Top 7 Common Fruits that will make you look more beautiful

People are usually in into buying products that will give an instant results, to look more beautiful, but are not conscious about the food that they eat. I would like to share with you the top 7 fruits that are commonly available at public market or fruits stands, even in your own garden or in the neighborhood. These fruits will help you look more beautiful and healthy.

1. Lemon - High contents of Vitamin C, and Antioxidants which flushes the toxins in your body, it has also astringent properties that will help

lighten the skin tone.

2. Orange- Good source of Vitamin B1, immune system booster. Orange also help in collagen production, help repair the skin from wrinkles.

3. Mango - Rich in Vitamin A that will rejuvenate the skin and restores skin elasticity.

4. Banana - This fruit is rich in Magnesium and potassium, and also rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin E as an anti-aging.

5. Grapes - Very rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin C that will protect the skin from toxins and reduce wrinkles.

6. Papaya - Good source of Vitamin C and Calcium, also contains enzyme that kills dead cells and cure impurities of the skin. This fruit also help your hair and nail to look more healthy.

7. Apple - High Contents of Vitamin A and C. Apple prevent cell and tissue damage.

Jodi Sta. Maria opens Milkshake Bar

June 15, Manila, Philippines - actress Jodi Sta. Maria has put up a milkshake bar, located at the Rustan's Supermarket in Evia, Las Piñas.

"The Happy Barn Milkshake Factory, allows customers make their own milkshakes apart from the standard flavors"- said Jodi.

The actress said that she enrolled at a cooking class before, and learned on how to make flavors of milkshake.

Their Milkshake Factory uses their own ice cream, and uses low-fat and low-sugar ice cream, and in the coming months they will be serving a lactose-free, fat-free and sugar-free variety.

Jodi also said that they will be putting two more branches, one at the Market!Market! and the other one at Power Plant Mall in Makati.

"By December, we’ll be open to franchising. Hindi lang dito sa Philippines, we’ve been getting franchise inquiries from Malaysia, Singapore,” she said.

Nutritional Contents of Milkshake

Good source of Protien
Carbohydrates
Fiber
Calories
Good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin D
Calcuim
Vanilla-mood stabilizer

Healthiest Foods on Earth by Forbes

I come across to Forbes website and it captured my attention to this article "The Healthiest Food on Earth", They mentioned that there is no perfect diet, what matters is the food that we eat. There are two(2) kinds of foods we are eating daily, (1) the processed foods and (2) the unprocessed foods. The Foods that undergone minimal processing usually contains antioxidants, noninflammatory, minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats. The unprocessed foods are always healthy, regardless of how many grams of fats, protein,  and carbohydrates it contains.

Here are the list of the Top 12 Healthiest Foods on Earth:

1. Berries - All berries are low in sugar and high in fiber. Blueberries have been shown to increase memory in lab studies, and raspberries and strawberries are loaded with ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that seems to have some anti-cancer properties, according to the American Cancer Society

2. Beans - Beans are extremely high in fiber, which helps to control weight, prevent or manage diabetes and blood sugar, and may help prevent colon cancer and protect against heart disease. The National Institute of Medicine recommends 25-38 grams of fiber a day. The average American gets only 4-11 grams. One cup of beans provides 11-17 grams.

3. Nuts - Some of the largest and most important long-term studies of diet and health have shown that eating nuts several times a week is consistent with a risk of heart attack and heart disease that is 30%-50% lower than the general population. Just one ounce of nuts–almonds, macadamia, Brazil, walnuts, pecans–eaten three to five times a week seems to be the magic number.

4. Wild Salmon - Fish is the ultimate anti-aging food. Cold-water fatty fish like wild salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring contain omega-3 fats that protect the brain and the heart, improve mood, and lower blood pressure and triglycerides.

5. Raw Milk - Raw, organic milk nearly always comes from grass-fed cows and contains high levels of cancer-fighting CLA (conjugated linolenic acid) as well as a rich assortment of vitamins, minerals and beneficial bacteria (like Lactobacillus acidophilus).

6. Grass-Fed Meat - Meat from grass-fed cows has a much different fat profile than ordinary supermarket meat: high in omega-3s, lower in potentially harmful omega-6s and loaded with CLA, a kind of fat known for its anti-cancer activity. A superb source of protein and vitamin B12, it’s also missing the antibiotics, steroids and hormones found in the meat that comes from feedlot farms.

7. Eggs - Considered by many to be nature’s most perfect food, the egg is high in protein and relatively low in calories. The yolk contains choline, one of the most important nutrients for the brain, as well as lutein and xeazanthin, two critical nutrients for eye health.

8. Brassica Vegetables - Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale all contain plant compounds called indoles that help reduce the risk of cancer. In addition to a stunning range of vitamins and minerals, they also contain sulforaphane, an important plant chemical that helps the body detoxify health-damaging chemicals.

9. Apples - Not only do they keep the doctor away, they also appear to do the same for lung cancer, diabetes and asthma. An apple contains five grams of fiber and a rich blend of nutrients including the bone-building vitamin K and the anti-inflammatory nutrient quercetin. And there’s no better way to control your appetite than an apple eaten about half an hour before a big meal.

10. Onions and Garlic - In an impressive number of published studies, the consumption of onions and garlic has demonstrated protective effects against stomach, prostate and esophageal cancer. Along with broccoli, tea and apples, onions and garlic are among a select group of foods found to reduce mortality from heart disease by 20%.

11. Pomegranate Juice - Called “a natural Viagra” by researchers at Tel Aviv University, pomegranate juice is loaded with antioxidants. Studies show it can reduce blood pressure and plaque in the arteries. New research indicates it also slows the progression of tumors. Four to eight ounces a day is highly recommended.

12. Green Tea - Though all teas are great for you, green tea has a unique profile of plant chemicals that have anti-cancer activity. It’s now fairly established that green tea may help prevent the following types of cancers in humans: bladder, colon, esophagus, pancreas, rectum and stomach. If that’s not enough, it also appears to help with weight control.

Bangus Health Benefits

Breakfast meeting every first and third Saturday of the month of the Fellowship of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, here in Surigao City, held at the Philippine Gateway Hotel. My favorite breakfast is always fried bangus w/ egg and 1 cup of Rice for P120. Bangus or Milk Fish is our national fish, the scientific name is Chanos-chanos, this salt-water fish is a good source protein, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Calcium, Iron, saturated fat, calories and Omega3, it is also low in sodium, but it is also high in cholesterol, so just be conscious in the amount of serving when eating bangus.  I suggest, when you want to fry, cook it with low fat oil, like vegetable oil, and canola oil, these are hearth healthy oil and may not increase the cholesterol content. Also consider to cook it in other ways like grilling, broiling and steaming.

Taiwan Food Products Contaminated with Maleic Acid

June 9, Sunday a local news media network in the Philippines (ABS-CBN) posted that FDA (Food and Drug Administration) bans 15  food products from Taiwan and found an organic compound called Maleic Acid,  [1]an organic compound that is a dicarboxylic acid, a molecule with two carboxyl groups.[1] This substance is not used for food additive and may harm our body when intake.

These products are being tested by the AVA (Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority) in Singapore, according to the FDA.

Here are the list of the food products that are being banned  in the Philippines and are NOT registered with the FDA :

1. Hong Tapioca Starch
2. Redman Black Tapioca Pearl
3. Sun Right Indica Rice Powder
4. Top 1 Tapioca Pearls
5. Tea World Tapioca Starch Ball
6. Unbranded Starch Ball
7. Ding Long Tapioca Pearls
8. Sun Chi Noodles
9. T & M Resources Corp Tapioca Pearls
10. Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (White)
11. Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (Black)
12. Full Free Green Tea Tapioca Ball
13. Full Free Yam Tapioca Ball
14. Long Kow Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle
15. Long Kow Rice Noodle with Thick Soup

Consumer Act of the Philippines, RA no. 9711 a.k.a "FDA act of 2009" prohibits the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising or sponsorship of any health product that is adulterated, unregistered or misbranded.

Any product contaminated with Maleic Acid is considered illegal.

FDA said that they will continue to monitor the entry of food products from Taiwan in the Philippine market. All consumers are advised to buy and consume products that are registered with the FDA - FDA acting director Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go.

Visit FDA website for more details www.fda.gov.ph

[1]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleic_acid

a Bowl of Oatmeal a day

 

This past days I started to have my oatmeal as my breakfast diet, I learned that it has a lot of health benefits, it has Soluble fiber that may reduce LDL cholesterol (Low-density lipoprotein) without lowering HDL cholesterol(High-density lipoprotein). LDL is bad; HDL is good. Oatemeal also is a good source of vitamin E that will help our metabolic process. 

What a great way to start a day, so stay healthy and fit.

Swak for your budget : Rice De Luxe Recipe

Rice De Luxe

Ingredients

1 pc    egg, beaten
7 cloves    garlic, crushed
1 pc    small onion, chopped
100 g    pork pigue, cut into strips
125 g    chicken giblets, cut into cubes
3/4 cup    chicharo
130 g    sayote, cut into cubes


Procedures

 1. COOK egg as in omelette. Cut into strips and set aside.

2. SAUTè garlic, onion, pork and chicken giblets. Add 1 tsp iodized fine salt (or 1 tbsp iodized rock salt), 1-1/2 tsp sugar and 1/8 tsp pepper. Add vegetables and DEL MONTE Spaghetti Sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. ADD cooked rice. Blend thoroughly. Top with egg strips just before serving
1 pc    small red bell pepper, sliced
1 pouch (250 g)     DEL MONTE Italian Style Spaghetti Sauce
3-2/3 cups    cooked rice

source :http://www.kitchenomics.com

Durian Health benefit

 - Durian is rich in dietary fiber, which makes it a good bulk laxative. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

- Durian fruit is a good source of antioxidant vitamin-C (about 33% of RDA). Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals.

 - is an excellent source of many health benefiting B-complex groups of vitamins; a rare feature among fruits, such as niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.

 - It also contain good amount of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and magnesium. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.

   -Fresh durian fruit is a very rich source of potassium. Potassium in an important electrolyte of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.

   - It also contains high levels of essential amino acid, tryptophan (also known as "nature's sleeping pill") which in the body metabolizes into serotonin and melatonin; these neuro-chemicals have an important functions like sleep induction and in the treatment of epilepsy.

Guava Health benefits

Guavas for Cholesterol Reduction

A study from the Heart Research Laboratory in India demonstrated that people who ate five to nine guavas a day for three months reduced their cholesterol levels by 10 percent, triglycerides by 8 percent, and blood pressure by 9.0/8.0 mm Hg, while boosting their “good” cholesterol (HDL) by 8 percent.

Foods such as guavas that are high in pectins appear to lower the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood, perhaps by forming a gel in your stomach that sops up fats and keeps them from being absorbed by the body.

Guavas for Cancer Prevention

The anti-proliferative activity of guava leaf oil on mouth cancer is 4.37 times more potent than Vincristine, a cancer drug.

Guavas are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, and several studies support a reduction in prostate cancer risk associated with high lycopene consumption.

Lycopene also inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. Studies in mice have shown that it suppresses breast tumors.

Guava Leaf Extract as an Anti Inflammatory

Preliminary studies on the anti inflammatory properties of guava leaf extract have indicated that the extract is involved with the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 (inflammatory agents). It is speculated that the numerous chemical compounds present in the plant are responsible for the anti inflammatory effects of the leaf extract.

Guava Leaf Extract for Acne

Thirty-eight men and women with various types of acne participated in a study that concluded that guava leaf extract to be beneficial in treating acne.

Guava Leaf Extract as a Cough Remedy

The anti cough activity of guava leaf extract has been evaluated in rats and guinea pigs. The results suggest that guava leaf extract is recommended as a cough remedy.

Guava Leaf Extract for Diarrhea

Essential oil guava leaf extracts have been tested and shown to inhibit the diarrhea causing bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli, and that the use of guava leaf extracts can be a feasible treatment in diarrhea cases where access to commercial antibiotics is restricted.

A randomized, double-blinded, clinical study performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a phytodrug developed from guava leaves for the treatment of adult patients with acute diarrhea showed that the used guava product decreased the duration of abdominal pain in these patients.

Guavas for Dental Health

Guaijaverin, a flavanoid compound present in guavas inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, which is considered to be a pathogen for dental caries.

Guavas for Diabetes

The guava is an important medicinal plant in tropical and subtropical countries and is widely used in folk medicine. Many pharmacological studies have demonstrated the ability of this plant to exhibit anti diabetic activities, supporting its traditional uses.

Significant blood glucose lowering effects of guava leaf extract has been observed in a mouse study. The study results suggest that the guava leaf extract possesses anti diabetic effect in type 2 diabetes.




source: elements4health

7 Health benefits of Banana

Bananas are good source of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and it has high levels of potassium.  The natural fiber in bananas contributes to many health benefits. 

Top 7 Health benefits of Banana

1. Reducing Depression

Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading

to improved mood.

2. Anemia

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body’s hemoglobin function.

3. Constipation and Diarrhea

Due to their content in fiber, they help restore a normal bowel function. In

addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the

most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain

pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the

digestive tract.

4. Blood Pressure

Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg),

thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure.

5. Ulcers

This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle

cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells

on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid).

Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in

the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

6. Stress Relief

Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the

body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to

be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using

drugs.

7. Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid

morning sickness.