'' BANANAS...'' A very interesting FACTS....

'' BANANAS...''
A very interesting FACTS

Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!...
This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS...
PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe...polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!

How To Make Healthy Drinks For Your Family

Start with a good juicer. If you're not familiar with the different kinds of juicers, look into the several types that are available. Avoid centrifugal juicers, which can work well for simple juices but which generally produce a poorer-quality product than masticating and twin-gear juicers. But don't feel bad if you can't afford one of the more expensive types. For now, what's important is for your juicer to be powerful, simple to use, and easy to clean.

Experiment with flavors. Strictly speaking, juices don't need to taste great. They just need to be healthy. But if you want to actually enjoy juicing, try to create concoctions that provide a nice balance of flavor and nutrition. For instance, many people sweeten their green juices with an orange or another tasty fruit. The important thing is to give yourself variety so that your body gets the full range of nutrients.

Choose fresh and organic produce: Non-organic, non-local produce can work in a pinch, but if you want the maximum possible nutrition and the best flavor, choose produce that is certified organic and comes from your region-which usually means choosing items that are in season. This might limit your options, but it will make your juicing more rewarding.

Prepare the produce: Your juicing will be a lot easier-and the finished product will be more nutritious-if you properly prepare your fruits and vegetables before feeding them into the juicer. Remove all peels (but thin skins can stay) and chop the produce into bite-size portions. Then, feed it into the juicer at a steady pace.

Consume the juice as soon as possible: Remember, your homemade juice does not have the preservatives that keep mass-produced juices fresh as they're shipped around the world. So while fresh juice can be kept for a day or so, it steadily loses its nutritional content and becomes less tasty. That's why most serious juicers get into the habit of making juice every day.

Quick and Easy 3-Step Process to Creating a Simple, Healthy Meal

Select your protein, starch, fruit or vegetable, herbs and spices

Stocking up on a large variety of fresh vegetables and fruits will help you in this process...

• Choose items with lots of color. Different colors make the meal more interesting and healthy
• Buy lean cuts of meats and whole grains (brown rice or barley vs. white rice, whole wheat pasta vs. white).
• Stock your cupboard with lots of different herbs and spices. This is the key to making your meals taste different. (And when you have different tasting foods, your palate won't get tired and you will eat less).

Once you have your theme, you can determine what foods and tastes match. For instance, if you choose the Asian theme, you could select chicken breast for your protein. Almost all the fresh vegetables in your refrigerator or frozen vegetables could be used, and rice (brown is best). You could use ginger, garlic, crushed red chili peppers, black pepper, a touch of tamari or soy sauce, honey and fruits. Mix and match to see what taste you like best. Just start with one spice and keep adding until you get the taste you and your family likes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6960804

Popular Pasta Dishes With A New Twist

MEAT-STUFFED JUMBO SHELLS
1 1/2 pounds chopped beef or beef and sausage combined
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 medium onion (chopped)
12 to 16 ounces mozzarella cheese (shredded)
24 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1 box jumbo shells

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown meat and onion in saute pan with 2 tbsp olive oil. Meanwhile cook shells according to package directions. Add bread crumbs to browned meat mixture and stir to blend. Add 1/2 of cheese to meat mixture and stir until melted. Spread a thin layer of sauce in 9x13 casserole dish. Fill each shell with meat mixture and place in casserole dish. Cover with remaining sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Cover with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray and bake 35-45 minutes. Serve with crusty bread and a tossed salad.

Choose Red or Black Colored Grapes

Biological Background: Grape is a pulpy, smooth-skinned berry, growing in clusters on vines. Grape was domesticated before 5,000 B.C. and is one of the oldest cultivated fruits.
Nutritional Information: Ten seedless grapes (50 g) provide 35 calories, 0.3 g protein, 8.9 g carbohydrate, 1.0 g fiber, 105 mg potassium, 5.4 mg vitamin C, 0.05 mg thiamin, 0.03 mg riboflavin, and 0.15 mg niacin.
Pharmacological Activity: Grape is a rich storehouse of antioxidant and anticancer compounds, including flavonoids (anthocyanin), quercetin, and resveratol (red grape skin). Grapes can inhibit blood-platelet clumping and consequently blood clot formation, and boost good type HDL cholesterol. Red grapes are antibacterial and antiviral. It has strong activity against cancers.
Eating Tips: Choose red or black colored grape instead of white or green one and eat with grape skin on to get the most health benefits..

Fruit Smoothie:

• 1 sliced apple


• 1 banana


• 5 strawberries


• handful of raspberries


• handful of blueberries


• 1 sliced apricot (Fresh)


• 1 sliced peach


• 1 sliced orange


• 2 teaspoons of honey


• You can use any fruits that are available in the season and at hand.
  Calories: Around 250 depending on the fruits used.
  Banana and pineapple are the fruits with maximum sugar content.
  Preparation:
  Mix in blender. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
  Source:
  Benefits:All the vitamins, minerals and goodness of fruits without excess calories.Fruit smoothie retains fiber which is lost in Fruit juices. So a better and healthier option

Top 20 Tips for Glowing Skin

Here are some of the best home recommended tips to lighten the complexion and skin tone.
A mixture of ground almonds and Oats with honey and yogurt should be applied on the face for around 5-10 minutes and then washed with lukewarm water, to get a smooth skin.

• Mash a banana and mix it with milk. Apply this mixture on your face and keep it for 20 minutes. After that, wash it with cold water to get a glowing skin.



• Honey is wholesome and all-natural. Hence, apply honey on face and neck for 20 minutes and wash it with cold water.



• For oily skin, a mixture of grapes, lemon and egg white should be applied on the face for around 15 minutes. This may cause a tingling sensation due to active ingredients. Wash with warm water. The mixture acts as a natural cleanser, softens the skin and tightens it.



• Make a home made scrub by using 1 tablespoon walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this and leave it to dry. Wash your face with cold water.



• For oily skin, buttermilk is dabbed on the skin for around 15 minutes. This will soak up the oil from the face without drying it.



• A paste of 2 tablespoon turmeric powder mixed in orange juice should be applied on the face. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash it with cold water.



• Mix 2 tablespoon of tomato juice with 4 tablespoon of curd and apply it on face. Leave for drying and wash away.



• Dry orange peels and powder them. Mix this with milk, apply on face and leave it for 25 minutes and wash off. This is natural bleach which will make the skin fairer.



• Boil cabbage or cauliflower in water. Wash the face with this water. This is a great remedy for warts.



• Mix egg white and polenta flour and apply the paste on your face. Keep it for half an hour and then massage your face with warm water using your fingers. Repeat the remedy every fortnight for a glowing skin.



• Wash your face with a mixture of carrot juice and pineapple juice. Keep for 15 minutes and wash away.



• Make a paste with ½ teaspoon of milk powder, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon egg white. Apply it on your face and wash off after drying.



• Wash your face with basin or green gram flour mixed with milk, instead of soap. This will impart a glow to your skin.



• For soft skin, apply a paste of red sandalwood powder and coconut milk on your face and wash after drying.



• Make a paste of egg yolk, olive oil and lemon juice. Apply the paste on the face for 15 minutes and wash off. This works wonders on dry skin.



• Rub a piece of papaya or banana on your face for 15 minutes daily. This will make your skin supple.



• Apply a mixture of milk and honey on your face. This will make your skin glow.
  


• Prepare a face mask by mashing a piece of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Allow the mask to set on your face for 30 minutes and wash off. This will give a glowing skin.



• Water therapy- drink lots of water daily for a healthy glowing skin.