Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a sweet, aromatic spice and a medicine. It is one of the oldest spices known to man. Its uses and benefits have been documented as early as 2700 B.C. throughout China, Europe and Egypt. Cinnamon offers several benefits. A few of those benefits are listed below.

 

Benefits of Cinnamon

1. Consume between 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon a day to experience the health benefits from cinnamon. Studies show that as little as ½ teaspoon to 1 teaspoon (2 to 4 grams) of ground cinnamon provides enough of a benefit.
2. High in Nutrients- Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.
3. Smell cinnamon for boosted brain function. 
4. What about smoothies? Cinnamon is also post-meal digestive aid. If you experience heartburn or indigestion following a meal, using cinnamon might help you because it stimulates a weak digestive system.
5. Add cinnamon to warm drinks to reduce cold and flu SYMPTOMS. Cinnamon’s oils and nutrient composition can reduce the symptoms of the virus.
6. Anti-Bacterial - When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
7. Anti-Clotting - It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

 Everyday Check out the page for Today's Smoothie as well as the page for the Bite Of The Day for ways to use the herb of the week. Next weeks Herb is Peppermint. The next time that you are grocery shopping add a small bottle of peppermint extract to your shopping cart.

Being forever fit is more than just working out is also includes dieting. By dieting I don't necessarily mean that you have to completely remove the foods you like. My definition of dieting is eating healthier by managing your daily consumption of unhealthy foods and increasing your consumption of healthier foods. The next time that you are out grocery shopping grab the herb of the upcoming week and join us as we reap the benefits of each Week’s Herb by subscribe to this blog. I promise you wont regret the benefits.

Garlic

Garlic is most definitely a "miracle food".Garlic is an amazing infection and disease fighter but is not a cure all. It also has several benefits that can help you to achieve longevity.
Below are a few facts about garlic and some of the benefits that garlic provides.

Name: Allium Sativum, commonly known as Garlic.
Close relatives: Onions and Chives
Origin: It is native to central asia and has been used by humans for over 7,000 years.
Best Eaten: Raw

• Garlic is a natural immune booster. It helps fight sickness and disease.
• It is excellent at helping to stave off the common cold, bronchial coughs and asthma and can help decrease their length and severity.
• Garlic is a fantastic cancer fighter. It has been proven to reduce cancer cells and tumours and slow or even halt the spread of cancer. It is especially good for bladder, stomach, breast and prostate cancer.
• Eating garlic regularly lowers cholesterol levels.
• Garlic helps to stop heart disease. Not only does it help to make the blood vessels more flexible, it also lowers cholesterol levels. Both major causes of heart disease.
• Garlic thins the blood, which helps to lower blood pressure and helps to stop clots from forming.
• Garlic helps to break down and prevent gallstones, bladder stones and kidney stones
• When consumed by pregnant women it can help decrease the risks of pre-eclampsia.
  In addition, it can help increase the birth weight of babies at risk of being born too small.
• Garlic helps to improve memory and brain function.
• Garlic has excellent antiseptic properties. Putting garlic on wounds and pimples will help them to heal faster and prevent infection.
• Garlic has amazing anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It helps to fights infections by stimulating T-cells. It can be used to fight internal parasites, yeast and Candida Albicans infections.
• Garlic purifies the blood.
• When in need of a laxative, try eating some garlic. Eating garlic regularly can help keep you regular.
• Garlic helps to control flatulence and helps with digestion and stomach upsets.
• Many insects do not enjoy the taste of garlic. Eating garlic during the summer months can help decrease the amount of insect bites one receives.

Garlic is best eaten raw. However, it does have an overwhelming smell. The best way to beat Garlic breath is by eating some parsley, an apple or a slice of lemon after consuming the garlic. 

Super Of The Week

The super of this week is the Lemon and Limes.

Lemons and Limes Can Keep You Looking Beautiful: Lemons and limes are great for the skin, too! Simply rub a little juice on the skin to rejuvenate it and keep it shining. Lemon juice and lime juice offer amazing antibacterial properties, so squeezing a little on the skin can help protect it from infections.  In addition, the juice can help to remove dead cells, cure dandruff, clear up rashes, and fade bruises.(Hickies are considered bruises)

Lemons and Limes Help Fight Inflammation: Both lemons and limes contain flavonoids, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. This, combined with high levels of Vitamin C, make lemons and limes good for heart health, diabetes, and arthritis, too.

Helps Improve Vision: The symptoms of eye disorders, including diabetic retinopathy have been shown in research to improve due to the rutin, found in lemons.Need Help Managing 

Your Anxiety: Research has shown that lemon balm has a calming effect and therefore may be able to help remove fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. It is also believed that inhaling lemon oil helps in increasing concentration and alertness. It can therefore be used as a room freshener in offices to increase the efficiency of the employees. 

Put Insomnia To Rest: Studies have found that lemon balm combined with other calming herbs (such as valerian, hops, and chamomile) helps reduce anxiety and promote sleep.

Kills Worms: Lemons also destroy intestinal worms.

Aids In Weight Loss: Adding Lemons to you water can make you feel fuller and reduce the development  of type 2 Diabetes. Lemons contain Pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to help with weight loss. Also, Lemons can literally slow down the absorption of sugar into the body. There are several celebrities that use a lemonade diet!!

Read more:

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/02/22-health-benefits-of-lemons.html

http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx?p=13

 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-health-benefits-of-lemons.html#ixzz2cixTInPQ