Fruit Infused Water Ideas

When it comes to everyday health, and weight loss, fruit infused water is the way to go! Check out some of these delicious fruit and water combinations and see for yourself.

~Smoothie Diet: A Weight Loss Journey~

"Super Fruits For Beauty N Body"

You're probably aware of a number of super foods to include in your diet for the incredible health benefits they contain. But, do you know about any super fruits? Yes, almost all fruits are packed with nutrition and are an important part of a healthy and balanced diet. But by some nutrition scientist's standards, there is a list of about 20 fruits that can qualify to be deemed "super". These super fruits are chock-full of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and many other nutrients that work to help you maintain overall health. Choose to eat some of these super fruits, and you could see an improvement in the way you look and feel. Many of these super fruits can aid in preventing infection and disease, as well as help you live longer. Including five to nine portions of fruit each day is an awesome way to ensure your body is getting necessary nutrients to help it function properly. And if these fruits are the ones you eat in those servings, you will certainly feel super.

Acai Berries

These berries have gained popularity recently, and for good reason. Acai berries are known as an amazing super fruit because they have one of the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit out there. The fresh fruit itself may he somewhat hard to find as it is naturally grown in Brazil, but different forms of the superfruit (like powders) can still allow you to benefit from its nutrition when added to your diet.

Apples

That's right, the old adage "an apple a day" is more than true. Apples aren't just a favorite fruit because of their great flavor, but also because they pack some secret super-abilities. It is known that apples are an amazing source of fiber, which is vital to maintaining proper bodily functions, but apple skin is also full of the antioxidant quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine powers. This super fruit can help protect you from certain bacteria, as well as heart disease.

Avocado

Although sometimes misconceived as a vegetable, the pit of this amazing food makes it a super fruit! Avocado's are one of the richest sources of healthy, monounsaturated fat and fatty acids that the body needs in order to stay healthy. The vitamins and nutrients found in avocados help to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol in the body, and raise amounts of good cholesterol. These healthy fats are also known to promote the absorption of important vitamins and other carotenoids essential for a healthy heart.

Banana's

This yellow super fruit is a favorite among all walks of life. Bananas are amazing for improved overall health because of their incredibly high levels of potassium and resistant starches. Potassium works in the body to lower blood pressure to keep your heart functioning properly, and resistant starches are a healthy carbohydrate that fill you up and boost your metabolism at the same time!

Blackberries

All different kinds of berries can be considered the healthiest fruit choices, but blackberries are a super fruit for a number of reasons. Ranking in the tops ten fruits for antioxidant power, they are loaded with polyphenols that help prevent a number of problems including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. Blackberries also contain very high levels of fiber with just one cup delivering one third of your daily fiber intake.

Blueberries

This is a fruit discussed a lot for its high level of antioxidants as well. Blueberries contain immense amounts of healthy flavonoids, which are directly linked to proper brain function and better memory. This super fruit is also rich in the nutrient manganese, which plays a major role in proper digestion and keeping your metabolism functioning correctly. Including blueberries in your diet can aid in overall energy and weight management.

Cherries

Another super fruit that's rich color is due to it's high levels of antioxidants. The major antioxidant found in cherries is called anthocyanin, and it works to reduce inflammation in the body, as well as lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cherries are considered super because the vitamins and nutrients found in them help keep blood vessels healthy and functioning, while aiding in overall heart health.

Citrus Fruit

All fruits in the citrus family from limes to lemons to oranges contain a number of important vitamins and nutrients that make them incredible super fruits. High levels of Vitamin C and fiber help promote chemicals in the body that ward off bacteria and help fight disease and infections. Vitamin C found in citrus fruits is incredibly beneficial to the body and helps regulate oil glands, counteract the effects of sun damage and even help prevent age spots.

Cranberries

The nutritional value found in cranberries consists of high levels of selenium and vitamin K, making it a great super fruit to include in your diet. Cranberries contain many antibiotic properties, and are especially beneficial to women in helping prevent urinary tract infections and possibly some diseases like ovarian cancer. These berries also have incredible anti-viral properties that work to keep cholesterol low, and may even hep prevent kidney stones.

Currants

Probably the least known super fruit on this list is currant, but it should not be overlooked. Currant's are a super fruit because they are intensely rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants essential fatty acids and many other vitamins and minerals. This super fruit has high levels of fiber, calcium, iron, selenium and vitamins C, B2, E and K. Also containing the antioxidant anthocyanin, currants help prevent arthritis, reduce inflammation, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Including this super fruit in your diet can benefit your body in countless ways.

Grapes

These are my all time favorite fruits and a super one none the less! Grapes contain a high level of a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol which helps keep your heart healthy. Research has also found that a compound found in grape seeds helps slow down the effects of Alzheimer's disease, as well as the growth of cancer cells in the head and neck.

Grapefruit

Grapefruits can be attributed to maintaining a healthy body because of a number of important nutrients they possess. This super fruit is linked to lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the body, as well helping the heart and cardiovascular system functioning properly. Ruby grapefruits with a redder tint have higher levels of antioxidants to help keep you healthy.

Kiwi

This is a great super fruit to aid in proper digestion and digestive functions. Vitamins and minerals found in the kiwi fruit, and especially in its somewhat furry skin, contain high levels of fiber as well as a pro-biotic complex carbohydrate that works in a number of ways within the body.

Papaya

This exotic fruit can be considered a super fruit because it is full of vitamin C that helps ward off infection and keeps your immune system healthy. Just one cup of papaya contains more than the suggested daily intake of Vitamin C, and is also a great source of Vitamins A and E. These vitamins are powerful antioxidants that help protect the body against heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are certainly deserving of their super fruit title. Their rich and vibrant color can be attributed to the fact that they are loaded with powerful antioxidants that aid in heart health as well as visual and brain function. This super fruit originally comes from the Middle East and India, and has high levels of Vitamin K and selenium. It is one of the few fruits that aids in possible prevention of diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Strawberries

Beautiful and sweet in taste, strawberries are a favorite among this list of super fruits. Strawberries are packed with healthy Vitamin C, and are also an amazing source of folic acid that can help protect your heart from disease. Just a cup full of strawberries will give you immense health benefits.

Tomatoes

Another food that is on the list because of its seeds is the tomato. This excellent super fruit can provide your body with a much sought-after antioxidant that is rarely found in other whole foods. The antioxidant lycopene is found in high levels in tomatoes, and so is Vitamin C, fiber and potassium.

Raspberries

Nutrition found in this berry includes high levels of fiber, Vitamins B2 and K, calcium, iron and selenium. Raspberries are great super fruits because they contain a unique antioxidant named ellagic acid, that is not found in many other foods. The properties of this antioxidant can be linked to health benefits like reducing heart disease and diabetes, proper visual and brain function, and preventing certain types of cancer.

Pumpkin

This seasonal fruit is a squash that is loaded with beta-carotene and large amounts of potassium. The vitamins and nutrients found in pumpkin flesh and pumpkin seeds can help prevent high blood pressure and keep your heart functioning healthily.

Watermelon

Very low in calories and high in water content, watermelon is a super fruit because it is full of the antioxidant lycopene. Vitamins A and C are packed into this delicious fruit, and it is known to keep you properly hydrated as well work to keep the cells within your body very healthy.


Thanks Sqiddo
~Beauty N Body

"Five Foods For A Healthy Digestve System"

If you're experiencing bloating, belching, abdominal discomfort, or any other symptoms of an overburdened digestive tract, you may benefit from including one or more of the following foods in your diet - all of them are rich in nutrients that are particularly important to the health of your digestive system.

1. Red beets and beet greens
If you have a problem with constipation, red beets and their green tops may provide significant relief. Both are rich in fiber that can help keep waste materials moving through your small and large intestines at a healthy pace.
Red beets contain large amounts of potassium and magnesium, while beet greens are an excellent source of beta-carotene, iron, and calcium. All of these nutrients are essential to maintaining the health of your digestive tract lining and the smooth muscle fibers that create the waves of contractions that produce bowel movements.
Steaming is the healthiest cooking method for red beets and beet greens. Cut the greens off right where their roots meet the red beet heads. Give the greens a good wash with cold water and set them aside. Peel the skin off the red beets, slice them into 1/4 slices, and then cook them in a steamer for about 8-10 minutes or until they start to become slightly tender. At this point, place the beet greens right on top of the red beet slices, put the lid back on the steamer, and allow it to run for another 5-7 minutes or until the beet greens have softened up to a texture that you enjoy.
Try the beet greens and red beet slices with a bowl of rice or quinoa, along with some avocado slices. Don't add any sea salt to this dish before you try it, as beet greens are naturally salty.
Beet greens shouldn't be eaten more than a couple of times a week, as they contain an acidic substance that can weaken the enamel coating on your teeth if eaten too often.
If you don't enjoy beet greens, you should still consider buying red beets that have their green tops, as loose red beets are typically not as fresh as those that still have their green tops.


2. Yukon gold potatoes and sweet potatoes
If prepared and eaten with their skins, Yukon gold potatoes and sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber. They're also rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese.
I have consistently found Yukon gold potatoes and sweet potatoes to be effective in the treatment of peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and some stages of inflammatory bowel disease.
A simple soup made by blending together steamed Yukon gold potatoes or sweet potatoes along with freshly pressed celery juice or vegetable broth has worked wonders for many of my patients who have suffered from various ulcerations in their GI tracts. I have yet to come across a published study supporting this natural remedy, but I've seen enough people benefit from it to recommend it as a first-line approach for inflammatory lesions in the digestive tract.


3. Avocados
One medium size avocado contains a whopping 15 grams of fiber, making it one of the most fiber-rich fruits that we know of.
Avocados are well digested by the masses, including toddlers and young children, and contain plenty of healthy raw fat, most of it monounsaturated. Few other fruits or vegetables contain as much healthy raw fat.
Healthy, raw fats are important to the health of your digestive tract for several reasons, the most important of which are to stimulate healthy functioning of your pancreas, gall bladder, and liver, and to provide an environment in which beta-carotene can be converted efficiently into vitamin A, which is the one vitamin that is absolutely essential to having a healthy mucosal lining throughout your GI tract.


4. Oats
Whole oats contain plenty of soluble fiber. They're also rich in selenium, thiamin, phosphorus, and manganese. Whole oats also contain small amounts of copper, folate, vitamin E, and zinc.
Of the many varieties of oats on the market, the best choice is steel-cut oats, which are whole oat groats that have been cut into small pieces. No heat is used in making steel-cut oats, which leads to better nutrient preservation than other processing techniques that produce rolled oats or quick oats.
If you have to choose between rolled oats and quick oats, choose the rolled variety. Rolled oats are made with a steaming process that doesn't destroy many nutrients, while quick oats are made with dehydrating and pre-cooking processes, which typically leave oats nutrient-depleted.
Note: Oats, barley, wheat, and rye should be avoided if you don't react well to gluten.


5. Cod liver oil
Cod liver oil provides plenty of natural vitamin A, which we've already mentioned is essential to the lining of your digestive tract. It also provides natural vitamin D, which we know is a powerful immune system modulator, with research indicating that vitamin D may be critically important in preventing the development of autoimmune conditions, including those of the GI tract.
If you want to build and maintain a healthy digestive tract for the long term, you really have to take a holistic approach and address several areas of your life: your food choices, eating habits, exercise habits, resting habits, and your emotional health status.
But within the realm of your food choices, including red beets and their green tops, Yukon gold and sweet potatoes, avocados, oats, and cod liver oil in your diet are simple and concrete steps that you can take right away to improve the health of your digestive system.