The Queen of Fruits - Mangosteen Fruit

Southeast Asia for the longest time has revered Mangosteen for the unique flavor it has as well as the suggestion that it can actually promote good health. The most amazing thing about this fruit is that the entire fruit is used especially, the rind which is xanthone packed. It acquired the name "the queen of fruits" as a result of Queen Victoria fetish for the fruit. She would offer knighthood to anyone who managed to bring the fruit to her in its prime condition. However, no one ever succeeded because of preservation issues considering the long journey the fruit had to take. The admirable quest of the queen gave this fruit this title and it has stuck to date. The fruit is now grown in different parts of the world and it is gaining popularity.

The Mangosteen Fruit Juice

The mangosteen fruit is usually eaten as a fruit for dessert. It is also made into jams which can be enjoyed with different kinds of breads and foods too. The one thing that is becoming too popular, however is mangosteen juice. There is a health drink known as xango juice and one that has created a whole new way of enjoying the fruit. The juice is not only made to be enjoyed, but also as a supplement. The fruit is packed with lots of minerals, compounds and nutrients hence the reason as to why it used to make the juices. Besides enjoying the popular xango juice, individuals can also make their own juice at home using this fruit.

Materials

To make delicious mangosteen juice that you can enjoy at home, you will need

2 pieces of the fruit
Honey
200ml of water
Sugar (optional)
Start by choosing the best mangosteen fruits that you can find. They should be ripe enough and free from any dirt. Clean the fruits in readiness for the juice preparation. Make sure that the fruit is well cleaned before opening it. You can easily use a knife to open the fruit to reach to the flesh inside it. Remove the contents inside the fruit. This should be done with care to make sure that the outer skin does not come in contact with the fruit flesh. This is because it can be very bitter and can give the juice a taste that is not too pleasant. Take the mangosteen fruit peel and the contents inside into a blender before then adding a little honey, water and some sugar. The sugar is however optional; it will be better to blend the juice without the sugar. Blend the content until you have a smooth beverage. You can then enjoy your juice with meals or at any other given time of the day where a refreshing drink is needed.

The mangosteen fruit is a delicious fruit with a taste that is simply unique. It is tasty and can be enjoyed in lots of different ways. It is a tropical fruit with useful rind, fruit juice, fruit, bark and twig.



http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Queen-of-Fruits---Mangosteen-Fruit&id=8736347

Healthy Eating Doable Challenge #12: De-Stress Your Diet

Stress. We all experience it, and for many of us, it can lead to poor eating choices. But research suggests that by tweaking your diet, you can actually fight stress. "What you feel, how you perceive things, and how focused you are is a reflection of brain chemistry—and you have some control over that chemistry based on what you eat," explains Drew Ramsey, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York and the coauthor with Tyler Graham of The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, Energized Body. Changing your diet isn't a magic bullet for every emotional problem, but what you eat can help quell short-term anxiety and even fight long-term stress while minimizing its effects on your body and your brain. For this Healthy Eating Doable Challenge, we asked Dr. Ramsey to share his advice on food choices that can help fight stress—and for other hints on how to "de-stress your diet."

4 Tips for Eating to Beat Stress

• Avoid Processed Foods

Full of excess sugar and sodium, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives, processed foods "tell lies to your brain, and that is very, very stressful to you as an organism," Dr. Ramsey says. Trans fats, for example, can actually increase your risk for depression.

• Don't skip or skimp on meals

"There's nothing more stressful to the body than erratic, unplanned eating," Dr. Ramsey warns.

• Feed your body food that works

The seven foods listed below are rich in mood-boosting compounds, including the nutrients that Dr. Ramsey refers to as the "essential elements of happiness": vitamin B12, iodine, magnesium, cholesterol, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, folate, vitamin A, omega-3s, vitamin E, and iron. As he writes in The Happiness Diet, these nutrients work together to "fight low mood, low energy, [and] cloudy thinking."

• Eat a super stress-fighter food every day

For this month's Doable Challenge, help keep stress levels in check by eating one of the seven super stress-fighting foods listed below every day (to make it easy, we've suggested recipes from Epicurious, The Happiness Diet, and Dr. Ramsey's latest book, Fifty Shades of Kale, cowritten withJennifer Iserloh). If you miss a day or indulge in some highly processed foods, don't beat yourself up; just start fresh tomorrow. After all, this particular challenge is about reducing stress, not creating it!

Stress-Busting Food #1: Mussels

This bivalve tops Dr. Ramsey's list of stress-reducing foods for a number of reasons. Mussels have a good amount of omega-3 fats, as well as vitamin B12, some vitamin D, folate, iron, and iodine, for a whopping 6 out of 12 "essential elements of happiness." Dr. Ramsey says that just being low in B12—not even technically deficient in the vitamin—can lead to irritability, depression, fuzzy-headedness, and changes in sleep. While fortified cereals, cheese, and yogurt offer some B12, just 1 ounce of mussels has more than 100 percent of the daily value for B12! Plus, mussels by their very nature tend to promote a way of eating that's social, mindful, moderate, and relaxing: "You are not going to pick up the phone when you have mussel hands," Dr. Ramsey jokes. "Generally, when you eat mussels you are going to sit with someone, and you are going to enjoy this big pot of mussels, and you are going to eat slowly."
Recipes to try:
• Spicy Steamed Mussels with Garlic Bread
• Cioppino
• Linguine with Butternut Squash, Spinach, and Mussels

Stress-Busting Food #2: Kale

"One thing that stresses the brain and the body is just simply too many calories," Dr. Ramsey explains. So what makes kale one of his favorite superfoods? "Kale wins out because of nutrient density.… With just a few calories you get an amazing number of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients." By making low-cal kale the centerpiece of a meal, not only do you avoid stressing your body out by overeating, you also cut down on the mental stress that comes with feeling guilty about it. Just 1 cup of kale has almost seven times your daily vitamin K requirement, a key nutrient not just for fighting inflammation but also for the production of anxiety-regulating neurotransmitters. Kale is an excellent source of absorbable calcium; too-low levels of calcium can contribute to anxiety and irritability, as well as worsen PMS symptoms for women. The dark, leafy green is also a great source of mood-boosting folate and a host of phytonutrients.
Recipes to try:
• Google's Braised Chicken and Kale
• Scallion Fish with Sesame Kale
• Kale Pesto with Toasted Walnuts

Stress-Busting Food #3: Dark Chocolate

The health benefits of chocolate are well known: For one, it can boost longevity. But Dr. Ramsey points out another benefit: "Dark chocolate is one of the few foods that have ever been shown to acutely improve mood." Yes, there's some empirical evidence to back up all of our anecdotal evidence that eating chocolate makes you feel better: In a limited trial, subjects who were given dark chocolate squares showed improvement in mood and focus. Cacao beans contain naturally stimulating compounds that promote the release of dopamine. And since it's a natural stimulant, dark chocolate in moderation can help boost energy when you're tired or run-down. As a bonus, "switching from other sweets to dark chocolate means you are getting less sugar, more phytonutrients, and more nutrient density." So you heard it here: Doctor's orders are to have some dark chocolate when you need a pick-me-up.
Recipes to try:
• Almond-Cherry Chocolate Bark
• Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies
• Cocoa Delight

Stress-Busting Food #4: Better Meat

First things first: Cut out processed meats (e.g., hot dogs, pepperoni, deli meat) in favor of seafood, fish, and vegetarian sources of protein; and when you eat pork, lamb, beef, and poultry, choose cuts from animals that are raised in sustainable, humane environments. Meat is a great source of many mood-boosting nutrients, notably protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Iron, for example, helps deliver oxygen throughout the body, and helps your brain produce serotonin, dopamine, and other mood-regulating neurotransmitters. There are vegetarian sources of iron (check out lentils, chickpeas, and spinach), but the most readily absorbable type—heme iron—is found in meat, as well as in poultry and fish. "Meat is misunderstood," says Dr. Ramsey. "It is very nutrient-dense, and pasture-raised, grass-fed, and wild animals yield a better mix of fats, fewer calories, and more antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene, plus a good dose of tryptophan, which is the main building block of serotonin."
Recipes to try:
• Perfect Pork Chops
• Grass-Fed Meatballs Marinara
• Beef and Kale Tacos

Stress-Busting Food #5: Farm-Fresh Eggs

Eggs are "one of the few foods that have both folate and vitamin B12, which are two molecules closely linked to having low mood and anxiety," explains Dr. Ramsey. He also notes that eggs are the top dietary source of choline, "one of the few nutrients that are actually linked to lower levels of anxiety." Eggs also provide vitamin D, a nutrient whose deficiency has been linked to mood problems. And try to opt for eggs from free-range chickens. Why? "When you get a real pasture-raised egg where the animal has lived outside while it was making that egg, you get more nutrients," Dr. Ramsey emphasizes. "You get more omega-3 fats, [and] that dark orange yolk means there's more carotenoids in there." Talk about a good egg.
Recipes to try:
• Egg Sandwich with Green Bean Slaw
• Eggs in Purgatory with Artichoke Hearts, Potatoes, and Capers
• Bibimbap at Home

Stress-Busting Food #6: Purple Potatoes

Whether it's French fries, mashed potatoes, or chips, spuds are a popular source of comfort in times of stress. There are various theories as to why carb-rich foods are so comforting, but Dr. Ramsey notes that eating carbs increases tryptophan (the same chemical responsible for that happy, relaxed, post-turkey buzz at Thanksgiving) as well as serotonin synthesis in the brain. So if potatoes are your carbs of choice, choose spuds that are smaller (with a greater ratio of skin to flesh) and more colorful. By choosing small, unpeeled purple potatoes over an Idaho, you get more nutrients, such as folate, phytonutrients, and fiber, without as much starch. "It's about little swaps," Dr. Ramsey says.
Recipes to try:
• Grilled Potato Smash
• Oven-Roasted Fries
• Haricot Vert, Edamame, and Purple-Potato Salad

Stress-Busting Food #7: Anchovies

Wild salmon gets a lot of press when it comes to its mood-elevating omega-3s, but Dr. Ramsey reminds us that there are other fish in the sea. He's particularly partial to anchovies as a great source of both healthy fat and iodine. Iodine is found in large doses in sea creatures and plants (making seaweed a great vegan source), and is essential for healthy thyroid function; an underactive thyroid can cause a myriad of health problems, including low energy and depression. As it turns out, anchovies are also a super-sustainable and affordable choice when it comes to seafood. Dr. Ramsey likes to make a kale Caesar with anchovy dressing and eggs for the ultimate stress-busting meal; follow his lead and use anchovies to amp up the umami in some of your favorite dishes.
Recipes to try:
• Happy Fish Salad Sandwiches
• Tuscan Kale Caesar Slaw
• Pasta with Spicy Anchovy Sauce and Dill Bread Crumbs

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/news/happy-foods-destress-diet-doable-challenges?mbid=synd_cnholiday_food

Tips to Detoxification

People around the world are looking for ways to detoxify their bodies. It's not an easy task if you are unsure what you are meant to do. On a daily basis with breathe in toxins, not to mention what we put into our bodies through eating, which is why a good program is essential to our wellbeing.

Many people notice they need to make a change when they feel bloated all the time or find they have abdominal discomfort on almost a daily basis. Others notice unwelcome liver spots, skin blemishes or they have unexplained weight gain. All of these things are signs that it's time to detoxify.

It's essential to do research before starting any eating plan. Get all the relevant information and then make an informed decision on whether this is the right program for you. There are so many teas and eating plans available to help you detoxify your liver and start feeling better.

The majority of people notice an improvement within a week of following a program step by step. This includes an increase in energy, clearer skin and they don't feel as bloated as they did before they started the healthy diet.

If you think about it you are exposed to toxins throughout the day in the air you breathe and everything you eat. There are even chemicals in the tap water that you drink. Basically in order to feel better, you need to cleanse your body from the inside out and this starts with a good detoxify plan.

You'll notice that almost everything you read regarding detoxification will suggest you eliminate red meat and dairy, these products have lots of chemicals and toxins, which you want to eliminate while you detoxify.

Ensure you drink plenty of water. Try and stick to water which doesn't contain any chemicals or toxins, this means stay away from tap water, which is often brimming with chlorine and other chemicals to make it safe.

Don't eat any fried foods or sugary foods and choose fruit and vegetables instead. Ideally you want to ensure your plate is mostly fruit and vegetables, ideally organic which doesn't contain any pesticides or other unknown chemicals.

In order to help your digestive system, it's advisable to make your meals smaller and split them up. Instead of three regular meals a day, split the amount over six meals, improving your metabolism and helping your body with digestion.

When it comes to planning to detoxify your body, you may want the assistance of a quality natural product. Always ensure any products you choose are one hundred percent natural and don't contain any chemicals or toxins.

There are a wide selection of teas available on the market which you can take daily to assist your body eliminate the unwanted chemicals from your body. When purchasing these products, only purchase from a reputable and reliable company that has a big following and many happy customer reviews.

Some people are under the impression that detoxification is dangerous. But when you complete this by eating healthier, drinking plenty of water and combining a tea to assist your body eliminate the toxins, there are no dangers involved.



http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-to-Detoxification&id=8259154

Eggs Florentine

Nutritious, high-protein brunch option

For some reason spinach and eggs make the most delicious combination. Eggs Florentine is traditionally covered with a double cream or a Mornay sauce. This lighter, lower fat version uses crème fraîche, and as a breakfast dish, is a little easier on the stomach.

Although this dish looks really elegant, it only takes minutes to prepare. Pop it in the oven and sit and read the Sunday paper for 10 minutes while it is cooking. Scoop up the juices with some wholemeal or granary toast. Drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice with it to get the full benefit of the iron from the spinach, as vitamin C really helps your body absorb iron.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Wash the spinach and put it into a saucepan with a knob of butter, a pinch of salt, some pepper and some grated nutmeg. Cover the pan and cook on a medium heat, stirring once or twice, until the spinach is wilted. Drain off any excess water.

3. Put the spinach into two ramekins (small glazed serving bowls), make a well in the center and carefully break an egg into each one.

4. Put a dollop of crème fraîche on top of the egg and then grate over some parmesan.

5. Pop the two ramekins into the oven and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the egg white starts to turn white and looks like it is just cooked. It keeps cooking for some time after it has come out of the oven and if you cook it too much the egg will overcook and go rubbery.

6. Grind some black pepper over the eggs and serve immediately with some hot wholemeal or granary toast.

Ingredients

• 300g fresh, young leaf spinach leaves
• 2 fresh, good quality free-range eggs
• 1 tbs crème fraîche, full or half-fat
• ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• Plenty of black pepper
• Parmesan cheese, grated

Vital Statistics

Serves: 2
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 10-15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Good for: Nutritious, sustaining Sunday brunch, high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals including iron

Calories (kcal): 209.9
Protein (g): 14.3
Carbs (g): 6.3
Fat (g): 14.2
Fiber (g): 3

http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/eggs-florentine/

4 Natural Health Remedies

During the change of the seasons, I don't know why, but people seem to get ill more easily. There's always various colds and bugs going around that people keep catching.

I used to have all sorts of drugs in my medicine cabinet to fix myself up. The usual suspects, paracetamol, lemsip, sudafed, vicks, co-codamol, cold and flu remedies and alike.

We are apparently heading for "flu season".

I used to have the Flu Jab too. That's until I learned how to look after myself, NATURALLY. Less medication has to be better in the long term.

Sure I still take medication from time to time, sometimes it's the only way, but my first instinct now is to reach for my new remedies. I like to look at things as simply as I can.

I believe, to be healthy, we need the same input as plants - food - water - sunlight. The three main ingredients to make us feel alive.

During September and October in the UK the sun moves out of our "range" and we lose many of the benefits it provides via Vitamin D. We will not get any beneficial Vitamin D from the suns rays until after April next year.

When people start to get ill this time of year it's no coincidence...

However, today I'm NOT here to tell you about the pros and cons of vitamin D or anything like that.

But I will share some practical advice on what I'm doing to look after myself, my family and my clients this autumn and winter.

1. Vitamin D. You can have spray or tablets. I take this everyday.

2. Vitamin C. I have this in the cabinet all year round, and if I feel a little tickle in my throat or a sniffle take 2000mg on an empty stomach, twice a day.

3. Honey & Lemon. I use an organic lemon juice in a bottle, but fresh is always best. I have also managed to get my hands on some honey made locally. I take this mix with hot water if I feel anything like a cough or sore throat. I drink one cup every hour where possible.

4. Epsom Salts & Dead Sea Salts. I have recently started using both types of salts and am enjoying having my magnesium and essential salts via a nice hot bath. I have a bath in salts 2-3 times a week for general health.

Of course I do lots of other things, like eat well, stay away from too much junk, exercise and have saunas, but those four tips are what I recommend you do, as explained, to keep yourself from going down with anything serious this autumn and winter (or any time for that matter).

Give them a try and see how you get on.



http://ezinearticles.com/?4-Natural-Health-Remedies&id=8816161

Depression Cured With Self Help

much better outcome is achieved with self-treatment. This may include a strategy to modify our life objectives making them more achievable. Since the brain is affected by our moods, we know that we feel positive when happy, and negative when sad. A reappraisal of our life goals could be considered so that we can feel the positive effect of self achievement even with more modest goals.

We also know that outside influences can effect our attitude. Recent studies have shown that depression can also be triggered by our hormonal system. The neurotransmitters in the brain for example contain chemicals such as Dopamine that gives a sensation of pleasure and alertness. In some people these natural chemicals to maintain well-being can be a low levels.

The most effective way to overcome depression is at two aspects the body and the mind. In being depressed it is possible the body is out of physical condition which in turn can lower our self-esteem. New research shows that within 2-3 weeks of moderate exercise, where the pulse rate is raised to about 100 beats per minute over 20 to 30 minutes, the body produces endorphins. This results in a natural high as a purely natural and physical response to making the body work.

The effect on a person with depression is very encouraging because it results in feeling fitter and in control. Obviously, other problems may still exist, however we can at least begin the turn around ourselves giving us a better chance of success.

This exercise can be jogging, swimming, walking up hills, stairs or other physical activity. There must be some perspiration, so for some people a health check may be required. We are not looking for speed or distance here, it is simply a genuine effort over 5-6 days each week. Normal appetite and sleep patterns should be restored within 2-3 weeks of regular exercise. A sensible diet is also important for well-being, health and weight management.

The second factor is the mind where our life situation may have made us feel inadequate. This can be comparing out life with our partners, friends, family or a succession of events with a unfavourable outcome. We need to believe in ourselves and create achievable goals. Ideally if we are in control of our own success and happiness we do not need be concerned at opinions of others.

With this in mind some self-help and discovery will have a greater and more satisfying result in overcoming depression than burdening friends with our disappointments. We cannot rely on others to understand our feelings and be sympathetic, the solution to a better life is within us.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Depression-Cured-With-Self-Help&id=7916740

The Energy Diet

The best way to eat if you want to banish tiredness is to have a healthy, balanced diet that contains foods from the four main food groups in the right proportions. The four food groups are:

• potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods
• fruit and vegetables
• milk and dairy foods
• meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein

Eat at regular intervals

If you eat at regular times, your body knows when your next meal is coming and learns to manage feelings of hunger and sustain your energy levels. Try to eat three meals a day and limit snacks – especially high-fat ones – between meals.

Breakfast boosts your energy

Breakfast gives you the energy you need to face the day. Despite this, up to one third of us regularly skip breakfast, according to the British Dietetic Association.

Go for healthier options, such as porridge with fruit; vegetable omelette or wholemeal toast with a scraping of low-fat spread or jam.  

If you can’t face eating as soon as you get up, take a high-fibre snack to eat on the run, rather than snacking on high-sugar or high-fat foods.

Here are five healthy breakfasts.

Aim for 5 a day for more vitality

Most people in the UK eat too much fat, sugar and salt, and not enough fruit and vegetables.

Fruit and vegetables are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre, essential nutrients that your body needs in order to work properly. Try to incorporate at least five portions of a variety of fruit and veg into your daily diet. They can be fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced to count.

Read more about how to get your 5 a day.

Slow-burning starches give sustained energy

Starchy foods (also called carbohydrates) such as potatoes, bread, cereals and pasta are an important part of a healthy diet. They’re a good source of energy and the main source of a range of nutrients in our diet.

Starchy foods should make up about a third of everything you eat. But there are different types of starch. Where possible, go for slow-burning whole grain or wholemeal varieties, as they provide energy gradually.

Read more about healthy starchy foods.

Sugar steals your stamina

Adults and children in the UK eat too much sugar. Sugar is not only bad for your teeth, it can also be bad for your waistline. And it gives you a rush of energy, but one that wears off quickly.

Cutting out all sugar is virtually impossible. There are natural sugars in lots of foods, including fruit and veg, and you don’t need to avoid these. But it’s a good idea to cut down on foods with lots of added sugar, such as sweets, cakes, biscuits, non-diet fizzy drinks and chocolates.

Here's advice on cutting out sugar.

Iron-rich foods prevent fatigue

Two out of five (42%) teenagers and one in three (33%) of 19-24 year olds have low iron stores, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Being low on iron can make you feel tired and faint and look pale.

While red meats, green vegetables and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals are good sources of iron, the important thing is to eat a range of foods to get enough iron.

Here's some advice specifically for teen girls on how to get enough iron in the diet.

Soft drinks boost zest levels

Watch your intake of alcohol. It can dehydrate you, which will make you feel tired. Make sure you stay hydrated in general by drinking six to eight glasses of fluid a day, preferably water, milk or fruit juice.

Read more about healthy drinks.

Eat enough to pack a punch

Make sure you eat the right amount for your activity level. The average man needs around 2,500 calories a day, and the average woman needs 2,000 calories. But remember, we all overestimate how active we are.

ww.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/energy-diet.aspxw