The Health Benefits of Winter Squash

Winter Squash is a highly nutritious and alkaline food which rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. Varieties of Winter Squash include Butternut, Acorn, Delicata, Kabocha, Kuri, Buttercup, Spaghetti, Hubbard, Golden Nugget, and Sweet Dumpling. Each one is unique. Have some fun trying the different varieties and finding the ones that you love most.

Winter Squash is easy to digest and is an excellent remedy for acidosis and conditions of the stomach, spleen, liver, and blood. It is wonderfully high in Vitamins A, E, C, B-complex, and beta carotene, iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and potassium which are vital for a healthy and strong immune and nervous system. The carotenoids are especially beneficial for protection against heart disease, breast cancer, and macular degeneration. Winter Squash is also known to help reduce inflammation which is excellent for conditions such as asthma, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Winter Squash is a low in calorie, fat-free food, yet it is rich in nutrients making it an ideal choice for any weight loss or nutritional program.

Winter Squash can be eaten savory with spices such as black pepper, curry powder, or chili pepper, or it can be sweetened with a touch of maple syrup or honey with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg for a delicious treat. It’s creamy and comforting qualities can help satisfy a variety of cravings while still properly nourishing the body and soul. Winter Squash can be steamed, baked, roasted, mashed like potatoes, or blended into a soup. The seeds of winter squash are also edible and can be dried or roasted similarly to pumpkin seeds and are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids such as tryptophan which helps to promote a healthy night’s sleep.

 

The Health Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini is a highly alkaline food that is one of the mildest and easiest vegetables to digest. Zucchini is a great source of vitamin A, C, & B-complex as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, and manganese. It is high in fiber and low in calories which makes it a great weight loss food and helps to reduce constipation and bloating. Zucchini is rich in poly-phenolic antioxidants which are essential in helping to protect the body from aging, illness, and disease.

Zucchini is also a good source of potassium which is an important intra-cellular electrolyte that helps to maintain fluid balance and normalize blood pressure and is vital in helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke. Zucchini contains phytonutrients that are important for prostate health as they can help to reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BOH). They also contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds which can aid asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. Zucchini is also known to be particularly beneficial for hypertension, cataracts, macular degeneration, atherosclerosis, diabetes, edema, multiple sclerosis, and stomach and colon cancers.

Zucchini can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, or sauteed. Raw zucchini can be spiralized or julienned with a peeler to resemble strands of spaghetti and is a healthy substitute for pasta dishes. Zucchini is also wonderful added to salads, soups, wraps, nori rolls, and stir fry. They can be readily found at your local grocery or health food store and seasonally at the farmer’s market.

 

Body Care From Your Kitchen

(NaturalNews – Alex Du Toit) Most body care products that you buy from the store are full of harmful chemicals and toxins that don’t even clean your skin or hair properly. The products that are natural and organic that actually work are expensive. There is a perfect combination of inexpensive ingredients you can find in your kitchen that will give you the cleanest teeth, hair and skin you could imagine.

Ingredients

  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • Coconut Oil
  • Dr. Bronner’s Soap
  • Himalayan Pink Salt
  • Honey
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Sugar

Directions

Step 1: Oil Pulling:

Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and put it in your mouth. If it was hard, it will liquify. Keep it in your mouth for about 20 minutes, gently swirling around in the mouth. When 20 minutes has gone, spit into a trash can or outside; don’t ever spit in a sink or toilet, as it could clog the drains. Oil pulling is excellent for dental hygiene, while protecting the teeth against bacterial rot and improving the digestive system by speeding up the metabolism.

Coconut oil should be a staple at home. It is so incredible for you with its antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It can be used all over the body, a tablespoon for constipation, for cooking, for oil pulling, deep conditioning and more.

Step 2: Conditioning the hair:

Heat oil (olive, jojoba, almond, coconut, etc.) and pour warm oil on the roots and hair. Put hair up. This helps with hair growth and conditions the hair.

Step 3: Cleaning the face:

Spread honey all over the face and let sit for 20 minutes. The honey pulls out the toxins and black heads while tightening the skin.

Step 4: Brushing your teeth:

Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and add 1 teaspoon of Himalayan pink salt. After oil pulling, dip your brush into the tooth powder and brush away. You will have the cleanest and whitest teeth ever. You can also add coconut oil with the baking soda and salt to make a paste. The baking soda and salt help deep-clean the teeth and gums while making the teeth extra white.

Step 5: Mouthwash:

Rinse the mouth with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria in the gums.

Step 6: Cleaning the hair and face:

Head for the shower. When you get in, rinse the honey off of your face. Grab the Dr. Bronner’s soap. Pour some in your hand and scrub into the hair and face.

Step 7: Conditioning the hair:

Take the bottle of apple cider vinegar and fill the capful. Pour capfuls onto the roots of the hair and let it drip down the rest of the hair. Try and get a bit of ACV on the entire head of hair. Then massage some into your face as a toner. Take a drink of the ACV and rinse off the face with water. Apple cider vinegar has incredible benefits for the body inside and out.
(http://www.naturalnews.com)

Step 8: Scrubbing the skin:

Take a handful of sugar and mix with Dr. Bronner’s Soap, then scrub your skin to remove all of the dead skin that rests on the surface. Rinse body completely.

Step 9: Moisturizing the body:

Once you dry off from your shower, take a bit of coconut oil and put a light layer on the skin, face, arms, hands, bottom of feet and anywhere else you want deep skin softening.

Voila! You are extra clean and beautified with products from your kitchen. If you create this as your daily ritual, people in your life will start asking you why you look so good! You can tell that them its from your kitchen.

Sources for this article include:
http://science.naturalnews.com
http://science.naturalnews.com
http://science.naturalnews.com

The Benefits of Astragalus

Astragalus is an essential herb for cold and flu season and is well known to help fight viral & bacteria infections, inflammation, and even cancer. It quickly and effectively strengthens the immune system and increases white blood count which makes it highly beneficial for warding off and reducing the effects of colds, flu, respiratory ailments, herpes, shingles, and immune system disorders.

Astragalus is also excellent at promoting circulation and helping to reduce chest pains, lower high blood pressure, and prevent cardiovascular problems such as arrhythmia and heart disease. Astragalus is great for managing diabetes and helping to lower blood sugar. It is highly beneficial for the liver and kidneys and has been shown to help those suffering from hepatitis, chronic nephritis, jaundice, and renal disease. It can also help to lower stomach acidity which helps those suffering from ulcers and indigestion. It helps to prevent fats from being absorbed from the intestines which promotes healthy waste elimination.

Astragalus has also been found to help boost metabolism and increase energy and endurance levels which ultimately can lead to substantial weight loss. Astragalus works well with conventional treatments and has even shown to be an effective complement to those undergoing chemotherapy and HIV/AIDS treatments. It has long been used as an anti-aging and longevity tonic that enhances all the systems of the body and promotes overall health and balance.

Astragalus is commonly found online or at your local health food store in tincture, extract, capsule, or tea form. The highest quality astragalus extract powder that can be added to tea, smoothies, and soups can also be found online at http://vimergy.com/categories/all-products/astragalus-extract-powder-50g.html

 

The Health Benefits of Asparagus

Asparagus is a fantastic healing vegetable that is high in essential minerals such as selenium, zinc, and manganese which are vital for a strong and healthy immune system. It is also high in vitamins A, K, and B-complex including folate which is a building block for a healthy cardiovascular system and for woman who are trying to conceive.

Asparagus contains aspartic acid which is an amino acid that neutralizes excess amounts of ammonia in the body that is often the cause of exhaustion, headaches, and poor digestion. Asparagus contains significant amounts of healthy fiber and protein which helps to maintain blood sugar levels, prevent constipation, stabilize digestion, and stop the urge to overeat. It also contains a compound called asparagine which is a natural diuretic that breaks up oxalic and uric acid crystals stored in muscles and in the kidneys and eliminates them through the urine. This natural diuretic is helpful in reducing water retention, bloating, and swelling in the body.

Asparagus is also high in glutathione which is an antioxidant powerhouse and particularly beneficial for those suffering with autoimmune conditions, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Asparagus is known to help strengthen the liver, kidneys, skin, ligaments, and bones and it’s chlorophyll content makes it a great blood builder. Asparagus also contains inulin which encourages good bacteria in the gut that boosts nutrient absorption and helps to keep the immune system functioning properly.

Asparagus is a nutrient-packed, delicious vegetable that can be eaten raw or steamed and added to soup, salads, stews, rice, and/or veggie dishes.