carrot blends, today I needed to step up my game. Here is what I did this morning.

Here is my good health lab and work station loaded with the ingredients to my N'natural cold remedy!

My N'natural ingredients:
                        3 Lemons and 1 orange
                        2 Carrots
                        Parsley grown from my container garden on my deck
                        Fresh Garlic I just use 1 clove
                        1/2tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar
                        Frozen bananas I used just 2 pieces
                        Frozen apples and blueberries
                        Flaxseed
                        Honey
                        Oregano,
                        Fennel
                        Turmeric

1st Step

I juiced my citrus fruits because I am not using any water or other liquid. I am juicing 3 lemons and 1 orange. The virtue of citrus fruits especially lemon is common knowledge right?! Full of Vitamin C, anti-bacterial,  etc. But did you know that lemon juice can relieve fevers and reduce the body temperature? We will get back to lemon another time!

Step 2

I am chopping my carrots, 1 clove of garlic and some fresh parsley from my container garden on my deck.
Why carrots?  Carrots have vitamins C, B, E,D ( said in a singing voice) and K in addition to beta-carotene, and magnesium, potassium and lot of other good stuffs!
 I mean carrot juice is said to be so good for your health it will take another day to dig into all that!  I frequently blend some fresh carrot juice but I think today I needed more for my skin in addition to all the other things carrot juice can offer me! I mean, when you are not feeling the best it kind of shows on your skin doesn't it?! I thought so! So I need my skin looking good too! I want good health from the inside out!


Why garlic? Garlic has long had the reputation for preventing and healing colds because it helps maintains healthy blood circulation, it strengthens the immune system, strengthens the body's defense, when chopped chewed or bruised it releases allicin. Allicin is a sulfur compound that's a very strong antibiotic and potent agent that helps the body inhibits the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. Did you know that it's actually said that 1milligram of allicin has a potency of 15 standard units of penicillin?!
So you see, that's good natural stuff!!! Isn't it?!

Why parsley? Commonly used for garnish most people do not even realize that parsley has very important health properties. It's high in Vitamin C & A. I will take time soon to share more about parsley because I believe that it's health benefits are underestimated!

I am adding just 2 pieces of frozen bananas for sweetness considering that bananas are one of the sweetest fruit you could eat!  Bananas are great for your health and are kind of a super food because they have two times as many carbohydrates as an apple, five times as much Vitamin A and iron and three times as much phosphorus. In addition to that they are rich in potassium and natural sugars! That's why beside a little bit of honey there is no need to add any sugar to my blends when I put some bananas in! So I sometimes use bananas to sweeten my blends but I never use the whole banana because bananas are high in calories and I am on the path to slimming down remember? So I need to stay on tract no matter what I blend...

In addition to frozen bananas, I added some frozen apples to add sweetness and more good properties to my drink and I added some frozen blueberries as well. I did not use the strawberries.
Why blueberries? Among their many amazing health benefits blueberries are also an anti-depressant!  Did you know that?! Well anti-depressant is good because  on rainy days when you are not feeling the best you need to keep depression away, far away... (ha ha ha)! Blueberries are also great for the immune system which is perfect to prevent or fight a cold or a fever! Blueberries are full of antioxidants and contain many vitamins including Vitamin C, E, A and B complex. They also contain copper, selenium, iron and more other natural goodies!
I like to keep some frozen fruits in my freezer so that when needed I only take what I need and put the rest back in the freezer!

Step3: Ready to blend! I started with the Chop setting....

I added some 1/2 tablespoon of Flaxseed, some Apple Cide Vinegar and the following herbs for their healing properties:

Why Fennel?Fennel is useful in respiratory disorders such as congestion, bronchitis, cough, etc due to the presence of  Cineol and anetol which are expectorant in nature, among their many virtues! Among its other benefits fennel is a diuretic, incurring amount and frequency of urination thereby helping the removal of toxic substance from the body. It also helps relax the body, which I think is good for someone  not feeling well and it sharpens memory, another property of this natural ingredient I appreciate since I need my memory to get my work done!

Why Oregano? Oregano has strong antibacterial properties, one ounce of oregano is thought to be of the most antioxidant dense of all food! It has 42 times the antioxidants of apple. Amazing isn't it?!

I actually planted some fresh oregano on my deck a couple of weeks ago, but I used the powder version because I did not even remember until now that I have some fresh one available!

Why turmeric? Turmeric helps with inflammation and relieves headaches which are something I want to prevent , for more on turmeric check my article on the Benefits of turmeric it's loaded with information that might greatly surprise you and very few people are familiar with turmeric  http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/01/benefits-of-turmeric.html

To finish it up, I set the blender on Smoothie after I added some of my daily supplements. Fish oil that I started taking recently and Vitamin B12 that I have been taking for about a month now. This drink will be my breakfast! I added 1/2 tbsp of honey not just for sweetness but for the healing benefits of honey against colds.

My results after blending! I did not add any water or any liquid beside the citrus juice I made...

At last: Ready to savour by topping it with some Fresh Mint from the garden!

I said savour and some of you might think that this blend is not delicious just because it has so many vegetables and herbs! You would be surprised! It has a tangy taste because of the citrus juice but it is naturally sweet too! Remember that the bananas, the apples and the honey added some natural sweetness to this blend so no need for sugar. Due to the fact that the bananas, apples and blueberries were frozen it added some good texture to the drink! With all the fibers from the carrots this truly is not a drink that you can swallow within seconds like some apple juice ! So I made time to enjoy drinking it!

Below is what my carrot blends normally look like, so as I said earlier, today I had to step up my game!

Now, last thing here: It's one thing to blend all that and wait on the properties to kick in and heal me from the inside but my mind has to go with the flow too! Can't have healing half way, it got to be the whole package! So one thing I always do it to take care of my appearance and my surroundings especially if I am not feeling the best! Chaos frustrates me so that can't help me feel good, right?! On days I might not feel the best, I think that the way I dress and carry myself play a role too in my quick recovery. I think that if people act and constantly talk sick they will feel sick longer. I truly believe that Good health is also a mental thing!

So as I act and talk health I get to feel healthier and become healthier! So even though I was not feeling the best when I first got out of bed this morning, I still showered, got dressed as if I was 'going somewhere', that's a diva thing you know ha ha ha, got my hair done in an updo and got rolling with my day!

I didn't have the zeal to be running a bunch of errands today but at least I am feeling and looking  better than someone who probably could have spent all day in bed! I am still being productive from the comfort of my Mom cave!(see below)

Now, I might not look radiant at this point but I don't look like someone who should be laying in bed! Right?! Ha! Ha! That's the good-health-diva for you!

Sometimes this morning in my mom cave working on my laptop, with my cold remedy drink by my side!

A glance at my cave, the right place to find refuge on days like today ( rainy  and grey day when my body and mind need  both a boost and some rest.....)

It's exactly 5:42pm now and since drinking this drink hours ago I have been feeling pretty well , not exhuberant but relatively well!  All the fiber in the drink has also kept my appetite into check! Yes the diuretic properties in the drink have worked their virtues so did all the vitamin C that got in my system the Natural way! I meant the N'natural way! (lol)

This being said, I hope that in sharing all that you did learn something new! Did you learn something new?  Were you aware of the healing properties of all those ingredients? Which one were you very surprised to read about? How do you normaly prevent and/or fight a cold?

N'na

The Benefits of Turmeric

                                         
If you have visited this blog before you have hopefully viewed my post:  Facial mask for Him! Coconut oil and Turmeric face mask.
In the video I mentioned some of  Turmeric 's benefits for Skin care:

• Protects form UV radiation. It is actually used in many suncreens. As well as in the production of some packaged goods to protect from sunlight
• Protects the skin against acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skins conditions.
• It's used as an hair growth inhibitor for arms, legs and in a mask it will help with facial hair.

In India where it is known as Haldi, turmeric is very important both for cooking as well as for beauty. It's used the morning of a wedding day as a body scrub mixed with gram flour, for a glowing and smooth skin.
Well, with this being said I wanted to elaborate about Turmeric because so few people are aware of its amazing health benefits.
Turmeric is a member of the Ginger family and it's scientific name is Curcuma Longa. 
Turmeric is also known as Indian saffron. In Medieval Europe it was a cheaper substitute for saffron. It's mainly produced in India and is also grown in parts of China and Peru.Turmeric is the ingredient known for giving curry and mustard  their yellow-orange color.
 The Rhizomes, the root-like extensions from the stem of the plant, are the parts used to make the turmeric powder.

Among the many health benefits of turmeric:

Turmeric contains important vitamins and minerals such as iron, manganese, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Curcumin is a phytochemical found in turmeric that has strong antioxidant properties and that has been well researched for its cancer fighting properties.

• Turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier.
• Provides protection from liver disease.
• It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
• It helps in healing wounds. It speeds up wound healing and assist in remodeling damaged skin. Prevents bacterial infection in wounds.
• Helps with poison ivy, mosquito bites etc.
• It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects. Great for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pains due to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
• Turmeric helps lower cholesterol levels.
• It serves with the treatment of arteriosclerosis – may cause a reduction in bad cholesterol that can lead to blockage of the arteries.
• Turmeric is an antidepressant and helps your mood.  It has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
• Due to its antioxidants properties there are many ongoing researches on its powerful healing  and preventive benefits on various type of cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer and colon cancer.
• It has been researched for its preventive benefits and healing properties on Alzheimer and dementia.
• Turmeric helps in reducing activity of roundworms and intestinal worms
• Turmeric is also a possible (natural) treatment for uveitis, an eye disorder. Uveitis is a swelling and irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea provides most of the blood supply to the retina. Uveitis can affect one or both eyes and can also affects dogs as well as humans.
•  Turmeric can aid in weight loss. Curcumin in Turmeric powder has been found to help increase the flow of bile, an important component in the breakdown of dietary fat. Therefore, taking one teaspoon of Turmeric powder with every meal may be an effective weight loss aid when combined with a healthy diet and exercise program.
• Turmeric can also help in recovering from a cold or flu.
• Turmeric's anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal agents can help our body fight against colds, cough and flu. Therefore, when symptoms of these infections are present, simply mix one teaspoon of Turmeric powder into a glass of warm milk once per day. Also drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Ways to add it to your diet:

• Add it to your green tea for a powerful antioxidant drink.
• Mix and blend it into your smoothies
• Add it into your stews, fish dishes, soups, omelets, salads, rice etc.
• Sprinkle it over your popcorn for a yellow color without the butter

A little warning about turmeric. Just like with everything,moderation is important. 
Moderate use of Turmeric powder as part of regular diet is fairly safe, and recent studies have found that a dosage of 500mg capsules of Turmeric three times per day is safe. However, prolonged consumption of high doses of Turmeric extract may cause stomach or liver distress, as well as dehydration and constipation. Therefore, it should be avoided by people with gallstones or bile obstructions. If you are currently taking blood thinners (including Aspirin), you should consult your doctor before taking Turmeric since it is an anti-platelet (prevents blood clots).
Remember to keep it away from white clothes as it's also a dye.

Thanks for reading. I hope you will add turmeric to your diet if it's not already part of it. Please let me know how you benefit from it.