Beet Greens and Health Benefits:

Beets are a nutritious root vegetable that have slightly bitter, flavorful leaves and sweet bulbs. Prepare beet greens as you would prepare spinach or kale -- by boiling, sautéing or microwaving. Select fresh beets with crisp greens to get the best flavor and the most nutrients. Beet greens contain moderate levels of vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as low levels of folate. Additionally, beet greens provide fiber and add flavor to salads, sauces and stir-frys.

Beet greens are the green leaves connected to beets. Like all parts of these vegetables, these leaves are edible and in fact quite nutritious. Beets are commonly found in grocery stores in canned form but they can also be purchased fresh and whole when you shop at farmers’ markets.

Rich in Vitamin K

Beet greens have been found to contain large amounts of vitamin K. As you probably know, vitamin K is an important element that aids in blood clotting. However, studies are showing that the health benefits of vitamin K extend beyond its blood clotting properties. For instance, there is now a possibility that vitamin K might play a role in fighting diseases that afflict the elderly, such as Alzheimer’s disease. If you suffer from osteoporosis or would like to minimize your chance of developing this disease then you should also make vitamin K a part of your diet. This is because vitamin K works alongside calcium to boost the strength in your bones. If you suffer from pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness then this vitamin can also provide some relief. Since it has blood clotting properties, you can also consume vitamin K if you experience excessive bleeding during your monthly period.

Improves Vision

Vitamin A is another vitamin that can be found in large amounts in beet greens. Vitamin A brings a wide range of health benefits to the body. One of these benefits is the maintenance of good vision. A compound in vitamin A is essential in the retina’s transformation of light. This is why individuals who are at risk of developing night blindness are advised to take vitamin A.

Against Infections and Cancer

Another health benefit of vitamin A is that it strengthens your immune system. This vitamin stimulates antibodies and white blood cells so you are better protected against infections. Studies have also shown that vitamin A can play a role in cancer prevention. In fact, if you regularly consume vitamin A-rich plants like beet greens, you are at less risk of developing cancer than if you get your vitamin A from animal products. If you’re pregnant, vitamin A also helps in embryonic development. A vitamin A compound, beta-carotene, is also a known antioxidant that can fight the effects of free radicals in the body. Aside from causing signs of aging, free radicals also contribute to cancer and heart disease.

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USING CAYENNE PEPPER TO HELP BURN FATS

Cayenne pepper may be one of the hottest (pungent) among ground spices. Not only does it give great flavoring in cuisines from some cultures, some experts claim that it can help boost metabolism by up to 25% when it's added in food.

Capsaicin in pepper is "thermogenic" which causes the body temperature to rise. In order to cool down the temperature, your body will burn calories in the cooling process.

Only a very small amount (~½ tsp) in your food is able to help decrease appetite and promote calorie-burning. It continues to burn excess calories up to 4 hours after a fatty meal, compared to if eating the same meal without it.

NOTE:

DO NOT depend on just cayenne pepper for weight-loss. An overall healthy and low-fat diet is recommended. This spice helps to flavor the food and gives a little boost to the fat-burning metabolism.

CAUTION:

DO NOT eat cayenne pepper if you have any digestive tract disorders, like heartburn, peptic/stomach ulcer, Crohn's disease, etc. Also avoid if you cannot handle its spiciness.

Information by: http://juicing-for-health.com/

BENEFITS OF BLACK EYE PEAS

Black eyed pea also called as cowpeas, lobia or lobiya or chawli in Hindi. It is small soft textured oval creamy white bean with a black eye. This bean is available as fresh or dried bean and can be used for preparing soups and many side dishes. 

Black-eye peas low in fat and high in quality protein, they also have the added bonus of soluble fiber's disease-preventing qualities. The soluble fiber in beans dissolves in water, trapping bile acids in its gummy goo. This lowers blood levels of damaging LDL cholesterol, especially if LDL cholesterol levels were high to begin with, without compromising the level of protective HDL cholesterol.

Because beans are singled out for their soluble fiber, you may not realize they also provide substantial insoluble fiber, which helps combat constipation, colon cancer, and other conditions that afflict your digestive tract.

Black-eye peas contain several types of phytochemicals. They are rich in lingams’, which may play a role in preventing osteoporosis, heart disease, and certain cancers. The flavonoids in beans may help reduce heart disease and cancer risk. Phytosterols, also in legumes, help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

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USING BLACK PEPPER IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

If you want to lose a little extra fat, consider using freshly ground black pepper.

WHAT IT DOES:

- Stimulates taste buds by alerting the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion that helps improve digestion.

- It has antibacterial properties that helps balance the gut flora by eliminating the unfriendly bacteria and repopulate the friendly ones.

- Prevents diseases of the digestive tract, thus improving bowel movements and digestion.

- Promotes elimination of toxins through sweating and urination.

- Curbs unhealthy cravings that cause weight gain.

- Helps improve metabolism for burning fats many hours afterwards, and prevents formation of new fats.

TIPS FOR USING:

Remember ... A little goes a long way.

- Add freshly ground black pepper at the end of your cooking.

- Grind black pepper into your juices, stir and drink.

- Add into your homemade salad dressing: Olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Information by: http://juicing-for-health.com/

Are raisins good for you?

You'd be surprised at the benefits that the tiny raisin offers. Obtained from drying black or green grapes in driers or in natural light, raisins are among the most loved dry fruits. Indeed they are like gems when their nutritional values and health benefits are considered.

Raisins have generous quantities of iron that are great for treating anaemia. It also contains many members of vitamin-B complex which are essential for formation of blood. Copper in them also help formation of red blood cells.

One of the interesting health benefits of raisins is that it is a great brain food. Raisins contain high amounts of boron that is an essential mineral for a well-functioning brain. 100mg of raisins contains 2.2mg of boron, which is a potent brain-boosting mineral. Boron improves concentration, hand-eye co-ordination and enhances memory.

Do you suffer from constipation often? Include raisins in your diet – they have fibre in them that puffs up and absorbs water, which in turn helps giving relief in constipation.

Being high in fiber and having considerably low calories, raisins are a better snack than most. They are also a great source of energy as they are packed with natural sugars and glucose. It's better to consume moderate amounts of raisins to avoid extra calories but if you're an active or athletic person, this needn't be much of a worry. While snacking on them, remember to keep in mind the great health benefits of raisins. Adding raisins to your diet may offer more benefits than you may think.

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Popular Healthy Drink:

Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits. It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health. And if you're not drinking three to four cups of green tea today, you're definitely not doing your health a big favor. 

Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.

Green tea contains an antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.

The antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.

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STRESS RELIEVER

Have you been overworked and stressed lately? Or do you know someone who is undergoing anxiety, panic and trauma?

These negative emotions have a negative effect on the body as they overwork the adrenaline glands and produce two hormones: DHEA and cortisol -- both are 'shock absorber' hormones which buffer the negative impact that may affect mental and physical functions.

Prolonged negative emotions are detrimental to health. During this stressful time, this juice combo may help calm your nerves, improve your mood and sleep quality.

SUGGESTED JUICE FOR RELIEVING STRESS:

- 2 green apples

- A bunch of spinach

- 1/2 a cucumber

- 1 stick celery

- 1/4 lemon

- 1/2 inch ginger root (optional)

Information by: http://juicing-for-health.com/