Super Amazing Delicious Antioxidant Smoothie

So, as the title indicates I'm kind of obsessed with this new smoothie I came up with! Every single time I take a sip of it I can't believe how amazingly delicious it tastes because it's packed full of only the healthiest superfoods, some of which (eaten on their own) tend to be quite bitter and hard to swallow, but combined with the rest of the ingredients in this smoothie you can't even taste them! ...I seriously feel like I'm having dessert...but I'm totally not. *I can't handle how good this is* >.<

First I'm going to share the recipe with you, and then I will write some of the health benefits of each of the ingredients I used:

*note: you will need a blender in order to make this.  Also, don't forget to thoroughly wash all of the fruits and veggies before adding them into the blender, and try to use as many certified organic products as you can afford~

SUPER SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS: 
(this recipe makes approximately enough for 3-4 people)

1.  One whole banana

2.  Two cups fresh blueberries

3.  Five big strawberries (about 2 cups chopped)

4.  Three big organic kale leafs (about 5 cups chopped)

5.  Seven organic raw cacao beans

6.   Clover Honey (true source certified),  1+ 1/2 tablespoons

7.  Organic cold pressed Coconut Oil,  2 big tablespoons

8.  One cup of drinking water

9.  Three cups of ice

~ let it blend on high speed for 30 - 40 seconds, or to the consistency that you prefer ~

ALL DONE! Pour mixture into a glass and enjoy <3

HEALTH BENEFITS:

1. Bananas:

Known to be full of potassium, bananas can help ease menstrual cramps and muscle tension. Potassium is also known to help keep our nervous system healthy and balanced. In addition, it helps lower blood pressure, preventing cardiovascular disease, and even contributes to healthy bones!

Other health benefits of bananas include:
- preventing stomach ulcers, and other stomach wounds.
- regulating acid and keeping the stomach settled, so it's perfect for days when you feel sick and are having a hard time digesting and keeping food down.
- not surprisingly, bananas also help you poop better; if you're experiencing diarrhea, your body is losing a lot of important nutrients which can be put back into your body by eating a banana.  Additionally, because they're full of fibers like pectin, bananas can also ease constipation by normalizing your bowel movements.
- promotes kidney health (in fact, studies have shown that women who eat bananas 4-6 times a week have a 50% less chance of developing kidney cancer!!!)
- protects eyesight
- enhances mood

Important vitamins and nutrients in bananas include vitamin C, vitamin B-6, manganese, fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E, vitamin A, folate, carotene, choline, and several types of amino acids.

2. Blueberries:

These berries are known to be extremely high in antioxidants, which help prevent cancer in the body by fighting free radicals.  In fact, blueberries have more antioxidants than any other fresh fruit in the world! If you want a more in depth explanation of why antioxidants are so important for us you can check out one of my earlier articles about Raw Cacao Beans~

Other health benefits of blueberries include:
-promoting brain and nervous system health
-helps improve memory
-slows aging process
-high in fiber
-high in vitamin C
-full of phytonutrients (helps prevent cardiovascular disease and prevents inflammation in the body)
-good source of manganese (helps burn stored fat in our bodies into energy)

3. Strawberries:

As most of you probably know strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, consumption of which results in a stronger immune system! Vitamin C is also great for people who suffer from anemia, as this vitamin helps the body absorb the iron in the foods we eat, which helps our body create more blood.

Other health benefits of strawberries include:
-promote eye health (prevents cataracts, and strengthens the cornea and retina)
-helps our bodies fight cancer!
-slows skins aging process by preventing wrinkles
-helps our bodies fight bad cholesterol
-reduce inflammation of the joints, preventing arthritis
-regulate blood pressure
-naturally whitens teeth
-helps in weight loss (really low in sugars and carbohydrates, so they make for great snacks)
-promotes pre-natal health (strawberries contain Folate, a B vitamin, which helps in the development of the babies brain, skull, and spinal chord) so it's very important to eat strawberries, especially in the early stages of pregnancy!

4. Kale:

I copied the information for the health benefits of Kale straight from www.mindbodygreen.com :

1. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. It is great for aiding in digestion and elimination with its great fiber content. It’s also filled with so many nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium as well as those listed below.

2. Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.

3. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and the prevention of blood clotting. Also increased levels of vitamin K can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids help protect against various cancers.

5. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.

6. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Eating more kale can help lower cholesterol levels.

7. Kale is high in Vitamin A.Vitamin A is great for your vision, your skin as well as helping to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.

8. Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.

9. Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility

10. Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.

5. Raw Cacao Beans:

Please refer to one of my earlier articles called "Cacao: King of Superfoods" which I specifically wrote in order to explain all of the wonderful health benefits of this amazing food!

http://jannahealth.blogspot.com/2012/05/cacao-king-of-superfoods.html

6. Clover Honey: 

Because I've always been very anemic, my grandmother forces me to eat spoonfuls of honey every time she is over at our house.  The reason for this is that it helps quickly raise my blood pressure, which eases my dizziness and nausea.  However, there are many more health benefits to eating honey, and specifically Clover honey:

-promotes wound healing

-anti-inflammatory

-high amounts of iron, potassium, copper, and vitamin C

-interestingly enough clover honey, specifically, has the ability to lower blood pressure (but it should not be taken as a substitute for the blood pressure medicine that your doctor has prescribed you)

-stops growth of deadly tumors in the liver

-prevents bacterial growth (has antibacterial properties)

-treats burns, when used externally

-good for getting rid of a cough

-prevents aging, when used externally on the skin AND when ingested

7. Coconut Oil:

Here's a long, impressive list of health benefits copied from www.coconutresearchcenter.org about coconut oil:

Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.

Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.

Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.

Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.

Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.

Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.

Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.

Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.

Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.

Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.

Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.

Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.

Helps protect against osteoporosis.

Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.

Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.

Improves digestion and bowel function.

Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.

Reduces inflammation.

Supports tissue healing and repair.

Supports and aids immune system function.

Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.

Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.

Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.

Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Functions as a protective antioxidant.

Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.

Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.

Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.

Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).

Reduces epileptic seizures.

Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.

Dissolves kidney stones.

Helps prevent liver disease.

Is lower in calories than all other fats.

Supports thyroid function.

Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.

Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.

Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.

Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.

Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.

Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.

Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.

Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.

Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.

Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Helps control dandruff.

Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.

Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.

Is completely non-toxic to humans.

8. I think by now we all know the hydrating benefits of water, which are incredibly important, but you should keep in mind that water should be something you are constantly drinking throughout the entire day.  The small amount of water you add into this smoothie is not nearly enough to sustain you, even for an hour. 

Here is a list of the numerous benefits of drinking water, which I found at blogs.tribune.com.pk :

1) Water is the only liquid on Earth that safely reduces weight. It removes the by-products of fat and keeps you fresh and healthy.Drinking water regularly, suppresses your appetite to a great extent and limits your food  intake. Another distinct feature of water is that it literally contains no calories, hence, contributing significantly toweight loss

2) Do you want to look younger? Problem solved! Just drink lots of water every day! Water is a perfect replacement for your expensive ageing treatments. It moisturises your skin and keeps it fresh and glistening thereby enhancing its overall appeal. In addition, it helps maintain the elasticity and suppleness of the skin and prevents dryness by detoxifying the skin. Hence, one should strictly avoid dehydrating foods and beverages such as caffeine (cola, chocolate, coffee, tea) and alcohol

3) Drinking enough water can also combat skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, wrinkles and spots

4) Water is an essential component required for the effective working of our body since body parts including our brain and the various tissues are mostly composed of water. Considering this, water can significantly improve our ability to think and make us energetic too.

5) Water removes toxins and most of the waste products from our body contributing to a healthy quality of life. If our body lacks water then our heart has to make an extra effort to pump fresh oxygenated blood to our organs causing severe health issues

6) A study conducted in the Loma Linda university in California, involving 20 men and woman in the age range of 38 to 100 years, concluded that those who drank enough water throughout the day were less likely to have a heart attack (41% in women and 54% in men). Hence, it can be suggested that if you substitute water with milk, tea, coffee or other beverages then you will have increased chances of incurring a heart attack, with a precise rate of 50% in women and 46% in men.

7)  Water helps to relieve headaches and back pain. Although there are many reasons that contribute to headaches, dehydration is one of the most common ones

8) Regular intake of water increases your metabolic rate and improves your digestive system. If you are constipated, try drinking more water - it can work wonders!

9) Drinking plenty of water helps fight against the flu and other ailments like kidney stones. Water, along with lemon or lemon juice is often used to overcome respiratory diseases, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis. On the whole, water plays a fundamental role in strengthening your immune system

10) Research suggests that drinking substantial amounts of water is likely to reduce the risks of bladder and colon cancer. This is because water has the ability to dilute the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and reduce the time they take to come in contact with the bladder lining

11) The human body needs a neutral Ph 7 range in order to function properly. Drinking enough water throughout the day helps maintain this balance.

I hope you enjoy this smoothie as much as I do, and please share any other smoothie recipes you love in the comment section below! Until next post, 

<3

Ani 

Natural Skin Care: Turmeric, Yogurt, and Honey Face Mask

Today I'm going to talk about a new face mask I've discovered.  I'm very picky when it comes to what I use on my face; I like everything to be as natural as possible, and I like to know exactly what ingredients I'm using.  I have very sensitive skin, and it tends to get oily in certain areas (so I guess it's "combination skin;" I'm not too good with the terminology for skin types).  Anyway, I've been using this face mask for the past couple of days, and I have to say it's probably one of the best things I've ever done for my skin.  I love exfoliating my skin, because I like deep cleaning my pores, making sure there's no buildup and that my skin isn't clogged.  At the same time, I also love moisturizing my skin so that it doesn't become dry.  This face mask, along with the application of extra virgin olive oil at the end, does all of these things and more! I recommend this to absolutely everyone, and I hope it becomes a part of your weekly skin care routine, like it has mine :)

Before I give the directions of how to make/apply the mask, here is a list of some of its benefits:

Turmeric Skin Benefits:

1. Treats acne, blemishes, blackheads, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, eczema, and psoriasis.

2. Heals and prevents dry skin.

3. Slows skin's aging process. 

4. Diminishes wrinkles and improves skin's elasticity.

5. Gives skin a temporary healthy looking glow (because of its strong pigmentation).

6. Has strong antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties, protecting the skin from environmental damage (like pollutants in the air, and sun damage). 

7. Balances/evens out skin tone.

                                                            ...Basically, it's amazing!

*Did you know: many women use Turmeric on their skin the day before their wedding day, ensuring a beautiful, healthy looking glow* 

Yogurt Skin Benefits:

1. Moisturizes skin.

2. Contains lactic acid: smooths and exfoliates skin.

3. Contains Zing; helps cool sunburns.

4. Contains natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory,  and anti-fungal properties: helps get rid of acne (unclogs pores and cleanses skin). 

5. Reduces skin discoloration (if used over time). 

6. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles; anti-aging properties. 

7. Contains vitamin B: improves blood circulation (helps prevent acne). 

Honey Skin Benefits:

1. Anti-aging effects; reduces wrinkles and fine lines. 

2. Has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties; fights acne, reverses aging process.  

3. Moisturizes skin; rebuilds moisture in skin without making the skin look or feel oily.

What I love about this mask, other than the obvious health/beauty benefits listed above, is that all of the ingredients are 100% natural and edible, and I can make it myself- right in my kitchen! I don't have to worry about any preservatives or junk being in there, and making it only takes 2 minutes (literally!)

DIRECTIONS: 

Before Applying the Mask:

1. Before you begin applying the mask it is very important to wash your face with a mild soap to make sure that your skin is clean.  I use my organic lavender soap from Zona (an organic skincare line based in Italy: http://www.zonaskincare.com/ - I highly recommend their products). 

2. After washing your face with soap, get a clean face towel and drench it in hot water.  Place the hot towel on your face for 2 minutes, reheating it as it cools.  This way you are opening your pores, letting your skin breathe, and exposing all the dirt that's stuck deep inside your skin. 

3. Pat your skin dry with a clean and dry towel. Now it's time to make the face mask!

Making the Mask:

1. In a bowl, pour 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of honey. 

2. Then, add 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Make sure the yogurt you are using has live culture in it*

3. Finally, add 2 tablespoons of Turmeric powder.

4. Mix all of the ingredients with a spoon until the mixture is smooth and evenly toned.

                                                 Your mask is now complete! 

Application:

1. Standing over a sink, begin applying the face mask to your skin (you can use the back of the mixing spoon to apply it, like I did).

2. Make sure to avoid putting the mixture on the sensitive skin around your eyes! 

3. Leave the mask on for at least 20 minutes (I recommend one full hour).  If you have more time, you can leave it on as long as you like, there are no negative side effects, so don't worry about leaving it on for too long; the longer, the better :)

Rinsing:

1. When you're ready to rinse, make sure you are using warm water.  

2. Wash the mask of as if you have an exfoliating scrub on your face: move your hands in small circular motions, gently scrubbing your skin and loosening the mask. 

3. Rinse your face until the mask is completely cleaned off.

4. Finally, splash your face with cold water. *This step closes your pores, preventing it from absorbing dirt, and keeps your skin clean for longer*

5. Pat your skin dry with a clean, dry towel. 

Moisturizing:

Now, it's important to seal your skin, and lock in all the moisture and nutrients you've applied. To do so, you will need 1/2 a teaspoon of EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL. 

1. Using a clean cotton ball, apply the olive oil on your skin. Make sure to massage your skin in this step; it will help blood circulate through your skin and add to the benefits of the mask. 

Now, look in the mirror and gaze upon your unbelievably clean, glowing, healthy, radiant looking skin, and do a little victory dance; YOU'RE DONE!! <3

I hope this face mask works as well for you as it did for me. I would love to hear your results and how you like this mask, so make sure to leave a comment below :) 

Thanks for visiting, and I'll write to you soon!

<3

-Ani 

Cacao: King of Superfoods

Cacao beans, also known as cocoa beans, are one of the absolute best things you could possibly eat...
Why? They're pact full of antioxidants.  So, what's so great about antioxidants?

Antioxidants stop the oxidation of cells in the body.  When cells become oxidized they can form free radicals.  Free radicals are atoms with an odd number of electrons.  The reason why free radicals are dangerous is that they can form negative chain reactions in our bodies by damaging healthy cells.  When a free radical damages a healthy cell, that cell becomes unstable and starts damaging other healthy cells, and those cells also become unstable and start damaging even more healthy cells, etc etc.  This is how cancer spreads in our bodies.  What antioxidants do is they stop free radicals from creating unstable cells in our body, consequently helping prevent cancer and other illnesses (such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and skin damage).  While free radicals speed up our body's aging process, antioxidants slow it down.  Some research has even found that antioxidants help improve memory function.

Anyway, the list can go on and on about how beneficial antioxidants are for the body. So, why should we be eating raw organic cacao beans (instead of other antioxidant rich foods)? Because, cacao beans have the highest concentration of antioxidants compared to any other food in the world! As many of you probably know, wild blueberries are praised for being rich in antioxidants.  Well, compared to the 61 antioxidants present in wild blueberries, cacao beans have 621 antioxidants!

In addition to this, cacao beans have the highest magnesium content than any other food in the world.  Magnesium, which just so happens to be the number one mineral deficiency in the United States, has an abundance of health benefits to offer.  Some of these health benefits are: "transmission of nerve impulses, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth," (http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/Magnesium-health-benefits-supplements/2011/01/20/id/369647).  From personal experience, I can say that magnesium also helps alleviate menstrual pains and cramps for women.

Another great thing about these beans are that they contain the highest levels of chromium than any other food in the world! Chromium, which happens to be the number one trace mineral deficiency in the United States, also has a great deal of health benefits to offer: "Chromium helps metabolize carbohydrates. It monitors blood sugar levels, and helps stabilize blood sugar. It can also prevent hypertension or high blood pressure. Although trials are still being conducted, chromium compounds are considered helpful in preventing memory loss and in treating Alzheimer’s disease.There are several other chromium benefits too. Regular intake of chromium as a health supplement reduces the risk of heart disease. It raises heart rate while also having the ability to ward off infections and protect cells from damage. Additionally, it reduces hunger, which aids in weight loss," (http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/chromium-health-benefits-nutrition/2011/01/21/id/369681). 


Finally, cacao beans contain extremely high levels of vitamin C !
While most people are aware of the health benefits related to the consumption of vitamin C (especially in helping prevent/recover from the common cold), vitamin C can actually help prevent cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. When we are stressed out, our bodies start producing high amounts of adrenaline as a response.  High levels of vitamin C are burned during the production of adrenaline, which in turn weakens our immune system and makes us vulnerable to all kinds of health risks. So, maintaining high levels of vitamin C in our body is extremely important. 


So, the next time you go shopping for superfoods, make sure to get a bag of organic, raw cacao beans! 

<3

-Ani 

Janna Health: what's this blog about?

I was taking notes while watching a documentary about food/health, as I often do, and I thought "I wish I had a digital archive of my notes to keep everything organized" so that's what I'm doing. In this blog I will be posting all and any health tips and discoveries that I find, along with related topics and interests of mine.  I want to emphasize that I am not a doctor, medical student, or any kind of health professional.  What I write is simply a result of my personal curiosity and research, and I don't claim any of my posts to be 100% scientifically accurate.  If you do follow the health tips on this blog I would suggest also doing your own research on the subject; all health tips don't work for everyone.  However, I will try my best to make sure that my sources are valid and that the things I post will benefit the majority of my readers.  I am excited about sharing my knowledge and research with you, and I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I enjoy doing research for it. Thanks for stopping by, and come back soon!

<3
-Ani