Green Smoothie Benefits

Green smoothies have grown increasing popular as of late, due to the many proven benefits. These smoothies are made with healthy leafy green vegetables blended into them. The main ingredients of smoothies are various fruits, such as strawberries, bananas, raspberries and other delicious varieties of fruit. In fact, the majority of the ingredients are fruit, which is why smoothies taste so sweet and delicious. However, the inclusion of healthy green vegetables gives an added health boost, making green vegetable smoothies much more nutritious than traditional fruit smoothies.

There are many health benefits that come with introducing green smoothies into your diet. There are dozens of benefits that have been experienced time and time again by those who choose enjoy blended vegetables in their daily diets. These green smoothie benefits include increased energy, weight loss, prevention of a number of illnesses and chronic conditions, better athletic performance, and faster recovery time following injuries, to name a few. The more of these healthy smoothies you enjoy the better your health will become over all.

Smoothie

Why is it that there are so many wonderful green smoothie benefits? The several health benefits that come from these smoothies are a result of high levels of fiber and antioxidants in the vegetables used. Green smoothies contain a number of healthy vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, such as calcium, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, tryptophan, folate, potassium, and high levels of fiber. As important as the healthy elements in green smoothies are, the many unhealthy elements that they lack are just as important. These include saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, high fructose corn syrup, refined sugars, artificial flavors, MSG, hormones, and other harmful elements found in many of the things we eat on a daily basis.

Green Smoothie Benefits

By avoiding the unhealthy qualities foods found in most and adding in a daily dose of healthy antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber, you can improve your health ten-fold. The more vegetables you eat the better health you will have, and adding vegetables is so much easier in a tasty smoothie. If you want to improve your immune system, lose weight, prevent diseases and cancers and increase your energy, you should definitely consider including green smoothies in your diet!

Green Smoothie Benefits

Eating raw foods is a natural way to get healthy and feel great. If you are ready to go raw visit http://rawsupplies.com/ for everything you need.

Healthy Fruit Smoothies and Their Benefits

We are recommended to have our five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Adhering to this requirement means eating a bowl of salad and having fruit with every meal, a task which most of us find quite daunting. Smoothies provide a great way to make us eat healthy. All we have to do is mix together the servings of fruits and vegetables with some liquid, and drink it.

Because of the ingredients they contain, healthy fruit smoothies are full of vitamins and minerals which are essential for good health. There is no limit to the kind of fruit or fruit combination's that you can come up with; they can be simple or exotic. The choice largely depends on taste and nutritional needs. Using fresh or frozen ones does not matter much since they still have the same nutrients. People may vary in their tastes but some fruits are more commonly used than others. Three of the most popular are bananas, blueberries and strawberries.

\"Smoothie Recipe\"

Bananas are great when mixed with nuts or peanut butter. The result is a very creamy drink which is a favorite for many. To make this banana smoothie, you have to mix 2 medium bananas with raw nuts, vanilla stevia and 1 pear with a half cup of water into a blender and blend for 20 seconds. In less than a minute, a healthy beverage can be enjoyed. This drink is full of potassium, a mineral which has been to help in maintaining a healthy circulatory system and is used in the proper functioning of muscles. It also regulates the acid levels in the stomach and lowers the risk of developing stomach ulcers. The fiber content aids in digestion as well.

Healthy Fruit Smoothies and Their Benefits

Blueberries are one of nature's most powerful antioxidants and their benefits are numerous. This fruit prevents urinary tract infections, prevents macular degeneration of the eyes, slows down aging, promotes brain function, prevents constipation, aids in digestion, prevents and cures cancer and boosts the immune system. This is due to the antibiotic properties of blueberries as well as the carotenoids and flavonoids contained in them, along with vitamins, zinc, phosphorus and selenium. If you want to achieve these benefits, try blending 1 banana and 1 cup of blueberries with vanilla stevia, lemon juice, a cup of water and ice cubes. You can then enjoy your glasses of blueberry-flavored healthy fruits smoothies.

Among the three top fruit ingredients, strawberries are perhaps the most well-known. An easy-to-make smoothie recipe calls for 1 banana, 1cup strawberries, vanilla stevia, a teaspoon of lemon juice, a cup of water and ice cubes. Because strawberry is very versatile, other fruits can be added to this basic mixture. Strawberries are good for the heart. It lowers the level of bad cholesterol and raises the level of the good ones. It regulates blood pressure and keeps it normal. Aside from these properties, the fruit contains antioxidants that combat cell damage. What's more, it is very low in calories and has no cholesterol and sodium.

These healthy fruit smoothies indeed provide us with what our bodies needs. We must be thankful that being fit is within anybody's reach, if only we are willing to commit to living a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy Fruit Smoothies and Their Benefits

Fruit smoothies are great for breakfast or any time of the day. Learn the basics of smoothie preparation at http://www.healthyhomemadesmoothies.com/smoothie-how-to-the-basics-of-preparation.html

Cinnamon For Weight Loss - Cinnamon Benefits

Cinnamon has an amazing list of benefits including brain health, preventing ulcers and of course cinnamon for weight loss. Cinnamon has shown the ability to make the body more insulin resistant. Helping to control our blood sugar levels and avoid insulin spikes to help ward off diabetes and the pre-diabetes metabolic syndrome.

Cinnamon has an amazing list of benefits including brain health, preventing ulcers and of course cinnamon for weight loss. Cinnamon has shown the ability to make the body more insulin resistant. Helping to control our blood sugar levels and avoid insulin spikes to help ward off diabetes and the pre-diabetes metabolic syndrome.

\"Smoothie Recipe\"

I have been using cinnamon powder and cinnamon tea bags for 3 months now and already see noticeable improvement especially around the stomach and abdomen area which seems to be holding less fat than it usually holds.

Cinnamon For Weight Loss - Cinnamon Benefits

You can buy your cinnamon in many different forms with the most common being

- Cinnamon Sticks

- Cinnamon Powder (added sugar for cakes, biscuits)

- Cinnamon Powder without the sugar

- Cinnamon Tea Bags

Cinnamon has a very distinct taste and you may find it hard to get used to the sugar free cinnamon so its an idea to move slowly from the sugary one to the sugar free. ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder daily can also lower cholesterol and keep you feeling healthy.

It also has the ability to prevent clotting of the blood which can be great for the elderly and a good reason to start using cinnamon for baking delicious cakes, biscuits and pancakes.

My favourite way to get my cinnamon powder is to take a couple teaspoons of organic no sugar added cinnamon powder and add it to all natural organic yoghurt or Greek yoghurt. Mixed with some frozen berries it makes a great combination giving you plenty of nutrients, anti-oxidants form the berries as well as the beneficial bacteria found in yoghurt to keep your digestive system happy and absorbing all those nutrients.

Cinnamon For Weight Loss - Cinnamon Benefits

More healthy recipes and snack idea's can be found at the Diet Solution Guide.

More information on how to shed a few extra pounds without the hassle visit the Weight Loss Instructor and get some free information and healthy recipe tips.

Food Stamps - Texas Requirements and Benefits

Some of the most important benefits of the Texas Stamp program are that it can be used efficiently by people with lower income. The program is designed in a way that those in an emergency situation also would be able to get the most of the situation. The benefits can be rendered faster when the individual is in emergency state. To identify whether a family is in emergency or not the following criterion is used.

• When a family's monthly income is less than 150 dollars or the total value of the resources the family posses is only 100 dollars or less then they can avail the emergency benefits.
• If the family's monthly income or the value of resources is less than the most recent amount of loan or rent or any sort of mortgage then they are eligible for the emergency benefits.
• If there is a seasonal farm worker or a migrant in the family then the family is eligible for the emergency benefits of the Texas Stamp program only when the total resource value in the family is less than 100 dollars.

To avail these benefits and to know more about it, it is best to call 2-1-1.

Smoothies

There are several estimators available for the Texas food stamp program to check the eligibility of an individual for the program. The following points should be kept in mind while working on the eligibility criterion.

• Total number in a family - The total number of people in the family should be calculated and classification should be done for people above 60 years of age and the disabled.
• Gross income - The family gross income should be provided to the estimator and while applying in reality one has to provide proof of the gross income.
• Vehicles owned - If the family owns any vehicle, they should mention that regardless of whether they are using the vehicle or not. Honesty should be maintained while giving these details.
• Monthly expense - The final step of the program is to provide the proof of the monthly expenses of the family. For best chances of approval of the application, correct information should be provided.

When the above information is correct, the estimator online would provide necessary information on one's eligibility. In reality one should be able to apply well in advance to get all the issues cleared while working with the application for faster approval.

Food Stamps - Texas Requirements and Benefits

Health Benefits of Eating a Raw Food Diet

Raw foods are very good for human health and either making raw foods a larger part of your diet or switching to an entirely raw food diet can provide a number of benefits. A raw food diet consists entirely of uncooked preferably organically grown plant based foods; largely fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts and juices - dried fruits and vegetables may also be added to these diets.

Raw food diets are almost entirely vegan, with many of the health benefits of these diets being due to the large quantities of dietary fiber and nutrients; components which are often lost when cooking or processing food. Raw foods are generally lower calorie and are easily digested, since raw foods contain all of the enzymes which aid in their digestion - these are destroyed by cooking fruits and vegetables.

Juicer

What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating A Raw Food Diet?

There are very little or no saturated fats or sodium and these diets provide the magnesium, folic acid and dietary fiber as well as other nutrients which the human body needs for good health. These diets are also detoxifying, helping the body to flush out toxins. What's On The Menu In A Raw Food Diet? Any fresh, uncooked vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and other foods may be eaten as well as sprouted beans and grains. Some especially healthy choices include:

Sprouted brown rice: this food helps slow the absorption of glucose and regulates the metabolism

Cabbage: All cruciferous vegetables are high in fiber and support a variety of crucial systems in the body
Carrots: These vegetables are rich in vitamin A and fiber and are great for the circulatory system and vision
Fennel: A good source of Manganese and Zinc, this vegetable is great fresh or juiced; and it has natural anti inflammatory properties which make it especially helpful for people suffering from arthritis.

If you're interested in getting the nutrients which sprouted seeds, legumes and grains offer, you may want to use a sprouter like the Easy Green automatic sprouter. Sprouts are great sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and important micronutrients. You can eat sprouts as they are, in salads, soups and other dishes. You can even juice sprouts along with other fruits and vegetables with a high quality juicer like the Kempo Greenpower.

Sprouted seeds, beans and grains contain a wealth of nutrients, being excellent sources of vitamins A, E and the B vitamins as well as essential fatty acids, lecithin and protein. You can also get nutrition from beans, grains and nuts by making them into non-dairy beverage with a soy milk maker like SoyQuick. You can also eat tofu or even make your own.

By eating an entirely raw food diet or at least making 75% or more of your diet uncooked, unprocessed foods, you'll have access to all of the nutritional value of your food. You can warm your food a little; but make sure to keep the temperature under 116 degrees Fahrenheit in order to keep their enzymes and nutrients intact.

Before You Make The Switch

You should always speak with your physician before making any big changes in your diet. If you have any sort of medical condition especially anemia or if you happen to be pregnant, get your doctor's opinion first. You should also ask your doctor about raw food diets if you plan to switch your children to this sort of diet.

One thing to be aware of is that since a raw food diet tends to detoxify the body, you may experience mild reactions at first as your body flushes out stored toxins. You may experience headaches and nausea, though these should be mild and short lived. It's a good idea to prepare at least a week in advance by limiting your intake of sugar, caffeine and meat before you start a new raw food diet.

A raw food diet can make a dramatic difference to your health as long as you're willing to put in the necessary time and effort. You will have to prepare more of your own meals than you may be used to, but there are plenty of products out there which are designed to assist you in making the transition an easier one.

Health Benefits of Eating a Raw Food Diet

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The Health Benefits of Lobster

High in protein and low in fat, lobster is a very beneficial meat. Comparable to a steak, lobster has less than thirty grams of protein in a five ounce portion. Lobster also has less fat compared to steak. It is perfect for a no or low carbohydrate diet as well. Under the Weight Watcher's system lobster has just four points.   Not only is lobster low in fat, it is lower in cholesterol than skinless chicken breast. Lobster has seventy-two milligrams compared to chicken's eighty-five milligrams.

In addition to having a high protein and low fat composition, lobster meat has ten to twenty percent of the USDA's daily recommended value of potassium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, copper, and vitamin B12.  Like many other types of seafood, lobster also contains a high constitution of Omega 3 fatty acid which is beneficial for both your heart and your brain. Selenium aids the immune system and thyroid gland and may also help prevent heart disease. Bone and tissue diseases can be avoided by diets high in copper. The vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerve and red blood cells. Phosphorus contributes to proper kidney functioning and lessens arthritis pain. Increased brain activity, a boosted immune system, and a healthier reproduction system are all benefits from consuming zinc. Finally potassium is credited with aiding your heart's functions. The benefits of Omega 3 fatty acid range from reducing your risk of heart attack to lowering your blood pressure.

Smoothies

Perfect for people on a diet and those simply trying to have a healthier lifestyle, lobster is a far superior choice to the usual steak. Eating lobster clearly provides you a low fat, comprehensive range of nutritional value while at the same time giving you great flavor and taste. With all the spectacular health benefits to eating lobster, it really is the coup de grace for special occasion meals.

The Health Benefits of Lobster

A guy enjoying the journey of life and promoting live lobster deals and lobster information.

Lemon Juice Health Benefits

Lemonade is known to have been used as a refreshing drink since the time of the Moguls. Modem investigations have tended to support this use, the essential oil being very good for cooling the body. This use can be extended to the employment of lemon juice with water and sugar as the best drink to take when you have a fever

When the temperature of the body is high, whether from the effects of the sun or from the results of illness, it is necessary to take regular drinks in order to prevent dehydration. Sugar is not normally a desirable part of a healthy diet, nevertheless it has its part to play with lemon, and although there is no doubt that the addition of honey if available is very much to be preferred.

Smoothies

The high vitamin C content of the lemon has been used for hundreds of years to ward off scurvy among sailors and travelers. There is little sodium, so the fruit is good as a flavoring for those on a low salt diet.

Because in some countries the producers of lemons extend their keeping properties and improve appearance by coating them with the chemical diphenyl and waxing the fruits, it is a wise precaution to wash the lemon with a little unscented soap and then rinse thoroughly before converting the whole fruit to juice.

The pulp left from the juicing is excellent for the skin and can also soothe the bites and stings of insects. If you add equal parts of toilet water and of glycerin to the residue the mixture can be made to keep the hands smooth.

Doctors Morel and Rochaix demonstrated that the extract of lemon when vaporized will neutralize the bacteria of meningococcus, typhoid, pneumococcus and staphylococcus in from 15 to 180 minutes.

A gastronomically inclined Frenchman, Charles Richet, is said by Dr Valnet to have discovered that the lemon juice added to raw oysters before eating them destroys 92% of the bacteria present within 15 minutes. A good reason to wait before you eat!

This information is relevant to the idea that lemon juice is a most important therapy to be used in all cases of infection of the respiratory tract and as a general tonic.

Provided that the juice is diluted with water, there is no danger in taking any reasonable quantity of lemon juice. Be sure to choose firm, clear colored lemons that have not begun to wither. The first signs of ageing can be spotted where the stem was once attached to the fruit.

Lemon Juice Health Benefits

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on benefits of juices and raw vegetables are also mentioned which includes lime juice too.

The Benefits of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

It is important that we first make sure that we are clear about what we are discussing in this article. When it comes to freshly squeezed orange juice we mean that which has been taken from the orange and then drank straightaway. As you will discover when you go to the supermarket there are plenty of products on the shelves claiming to be "freshly squeezed" but have on them a shelf life of several days. So is the juice really freshly squeezed if it has been on the shelf for up to a week after being bottled?

No it isn't. What is worse is that most of these freshly squeezed products will have been heat treated in order to ensure that they can be kept on the shelf for longer periods of time. The heat that is applied during the pasteurisation process destroys many of the vital nutrients in the food we eat so that risky pathogens can be removed. But making your own juice at home with a juicer reduces the risks to you. In fact when food is produced on an industrial scale those risks become greater.

Juicer

There are a few fresh orange juice products where it states it has been gently pasteurised. But this is complete nonsense as it is or isn't pasteurised. When it comes to gently pasteurising do they wear fluffy gloves and place the juice bottles on cushions after the process has been completed? Do we really care? When these terms are used the manufacturer of the juice wants to make it sound as if their product is good for you, when in fact they are only trying to increase their profit margins.

One thing you can be sure of is that the juice will still have been heated and so much of the nutritional value of it has been taken out. Making your own freshly squeezed orange juice at home will ensure that it is perfectly safe and full of those nutrients your body needs. But there are many other benefits to be gained from using your own citrus juice or press in order to make your own fresh orange juice. If you don't drink any fresh juice, below are just some of the many reasons for including real fresh orange juice into your diet.

1. One glass of fresh orange juice will ensure that you get your recommended daily dose of Vitamin C.

2. Fresh orange juice contains flavonoids which can help reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels.

3. As well as freshly squeezed orange being high in antioxidants it is high in dietary fibre, thiamine and folates.

4. Studies carried out have proven that fresh orange juice can protect one against cancer and heart disease as well as boost our immune system responses.

5. Drinking fresh orange juice can reduce the damaging effect that free radicals have on the cells in our bodies.

6. There are many different flavonoids and phyto-nutrients in fresh orange juice that can protect you against a number of degenerative diseases.

Actually your daily boost from this fruit couldn't be simpler. Just get some oranges, cut in half and extract the juice using a citrus juicer. It only takes a couple of minutes to do and the benefits are obvious to us all even the most sceptical amongst us. This is because the amount of research that has been carried out by various institutes around the globe.

There are two types of citrus juicers available. There are those which use a motor and those that you need to operate by hand using a lever that helps to squeeze the juice out. The electric types sometimes referred to as citrus reamers operate on the basis that you place half the orange on to a cone that is rotating and which then reams and squeezes the fruit flesh. It extracts the juice but makes sure that the pips are strained away.

With the manual citrus juicer or press it comes with some sort of lever that you pull down on to the orange (cut in half) on to a static cone below. The fruit is simply pressed and the juice extracted filters away into a container below. Both kinds of juicers are quick and easy to use and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and prices to meet ones needs.

If you would prefer your orange juice to have bits in it then go for one that has a coarse pip strainer. However, when you buy fresh orange juice from a juice bar you will see that they use automatic kinds of citrus presses. These are ones where the fruit rolls in a machine, gets cut in half and then will be squeezed in the same way as would happen if you use a manual citrus juicer at home. The whole point of this machine is to ensure that the goodness is retained when your freshly squeezed orange juice is made in just a matter of seconds for you.

Making your own juice at home using an orange juicer provides you a delicious health promoting drink in the same time it would take you to boil the kettle. So this is one of the most effective kitchen activities for you to help maintain good health.

The Benefits of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

If you want unbiased advice on helping to select an orange juicer, or for further information on all sorts of juicers then visit UK Juicers Here you will find a superb range of citrus juicers for any kitchen that they have tried and tested. Plus their friendly staff will only be happy to answer any questions you have by email or phone.

Acai Health - The Health Benefits of Acai Berry

Why are so many people cashing in on Acai benefits today? Its simple. Acai Berry is a fruit that is grown within the rain forest of South America that has been used by the indigenous people of that area for thousands of years due to both its nutritional and medicinal properties.

Once visitors began to visit this area they noticed that the inhabitants consumed Acai berries on a daily basis and wanted to try it for themselves to see what all of the rave was surrounding this wonder fruit.

Milkshakes

After so many people spread the word that were not from the area to other parts of the world that this super-food gave them maximized health benefits, companies got a hold of the super-food and started to market and distribute the product all over the world.

Today, you don't have to travel all the way to Brazil to get Acai benefits, all you have to do is go online or to a Health Food store and buy it in capsule, powder, juice or milkshake form.

Here are some of the many Acai benefits that many have experienced after using the dietary supplement on a regular basis:

- Increased Energy and Stamina
- Boosted Immune System
- Improved Digestion
- Lower Cholesterol Levels
- Weight Loss
- Reduced Inflammation of the Joints
- Better Muscle Tone
- Healthier Looking Skin
- Detoxification of Toxins
- Fat Burning
- Better Cardiovascular Health
- More Balanced Blood Sugar Levels

As you can see, Acai benefits can truly improve your health and balance your body systems, which will give you an over-all healthier state of being.

Acai Health - The Health Benefits of Acai Berry

Calvin P Mckenna has more than 5 years experience in the fields of exercise science and sports nutrition. He writes articles on all forms of athletic training and nutritional theories.

Learn more about acai berry craze and get a free trial of Acai Berry Select today!

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Enjoy the Benefits of Green Tea with this Green Tea Smoothie Recipe

Studies have shown that green tea helps to build your immune system with its antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces the risk of getting various types of cancer and Alzheimers, and all the while it promotes oral health and increases metabolism.

Smoothies are an easy way to enjoy the benefits of green tea, plus fruits for vitamins, antioxidents and fiber. Smoothies are nutritious, easy to make and provide a healthy meal-on-the-go. If you don't have time for breakfast, make it the evening before and take it along. Here's a simple, vitamin-filled smoothie recipe which allows you to add the health benefits of green tea to your daily diet.

Smoothie Recipe

Begin with two cups of green tea, made with four tea bags so it's nice and strong.

Pour the green tea into a blender and add any or all of the following:

banana-source of potassium and fiber

four ounces of yogurt, flavor of your choice-great source of probiotics

a handful of nutritious blueberries or strawberries

tablespoon of soy vanilla powder for protein

a dash of cinnamon for your cholesterol and blood sugar

This smoothie is packed with antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals and makes a quick meal. If you'd like to add some fiber, throw in a couple of tablespoons of oatmeal.

Blend until all ingredients are smooth.

Don't limit yourself to these ingredients either. Other possible ingredients are:

orange juice-Great source of vitamin C

mango, kiwi or other fruit or berries-source of vitamins and antioxidants

a spoonful of honey

peanut butter for protein

Let your imagination run wild!

Children love smoothies. It's a wonderful way to give them a healthy meal or snack and can replace sugar-packed sodas and fruit juice.

For more healthy recipes, weight loss tips and healthy living tips, to go http://Path2HealthyLiving.com.

© Copyright 2006 by Joan Jones

Enjoy the Benefits of Green Tea with this Green Tea Smoothie Recipe

Joan Jones is an award winning freelance journalist who writes feature articles on home and garden, health and nutrition.

Health Benefits Of Basil

Basil is a popular herb in Italian cooking, particularly in pesto. This fragrant and flavorful herb, a relative of peppermint, is an excellent, nutritious addition to your pasta sauce, soup, or salad.

An array of flavonoids exist in basil, which help to protect cells and chromosomes from damage. Studies have shown that two of these flavonoids in particular, orientin and vicenin, are useful in protecting cell structures and chromosomes from damage by radiation and oxygen.

Smoothie Recipe

Essential oil of basil has been shown to inhibit the growth of several types of bacteria, many of which have become resistant to antibiotics. This essential oil has been found to inhibit growth of the widespread staphylococcus, enterococcus, pseudomonas, and e. coli bacteria, among others. Adding basil to your vinaigrette will both enhance the flavor, and ensure that the fresh salad greens are safe to eat.

Eugenol, which is found in essential oil of basil, provides an anti-inflammatory effect, by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. Aspirin and Ibuprofen work by blocking this same enzyme. So, basil can have healing benefits, and provide relief from the symptoms of inflammatory problems, like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Basil is also a good source of vitamin A, which helps to prevent damage to the cells by free radicals. Vitamin A also prevents free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream, preventing the cholesterol from building up in the blood vessels.

Magnesium is also present in basil. This essential mineral helps the heart and blood vessels to relax, improving blood flow. Other nutrients found in basil include iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C.

The fresh, spicy flavor and scent of basil will wake up any boring salad or soup. Use fresh basil whole, or shredded to add a burst of flavor to your dinner. If you are using fresh basil in a cooked dish, add it towards the end of cooking, so that the volatile oils will not be dissipated by the heat.

Insalata Caprese is a simple salad, utilizing tomatoes, fresh mozzerella cheese, basil, and olive oil.

1/2 pound, fresh mozzerella, sliced 1/4 inch thick.

2 large tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick.

1 cup fresh basil leaves.

salt and pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil.

On a serving plate, arrange the mozzerella and tomato around the edge, alternating mozzerella and tomato slices.

Tear up the basil leaves, and sprinkle them on top of the tomatoes and mozerella cheese.

Season with a bit of salt and pepper.

Just before serving, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the salad.

Serves 4.

Health Benefits Of Basil

Learn about the negative calorie diet. Visit Tim's blog, Negative Calories.

Benefits of Juicer Drinks and Smoothie Drinks

The benefits of juicer recipes and smoothie recipes are numerous. One main reason why juicing and drinking smoothies is so important is because both are filled with liquids like water. Our bodies need water to survive and thrive and so few people actually get enough water every day. Rarely will someone sit down and eat several carrots, celery, apples, oranges, and yogurt. If we combine all of them in a delicious smoothie, the body gets the liquids, the vitamins, and the minerals that the body needs.

Veggies and fruits contain essential nutrients that the body needs like vitamin C and A and beta carotene. Fruits are the number one source for minerals like magnesium, iron, iodine, sodium, copper, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for the body to function the way it needs to. When a fruit is consumed in the traditional way of eating it, the food has to go thru the traditional digestion cycle. When the fruit is juiced, the body is able to absorb and use the juice so much more quickly. The act of juicing separates the juice from the fiber and pulp of the fruit. The fiber and pulp are good for the body, but the juice is best. The body can only get a small amount of the nutrients unless it is removed from the fiber and pulp.

Smoothie Recipe

There is something in the smoothie world known as green smoothies. Traditionally smoothies were made with fruit and yogurt and usually had a sweet taste to them. As the world started getting more in touch with their healthy side, more people started experimenting with smoothies. Green smoothies have different ingredients in them that give them the not so pretty color. One way smoothies benefit and help to improve health is by helping us lose weight. A smoothie usually has less calorie then traditional food and has a lot less fat. Because smoothies are made from natural ingredients, the preservatives are way down also. Instead of reaching for a hamburger at a drive through, someone can whip up a smoothie with very little time and effort involved.

If you are like me, you crave sugar all the time. It is a daily battle with myself to not go to the vending machine and get a snickers. I don't even realize all of the sugar I am putting in my body. It starts with my coffee and even at lunch I get sugar in my salad dressing. The green smoothies help reduce the cravings the body has for the sugar and fat.

Benefits of Juicer Drinks and Smoothie Drinks

Amy Thomas is an expert on juicing. She invites you to learn more about juicing and smoothies.