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.