Day 21 - Staying On The Diet and Getting Healthy!!

Here it is another day and another 1 lbs.  I have now lost 18 lbs in 21 days.  Not bad at all.  I am really learning about each vegetable and their health benefits.  These are food items I had been consuming but only as a side dish.  I knew vegetables are good for you especially carrots, but I never realized how beneficial they are until I started reading more about it.  If you have noticed I have not included potatoes.  I love potatoes!!  I will be reading more on their health benefits before I include them in my daily diet.  I know that potatoes has alot of starch and I did not want to add them to my food groups I have now.  

I started out with green apple juice.  Boy, it is so delicious having it in the morning to begin my day!  

Here is the recipe for my Bok Choy juice. I made this for lunch and dinner.

8 leaves of Bok Choy

1 cucumber

5 carrots

3 celery stalks

1 large tomato

It made a delicious green drink.  Dark green vegetables are very good for us.  Read on the health benefits of Bok Choy.

In structure, bok choy resembles collards and could be described as a non-heading cabbage (Acephala group). It is basically a small plant which grows upright from the ground with smooth white romaine lettuce like stalks which spread in the end to fine, glossy green oval or round leaves. Fully grown up plant may reach about 12-18 inches in length.
Brassica campestris group can be further categorized according to the color of the petiole in its leaves. White petiole varieties include joi choi, pak-choy white, prize choi, lei choi, taisai, canton pak choi…etc. Green petiole types are chinese pak choi green, mei qing choi…etc.

Health benefits of bok choy

• 
  It is one of the rare vegetable that is very low in calories. However, it is very rich source of many vital phyto-nutrients, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.
• 100 g of bok choy provides just 13 cal. It is one of the recommended vegetable in the zero calorie or negative calorie category of foods which when eaten would add no extra weight to the body but in-turn facilitate calorie burns and reduction of weight.
• Like other brasisca family vegetables, bok choy contains certain anti oxidant plant chemicals like thiocyanates, indole-3-carbinol, lutein, zeaxanthin, sulforaphane and isothiocyanates. Along with dietary fiber, vitamins these compounds help to protect against breast, colon and prostate cancers and help reduce LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels in the blood.
• Fresh pak choi is an excellent source of water soluble antioxidant, vitaminC (ascorbic acid). 100 g provides 45 mg or 75 % of daily requirements of vitamin C. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals. 
• It has more vitamin A, carotenes, and other flavonoid polyphenolic anti-oxidants than cabbage, cauliflower...etc. Just 100 g of fresh bok choy provides 4468 IU or 149% of daily required levels vitamin A.
• Pak choi is very good source of vitamin K, provides about 38% of RDA levels. Vitamin-K has potential role in bone metabolism by promoting osteotrophic activity in bone cells. Therefore, enough vitamin K in the diet makes your bone stronger, healthier and delay osteoporosis. Further, vitamin-K also has established role in curing Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.
• Fresh bok choy has many vital B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B6), riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that our body requires them from external sources to replenish.
• It also contains good amount of minerals like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, manganese, iron and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzymesuperoxide dismutase. Iron is required for the red blood cell formation.

Thanks for stopping by and being part of my Fresh Start Journey program.  Have a blessed day!!

Day 20 - Believe It or Not This Is Really Fun!

What do I mean by the title today.  Well, this is my 20th day on my Fresh Start Journey juice detox/diet.  My last blog was on Saturday.  Sunday and Monday I was totally busy but kept to my diet.  I juiced only in the morning by having apple juice and apple/orange juice.  Even though I did not blog and did not juice the rest of the day, I made sure that if I reached for anything I wanted to eat, I would have vegetables already made up to snack.  Sunday after church, we went out to eat and I had a vegetable platter.  I kept off the egg and jack cheese..yummy!!..but my stomach and my acid reflex would not have liked it much and neither would my diet.

I lost 1 lbs so in total I lost 17 lbs in 20 days.  I am finding out that the weight comes off slower when you eat solid foods than when you juice.  Today I started off with a green apple juice and made this delicious vegetable juice for lunch and dinner.    

Tomato Lettuce Cucumber Detox Juicer Recipe

3 large, ripe tomatoes

6 leaves leafy lettuce (I prefer romaine or kale)

Cucumber (about a 2-inch piece)

Handful of fresh cilantro or parsley

Small wedge of lemon or lime

Juice all ingredients

This combination of vegetables and fruits is so very delicious with just a twist of lemon added.

Cucumber is a fruit that came from the same family as pumpkin, zucchini and other squashes. It has a dark green rind and white succulent flesh. There are 2 types of cucumbers the pickling varieties and the slicing varieties. The pickling variety is relatively small (2 - 4 inches long).

Health benefits of Cucumber

• 
  Very low in calories; provides just 15 calories per 100 g. Contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. Cucumber peel is a good source of dietary fiber that helps reduce constipation and offers some protection against colon cancers.
• It is a very good source of potassium, an important intra-cellular electrolyte. Potassium is a heart friendly electrolyte; helps reduce blood pressure and heart rates by countering effects of sodium.
• It contains unique anti-oxidants in good ratios such as ß-carotene and a-carotene, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, zea-xanthin and lutein. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.
• Cucumbers have mild diuretic property probably due to their high water content, which helps in checking weight gain and high blood pressure.
• Cucumbers surprisingly have high amount of vitamin K, provides about 17 mcg of this vitamin per 100 g. Vitamin-K has been found to have potential role in bone strength by promoting osteotrophic (bone mass building) activity. It also has established role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.
  
  Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  Have a blessed day!!
  
  

Day 17 - Why Is Cantaloupe called "The Wonder Food"

This is not going to be my regular blog.  I took a day off from juicing but I kept on my diet.  I did not lose any weight but I stayed the same as yesterday and that is all I care about.  I feel FANTASTIC!.  I know that I am losing weight because my clothes are starting to feel lose. This is the week that I will be introducing solid food to my diet but I am adding it gradually. My plan is to juice in the morning and lunch but for dinner I will have steamed vegetables.  

I had half of a cantaloupe for breakfast, a cup of tea and a glass of water.  Before lunch I met my friend at our favorite restaurant and while she ordered breakfast, I ordered a cup of tea, a glass of water and a side salad without dressing....yep!!..the salad is boring without dressing but I like raw vegetables which helps.  I will be looking for some salad dressings recipes I can make to perk up my plain side salad.  When I know I am going to be eating out I can brink some with me.  

The Cantaloupe is one of the most common fruits but its full health benefits may not have been fully understood, and often taken for granted.  It is extremely nutrient-packed but yet has very low calories.

This wonder fruit is highly concentrated with excellent levels of beta-carotene, folic acid, potassium, vitamin C and dietary fiber.  It is also one of the very few fruits that has a high level of vitamin B complex¾B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), and B6 (pyridoxine). 

The Cantaloupe is also widely called the muskmelon, I suppose for the musky aroma that it gives out when ripe. In some parts of the world, it is also known as the rockmelon, perhaps for its rough skin that looks like a rock. It belongs to the "curcurbitaceae" melon family, along with cucumbers, gourds and pumpkins. The Cantaloupe is rich in anti-oxidants that can help prevent cancer and heart diseases

Here is a recipe for juicing the whole cantaloupe

Health Benefits

The high amount of beta-carotene and vitamin C (anti-oxidant) in cantaloupe makes it an excellent fruit in helping to prevent many degenerative diseases.  I get excited just thinking how much more my body can absorb these precious nutrients when I drink of its juice. 
Anti-coagulant:  A unique compound in cantaloupe helps decrease the viscosity of the blood, hence preventing the abnormal formation of blood clots in the cardiovascular system.
Arteriosclerosis:  Regularly consuming vitamin C retards the development of hardening of the arteries.
Cancer prevention:  The high vitamin C content acts as a good anti-oxidant that protects cells from damages by free radicals.  Regularly drinking juices high in anti-oxidants keep cancer at bay, especially against intestinal cancer and melanoma.
Cataracts:  The natural vitamin A from beta-carotene in this juice lowers the risk of cataract and generally helps improve your vision too.
Cholesterol:  Drinking juices high in anti-oxidant has been proven to fight the oxidative stress that is the main culprit in oxidizing the LDLs in the blood.
High blood pressure:   Potassium in this rockmelon helps excrete sodium, thus bringing down high blood pressure especially in those with salt-sensitive hypertension. 
Immune system:  The strong content of vitamin C stimulates white cells to fight infection, naturally building a good immune system.
Insomnia:  A special compound in cantaloupe relieves the nerves and calm anxieties.  A help for insomniacs.
Menstruation problems:  For women, drink this wonder juice around the time of menstruation and it will help reduce heavy flow and clots.
Muscle Cramps:  A deficiency in potassium can cause muscular cramps and greater susceptibility to injury. Drink cantaloupe juice to prevent these.
Pregnancy:  The high content of folate (folic acid) prevents neural tube defects in infants.
Quit Smoking:  The natural nutrients and minerals found in this juice provides a synergistic combination that helps the body recover from nicotine withdrawal of one who is trying to quit smoking.  Smoking also quickly depletes the vitamin A in a smoker, but cantaloupe juice can help replace it with its beta-carotene.
Stress:  When going through a stressful period, keep this musky melon on the side and drink its juice regularly.  The potassium content helps to rebalance and normalize the heartbeat. This in turn sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body's water balance.
Water retention:  Especially in pregnant women.  Muskmelon juice helps your body excrete excess sodium, thus reducing water retention.


I am definitely not depriving myself of food.  For dinner I had a large plate of vegetables that included parsnip, green pepper, leek, carrots and mushrooms steamed with stewed tomatoes.  

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog and I hope I have inspired you in some way.  There will be recipes posted soon.  Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!!.  

Day 16 - Understanding The Leek - It's Not An Onion!

Today is Friday and I did not have a recipe planned   I did know that I was going to have a green drink.  I decided to use my Leek for my first food of choice.  I had some Swiss Chard left and I added broccoli, celery and apples.  As I juiced them, I realized that Swiss Chard is bitter and the leek has a sharp flavor, somewhat like an onion but not an onion taste.  I thought 2 apples was going to sweeten it up a bit but I needed another one.  It has a strong flavor, but boy, it is like medicine, you just gulp it down.  

I started out with a 6 oz glass of fresh apple-orange juice.  Nice change and it tasted good.  Then I made my green juice drink for lunch and dinner.  This is going to be challenging since it does have that sharp taste to it.  That's ok..will have a glass of water right next to it.   

I lost 1 lb today which makes it 15 lbs in 16 days.  I tried one of my shirts on that was pretty tight and it is not tight anymore.  Not there yet but I am heading in the right direction and getting healthy at the same time.

Here is the recipe  (my recipe)

My Green Drink
small bunch broccoli
3 celery stalks  (I used what I had left)
3 Swiss Chard leaves w. stems
2 stalks of Leek
3 apples

You can omit the Swiss Chard and add an extra apple to make it less sharp tasting and more sweeter.

About Leeks

Although leeks may taste similar to onions, they are actually related to the asparagus family. They originated in The Mediterranean and Asia but are now also grown in more temperate parts of the world. These veggies contain anti-cancer compounds called kaempferol (which is also known for promoting cardiovascular health) and quercetin (which is known to inhibit carcinogenic development in the body). These compounds are especially beneficial in fighting against prostate and colon cancers.

Leeks are very low in calories, making them an excellent addition to dieters` meals. When boiled, half a cup contains just 15 calories. They are a good source of a number of nutrients, among them iron, folate, calcium, manganese, B-Vitamins, zeaxanthin, lutein, Vitamins C, A and K and nickel. They are also a source of dietary fibre, especially the darker green outer parts.

The edible parts of the leek plant are the light green stalk (or stem) and its white bulb, while the dark green leaf sheaths are usually discarded because of their fibrous consistency. However, it would be wise to use the dark green leaves as well (finely minced or juiced), because they are the parts with the highest content in minerals and vitamins.

Although leeks have a sharp flavor, their taste is sweeter and more delicate than that of onions. Leeks can be used in a variety of dishes, either raw or cooked, or they can be used to prepare delicious juices.

Health Benefits

Leeks have been known since time immemorial for their medical properties.  So, if you like the sharp flavor of leek, you can use its juice to benefit from all its excellent healthy properties and treat a wide range of disorders.

Anemia:  Thanks to its content in iron, which is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin (the protein in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body) leek can help fight various types of anemia, especially those resulting from iron deficiency.  Its vitamin C content helps make effective iron absorption.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-septic:  Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties, leek juice can be used as a valuable aid for treating arthritis, gout and inflammation of the urinary tract.

Aphrodisiac:  Leeks, onions, garlic and celery have been known from centuries for their aphrodisiac effects. Try to make a juice with leeks and celery, and you will soon get into action!

Balsamic action:  Due to its content in volatile oils, leek juice does have a beneficial, balsamic action on the respiratory tract. So it can be used to relieve the symptoms associated with flu, cold and hay fever.

Digestive health:  Leeks can help regulate intestinal function and motility, due to their content in fiber.  They also help to repopulate the good bacteria in the colon, thereby aiding digestion and reducing intestinal bloating.

High blood pressure:  Leeks are high in potassium, which promotes diuresis thereby helping to lower and regulate blood pressure. That’s why leek juice is particularly recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure.

High cholesterol:  Leek does have an anti-cholesterol and anti-atherosclerosis action.  It helps reduce both the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, as well as the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing one of the first steps in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Nervous system:  Magnesium, phosphorous and folic acid are important nutrients needed for healthy functioning of the nervous system. They help improve concentration, memory and the brain’s ability to process information.  Folic acid is also essential to prevent brain defects in babies.

Purifying action:  Perhaps the most characteristic action of leek juice is its purifying effect on the whole body, since it helps eliminate toxins from the body by enhancing the cleansing of the colon.

I hope you have enjoyed todays blog and will look forward to you joining me as I continue my Fresh Start Journey.  Have a blessed day!

Day 15 - The Amazing Zucchini

I have not juiced a zucchini until this morning.  I love zucchini and I have made them in various recipes but have never tried juicing them.  I took a little sip to taste it before I added the rest of the vegetables and it tastes good but a bit bland.  The rest of the vegetables gives it the flavor it needed.  I love summer squashes and you can get them all year, but the zucchini has its peak time for the greatest flavors in the summer especially if you grow them in your garden.  

The zucchini has a yellow flower that is edible and many italians dip them in egg and breadcrumbs and fry them in olive oil.  Believe me when I say how good it tastes..it is GREAT!!.  But I can't have oil or bread crumbs let alone fried food.  That's a no no!!

Well, today I did not lose any weight but the good news is I did not gain either.  I started my walking exercise this morning.  I walked for 45 minutes.  I did not want to overdo it and then get very tired before work.  

I started out with a 6 oz glass of apple juice and prepared the vegetable juice for lunch and dinner.  Here is the ingredients:

Green Juice with Zucchini
4 Zucchini, small (or 2 large)
5 carrots
3 celery stalks with leaves
1 cucumber


Juice all together and enjoy!

It has a very flavorful taste and nice and sweetness to it because of the carrots.

Biography

Zucchini belong to the Cucurbitaceae family which cucumber, watermelon and pumpkin are a part of. The juices is pretty tasteless with mildly sweet undertones.

Traditionally zucchini juice is used to cool the body down and acts as a thirst quencher much like cucumber.

Nutritional Analysis

Zucchini juice is a good source of the vitamins C, A, folate, whilst being a decent source of minerals including manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium and copper. Zucchinis can vary in colour, the darker the zucchini the more nutrients they have.

Health Benefits Summary

• Bladder Problems
• Internal Cleanser
• Kidney Health
• Skin Conditions
• Weight Loss

Important Information

As with other vegetables go with organic produce to reduce the risk of the coating being waxed as if not you will need to peel the skin and most of the nutrients are just below.


Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.  Please comment on any of the recipes and if you tried any of them or starting a juicing diet, let me know.  Have a recipes you like to share?  Have a blessed day!!

Day 14 - Two Common Household Staples - The Celery and the Carrot

Today is day 14 and I lost 2 lbs.  I now lost 14lbs in 14 days.  To me that is an achievement.  I started out with apple juice using 2 large green apples and then I made the celery carrot parsley juice to have for lunch and during the day.  I am meeting my friend for brunch and will have either a small salad or fruit with a glass of water and hot tea.  Tonight I will have a half avocado just to have a change and to have some of my needed Omega3.  Here is the recipe.

Celery Carrot Parsley Detox Juice Recipe  (I double the recipe)

3 celery sticks

3 carrots

1 bunch parsley

Process the ingredients above through your juicer. This is an amazing detoxifier and will really boost your immunity too!

This has a smooth and rich taste.  These two vegetables blend so well together.  By doubling the recipe it will give me a whole days supply of all the nutrients that I will need.  DO NOT FORGET to take your vitamins even though you are juicing.

Health Benefits of Eating Celery 

Diets high in fiber and nutrient rich vegetables can supply our bodies with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants we need to live long healthy lives. That is because vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals, that can help reduce the risk of different kinds of cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Celery & Alternative Medicine

Though all vegetables possess unique health benefits celery is viewed as an especially healthy vegetable. Therefore, traditionally celery has often been used as a source of dietary medicine by practitioners of alternative medicine. The leaves, seeds, roots and stems of celery are used to treat urinal retention, kidney disease, hypertension, and even certain sexual disorders.

Celery Helps Fight The Flu

Like oranges, celery is an excellent source of Vitamin C which is a key factor in the fight against the common cold. Practitioners of the alternative medicine philosophy, “Food is medicine and medicine is food” have been prescribing celery soup to those suffering from the common cold for centuries. Today, we have mostly forgotten the wisdom behind such practices. However, remnants of it still remain in the most unlikely places. For example, do you think that it is a coincidence that celery is one of the main ingredients in almost all chicken soup recipes?

Celery Helps Regulate Blood Pressure Levels

Medical research shows that celery contains active compounds called pthalide that play a vital role in helping reduce blood pressure. Pthalide work by relaxing the muscles of the arteries. By helping keep blood vessels healthy pthalide help prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart ailments. The high concentrations of potassium, magnesium, and calcium found in celery are another reason why it is believed to help regulate blood pressure levels.

Other Health Benefits of Celery

• Celery helps fight diseases of the kidneys (nephritis)
• Celery helps prevent diseases of the pancreas
• Celery helps prevent diseases of the liver and gallbladder
• Celery helps fight the inflammation that causes rheumatism
• Celery is a high fiber food that can help prevent constipation
• Celery is an alkaline food that helps fight Acidosis, the condition of depletion of alkaline reserve of the body
• Celery is a good source of dietary iron which can help prevent anemia
• Celery is a good source of dietary calcium
• Celery can help ease anxiety because it contains plant hormones that promote a sense of relaxation

Health Benefits of Carrot:

1. Carrot can enhance the quality of breast milk.
2. Carrot can improve the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.
3. When taken daily it can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
4. Raw contain beta-carotene, a strong antioxidant that can prevent cancer.
5. Carrot juice when taken everyday prevent bodily infections and is claimed to be valuable for the adrenal glands (the small endocrine glands situated above the kidneys).
6. Carrot can help improve eyesight.
7. Carrot can help increase menstrual flow.
8. Carrots can regulate blood sugar.
9. Carrot can promote colon health, because carrot is rich in fiber.
   

Carrot is also helpful in the following cases :
Obesity, Poisoning of the blood, Gum disease, Insomnia, Inflamed Kidneys, Liver, Gallbladder, Alzheimer's disease, Colitis, Ulcer Painful urination.  Carrot contain carotene, a chemical that is converted into vitamin A by the body, it helps prevent night blindness.

Vitamin and Mineral Content :

• Vitamin A - 12,000 I.U,
• Vitamin B; Thiamine B: .06 mg.
• Riboflavin: .06 mg.
• Niacin: .5 mg.
• Vitamin C: 5 mg.
• Vitamin D, E, G, & K
• Calcium: 39 mg.
• Iron: .8 mg.
• Phosphorus: 37 mg.
• Fat: 0.3 gm
• Carbohydrates: 9.3 gm.
• Protein: 1.2gm.
• Calories: 42

Day 13 - Still Going Strong!

This morning I had a glass of freshly juiced apple juice made from green apples and it was delicious.  Then I made the recipe listed below which I will have for lunch.  Tonight I have a salad which will be a change.  I lost only 1 lbs between Day 12 & 13, even though I exercised.  Not too bad but hope to see better results.  I am sure lots of good things is going on inside my body because I am feeling great.  Listen to this cute song.

The Spinach Song

Here is today's recipe

Carrot Spinach Parsley Celery Juicer Detox Recipe

4-5 Carrots

2 cups Fresh Spinach Leaves

Handful of Parsley

2-3 Celery Sticks

Put all the ingredients through your juicer. I find it easier to prepare fresh juices by switching back and forth between the leafy greens and the more dense vegetables. If you do this you will get more juice output extracted from your ingredients.

This is a mildly sweet cleansing detox juicer recipe. This juice is just packed with nutritional enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has gentle cleansing properties too. Enjoy!

Health Benefits of Spinach:

1. Spinach contains choline and inositol, the substances that help to prevent atherosclerosis or thickening and hardening of arteries.
2. Spinach and alfalfa help stabilize blood sugar among diabetics. Make a drink by getting several handful of spinach, add 3 cups of water. Place over low heat for one hour. Then strain. Take ½ cup twice a day. Spinach and alfalfa may be served as part of the meal.
3. Spinach is loaded with flavonoid that functions as antioxidant and anti-cancer agent.
4. Spinach contains carotenoid that help fights cancer.
5. Spinach is a rich source of Vitamins C and A
6. Spinach is an anti-aging vegetable.
7. Spinach is a good source of Vitamin K, which aids in the formation of the blood substance required for clotting of blood.

Spinach is also helpful in the following cases, Anemia, Tumors, Constipation, Insomnia, Obesity, Neuritis (inflammation of nerves), Nerve exhaustion, High blood pressure, Bronchitis, Colon cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Osteoporosis, Dyspepsia (chronic indigestion), Also helps ailment of the kidneys, bladder and liver.

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A : 9,420 I.U.
• Vitamin B : Thiamine .11 mg.;
• Riboflavin : .20 mg.;
• Niacin : .6 mg.
• Vitamin C : 59 mg.
• Good source of Vitamin k : amount undetermined.
• Calcium : 81 mg
• Iron : 3.0 mg.
• Phosphorus : 55 mg.
• Potassium : 470 mg.
• Carbohydrates : 3.2 gm.
• Protein : 2.3 gm.
• Calories : 20

Why Spinach is great for heart,

brain, bones and eyes

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful and blessed day.  

Day 12 - 10 Juicing Tips You Need To Know!

Today I did not prepare a blog since I was not home but I kept on my diet.  I had the same drink I had on Sunday and I did not get to weight myself.

So for Day 12 I am listing a blog that you will need to read before you decide juicing.
http://thediettalk.blogspot.com/2011/08/10-juicing-tips-you-need-to-know.html

Thanks for stopping by and will be back with another blog tomorrow!

God Bless

Day 11 - Why Is Mango Called The "King Of Fruits" ?

This is wonderful news..I lost another pound.  Total now is 11 lbs in 11 days.  I seem to be keeping that record.  Will see how tomorrow goes.  I found this delicious recipe that has lots of nutrients and aids in detoxing your body..Believe me this works!!  It was so delicious that I forgot to take a picture of it.  It was creamy and as you can see light color.  The mango and kiwi gave it an exciting taste.  I am not worried about the calories anymore.  I am sure some of these fruits are higher in calories but I am not having this everyday..just once in a while and what a great change to have in the morning.

I am also happy to report that my ankles are not swollen, my legs feel thinner and look thinner and some of the pains I had around my hip and leg areas are disappearing.  The toxins are coming out of my body..yeeeaaaahhhh!! This has been a challenge alright and I will continue to improve.

Here are the ingredients.

Kiwi Orange Mango Juicer Recipe   (I doubled the recipe)
1 kiwi, peeled
1 orange, peeled and sectioned
1/2 mango, peeled and sliced

Process kiwi, orange and mango through your juicer. Pour the juice into a chilled glass. Enjoy!

Health Benefits:

• Kiwi fruit provides an excellent source of vitamin C (more than oranges) and is especially important in respiratory-related health problems including wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma and coughing.
• Kiwi fruits contain about as much potassium as bananas.
• Kiwi offers a very good source of fiber which is why it is useful in decreasing the probability of colon cancer. Fiber has also been proven to reduce cholesterol levels, improving the conditions of patients with cardiovascular diseases and lowering the probability of heart attacks.
• Kiwi's black seeds can be crushed to produce kiwi fruit oil, which is very rich in Alfa-Linoleic Acid (an important Omega-3 essential fatty acid).
• Kiwi is also rich in flavonoids that help protect our cells from oxidative damage, and are therefore considered very helpful in protecting our DNA from mutations and damage.
• Kiwi can help protect us from age related macular degeneration.
• Kiwi is rich in phytonutrients which prevent blood clotting and control fatty acid levels in your blood.
• When kiwi juice is mix with water and vodka it can be use as astringent to help tighten and tone the skin.

The Mango trees is found in Haryana in a wide belt along the Yamuna river. Mango tree is an evergreen tree, native to India, widely found in South Asia. It is now also grown in the drier tropics and in the United States. Mango is a tall tree growing up to 100 feet, a dense, heavy crown and a spread of 125 feet. The evergreen drooping leaves resemble those of the peach tree. Coppery to purplish-red at first but becoming green at maturity, they are lance-shaped and slightly curved. Mango tree is long lived, some specimen are more than 250 years old and are still bearing fruit. The flowers of mango are small, ivory colored and very numerous. The fruit clusters hang outside the foliage canopy.

Due to its superb, juicy, tasty and very colorful fruit, Mango is known as the 'King of fruits'. Called Am or Aaam in Hindi, Aamrum in Sanskrit, Mango in English and Spanish, manja in Dutch, it has a great variety in species, forms, size, color, scent, taste and quality. There are over 500 named varieties of the mango. The colorful, tasty, juicy, flavored fruit is known all over the world. Within each fruit there is a large flat elongated fibrous stone containing a single seed.  Here is a video to show you how to cut a mango.  He uses mostly the ends and leaves the middle..I would use all of it.  

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Mangoes 

• Mango, being high in calories and carbohydrates, is good for those who are trying to gain weight.
• The phenolic compound found in mangoes has been found to have powerful antioxidant and anticancer properties.
• Being high in iron, mango is said to be very good for pregnant women as well as for people suffering from anemia.
• Mango is believed to be effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.
• The vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin E and selenium present in mangoes provide protection against heart disease.
• Mangoes have been found to be quite helpful in treating acidity and poor digestion.
• It is being said that the Vitamin E present in mango helps hormonal system function more efficiently and thus, boosts sex life.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of mango might help alleviate asthma symptoms. 

Other Benefits

Mango has been found to be beneficial for people suffering from the following ailments 

• Bacterial Infections
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• Eye Disorders
• Hair Loss
• Heat Stroke
• Leucorrhea
• Liver Disorders
• Menstrual Disorders
• Morning Sickness
• Piles
• Prickly Heat
• Scurvy
• Sinusitis
• Spleen Enlargement
• Vaginitis

Thanks for coming to my blog and reading on my continued Fresh Start Journey...I wish you all a blessed day!