Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Strawberry - Not Just A Beautiful Fruit

by: Sharon Hopkins

What’s the first thought that comes to your mind, when you think of strawberry – a mouth-watering dessert of strawberries mixed with fresh cream? To end an interesting evening on sweet note, this is just the right dessert. Strawberries serve more than just fulfilling the sweet tooth. It is packed with hordes of health benefits, making a nutritious fruit for mind and body.

Eat this succulent fruit in its raw form or serve it as jams, syrups, salads, smoothies, wine, juices, and more. Strawberries are full of vitamin C, potassium, sodium and iron as well as being low in calories. Not just delicious, a strawberry is also a great skincare additive, especially due to its mildly astringent properties. Strawberry flesh and juice is recommended mainly for oily skin to improve texture, minimize greasiness and encourage a healthy and more radiant complexion. The ellagic acids in strawberries appear to inhibit the growth of tumors (cancer cells). They are also a good source of salicylic acid that removes dead cells and clean pores.

Strawberry helps in soothing sunburned skin, skin blemishes as well as discolored teeth. An alternative to placing cucumber on the eyes, place a sliced strawberry to reduce the puffiness. They are known to fight heart disease and provide a number of vitamins and minerals that support overall human health. By adding strawberries to your diet, we build a healthy immune system. In addition to various nutrients and minerals, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Packed with immense health benefits, strawberries when added to beauty recipes for skin exude magic… Try out these homemade recipes made with this luscious fruit as main ingredient.

Kiwi Cucumber Strawberry Facial Cleanser - Blend 5 to 6 strawberries, 1 kiwi, peeled and 1/2 cucumber to a smooth paste, not a runny mixture. If the mixture is slightly runny, add bit of oatmeal until the potion is of proper consistency. Apply to your face and neck area with gentle massage to exfoliate the skin. Let the paste settle on your skin for 10 minutes and then rinse well with warm water. Your skin will feel fresh and clean.

Strawberry Facemask - Combine 2 or 3 ripe strawberries with 2 tbsp of finely grounded oats and 1 drop of lemon essential oil to form a paste. Spread the paste on to the face and neck area with fingertips. Relax for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water followed by a toner and moisturizer. The pieces of strawberry seeds aid in the skin treatment process.

Antioxidant mask with Strawberry and Papaya starring - ½ papaya, 4 strawberries, 1 tbsp rolled oats, 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp fresh lemon juice. Grind the oats, blend papayas and strawberries until smooth and warm honey until it is flowing freely. Combine and mix well all the ingredients. Apply this mixture on the face and let it remain for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water followed with moisturizer.

For beautiful and radiant skin – mash 1 or 2 strawberries mixing it with water to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste on your face, neck overnight. Rinse it in the morning.

Face Lifting Face Pack - 3 to 4 strawberries, 5-6 grapes, 1/2 pear, 1/2 apple and 1 ounce of orange juice. Before putting this paste on apply a coat of honey which is later on covered with this fruit mixture. Leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse it with lukewarm water. For the final rinse use vinegar to give your face, a perfect lift.

Strawberry Mask – 4 to 5 strawberries, 1 tbsp. milk and 1 tbsp. cornstarch. Mix all the three ingredients to make a paste to be applied on your face for 20 minutes. Rinse it first with warm water, then cold water. You can better this pack by using a mild astringent and then use a light moisturizer. You can use this pack for week.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

About The Author

Sharon Hopkins is webmaster for sites like http://www.hair-n-skin-care.com. The site provides you information on hair and skin care and its related issues. Strawberries are packed with various vitamins, minerals and nutrients that work wonderfully for skin and hair care.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Healthy Fruit Smoothie Recipes

Healthy Fruit Smoothie Recipes - Update

As mentioned previously the healthy-smoothie.com website will be launching soon. I would be grateful for your input of what you would like to see on the site. The Website will include Healthy fruit smoothie recipes as well as many other things such as, diet tips, fitness tips, Benefits, Taking care of your mind, body.

All suggestions are welcome. Have a "smoothie" day :)

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Mango Smoothie

Paradise in a glass. Make it with a firm, ripe banana for best flavor.
Servings: 2 cups or 1 serving Prep Time: 10 minutes

1/2 cup pineapple juice,
chilled 1 cup diced mango
1 banana sliced
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice,
1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger,
3 ice cubes

In blender, combine pineapple juice, mango, banana, lime juice, ginger, and ice and blend until mixture is smooth. Pour into 1 tall glass.Based on individual serving.


Calories:
289 Total Fat: 1 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 6 mg Carbohydrates: 74 g Protein: 3 g

Recipe Source from Goodhouse Keeping Blend it!

PHOTO CREDIT: Theresa Raffetto Tropical Mango Smoothie

Friday, March 31, 2006

How to BOOST your energy

How To BOOST Your Energy
by Grace Rattue

Do you constantly feel lethargic? Are you dependent on a strong cup of coffee to get you going in the morning? If this sounds like you, It is very likely that your energy is low and low energy is often an indication that your general health is suffering.

Here are some simple yet effective ways to boost your energy simply by changing a few things in your daily routine.

Get Juicing
Raw juices cleanse the body by help shifting unwanted toxins. This in turn will give your more energy. Drinking a raw vegetable smoothie everyday will soon help increase those energy levels.

Protein Booster
Proteins such as fish and chicken are full of iron (which increases the production of red blood cells) as well as containing Vitamin B which is required for the production of energy.

Eat Little and Often
Experts recommend eating small meals often rather then eating large meals in one sitting as this can leave you feeling drained and tired.

Get Exercising
You don't need to spend hours sweating away in the gym to increase your energy levels, even a daily walk will increase your energy. Exercise triggers the release of natural chemicals in the brain known
as endorphins which produce a "natural high" feeling felt threw physical activity.

Bananas
Throw out the chocolate and grab a banana they are a far better source of energy then chocolate. Bananas release natural sugar slow and gives you a long lasting energy boost whereas chocolate gives you a fast instant high followed by a dramatic drop in energy.

Healthy Smoothies

Healthy Smoothies are a great way to start the day, Have a fruit smoothie for breakfast or with it. Smoothies can offer us a lot more then just great taste. As doctors recommend 5 portions of fruit and veg a day one smoothie can contain nearly all of that or most of that from one tasty drink.
We all know we should eat healthy and exercise regular and even if your not ready to embark on the hole health/fitness journey, smoothies offer a great way to start adding some of those recommended fruit portions to your diet each day.

Strawberry Banana smoothies are an excellent choice. Bananas release natural sugar slow and gives you a long lasting energy boost whereas chocolate gives you a fast instant high followed by a dramatic drop in energy.

Give your kids healthy smoothies instead of soda the great taste will have them asking for more. If your feeling like you want to snack make a smoothie instead, its far healthier then grabbing for chocolate or processed foods and will keep you feeling fuller and statisfied longer.
Little changes soon add up and by eating more of the right things and less of the bad you will soon notice a difference in your mood, and energy.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

FOOD SWAP!

Box of 10 chocolates 755 Calories, 41g Fat

Although they may taste so yummy just 10 little pieces of chocolate with creamy fillings adds up to a whopping amount of calories and fat!

Instead reach for Mashmallows! 165calories, 0g Fat


What? I hear you say...well compared to 10 peices of chocolate 10 marshmallows area great swap. They contain NO FAT! but will satisfy your sweet tooth

Hoodia Gordonii Helps You Lose Weight

Hoodia supplements were just introduced to the U.S. market in early 2004.Here are some key points about hoodia that you need to know:

Hoodia gordonii looks like a cactus, but it's actually a succulent from the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Bushmen from the area have been using hoodia for centuries to help ward off hunger during long trips in the desert.

Hoodia gordonii is entirely natural -- it is not a drug. Pharmaceutical companies find it so promising, however, that they are trying to isolate the appetite-suppressing molecule, P57, to create a patented diet drug in the future.

Only the gordonii variation of hoodia has appetite suppressant abilities. Hoodia tricks the brain into thinking you've eaten, and makes you feel full. Hoodia may work right away, or may take several weeks.
Key results of hoodia reported include a reduced interest in food, delay in the time after eating before hunger sets in again, feeling full more quickly, and a general feeling of well-being Hoodia gordonii is not a stimulant, and has no known side effects.
Hoodia appears to be safe for most people.

Source - http://www.hoodiagordoniiplus.com/articles/hoodia-helps-you-lose-weight.php

Sunday, March 26, 2006

How much is a lb?

Ok so you may want to lose a couple of lbs, but how much really is 1lb? Studies have show that 1lb of fat is roughly 3,500 Calories, So in order to lose 1lb of fat you need to either eat 500 calories less a day...This can be by switching from Mayo to Mayo light or replacing your full sugar soda for sugar free, These simple little changes can easily take off 500 calories a day from your diet. If however you simply cannot cut back on any of your calories, try doing some exercise or take the dogs out for a longer walk. Or combine both and you'll defiantly burn off more calories.
So to recap 500 caloies less a day = 3500 a week = 1lb of fat do these changes which you wont hardly notice for 1 year and you'll lose 52lbs!

Strawberry Banana smoothie

What's there not to like? Two of our fav fruits combined into a tasty smoothie!

Ingredients:
1 cup strawberry nectar or apple juice
1 cup milk
1 frozen banana
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup strawberry yogurt

Method:
Place all Ingredients in blender, blend for 30 seconds, serve and sit back and enjoy...Simple...:)

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Pina Coladas

Ahhhh yes an all time winner! Grab the mini umbrellas and lets make some non - alcoholic pina coladas!

Ingredients:

5 Tbs. Coconut milk
2 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 frozen banana (chunks)
1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple chunks

Method :
Place all ingredients in blender and blend for 30 seconds. Pop in an mini umbrella and hey presto!
Serves 3-5

Friday, February 17, 2006

Fast Morning Detox

Drink hot water and lemon in the morning for a quick detox!

FOOD SWAP!

Glass of home-made mulled wine 245 Calories

It may be nice and comforting, the pounds will be piling on!

SWAP IT FOR

Single Gin and Tonic 53 Calories

This is a huge calorie saving, Not only does it taste great it will give you a great kick for only 53cals!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

The 30second Smoothie

Time not on your side? Try this simple smoothie

What you need:
1 cup Nofat Yogurt
1 cup Orange Juice
Ice cubes (as many as you desire!)

Method:
Simply put all ingredients in blender and whip till frothy! Simple as.. :)

Welcome



Welcome to the Healthy smoothie blog!

My new website
www.healthy-smoothie.com is about to launch soon. This Blog will be updated with recipe's for healthy smoothes, Benefits about smoothies, smoothie diets and much more. The website which is due to launch in around two weeks, will have 100s of recipes, Tips, Healthy eating snacks and plenty more. I Hope you enjoy this blog and find some nice recipes and find the information useful. Please feel free to post comments as to what you would like to see on the website.

Go grab your blender and lets make smoothies!!!!