Best Food for the Brain

It is true that as people mature, the physical body also ages. But some scientific studies show that people can actually increase the chances of maintaining optimal brain health, even in old age.

This is done by adding the best brain food possible to our diet.  First on the  list of excellent brain food is blueberries.

Blueberries protect the brain from oxidizing, which usually develops due to stress and conditions associated with aging.

This fruit is a good source for preventive measures for the development of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurological disorders.  They can also provide increased learning and understanding because of the motor neurons enrichment.  Wild salmon is considered among the best brain foods.

In fact, not only wild salmon, but most of the fish from cold, deep waters is considered great brain food. Cold-water fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain function. Salmon is especially preferred for its availability and cleanliness.

Other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are sardines and herring. The recommended amount of salmon to supply the brain is four ounces two to three times per week.  In addition, nuts and seeds are food for thought because of its content, vitamin E. Vitamin E improves the cognitive level of the brain.

Example of nuts and seeds that are known to be good sources of vitamin E are almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and more. If it is advised that you maintain a low salt diet, it is important to stay away from nuts that are salted or roasted.

Avocados are also considered food for the mind and is almost as good as blueberries for improvement of brain health. Although avocado is known as a food high in fat, it actually contains unsaturated fats, which add up to a healthy blood flow, which greatly affects the brain’s health, because of the increased supply of oxygen. Avocados are high in calories, but so it is recommended to be ingested in small amounts as a side dish.


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Jack LaLanne JLPJB Power Juicer Juicing Machine

The original juicing machine! This powerful, electric home juicer is one of the classic "As Seen On TV" products -- and is used and endorsed by the legendary fitness guru Jack LaLanne. Featuring patented juice extraction technology, an extra-large feeder tube, a whisper-quiet 3,600 RPM motor and a surgical quality stainless steel blade, this commercial quality unit is up to any juicing task. When through juicing, the unit is easy to clean for the next use. Comes with recipe/instruction booklet.
Price: $119.99

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Is Protein Powder Safe to Use as a Supplement?

Athletes are often nervous about trying something like a protein supplement for the first time. Most of this is due to all the negative publicity that professional athletes have brought to illegal and harmful substances to try to gain an edge in their sport. Supplements like whey protein powder don’t have any known side effects that could cause you harm. Pretty much the worst thing that could happen is you could gain unwanted weight, but this would just be due to error in your consumption.

If you are exercising enough to warrant a protein supplement, then weight gain should not be a serious concern for you. The potential weight addition is simply caused by eating more calories than you burn each day. If you’re on a bodybuilder or distance runner’s training schedule, then this is almost impossible. However, if you’re just a regular guy who goes to the gym twice a week, then it could definitely affect you.

Other than weight gain, there is the potential that you could eat far too much protein. Most Americans in today’s society eat nearly double the amount of protein that they need each and every day. If you add protein on top of that already incorrect diet, then you could be eating more than your body can safely process and digest. Some side effects of eating too much protein include kidney problems, diarrhea, stomach cramping. To avoid this, you simply need to take stock of your current diet before adding any kind of supplement to it.

Even the best protein powder mixed in with the healthiest fruits in a smoothie can cause these problems. As long as you are an athlete in training you probably don’t have to worry about either one, but a sedentary person who is looking for some magic supplement to help them look better probably won’t be impressed by the results they get from taking extra protein in their diet.



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Breville BJE510XL Ikon 900-Watt Variable-Speed Juice Extractor

Breville Ikon Multi-Speed Juice Fountain is 900 watts. It has a 5 speed high speed motor that features a built-in electronic smart chip that increases power to the cutting disc under heavy loads. As a result, the filter extracts more juice and can make an 8 ounce glass in just 5 seconds. The 3" feed tube allows for the easy and efficient processing of whole fruits and vegetables, without pre-cutting, slicing or peeling. It is uniquely positioned directly over the center of the cutting disc for better balance and consistent results. The 5 speed settings make the Ikon Juice Fountain the most versatile juice extractor available. The lower speeds are for softer fruits and leafy green vegetables. The higher speeds maximize extraction from dense foods such as apples and carrots.
Price: $249.99

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How to Lose Weight with these Juicing Recipes

One way to lose weight yet still maintain the needed nutrition in the body is to eat many fruits. These are especially rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which helps the body to boost its system even in the midst of shedding pounds. However, not all people love eating fruits. But then again, one could still have these much needed nutrients through fruit juices.

Fruit juice recipes, are able to provide all the nutrients from fruits as if they are eaten in raw. In fact, it is easier to digest fruit juices because the tough fibers from the fruits are broken down, releasing the many antioxidant properties of the fruit. Even though in this process, we sacrifice the potent fibers within the fruit. Instead, we achieve higher amounts of nutrients.

It is good to know that the many colors of each fruit indicate the type of antioxidants they contain. Antioxidants actually create the particular plant hues. It is a great idea then, to eat a large variety of fruits with different colors, therfore providing ourselves with many types of antioxidants. This has many benefits, and will surely show within one’s diet.

The antioxidants within red fruits is called lycopene. This is one of the better studied antioxidants which is said to prevent many risks of cancer, particularly prostate cancer in men. Lycopene antioxidants congregate within the prostate glands in order to protect it from any oxidative damage that may result in cancer.

The blue and purple colored fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, acai berries and plums are a great source of anthocyanins. This type of antioxidant is able to create different pigments of blue an purple hues, depending on its concentrations and PH levels. Anthocyanins keep one’s arteries strong and elastic, giving them much strength to ward off heart disease. This is also great for preventing high blood pressure as well as risks of cancer.

The yellow-hued fruits are rich in hydroxyl carotenoid. This antioxidant is the cause of the yellow color in the lemons and varieties of plums. Like all other antioxidants, this helps one prevent cancer risks and other diseases.

The orange colored fruit which includes oranges and honeydew melons contain much beta carotene. The beta carotene antioxidant is potent for preventing heart disorders. It is studied that an elderl person who takes at least a portion of beta carotene rich foods per day are half as likely to suffer a heart attack.

Be sure to check out TweakFit fitness blog to learn how to lose weight with more useful weight loss tips.


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Samson Ultra Electric Twin Gear Wheatgrass Juicer - Perfect Juice Machine for Juicing Fruits, Vegetables, Wheat Grass, Barley Grass & More.

Juices Vegetables, Fruits, Wheatgrass and Barleygrass. Does Soy Beans and Tofu, Pasta and Noodles, and Fruit Sorbet.



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Health Guide to the Aloe Vera Plant, Aloe Vera Gel & Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera or aloe is one of about 200 species and hybrids of perennial succulent plants that belong to the lily family, Liliaceous. They are commonly used as landscape plants in dry and frost-free areas and as sometimes cultivated as houseplants.

History of Aloe Vera
Most botanists agree to the historical evidences that the Aloe vera plant originated in the warm and dry climates of Africa. This plant has been in the records of early civilizations – from Persia and Egypt in the

Middle East, Greece and Italy in Europe, to India and African continents. The plant is also very popular in Asia and the Pacific, and is present in the folklore of the Japanese, the Philippines and the Hawaiians. Aloe

vera is also included in the history of medicine and medical thought. It was recorded that the Greek physician Dioscorides used it. Aloe vera was also used by the Spanish during their years of colonization and carried it
with them to their conquests in South America and the Caribbean.

In Egypt, the plant was used as a burial gift to dead pharaohs as is depicted on their drawings and illustrations. The Papyrus ebers, an Egyptian document which was written B.C.E 1550, is probably the first document that detailed the discussion of Aloe Vera’s medicinal value. The document contains 12 formulas for mixing aloe with other agents to treat both internal and external human disorders.

It was Dioscorides who gave the first detailed description of the plant we call Aloe Vera and attributed to its juices “the power of binding, of inducing sleep.” He also said that it “loosens the belly, cleansing the stomach.”

 He also added that this “bitter” aloe (the sap) was a treatment for boils; that it eased hemorrhoids; aided in healing bruising; that it was good for the tonsils, the gums and all general mouth irritations, and it worked as a medicine for the eyes. Also, he observed that the whole leaf is pulverized; it could stop the bleeding of many wounds.

Plant Description
The most common aloe vera that you see in landscapes and households is characterized with fleshy, stiff and spiny leaves around the edges and are often crowded together in a rosette. Their flowers are usually reddish, produced on snowy spikes that may extend 6 m (20 ft) above the ground. There are also species of aloe vera that produce yellow, orange, or whitish-green flowers. Aloe vera is also known as aloe barbadensis.
The word aloe vera comes from the Arabic word aloe, which means plant, vera, which means true or genuine.


Aloe Vera Barbadensis

This is the species of aloe known for its medicinal properties. It looks like a small agave plant, and when adult grows to about 60-70 cm. Small plants often have white dotted marks on the leaf, but will eventually disappear as the plant grows, making it give a shade of light to dark green in color. It is actually a succulent plant that has a fibrous root system producing long, tapering, stem less leaves.

Aloe vera plant may be grown from seed. It thrives in well-drained sunny locations, and prefers rough, gritty medium. It can also be grown in pots and needs little amount of water. When you want to grow them indoors, the offshoots of the plant can be removed and replanted in another pot.

Aloe vera is proven to be of great help in households. When this plant is present in your garden, you may cut the leaves, peel off the green skin and use the transparent aloe vera gel to aid burn skins, irritated skin and scalps.

In most Asian countries such as the Philippines, this plant is popular with the mothers as they apply it
to the hairs of their daughters along with coconut oil to prevent dandruff and lice infection of the hair. Another one of the many aloe vera uses is in removing lice eggs, when applied it makes the lice eggs easily slide off the hair.

Aloe vera gel and juices are extracted from the plant itself and is also known to aid various ailments. Its antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties make it a popular ingredient for making lotions; moisturizers and other skin care products. Aloe vera juice is also used as a laxative and is known to aid in weight loss while aloe vera gel benefits skin irritations, dry skin and other skin problems.

Other Names for Aloe Vera
In India, aloe vera is known as Korphad; in states of Rajasthan and Gujarat it is called as GwarPatha, and in Tamilnadu it is known as Katralai. In Pakistan, the aloe vera plant is known as Quargandal and is used in Unani (Greek-Islamic) medicine. In South America, it is known as Sabila, in Indonesia it is called Lidah Buaya and in Thailand, it is known as Crocodile Tail plant.

Aloe vera is widely distributed in the different continents, and for most people it is of great help when it comes to healing and first aid medicine applications.


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Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus 850-Watt Juicing Machine

Drink to your health. Get into the world of juicing with this no-nonsense dual-speed juice fountain. The Dual speed motor allows you to juice hard fruits and vegetables such as apples and beets on high speed by spinning the filter at 12,000 RPM. Low speed is optimal for softer fruits and leafy green vegetables such as cantaloupe and spinach. The Juice Fountain Plus cutting disc is so powerful that pineapple can be juiced in large chunks with the rind on. This updated model includes an improved 1 liter juice jug with froth separator and an overload protection LED to protect the motor.Easy, lightning-quick operation and simple clean-up. Healthier living starts here.
Price: $199.99

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Juicer Reviews – An Overview of Jack Lalanne Juicers and Power Juicers

Using one of the Jack Lalanne juicers or Jack Lalanne power juicers has many health benefits. If you have ever had a sleepless night, you have probably seen at least one infomercial featuring the healthy and energetic 95 year old Jack Lalanne. His outstanding good health and longevity are not only an inspiration, but is also proof that his line of juicers really does provide the health benefits that he claims.

Jack Lalanne's JLSS Power Juicer Deluxe Stainless-Steel Electric Juicer

The classic Jack Lalanne juicers are a nice quiet and sturdy line of juicers. This juicer claims that it can extract as much as 30% more juice than any other juicer and, given the impressive amount of juice that is produced, it is a believable claim. The classic juicer also features a nice large chute so that a lot of the produce you want to juice will fit in whole making this juicer a real time-saver. There is also a pulp collector attached to the back of this juice extractor. It will allow you to capture all of the pulp and then use it in another recipe later.

Jack Lalanne PJP Power Juicer Pro Stainless-Steel Electric Juicer

On the other end of the Jack Lalanne line of juicers are the Jack Lalanne power juicers, or more specifically, the Power Juicer Deluxe. The power juicer deluxe features an innovative stainless steel design that is resistant to staining. The non-drip spout is really non-drip, unlike others that claim to be non-drip and then drip anyhow. It also features the whisper quiet motor that is associated with this line of juicers as well as a pulp catcher with a nice large capacity. This juicer has a fine mesh screen that is able to remove more pulp than other older models.

Jack LaLanne JLPJB Power Juicer Juicing Machine

If you are new to juicing, do not waste your time or money purchasing a cheaper juicer just to save a few dollars. If you do, you will likely get frustrated with it and not use it, thereby missing the benefits of juicing in the first place. The Jack Lalanne power juicer also includes a recipe booklet so that you can make tasty juices, even if you have never used a juicer before.


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Omega J8004 Nutrition Center Commercial Masticating Juicer, White

Omega's 8004 Nutrition Center has an exclusive "dual stage" masticating extraction method. It has a low rotation speed of 80 RPM's and continuous juicing with automatic pulp ejection. High juice yield with very dry pulp and with less foaming than other double gear juicers. This unit is engineered for quiet operation and long life and with heavy duty commercial construction.
Price: $340.00

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Fat Burning Foods to Kick-Start Your Day Right

Worried about not losing weight? You can still follow your doctor’s advice even without going through intense workouts and irrational fasting just to lose some pounds. Fat burning foods are just around the corner to keep those bad cholesterols away from your body’s healthy circulation. These sources of food are oatmeal, beans and eggs.

Start your morning with a bowl full of oatmeal to keep you going all throughout the day. Oatmeal is the perfect source of soluble fiber that will help you release bad cholesterol inside your system. This food is somewhat tasteless. Therefore, you must think of a tasty yet healthy substitute for sugar and butter. Most health experts say that the ideal alternative to put in your oatmeal mixture in place of sugar and butter would be fruits and honey. Most people dig into this suggestion because it is really tasty.

Next on the fat burning foods list would be the miraculous beans. In spite of their small physique, these beans can still give you enough iron, protein and fiber you need for your daily requirements. To cook your bean recipe, concentrate on mastering the art of boiling and steaming. Avoid frying and baking because these methods require a certain amount of oil that can interfere with your goal.

Third spot goes to eggs. You may find various articles talking about how bad these eggs are for your body, but those write-ups are off beam and must be rewritten by the author. It’s not the whole egg itself that’s bad. The only portion that should be removed is the yolk.

Casein, the white part of the egg, is packed with B12 – a vitamin that can break down fat cells.  All these fat burning tips will make your breakfast special with every bite. So, enjoy the benefits of oatmeal, beans and eggs and live a fat-free life.

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Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain

The Breville Juice Fountain Compact has a patented 3 inch centered feed tube which juices whole fruit without cutting. The easy clean central pulp container juices 1.5 quarts before it needs to be emptied. With a 750 watt motor it has a heavy duty performance. It also has a unique Cyclonic Juicing System which operates at 14,000 RPM to maximize extraction.


Price: $130.00

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Body Cleanse for Better Health

The body is bombarded with toxins that are found in the air, water, and food that are taken into your body every day. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications also stress the body and build up toxic metabolites over time.

With all these toxins present, the body cannot process and eliminate all the waste. It is forced to prioritize what toxins it can effectively eliminate and which must be stored. Wastes that are not eliminated accumulate in the body and are stored in fat.

This becomes twice as big a problem when you consider that fat can accumulate over time as well. Most modern people are at least a little overweight, and most are continuously getting larger. That means that the fat which toxins have been stored in is never re-accessed and eliminated — which, as you may have guessed, means that the toxins just continue to accumulate.

Many people have done everything from dieting, exercising, and even taking diet pills in an attempt to lose excess fat. Quick weight loss programs are available for those people who wants to shed off a few pounds fast, but do they really work? Many people are able to lose a small amount of weight in the short term, only to find themselves back on the fast track to morbid obesity just a few short months later.

The best way to eliminate excess fat and the toxins stored therein is through body cleansing. A proper body cleanse can give your skin a healthy glow that lets you know that you have eliminated the wastes that were previously taxing your body’s ability to function.

Cleansing is your body’s natural way of eliminating toxins from the body. One way you can bring about
cleansing in your body is to choose the right food that can aid the body’s natural processes, such as ginger, cayenne, citrus, and green tea.

Another way is by taking fiber supplements that contains herbs that will help in eliminating waste in your body. Unprocessed fruits and vegetables, along with clean, pure protein, can help your body to restore its own natural balance. Avoid junk foods and processed foods altogether.

Be health conscious and hear what your body is telling you. It will be too late if you keep on discarding what your body is telling you. Lead a healthy life by eating the right food for you and help your body eliminate the excess waste that causes continual damage to your system.
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Green Power Juicer - Model KPE 1304 (High Grade) - 10 Yr. Warranty

The Green Power KP-E 1304 Twin Gear Juicer provides a great way to improve your diet and nutrition, by allowing you to make your own fresh juices, right at home. With patented twin gear and new bio-ceramic and magnetic technology, it naturally prolongs the storage time and freshness by ionizing your juice.

Rather than juicing two, sometimes three times per day like other conventional juicers, you can prepare your juice once in the morning and store it for up to 72 hours! The Green Powers unique horizontal twin gears are so versatile allowing you to juice leafy greens and herbs, fibrous plants and grasses, and tough, stringy vegetables and even sprouts.

 Fruits and vegetables are thoroughly crushed, rather than cut or shred into small pieces, as other juicers do. Other older twin gear juicers are notorious for frequently clogging when juicing fruits like strawberries, kiwis, or watermelon. With the Green Power Juicer, you dont have to worry. It will juice continuously, without clogging.

With a large feeding shoot and superior cutting gears, it's the right choice for those who want less preparation and easy feeding. Using the multi-purpose kit, a variety of pastas can be made. Multi-purpose functions also include grinding coffee, grains, seeds and nuts.

The Green Power Juicer is designed for life. If an unusually hard substance accidentally enters the gears, the reverse rotation override immediately stops the motor before any damage occurs. Additionally, Green Power's precision balanced ¼ horsepower 160RPM motor generates very little noise or vibration compared to other juicers. We are confident that your Green Power Juicer will bring you a lifetime of trouble free, noise free, enjoyable juicing.

Kitchens Best feels so strongly about making sure that you have the best shopping experience possible. Thats why we want to make sure that you can purchase hassle free with our 90 day unconditional guarantee! Unbeatable customer service and support is our priority.



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The Wonders of Green Tea: A Weight Loss Tip

Have you been looking around different stores, searching online, or asking friends and family for an effective weight loss oral regimen since you barely have time to work out? Definitely, you’ll come across suggestions such as slimming pills or the lemon juice diet. While these substances have apparent effectual results, they, according to health nutritionists, are health hazards.

So why risk your health when, in fact, you can take in a healthy drink with promising weight loss benefits. Today, you will learn about the advantages of drinking green tea for weight loss. So, read along and discover the wonders of green tea and how it can help you get ripped in 90 days.

Green tea is an organic drink that has exceptional taste sensations and health benefits. The usual tastes of green tea are astringent, bitter, and full-bodied in flavor, but once you get to know the various health benefits the tea offers, you’ll be more accustomed with the flavor and focus more on the advantages you can get in the long run.

Green tea has an array of components that all guarantees benefits to human health. The components are the following: catechins, caffeine, theanine, vitamins C, vitamin B2, vitamin E, folic acid, ß-carotene, saponins, fluorine, aminobutyric acid, minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese, and chlorophyll.

In summary, these components have the following effects, decreases blood cholesterol, reduces body fat, cancer prevention effect, antioxidant, increases alertness, antibacterial and anti-hyperglycemic effect, inhibits high blood pressure, maintenance of healthy skin, mucus membrane, and nighttime vision, and deodorizing effect. See how vigorously compact the components are.

Mentioned earlier is the body fat reduction effect of the components of green tea. Well, studies show consuming three to five of green tea every day, which is optimal, helps the body to lose weight. How? Again, studies show and experts claim that green tea boosts the body’s metabolism.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that green tea extract increases energy expenditure intensifies levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body burns calories called thermogenesis.
Also, green tea reduces fat absorption and assists glucose regulation, slowing the increase in blood sugar and this is how green tea and weight loss are such a great pair.

Another factor, which was discovered by University of Chicago scientists through their rat experimentation, is that green tea may cause appetite reduction.  Through the catechin polyphenols component in green tea, the tea stimulates the consummation of fatty acids by the liver and muscle cells, reduces the use of carbohydrates thus allowing longer endurance in exercising.

When a person has endurance in exercising, he or she may have more chances of burning calories and build muscles, and eventually lose weight.  So, drink green tea today.

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The Raw Food Diet Blueprint

While a lot of people are motivated by the desire for weight loss, the most important aspect of a raw food diet is health - either restoring it or maintaining it. For those who need to get healthy or healthier, (and who doesn't need to do that?) the first step is detoxifying.

Detox leads to weight loss and better health.  Raw organically grown fruits and vegetables are the
super-foods that make the super juices, that facilitate detox and healing. Green juices, in particular get amazing results.

One of the most effective green juices consists of a combination of wheat-grass, spinach, cilantro, celery, parsley, and carrot juices. Wheat-grass juice in particular is a powerful detoxifier and health builder. People who have suffered for years with diseases like type II diabetes, cancers, high blood pressure, and the like, have experienced rapid improvement and total healing using raw food super juices.

Individual health concerns determine the motivation and provide the determination to make the necessary lifestyle and habit changes that effect healing and a lifetime of good health. Will you miss the steak and fries? Maybe.

Although, once you experience robust health, you may never look back. Will you be stuck with cold food the rest of your life? Only if you decide to be. The truth is, warm food can still be raw food - as long as it doesn't get hotter than 106 (enzymes are neutralized at 106 degrees. Vitamins and minerals at 115 degrees).

Just in case you're thinking a raw food diet will be boring, how does this sound? Guacamole, pesto, salsa, ice cream and sorbet, chocolate cake, raw cheese, vegan nut cheese, granola, soups, etc. There is a raw alternative for nearly all your favorite treats. And what could be easier than NOT having to cook or bake, not to mention the savings on your monthly utility bills.

Most people going raw won't relish the notion of eating raw meat for their protein source, although some do this quite successfully. A raw food vegan diet can still supply adequate protein from nuts, sprouted seeds and grains, and green leafy vegetables.

Can you say wheatgrass juice? Where do you think cows get their protein? And they're 600 - 800 pound animals that give birth to 30 or 40 pound babies - all on grass.  Weight loss is almost guaranteed on a raw food diet. The food is high in water content, fiber and nutrition. That means you won't be as hungry as often. Raw food also alkalizes the body pH, making weight loss much easier.

Speaking of pH, did you ever wonder why drinking diet soda never seems to help with weight loss? For one, it acidifies your body pH, preventing weight loss and causing tissue corrosion or oxidation. Some sodas have a pH as low as 2. Battery acid has a pH of 1.  So, how about a nice tall glass of raw carrot juice instead?




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Waring Juicing Center, Quite White/Stainless

All the juicing capabilities that Waring has to offer - in one package. With Waring's premium Juice Extractor, turning fruits and vegetables into delicious and nutritious pulp-free juices is quick and easy. Put on the Citrus Juicer Attachment, and you can make refreshing fresh-squeezed orange juice or lemonade, too. Interchangeable parts are commercial quality stainles steel and impact-resistant plactic. With its powerful induction motor and citrus juicer attachment, this is the most versatile juice maker on the market.


Price: $365.99

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Why You Should Buy Mangosteen Juice

If you looking for something new in you diet that is highly beneficial then I want to tell you why you should buy mangosteen juice.

 Have you ever been in a situation where you say something and people who haven’t heard what you are talking about try to correct you? The mangosteen is one of them!

Since I started drinking mangosteen juice I have mentioned it to a number of people and nearly every time they have said, “Don’t you mean mango?”. I have never seen a mangosteen in the shops where live but I have seen some when I have been on holiday.

 It is one of those fruits that is extremely fussy about where it grows.  Originating in East Asia in countries like Thailand it was very difficult for people to get, however, there are now some other countries like Puerto Rico, Malaysia and Hawaii that have managed to grow them successfully.

In case you haven’t seen a mangosteen then they are about the same size as an apple with a skin that is about two centimeterss thick. when you break through the purple exterior then you get a white fruit that looks very similar to an orange.

The flavour that comes from the fruit itself is to die for and the flavour that comes from the skin will make you want to die! Okay, I exaggerate, but it is an extremely tasty fruit. The reason the skin tastes so vile is because it is full of tannins and other chemicals that helps to keep out insects.

Now for the bad news. All the best nutrients from the mangosteen fruit comes from the skin but when you buy mangosteen juice you will often find that there are other fruits mixed in with it to take the taste away. This juice can be expensive if you do not live near a country that can grow the fruit but the health benefits make it worth the money.

At the Food and Drink site I discuss the benefits of mangosteen juice and give a number of reasons to buy it but to give you an idea about how good this is, doctors used to prescribe it as alternative medicine. They believe that it can help to cure allergies and that it offers a lot of xanthones that are very good for you. Xanthones are so abundant in mangosteen that it is the best source you can find for them.
So head over to the site to learn more about the benefits then go and treat yourself.


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Juice Detox

Drinking fresh juice that has been separated from the plant fibers is one simple way to detoxify your body. This makes the nutrients easier to absorb by your body and allows your digestive tract to rest. Why does the digestive tract need to rest? Think back to the last week or month. How many times have you fed our body fast food, ice cream, chips, or heavy meals?  When you overload your system with these types of meals, some of the food that the body can’t digest gets stored away and eventually becomes toxic.  Just as you need a break from your work week, so does your colon need a break from its heavy work load!
Your body can detoxify itself if you give it a rest.
A juice detox can be as simple as replacing one meal a day with healthy fruit and vegetable juice. Or you may want to detoxify by drinking only juice for one day each week.  Personally, I like to replace my morning meal with juice because that’s the time of day when I’m most positive and am in the right frame of mind to think healthy thoughts!
Tip: Don’t make it too complicated.  Use fresh vegetables and fruits that you have already in your refrigerator.  You can start with a fruit like apples, add some carrots or cucumbers, then add some celery, spinach or other leafy greens.

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The Benefits of Juicing Fruits and Veggies

The origins of juicing for health purposes can be traced back to Ayurvedic practices in ancient India which means juicing is a nearly 5000 year old tradition. Throughout the years people have discovered that the juice of specific fruits and vegetables can help improve body functions and eliminate symptoms of disease, sometimes eliminating the disease itself.  Juicing can be especially helpful for chronic conditions, allergies, and impaired digestion, because the cause of these conditions can often be traced back to toxins in the diet.
Juice refers to the water and nutrients that have been separated from the indigestible fiber.  It is a much more concentrated form since several fruits or vegetables are used to yield one glass of juice.  When the nutrients are released from the juicing process they are more readily absorbed and assimilated by the body.  You could receive the benefits in as little as 15 minutes.
Typically it is hard for the average person to consume the daily requirements of fruits and vegetables.  Drinking fresh juices is and excellent way to incorporate them into the diet.  One eight ounce glass of juice equals about one-third of your daily needs.  Juicing also makes it easier to consume a variety of fruits and veggies so that you can benefit from all the various vitamins and nutrients contained in them.
You may also notice some of these improvements when you drink juice on a regular basis:
improved immunityclearing of the digestive tractstrengthened bonesincreased energyclearer skinbalanced moodsTry consuming at least one glass of fresh juice per  day.  This will establish a healthy  habit and make it easier for you to participate in a juice cleanse.
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Back to Basics 286 5-Piece Home Canning Kit

All of the Back to Basics essential canning tools in one simple kit. Includes: Canning Funnel, Jar Wrench, Jar Lifter, Kitchen Tongs, and Magnetic Lid Lifter.
Price: $15.99

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Begin A Healthy Lifestyle with Juicing

A healthy lifestyle begins with healthy habits.  One of the best choices you can make for your family is to bring the habit of juicing into the home.  All members of the family can benefit from the nourishment of raw fruits and vegetables and with the help of a juicer machine everyone can enjoy their favorite juices as a healthy snack or meal.
Raw foods retain all the nutrients and vitamins that are damaged in the conventional cooking process.  The vast majority of people cook every meal that they eat, whether by stove top, oven, grill, or microwave.  This results in an intake of nutrients that is far less than adequate for the body to be healthy.  Other than eating the occasional salad or raw carrots, most people do not know how to get more fresh vegetables into their diet.  Juicing provides a way to create a variety of raw meals as a healthful addition to the traditional diet. The process of juicing removes the water and nutrients from the fiber of fresh grown foods.  Both the juice and the pulp (fiber) can be used in a variety of ways such as soups, smoothies, and more. 
While juicing helps maintain a healthy lifestyle, some people opt for a more intense experience with their juicer machine.  Juicing all meals for a period of one to five days is a cleansing method that allows the body to heal and detoxify itself.  The potential benefits of a juice cleanse include improved digestion, more energy and mental clarity, and relief from many chronic conditions. 
By adding juicing to your dietary choices you’ll be taking a step toward a healthier and enjoyable way of living.  Juicing can be a great introduction to the concept of a raw food diet or simply a fun way to offer healthy snacks to your family.  For more information and some creative recipes for juicing, try The Juicing Bible.

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Raw Beets for Health and Detox

Believe it or not, as a child I used to love to eat beets.  My favorites were the diced beets (yes we ate them out of the can) because they were sweet, fun to eat and the red juice would run across the plate, coloring all my other food!  Beets didn’t taste like any other food I had ever eaten. They tasted like the ground, but not exactly as i would have imagined dirt to taste.  Little did I know that I was tasting the powerful punch of so many minerals and nutrients.  Today I know more about beets so I include them in my diet for health reasons and not just because I like the taste.  And I’ve discovered  the best way to eat them–raw!

Beets are members of the spinach and chard family.  The beetroot with it’s earthy taste and the bitter beet greens are high if folic acid and vitamins A, B, and C.  Also they contain potassium, calcium, betacyanin (antioxidant), calcium, copper, iron, iodine, manganese.

Because of the iron content beets are powerful blood purifiers.  This offers a multitude of health benefits and can improve the following conditions:

constipationcanceranemiagallbladder and kidney ailmentsulcersanemia

Detoxification

Beets and stimulate enzymes in the liver.   For this reason they give support to detoxification and fight cancer.  Juice cleanse recipes often utilize beet roots and greens for their detox qualities.

Heart Health

Beets create nitric oxide in the blood, which dilates blood vessels and thus lowers blood pressure.  Healthy HDL cholesterol is raised by the fiber contained in beets. (Remember that fiber is removed when juicing, so to include the benefits of fiber you must eat the vegetable in its whole form.)

Energy

Beets increase the oxygen in the blood by as much as 400%.  This provides you with energy and stamina.

Tip for Juicing Beets

It’s important to repeat that beets are powerful cleansers.  When beets are juiced, the fiber is removed but the sugars remain. The detox process may be rapid and may cause you to become light-headed and experience detox symptoms.  Drink plenty of water to help flush the toxins out.

Beets can be juiced with most any other vegetables.  For your first juice cleanse with beets, use only 1/4 beet in a recipe  to determine how your body will react.  Then add more accordingly.

More Information

Nutritional information on beets Nutrition Data

Beet Pigments May Help Prevent Cancer Report

Beetroot Therapy from Annie Appleseed Project

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Easy Transition Into Juice Cleansing

The main goal of juice cleansing is to help the digestive system return to a state of peak performance and provide a quick shot of essential nutrients.  It does require some planning, though and some people may perceive it as being too complicated or time consuming.

Since juicing requires a juicer machine, and not all homes have one of these, the cost to buy one may seem prohibitive.  If you fall into this category and are unsure about making the plunge into juicing for a cleanse or as a lifestyle, I can suggest an easy transition for you.

I do believe that juicing is one of the best and effective ways for assisting the detox process, however, if this seems too daunting for you at the moment, you might try making smoothies in the blender.  There are two main differences between smoothies and extracted juices. 

First of course is the appliance.  If you have a blender you can make smoothies.  You already know how much clean up is required for a blender, and maybe you’ve made some fruit and yogurt smoothies, but try making a green smoothie with some fresh veggies.  Which brings me to the second difference between blending and juicing:  fiber. 

Juicing removes all the fiber for a reason.  It eases the digestion because without the fiber, the juice is mostly absorbed into the bloodstream.  This is why juicing is better for a cleanse.  Smoothies are great, healthy additions to any diet and they can assist you greatly in making the transition into juicing and doing a juice cleanse. 

I have both a blender and a juicer machine in my home and use both on a regular basis and I believe that all the costs and efforts involved are truly worthwhile.  Just as anything, after you add a new element to your lifestyle and make it a habit, the task seems easy and even enjoyable.  So what are you waiting for!

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Delicious Cucumber Sandwiches

Ingredients

1 cucumber (little cubes)

1 avocado (little cubes)

1 tomato (little cubes)

Squeeze of lime

salt & (cayenne)pepper

coriander leaves (cilantro)

diced white onion

whole wheat bread 

Directions

Peel the cucumber (optional only if cucumber is organic)

Run your knife thru the avocado with out slicing the pit, twist and separate the two halves.   Twist and take the pit out, run the knife thru the meat of the avocado in a criss cross patter to form little squares and then spon the little squares out... 

Dice the coriander leaves in tiny pieces (add to taste)

Dice onion into small pieces  (add to taste)

Put all other ingredients in a bowl. Mix gently. (add salt, pepper and lime to taste)

Put the mixture on your bread (lightly toasted or warmed up optional)

Great in your lunch box or on the go.  Makes a great summer dish.

Enjoy!