Raw Food Energy Benefits

Feeling Stressed? -Try The Super Food Maca

Cher Fauvel — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:05:33 +0000

I was recently observing a friend who is under some pressure at the moment and pretty stressed – she is buzzing around like a mad thing and relying on coffee to keep her going. As I watched her spinning around and missing life, I was thinking – Wow when she finally crashes she is going to feel soooo awful! So I asked her to try the super food Maca.

De-Stress With Maca

So many people feel under pressure and stressed right now and stress gets us nowhere other than the road to bad health!

Stress is one of the major factors that lead to ill health and drinking tons of coffee to keep us going is not the answer. When we are under pressure we need more than ever to take care of what we put into our body and our health in general, of course it is our nature to forget all about that as we can think of nothing but our worry – hey – you will still be here tomorrow and so will your circumstances – worry gets us nowhere – easy to say I know – I am guilty too.

So first things first, take timeout – just a few minutes in the morning sit and breath deeply – then consider there are many ways to help yourself. When your mind is slower and less jumbled, things become clearer and you will find your way through without risk to your health.

So What Is Maca And How Can It Help?

Maca is a very powerful super food that has been used for thousands of years by the Incas as a medicine food.

Maca is an adaptogen this means it basically brings balance – it helps the body to regulate stressors in its environment. Ancient records say that the Incan warriors would consume maca before long journeys and even before battles. It is said that maca increases strength and endurance, just what we need then right?

Maca is a root vegetable which is grown high in the Peruvian Andes. Maca looks rather like a large radish and has a sweet nutty flavor. In Peru, Maca is used cooked or dried for cookies, cakes, crisps, and drinks. Today we have labelled it a super food and it is mostly used as a powder or in capsule form. Maca is used by many athletes and body buiders as well as being a favorite for the raw food world and health seekers generally.

Many people say they feel almost immediate health benefits from including Maca in their diet.

Maca benefits overall health and feeling of well-being – it provides the body with over 20 different fatty acids, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B12 and B1 & B2, vitamin C as well as many minerals, essential amino acids, and enzymes.
Maca can support the nervous system, digestive system, reproductive system and help to reduce adrenal stress to bring our bodies back into perfect balance.

Pretty amazing!

Helps Osteoporosis

Maca is also used to treat and prevent osteoporosis because of it’s very high calcium content. Maca contains a particularly large amount of calcium. There is more calcium present in Maca than milk! (Mg./100 350-500 grams). Calcium is of course essential for the formation and health of bones and teeth and is crucial for the functioning of the heart and kidneys!

The Benefits Of Maca ;

Powerful adaptogen (helping stress)

Fights fatigue

Boosts stamina

Support for healthy bones

Enhances Libido (oooh)

Balances hormones

Enhances memory and learning ability

An anticarcinogenic and antioxidant

Mineral rich – calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur

Contains a ton of amino acids and 7 essential amino acids

Maca – For Women

Relief of symptoms associated with menopause

Increases the amount of estrogen in women

Stimulation of sex drive

An increase in fertility

A decrease in menstrual pain

Improved endurance

Reduces stress

Maca For Men

A decrease of impotence and erectile dysfunction

Increases testosterone levels in men

Stimulation of sex drive

Improving of hormonal balance and level of testosterone

An increase in the production of the seminal fluid

Reduced stress

Try adding a spoonful to your smoothies, juices, or soups. Or sprinkle on top of your salads to add flavor and nutrition boost.

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love & Light

Cher

Raw Food ‘V’ Depression

Cher Fauvel — Sun, 06 May 2012 12:39:44 +0000

I read an article today with this following statement; “ Unfortunately, there’s no specific diet that works for depression. No studies have been done that indicate a particular eating plan can ease symptoms of clinical depression”. Really? – I must say I have to disagree, actually I think this is bizarre!

High Raw Food

Well I wonder why we call it High Raw Food? I believe if you ask any raw foodist they would tell you that raw food can definitely change your mood among many other things. I would go so far as to say – it is virtually impossible to be depressed while consuming raw foods – High Raw Foods! Of course – if there are situations that are causing emotional turmoil, then yes we get down but even then, staying on a wholesome diet will help that too – generally speaking a good diet means balance in all areas of our life.

This article I read did go on to say;

”While certain diets or foods may not ease depression (or put you instantly in a better mood), a healthy diet may help as part of an overall treatment for depression”. It then went on to list 10 foods that may help to improve clinical depression to include mainly vegetables, fruit and generally whole natural foods, so may-be the author of this article is being careful, using a disclaimer, afraid of getting slammed by the governing bodies that want to control us? This makes me angry, surely the article is confusing – can choice of diet help or not? Why should I eat these foods if you say no diet can help me – and no studies show that they help?

This author obviously knows full well that diet can help but is afraid to say, otherwise why would they be listing foods to choose and say that they can help? We are simply not allowed to say these things! The thing is, if you have valuable information that will genuinely help people – then why would you not want to say, OK – none of us want to get fined, imprisoned etc; but the more we keep our mouths shut, the more we give our power and freedom away and the longer we will remain controlled. Aw it makes me sick! I also read a report that was about a person looking for sponsorship and case studies for a fantastic project to help heal the body, he had already proved his project to work among his friends and family and he wanted to get the word out but he was told by one Doctor - ” Why would I want to sponsor something that helps people for free”? GRrrrrr!

So off the soap box ….

Lets look At Depression And Raw Food

Well for starters it is not surprising that so many people are depressed with the state of our world and economical climate right now, but part of the depression is due to the powers that be and us not taking back our own power – the economical climate is called A Depression! A global one at that!

So look – we know that certain foods are better for us, we all know that they provide us with essential building blocks for growth and maintenance, for cellular repair and BALANCE!

While we live on fast junk foods and sugar we live out of balance, no nutrients, no goodness and plenty of highs and lows! And there have indeed been studies to prove this although mostly kept from our eyes.

Worse than depression, these foods are slowly but surely killing us, making us sick, making us vulnerable and keeping us relying on medicine – the powers that be – oh yes that is where they want us – under their control!

Many people live on dead cooked food -burgers, pizza’s, cakes, chocolate, fizzy drinks, alcohol etc; and yes there have been tests that show a massive increase in depression with this type of diet compared to people who eat live whole food. And to think – young kids live on this food!

People who are feeling depressed turn to food and alcohol, understandably, but look what that is doing to their body, their mind – their life!

So with this – the very basics of common sense, surely we can see – a diet of good whole raw foods with all their nutrients and living energy – the perfect fuel for our body – surely this would help depression? And surely everyone is entitled to this information?

Think natural foods, think balance !

Your choice of diet will affect your health on all levels, mind, body and soul – I can say this from my own experience and I will say this. I am not a doctor, I am a qualified Therapist and Health Practitioner/Coach – it is my job to advise people and I will not lie!

I know how hard it is to pick yourself up when everything seems so bad, believe me I do – but the fact is, this is when we need good fuel more than ever. When we eat well we have more energy, then we have a chance of exercise - yeah I know – we don’t feel like that either, but exercise has been proven to make us feel better, to produce those feel good hormones and definitely bring clarity of mind. So good food and exercise will pull us out and get us back into healthy balance – this is the answer – please don’t go for the pills – you will be there forever!

Imagine being a prisoner who is being tortured, poisoned so that you lose control of your mind – this is basically the vicious cycle that many people put themselves on – does that seem over the top? It’s not though, those comfort foods do just that, add a little alcohol and we are done! I know it sounds hard especially when we are feeling down, but this is the truth, if we want to be in control of our lives then we must make better choices.

Choose fresh wholesome vegetables and fruit that help your body to thrive, get your body moving, dance to some amazing tunes, have time for you, walk in beautiful surroundings and breath!

There is so much help available on the internet these day’s, good advice and support if needed – help yourself to be free.

Your health is your choice and no one else’s, take control be healthy be happy, be free!

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love & Light

Cher

The Magic Healing Power Of Marjoram

Cher Fauvel — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:29:09 +0000

Have you thought of adding fresh herbs and spices to your juices and smoothies? They can bring a tantalizing change to our juices, smoothies and of course any salad, and the health benefits of just adding a little can make a huge difference.

So What Can Marjoram Offer Us?

Well you may be surprised …

Yep – herbs and spices are not just for cooking. There is this fascinating theory that goes like this; what grows naturally and in abundance in our garden, is the very medicine that we need most. It makes sense really if we are spiritual beings and connected to everything – isn’t it amazing that our surroundings provide for our needs? I love this theory and whenever I move (quite often) – I love to wait to see what comes up in my garden – test for yourself, look closely at what you would consider nuisance growth and how well they do in your garden and then look up their medicinal properties – amazing, we can learn a lot about ourselves here!

That is why I believe in seasonal foods that grow close to us, although the amazing amazon berries etc., are wonderful, I am not so sure we need them if we don’t live where they naturally live?

Oh well there I go off on a tangent again – so back to the marjoram …..

Marjoram

(Origanum Majorana)

Origanum Marjorana means greater because in ancient times it was thought to bring longevity – greater lifespan.

Marjoram has a been used for ions as a healing herbal medicine. It loves the sunny hills of the med but will grow almost any where and can certainly be found in many English gardens.

A favorite of our Greek friends in the garden of the Gods – they believed that if it grew upon a grave then the soul would have a favorable journey. It was also used in wedding crowns to bring a good future to newly weds. (that’s where I went wrong then!)

I love all of this, I was definately a witch in my last life – or one of them, cooking up a brew of magic hmmmn!

White witch of course Yes OK I still am one …

The Many Varieties Of Marjoram

Sweet Marjoram, pot marjoram, winter Marjoram and golden Marjoram. They each have a different flavor but healing properties are much the same. The ones we mainly come across are the sweet and the winter variety. The sweet is amazing for adding to our salads and has a delicate but distinctive taste favored in the Mediterranean as it goes so well with tomatoes, and the winter variety is wild and known as oregano.

Marjoram is a favorite herb for problems with the chest, bronchitis, asthma and coughs, it will strengthen the stomach and intestines, relaxes tense muscles with its sedative properties which also helps insomnia, and it has been known to reduce high blood pressure and ease heart conditions, it is helpful for stress and emotions and it is a huge helping hand for our digestion. If it has sedative properties then it is bound to help all these problems as they are all due to tension which results in holding the body in an unnatural state, therefore any stress related illness or problem (that’s most then) will be relieved.

Externally, the dried leaves and tops of our plant may be used in bags as a hot compress to ease painful swellings and rheumatism, as well as for chest tightness and colic. An infusion made from the fresh plant will also bring relief for headaches and nervous tension.

Quite an amazing little friend we have here, don’t you think?

Of course you could add a drop of the essential oil to your bath and have an amazing nights sleep or just ease your day away, but isn’t it fun to try it in our juices and smoothies, especially the veggie ones, how about trying with bell peppers and garlic? If that doesn’t appeal you can save it for raw soups

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love & Light

Cher

Lime Green Smoothie!

Cher Fauvel — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:10:42 +0000

I have to admit I don’t normally leave the skin on limes for my raw food smoothies or juices, I find them a little strong but they are perfect with the sweetness of pineapple this was truly scrummy!

Lime Green Smoothie

I do lurrrrrve pineapple but it can be a little too sweet sometimes so the tart lime is a great balance.

Limes, like lemons are fab for sorting out any lurking toxins, neutralizing bacteria and they are generally good internal cleansers. They are also valuable in our juices and smoothies for slowing down any oxidization of our goodies. So thumbs up for limes!

If your limes are organic then leave the skin on, if not peel carefully and try to keep the white stuff on, not an easy job with these slippery little so and so’s!

Recipe ;

1 apple

A good slice of pineapple

Handful of dark green leaves ( I used spinach, rocket, parsley and dandelion greens)

Couple of broccoli spears

1/4 avocado

1/2 lime

Super Food Greens (don’t worry if you don’t have these)

Juice it up…

Juice the apple, pineapple, broccoli and greens.

Put the Avocado and lime with a little water in the blender, whiz up and add a little of the juice and your super greens if using for the last few seconds to get a good mix.

If you don’t have a juicer then just use your blender using a cup or so of water.

I don’t like to add all of the juice to the blender, personally I believe this is unnecessary processing after being through the juicer, but we do want a nice smooth blend so just add a little of the juice, then stir in the rest to blend.

Do try to get your hands on some dandelion leaves, if you can pick them fresh that is awesome – but if you have to buy and store them, just soak for a few mins in alkaline water and all their goodness comes back – same goes for all your produce! (great trick, the alkaline water reactivates the life)

Dandelions leaves are just bursting with goodness - potassium, calcium and sodium, and then both the leaves and the roots are full of much needed magnesium and iron to keep our bones and teeth strong, avoid dental decay and flush the body of harmful toxins.

This is a great balanced healing and cleansing drink to include lots of greens but with a super taste!

Enjoy Your Lime Green Smoothie

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love & Light

Cher

Screening For Breast Cancer – Good Or Bad? Soap Box Please!

Cher Fauvel — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:11:01 +0000

I was Listening to Gloria Hunniford last night talking about breast cancer screening, and quite honestly I thought I was going to be sick! I didn’t know whether to shout, scream or cry, I think crying was taking over! Do we all live on different planets or what?

Please Research!

So the heartbreak of Gloria losing her daughter Caron to breast cancer, I know it was awful and Gloria is to be commended for starting the Caron Keating Foundation and her cancer charity work, but can we hold up a bit here?

It is also heartbreaking that young women are being mislead and misguided, please give them all the options and the right to make the best choice for themselves!

Gloria speaks in a very authoritive voice about breast screening and how important it is, but where is all the evidence, where are the choices, the other voices? I have no doubt that Gloria believes in what she advises – of course she does, after the pain of losing her daughter she would only wish the best for others, but how come she has not acknowledged the other reports that say breast screening is not good?

I presume she is talking mamaograms? As the other – better – safer options are not available to the regular person, so what else would she be talking about?

I think if I had lost someone I would know or at least attempt to know all the ins and outs of options available, but it seems Gloria is unaware of the negative stuff regarding mamagrams, not to mention the treatments!

I have to say in this day and age I find it amazing that all the options are not looked at, just one little Google search will send you into a frenzy of confusion, yes I know confusion doesn’t help but at least options are there to think about and options are what we need! We have the right to be confused and not expected to choose just one way…. gosh I am not helping am I? I just get so angry with this…

I am sure you know where I am coming from though? Where my health – or worse my life is at stake, I would rather be overwhelmed with information than not have enough or the devastation of my loved ones learning about better choices when it is too late!

I have no problem with Gloria believing the conventional way is best, that is her choice, but what I have a problem with, is that viewers are not given the full picture!

On My Soapbox!

There are young vulnerable women watching these programs please, please, please give them the education they are entitled to, help them to make a decision through knowledge not fear – Give them options!

Many TV shows make me sick, they discuss serious issues with not enough info and it makes my blood boil, innocent folk are sitting at home watching these programs and for some daft reason believe what these folk say, WHY – because they are on the telly! Give me a break!

The article below is published on the BBC NEWS |Health site – http://news.bbc.co.uk

(Interesting quote on the bottom!)

Breast screening info ‘misleads’

Women undergoing routine breast screening in the UK are being misled about the risks involved warn a group of UK experts.

Invitation letters and leaflets do not tell the truth about the number of tests ending in unnecessary treatment, they write in The Times.

It comes after a report in the British Medical Journal found women are given one-sided information on screening.

The NHS Screening Programme said leaflets were being reviewed.

Signatories including Professor Michael Baum, emeritus professor of surgery at University College London, and Dr Paul Pharoah, a Cancer Research UK researcher at the University of Cambridge, said it was “imperative” that breast screening leaflets were rewritten.

Up to half of all cancers that are found by screening, if left to their own devices, might not do any harm during the woman’s natural lifespan.

None of the invitations for screening come close to telling the truth and as a result women are being manipulated, albeit unintentionally, into attending, they wrote.

But when detected by mammogram, the woman may then undergo unnecessary surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the letter said.

Omissions

The debate over the risks and benefits of screening has come to a head after researchers at the Nordic Cochrane Centre published an analysis online in the BMJ in January pointing out the shortcomings and omissions in the information on breast screening given to women in the UK.

They developed their own leaflet which includes the statistic that for every 2,000 women screened regularly for ten years, one will avoid dying from breast cancer.

At the same time, ten will be treated unnecessarily for an abnormality that might never cause them harm.

And about 200 healthy women will experience a false alarm, and as a result be put under potentially severe psychological strain.

Women need to know the facts in order to make a decision about whether or not to undergo screening, they said.

Julietta Patnick, director of the NHS Breast Screening Programme, said the leaflets were currently being reviewed and they were committed to helping women make informed choices about their breast screening invitation.

“Part of this is helping them assess the risks and the benefits of screening for breast cancer.

“Fuelling widespread public concern over screening programmes could result in a drop in take up, like that seen with the dispute over the MMR vaccination”.

Learn More About Screening Here

They say that women should be screened from the age of 50, what about all the women who have been dangerously scanned under that age? What about the fact that the Mamagram can actually cause the very disease we are trying to avoid? Where is this information please?

Hmmn big business cancer!

Another Option Or At Least point Of View To Consider!

Meet Andreas Moritz a medical intuitive, practitioner of Ayurveda, iridology, shiatsu, and vibrational medicine.

Andreas say’s – modern medicine offers treatment like chemotherapy and radiation which, although are undoubtedly effective in killing off cancer cells, also kill off the healthy cells which then cause numerous problems.

‘Each year, hundreds of thousands of people who were once “successfully” treated for cancer die from infections, heart attacks, liver failure, kidney failure and other illnesses because the cancer treatments generate a massive amount of inflammation and destruction in the organs and systems of the body.

Of course, these causes of death are not being attributed to cancer. ‘? And we’re making progress in the war against cancer, are we?

But anyway, what’s with this war against cancer? Why wage war against something that is actually on our side?

Yes, you heard right – cancer is actually our friend.

The Andreas Moritz point of view -

Make Your Own Decision Arm Yourself With The Facts!

____________

Resources For More Info ……

Mammograms cause breast cancer (and other cancer facts you probably never knew)

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/010886.html#ixzz1t3dm6sGP

What are some of the potential harms of screening mammograms?

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms

http://naturalhealthcenter.mercola.com/services/Thermography.asp

Don’t be bullied, don’t be persuaded – take your time make wise decisions !

Love Light And Healing

Cher XX
x

Big Juice Spring Clean – Day 4

Cher Fauvel — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:15:16 +0000

Hi Guy’s how are ya doing with the Big Juice Spring Clean? Hope you are sticking with it, Jason’s recipes are awesome so I doubt that there are many who don’t like them Mine have changed just a little, but they are all gorgeous .

Big Juice Spring Clean – Day 3

So we had ;

lemon as per staple…

Lemon Ginger Zinger .. gorgeous

Super Juice as per ..

Passion 4 Juice Master – not 4 me

Turbo Express – Awesome..

OK - definitely cannot do the P4JM,…. no way….

2 apples

1/4 pineapple

1/4 banana

Yogurt

and spirulina

Hmmn, this would not suit me, it is only my point of view please remember, I have to say I have not tried it, I work very heavily on intuition and this with yogurt would not be right for me.

I have been juicing for many years now and I do believe that when you choose to live this way, you learn to listen to your body and you know what is right for you personally, so please understand that this is my own personal view and this juice maybe wonderful for you!

We are all different and there are no rules only guides.

This program is very well balanced to insure that you get maximum nutrition and reach your goal, it is brilliant.

But … I also feel I have to share my experience, so for me, I skip the banana and the yogurt and add a ton of greens

Turbo Express

2 Apples

1/4 small pineapple

1/2 stick celery

1/2 inch chunk cucumber

small handful spinach

small piece lime

1/4 avocado

ice cubes

Oh … I love this

Yep this is gorgeous and I could drink this all day long! It is probably nearest to what I drink most mornings minus the avocado, I tend to save those for salads, so perfect to add to juices and smoothies on this program where we are only having liquid. Avocados are a perfect food, balanced with all that we need!

Big Juice Cleanse – Day 4

I am quite excited actually :) I have been juicing for over 20 years now and obviously (joyously) I have become accustomed to it.

I love Jason’s recipes but they are lacking something for me, they are not green enough for me…… that is a revelation for me – oh I could shout from the roof tops, that is awesome, and proves the point that we in the raw movement are all making, the body craves what it needs – Green!

So what is happening here, is the positive side of habit, you see every morning I have my lemon water at least a liter and then a very, very green juice, so this has become habit – a good habit! Later in the day I can have fruitier or less earthy and more fun juices, but if I don’t get that green then something feels wrong, I am very happy about that

It doesn’t take long for the body to crave those nourishing foods! Your body will be bursting with joy that you are giving it what it needs!

Love That Hot & Spicy

2 Apples

Good pinch of cinnamon

It’s pretty grim here in France, it is more like autumn that spring So a warming drink is welcome especially during a cleanse. I added a couple of cloves to this.

People are saying they feel cold, well you will - your body is working hard to throw out toxins, don’t worry its a good sign but the warm feeling of the hot and spicy is helpful.

Heating the apple pretty much destroys it but you may get one benefit besides feeling cosy, I find that warm apple juice or stewed apple helps rather dramticcaly to clear the basement if you know what I mean? Cinnamon is also good for clearing so if this is the only benefit we get it is a very good one.

In fact cinnamon is an awesome ingredient for health …… Learn More Here

Don’t forget that you can drink herb or fruit teas, I know Jason doesn’t like fruit teas, personally I love them and find them very comforting, if you are used to having a hot drink of coffee or tea, then it can help to replace them with these fruity treats. My fav’s are raspberry or mixed berries, yogi’s liquirice or choco. YUM!

So, this is a great program stick with it you will feel amazing.

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love & Light

Cher

Day 1 Of Jason Vale’s Big Juicy Spring Clean!

Cher Fauvel — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:41:17 +0000

Well day one was a disaster for me, I had my Juice 1, went off to the organic market and that was that! everything that could have gone wrong went wrong and to top everything i fell and really hurt myself I didn’t get home until past 3.30, I was a little fed up but just decided to do my normal juices and start again today.

So Starting Again

I can say the super juice is one of my favorite.

My wheat grass and spirulina comes in the form of Dr Richard Schulze’s ’Super Food Plus’, I have used this for years and love it, all the Super nutrient ingredients I could possibly want are in here. I don’t use this all the time but it is a definite addition a few times a week and I usually take it separately in a shot rather than in my main juice, I have a healthy dose and it is rather strong so it can change the flavor of the juice, but it is fine in this juice, I just didn’t add as much as normal.

What’s In The Super Food Plus?

Spirulina algae, Blue-Green Grass algae, Chlorella, Barley, Alfalfa & Wheat grasses, Purple Dulse, Rosehip,Palm fruit, citrus peel, beetroot and spinach leaf.

Have to say this stuff is amazing! A fantastic blend of protein and phyto-nutrients from land and sea.

This Beautiful Super Juice

This is gorgeous juice, I love it!

Just one thing I don’t like though (sorry Jason) I really struggle with taking from the juicer and putting through the blender, to my mind that is processing too much , it is not needed, I can’t bring myself to do this, I have always been taught – the least processing possible and drink immediately.

So we have to blend with the avocado and the powders (she say’s reluctantly) so I put a little water with the avocado & blend – then add the powders and a little of the juice blend til smooth pour in with the rest of the juice and stir… works for me and keeps me happy!

OK I am off into the garden to work on my veggie patch, apparently it is going to rain tomorrow (again) Oh well good for the garden. I want to get some more stuff in before the rain so Super Chute Juice and trowel needed!

Be back later

Average Joe On The Raw

Cher Fauvel — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:27:18 +0000

You have to watch this short video, it will bring all sorts of feelings, you will turn your nose up, may be think this guy is gross, may even make you smile, but the message is very – very real! This is a great trailer for an educational documentary, I truly hope it inspires many

Average Joe On The Raw

So average Joe tries reversing 30 years of the standard american diet and bad eating habits by changing his lifestyle and eating a clean raw vegan diet for 60 days. Can he do it?

So what do you think, do you believe it is possible to turn your health around in 30 day’s? YOU BET IT IS!

It is easy and simply amazing, how can you not love yourself and your body when you acknowledge the power and ability that it has!

So you owe your body respect – Right?

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love And Light

Cher

Creamy Rhubarb Spritzer

Cher Fauvel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:23:10 +0000

Whoa I like this – Now if you don’t like rhubarb but fancy getting some of the valuable health benefits of this vegetable then this is perfect for you, my other half doesn’t like rhubarb and he couldn’t taste it, that meant I had to put more in as I love it.

If you were following me yesterday you will understand why I am experimenting with Rhubarb ;

Read about it here – The Benefits Of Rhubarb

My Creamy Rhubarb Spritzer

Oh I really like this, it is a good summer refresher. I started with just rhubarb and apple in equal portions and it was nice, Steve said he could not taste the rhubarb, that was music to my ears because many people don’t like rhubarb but the health benefits are huge, so this is great.

I added another few pieces of rhubarb, a good squeeze of lemon, a couple of ice cubes, a little sparkling water (only a little) a sprinkling of cinnamon and wow it was gorgeous. I will play with this a little more to get the right balance, but yep this could go well in the long cold glass for summer evenings.

I went out today to get more Rubarb and can you believe I forgot it ?

Mind wandering again! Well I did get some seeds so will be planting my own this week.

So now will have to go out again tomorrow, because I really do want to do more playing with rhubarb, have a couple of recipes in mind so will keep you posted.

So up until I get this balanced we have;

Rhubarb sticks (amount according to taste)

1-2 apples depending if you want to lose the taste of rhubarb

Squeeze of lemon

Juice all up, pour over Ice top with a little sparkling water and sprinkle with cinnamon or you could add ginger!

Let me know how you get on with this, and your own recipe – would love to hear.

Enjoy

Anyone For Rhubarb?

Cher Fauvel — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:14:01 +0000

Rhubarb for me brings back childhood memories of my Dad growing his veg in our small garden, not sure about the way we used to eat it though So the other half and I were having a discussion about the values of rhubarb on the way home, so let’s find out about those!

Anyone For Rhubarb?

Originating in Western China the purpose of Rhubarb was medicinal, the roots of the Rhubarb would be dried and used for many illnesses, it was used to purge the body and induce vomiting and so rid the body of poison. Rhubarb root is still one of the most popular and respected herbs used by Chinese Practitioners today.

Really a vegetable but many refer to rhubarb as a fruit, way too tart to eat raw though, I remember my Dad growing rhubarb and we used to dip the sticks in a bowl of sugar eeoouu!

Well – it has been used for many years by the Chinese and we can’t argue with them so let’s have a look at what it can do for us!

I have to admit I have not looked at this before, I used to eat stewed rhubarb often for constipation, but with sugar – not something I would do now, living in Greece for so long I have forgotten all about rhubarb, I am excited to see it on the market and that prompted my investigations

Well What D’ya Know - Rhubarb May Reduce Cancer Risks.

So I read this report from a Singapore University, or a least I tried to, Wow – it took a while, but getting through all the bla bla’s, gobbledegook and thingamajiggers – I did actually get the gist of it along with a big headache!

So basically the chemical structures and behaviour of the plant when consumed can inhibit the uptake of glucose in tumour cells, the cells need the glucose to grow, changes in the membrane cause the cell to die.

This report went on and on to undoubtedly show all sorts of miracles, unfortunately the wiggly red lines beneath the majority of the words meant that neither Microsoft or myself knew what the heck the words were, so moving on to find another report

Anti-cancer properties:

Regular consumption of rhubarb can actually increase white blood cells in the body, our white blood cells are essential for good health.

So adding rhubarb to our diet will give us multiple nutrients and antioxidants.

Rhubarb is considered a rich source of dietary fibre great for anyone suffering with stomach and digestive problems. It is often prescribed as a laxative in herbal medicine both for constipation and diarrhoea.

Eases menopausal symptoms:

The high in calcium in rhubarb helps to prevent bone deterioration and the risk of osteoporosis in women. Apparently it is believed to ease the symptoms including hot flashes too.

Vitamins

One cup of cooked rhubarb with sugar gives us a good helping of vitamin K ; actually about 50% of what we need daily. Vitamin K is important to enable blood clotting during injury and therefore prevent fatal blood loss. Rhubarb also contains vitamin C, vitamin A, (important to vision health) and a small amount of B- Complex.

Minerals

Rhubarb is a non-dairy source of bone-building calcium, this is great news we need plenty of that to prevent weak bones and loss of teeth. It can also be considered a high source of potassium; we also get a healthy dose of magnesium, iron, manganese, selenium, copper and phosphorus — minerals that help with bone health, red blood cell function and nervous system.

Lutein

Rhubarb is also a good source of lutein, a compound that has many health benefits. lutein takes care of our skin and eyes. Our skin and our eys are constantly exposed to the enviroment and therefore need plenty of protection. Lutein also helps neutralize free radicals, which are dangerous compounds that can lead to cancer.

Phytonutrients

Rhubarb contains the antioxidant lycopene, which is released after cooking. It also provides ellagic acid, quercetin and hesperidin. These phytonutrients, particularly lycopene, may help reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. In addition, they play a role in heart health by improving your blood cholesterol levels and contributing to healthy blood pressure.

Looking good then -

In particular, rhubarb works well to keep the liver healthy. It helps to detoxify this critical organ and it makes it easier for the body to process toxins as they enter it. When your liver is weighed down by toxins you have lower energy levels and you tend to gain weight.

In addition, if you’re suffering from problems with the digestive system, rhubarb can help you to get relief. It works to fight germs in the digestive tract and can help your digestive system get going.

Never eat rhubarb leaves, cooked or raw. Eating the leaves can be poisonous because they contain oxalate. This toxin, plus another unknown toxin also found in the leaves, has been reported to cause poisoning when large quantities of raw or cooked leaves are ingested.

These leaves are amazing as natural pesticides for the garden. Just dry them out, powder them and sprinkle on the garden.

Well I will be stocking up on my rhubarb from the organic market as it is particularly good in the spring, so I will freeze some and dry some to make into powder, and also have some in the fridge, so I will play around with some recipes and let you know what I come up with.

If you have any recipes I would love to hear about them so please do share

Be Healthy ~ Be Your Best

Love And Light

Cher