Self Health Pages

The avocado fruit is indeed a treat when made into a shake alongside milk, ice, sugar and small amount of water. If you are fond of avocados consider yourself lucky since this versatile fruit is truly loaded with immense nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are very useful to one’s health.

The introduction of the avocado in Europe.

The word avocado is derived from the Aztec’s ahuacatl. The Spanish conquerors during the 16^th century were startled when they see for the first time this wonderful fruit. Its flesh was squashy and has a creamy texture.

The avocados’ inception in the European continent was in 1519, by Martin Fernandez de Enciso. De Enciso first spotted the fruit in a place that is now called Santa Marta, Colombia, during their first voyage to South America. During this expedition the conquistadores also tried other produce such as cacao (where chocolates are made from), corn and the potato.

At present this awesome fruit is planted in various countries such as Australia, Israel, Kenya, New Zealand, North and South America and the Philippines, where the temperature is moderate.

The varieties of avocados.

There are many kinds of avocados, and its size may vary from a 2 inches to as large as a medium-sized melons. It has a variety of colors too from green to dark purple, and the peel can be coarse and delicate, whilst the other types can be thin and smooth. A flowering avocado tree may yield thousands of buttery blooms. Nevertheless, only one for every 5,000 flowers will grow to be an avocado.

The nutritional value of avocados.

Avocados are rich in protein, riboflavin, niacin, potassium and vitamin C. Indeed this consummate fruit is versatile as it contains 11 vitamins and 14 minerals.

Avocados added to tortillas would make a complete meal in the Central America. Its fat content is at par best with that of the olive oil, since both have monounsaturated fats. The oil found in avocados is utilized in making soaps and cosmetics.

The avocado tree is multipurpose.

Like the coconut tree, which has a lot of uses, avocado tree is not to be outdone. The wood can be employed as a fuel; the pit or seed is used in the southern part of the Americas for clothing markings. In the Philippines, the leaves are made into tea. Alas the bark of the tree can be made to tan leather.

When to discern or know if the avocado is ripe?

To know whether the avocados are ripe is not by looking at the color of the skin since this fruit has various varieties. Simply gently squeeze the fruit, and when it is to some extent soft, the fruit is ripe already.

Some useful tips with avocado.

Avocados are best kept in tepid yet airy places. If the fruit is not yet ripe you can help the ripening process of the fruits by wrapping it in newspaper. The avocados should be kept in a fridge when it is opened. Sprinkle the exposed part of the fruit with some lemon juice to avoid its pulp from becoming brown in color.

Ways and ideas to prepare and serve avocados?

Avocados are best eaten with citrus fruits and even tomatoes. Its taste may be improved with a piquant dressing. Furthermore, avocados can form a succulent treat with combined with mouthwatering seafood like shrimp, lobster and crab in numerous types of salads. Avocados can also go well with other fruits to have a refreshing shake or juice drinks.

The Latino Favorite

Avocados when pounded with different types of spices and other spices will make a great spread to your crackers. This awesome fruit is the main ingredient in what of the Latinos favorite, that is the guacamole, that also contains tomatoes, onions, green peppers and spices. Avocados, which should be added last, can also be a part of some dish.

Parting words…

Although in many parts of the world avocados may be considered as rare, but once you tasted this fantastic fruit you will not only experience its creamy taste but this will also give you a boosts in terms of its valuable nutritional content.

Tomatoes are not only holistic ingredients to our dishes it is also packed with essential vitamins and minerals, which are valuable to our body.
Here are the importance or essence of tomatoes to our health.
According to the studies provides the red coloring of tomatoes, which is the lycopene, may aid lower the extent of carcinogenic tumors in the prostate and lessen metastasis, which is the dispersion of cancer cells to the other tissues of the body. In a study released by the United States National Cancer made by the American Association for Cancer Research stated that the tomatoes might contain beneficial nutrients that can hinder the development of prostate cancer. The substance that Institute, discovered that the tomato and of its derivatives had a encouraging outcome not only against prostate cancer but also against that of the cancer cells in pancreas, lung and colon.

This article tackles about the bad effects we can get from eating fast. In military training, eating fast is ubiquitous. However, for the nutritionists it is a bad eating habit so as to speak. Food intake done in a rush may cause some stomach troubles. The excess in air that is not needed by your body may lead to bloating.

Since eating fast requires less chewing the digestive tract will be required to work two times than usual. This may result to indigestion. Additionally eating fast doesn’t give your brain enough time to recognize that your stomach is filled (the brain needs at least 20 minutes to discern this).

In a recent study conducted will show that women who consumed in 30 minutes ate 30% fewer calories compared to those who ate the same amount of foods in 10 minutes.

Slow down while you are eating, find time to pause and drink water at an interval throughout your meals. While eating don’t be in a rush to avoid getting to some health problems.

Worrisome lately and being bothered with series of anxieties that keeps you at bay at all times. Even perhaps forlorn, perturbed and in an offensive mood of picking up a fight with somebody else literally or figuratively. Some foods we eat may help you get out of being in such bad moods. Foods rich in Omega-3 fats, folic acid, selenium and Vitamin B12, have been discovered to get you into a an upbeat and positive moods, in plain words will make you happy.

Here are some foods that could help you lift your spirit, aid you rejuvenate and loosen up.

Nuts – This powerhouse food is rich in protein, selenium and Omega-3, and vitamin E. Selenium is known to aid be jovial while Vitamin E is touted as a versatile antioxidant that helps you overcome stress. Dubbed as “Brain Food,” because of their lofty Omega-3 contents, vital in brain’s blood circulation. However too much consumption of nuts is not recommended especially for those that have a high blood pressure and gout for it has high salt contents and uric acid.

Chocolate – Hmmm, a perfect gift for your partner and kids too, chocolate aside from being known as the source of tooth decay has something that can be beneficial, that is, the anadamine, chemical found in brains that is known to help you lighten up.

Skim Milk – So what make milk preferably the skim milk special to those that are feeling blue? It contains tryptophan a type of amino acids the brain needs to produce serotonin, a natural chemical and anti-depressants that makes us relaxed and happy. Milk is also a good source of antioxidants, vitamins D and B12 that wards of stress and even aging.

Bananas – like milk, bananas tryptophan, a kind of protein that the body transforms to serotonin, and has carbohydrates to bolster your energy. Best for athletes and those who indulges in fitness centers, potassium is known to have great amount of potassium that can be beneficial in preventing or avoiding cramps.

Spinach – Popeye’s much sought after energy giving food and snack especially in times of distress, is rich in folic acid, a B vitamin vital in producing serotonin. A cup of cooked spinach is good enough to maintain an active and strong disposition just like the cartoon hero Popeye.

Foods rich in carbohydrates like rice, bread, noodles and pasta. -Foods packed with carbohydrates can also enhance your serotonin levels. To avoid a harmful rise to your blood sugar, you may opt for foods with healthier carbohydrates like brown rice, wheat bread and vegetables. These good sources of carbohydrates are slowly digested, and may makes you happy for a longer duration.

Salmon, Mackerel or Sardines – Oily fish like salmon, mackerel or sardines are packed with the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids that are known to lift your mood and can also be an anti-depressant. Most fish also contains B6 and B12, which plays a key role in producing serotonin.

Beans and soybeans – These foods are loaded with soluble fiber, folic acid, Omega-3 fatty acids, iron and calcium. Additionally, soybeans contain genistein, which may help you avoid prostate and breast cancer.

Broccoli – aside from being dubbed as an anti-cancer food broccoli is packed with vitamin B, the vitamin that aids you to ward off stress. Like other foods mentioned above, broccoli contains folic acid that can maintains and improve our moods.

Coffee – Coffee is known to be an anti-depressant according to recent studies. It is rich in caffeine, which is a prominent drug that enhances temperament. It bolsters energy levels; make you more alert, and also aids in improving your memory too. Small doses of caffeine can be beneficial especially in lifting our moods, but too much coffee may result to heart palpitation, anxiety and sleep difficulties.

Aside from it is a pleasure to eat, fruits is loaded with vitamins and nutrients that are indeed useful to one’s health. Here are some fruits that are valuable or important to your diet.

Kiwi – Small but terrible, this fruit from New Zealand is a great source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is two times better than that of an orange.

Apple – As the popular cliché goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” True enough apples has a 100% Vitamin C content as it is packed with the powerful antioxidants and flavonoids which facilitates Vitamin C to activate, lowering the risks of having colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.

Strawberry – Living to its billing as being a protective fruit, strawberry contains the most antioxidants among major fruits as it defends the body from cancer-causing, blood-vessel clogging free radicals.

Oranges – Two to four oranges a day helps you avoid colds, reduce your cholesterol level, eliminate kidney stones and lower risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon – one of summer’s coolest treat literally, watermelons, cool and delicious is comprised of 92% water but mind you, it is rich in gluthatione, which helps your body to bolster and strengthen the immune system. Packed with lycopene, which is also good in warding off cancer. Watermelons also have Vitamin C and potassium.

Guava – Has a great amount of Vitamin C and also rich in fiber, that is good against constipation. P

Papaya – Also has great dose of Vitamin C and is in abundance of Carotene which is good for your eyes.

The muscles in our lower back are use most often. With too much hard work sometimes this might cause back injuries. Moreover, we tend to bend all the time to pick up something we dropped.

Here are some simple yet valuable stretches that you can do to prevent back injury or strain in muscles.

Lie flat and pull your knees to your chest. Lie on your back and pull both knees up toward your chest. Put your hand on each knee and gently pull your thighs closer to your chest. Breath deeply, while holding on with this position for 20 to 30 seconds.

Tilt knees to tight and left. Lie on your back, bring your knees to your chest then tilt them to the right, bring them as afar down as you can. Hold on to this position for 30 seconds. Let your knees go back at the center, and repeat this with your left knee. Repeat this steps as many times as you can.

Stretch like what the cat does exercise. If you feel like not reading the text below feel free to click the link from YouTube.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-67HQ5xetzk .Like cats and both of your arms straight and your hands directly under your shoulder and knees about 8 inches apart, drop to the ground as if you like a cat.

Begin this exercise with your back lying flat, then arch your back as high up as you can, whilst pulling your abdominal muscles up. Hold on with this position for few seconds. Do opposite of this position by pushing your abs toward the floor, arching your back in the reverse direction Repeat this as many times as you can. When arching your back up or down, keep your head facing toward and always the back of your neck straight aligning with your spine.

Food rich in carbohydrates should be taken in ample quantities, especially for athletes or those with work that are stressful and very physical. Your body breaks carbohydrates down into the simple sugar glucose, which is used to give energy or will be stored for a short time in muscles and liver in the form of glycogen or animal starch. Extra glucose in our body is transformed as fat and may cause obesity. The molecules of carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms and even starches and sugars. Refined cane sugar is a major source of carbohydrates, and is consists of sugar sucrose, the sweetest of the natural carbohydrates. Refined sugar does not make you feel full just like other carbohydrate foods and could be possible cause of tooth decay. You must eat sugar and honey only in small amounts. The hormone insulin is vital for the oxidation of glucose the process of yielding energy for the body. When not enough insulin is generated and this may lead to diabetes. Starches should be in your carbohydrate intake. The best sources of starches are bread, oats, rice and beans. To make our diet balanced eat more bread and potatoes and less meat, fat and refined sugar. Cakes, biscuits, and puddings produced with white sugar and flour do no harm, but should not form bulk of your diet. Choose good alternatives like carrots and sandwich that is low in fat.