Keep away vampires and cancer!!

You know the old saying, garlic wards off vampires (Sorry Twilight Fans), well it also wards off germs and cancer. Yes, you will need a mint after eating it, but it is a great herb to add to your dishes.

Garlic is part of the onion family. When you purchase garlic you are buying it by the bulb. When dishes call for cloves of garlic they are referring to the little sections on the inside. Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal properties and has been used to treat bacteria, virus, fungi and yeast skin conditions. It has been used lately as a supplement that helps enhance your immune system and overall health.

Garlic contains a sulfur compound name allicin, which is where it's distinctive odor and flavor  comes from. When you chop or chew garlic it produces this chemical. Allicin is a powerful antibiotic and greatly helps prevent the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. Having high levels of Vitamin C, it is well know to help promote a healthy immune system.

Garlic is one of the most popular foods to eat to help prevent cancer. Scientists think that because garlic boosts the production hydrogen sulfide that it is extremely successful at fighting off a variety of cancers. Hydrogen sulfide occurs both naturally and from human-made processes.  Hydrogen sulfide is produced during the digestion of food containing vegetable or animal proteins.There are numerous studies on the effect garlic has on cancer. You should check out the National Cancer Institute to find more info.

So not only is garlic awesome at helping you stay healthy but it is very delicious. I joke by saying I add garlic to everything, which is only partial a joke. I really do add garlic to just about every dish. I always add more garlic than is asked for in a recipe, but do be careful, it can make a dish taste spicy. If you want a subtle garlic taste, add the garlic at the start of cooking. If you want a stronger garlic flavor, add the garlic right at the end of cooking. If you are anything like me and really love the taste of garlic, add some in the beginning and end.

I also have this nifty little garlic chopper that has wheels on it to make the job of chopping easy. If you have children that like to help out in the kitchen I highly recommend it. My kids love to roll it all over the countertops!

When life gives you lemons...

...Take those little nutrition packed powerhouses and use them any way you can. 

I have to start by saying I love lemons. I always have them on hand and use them daily. Lemons are a wonderful fruit and are known for their strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers. They are packed with a bunch of vitamins, minerals and other substances that promote immunity and fight infection. Lemons contain B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, citric acid, limonene, pectin and bioflavonoids.

Lets break down the lemon by its substances.

-B Vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins that work together to help cells burn fats and glucose for energy and are critical nutrients for mood, memory, and anxiety. Lemons contain Thiamine (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin (vitamin B3), Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), Vitamin B6, Folate (vitamin B9).

-Vitamin C is a popular vitamin that is commonly taking to fight off the dreaded cold. It helps keep the immune system powerful and is an effective antioxidant that protects our bodies from free radicals. Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure and ensures proper dilation of blood vessels. It also dramatically lowers your blood lead levels.

-Calcium is a mineral that is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps muscles and blood vessels contract and expand.

-Iron is a mineral that helps our muscles store and use oxygen. Iron forms part of the oxygen-carrying proteins, hemoglobin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscles. It is an essential protein component for metabolism and is a facilitator for regulating body temperature.

-Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps lower high blood pressure. It regulates sugar levels in the blood steam therefore lowering the risk of developing diabetes. Magnesium is needed to help the heart beat stay rhythmic and keep the muscles and nerves functioning normal. It also helps to absorb vital minerals and vitamins like sodium, calcium, potassium and phosphorus

-Phosphorus is a mineral that is required by the body for bone and teeth formation and it works with calcium in order to boost the strength of your bones and teeth. Phosphorus also allows proper digestion of riboflavin and niacin.

-Potassium is a mineral that keeps the heart healthy.  Potassium allows our muscles to move, our nerves to fire, and our kidneys to filter blood, which in doing so, assists kidneys to remove waste. It is also a critical electrolyte.

-Zinc is a mineral known for its immune boosting properties. It accelerates the renewal of the skin cells and also is used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

-Citric Acid is an alkalizing agent, which means it is able to decrease the level of acidity in body fluids. Citric Acid preservative and prevents the formation of kidney stones and ensures proper functioning of the kidney. It is also an anti-oxidant.

-Limonene has been used clinically to dissolve cholesterol-containing gallstones.

-Pectin is a soluble fiber concentrated in the peel and pulp of citrus fruit.

-Bioflavonoids are super-antioxidants found in many natural foods. They are referred to as Vitamin P. There is some resistance in calling it a vitamin because it has not yet been proven to be essential to human nutrition and health.

Now You Know

So now that you know the many great health benefits of lemons, you can understand why I never go without them. Lemon juice is a digestive aid and liver cleanser so drinking it daily is said to help in weight loss. What more could you ask for?

Uses for Lemons

Want to work this healthy, little fruit into your diet? Here are some of the ways I do.

-       Squeeze a lemon into your water and avoid paying for pricey, bottled alkaline water.

-       If you are a lemon/ lime soda drinker, swap that highly sugared pop for sparkling mineral water and add fresh lemon juice to it.

-       Stop buying store bought salad dressings that are filled with nasty additives and make your own lemon dressing.

-       Make your own marinade with lemons. It helps to break down proteins and is a meat tenderizer.

-       Before you juice a lemon, grate the yellow part of the peel and freeze the zest in small freezer bags. Throw a teaspoon or more into your salad dressing, roast, soups, or any other recipe that calls for lemon zest.

-       Squeeze a lemon into you iced tea, green tea, or other herbal teas.

-       Warm up honey in a mug and squeeze in some fresh lemon juice to help relieve a sore throat.

-       Squeeze fresh lemon juice on steamed or roasted veggies like broccoli or potatoes for a healthy alternative to butter or oil.

These are just a few ideas on how to add lemons to your diet. Feel free to get creative and experiment. Lemons are also great to have on hand for many cleaning and beauty reasons too. But that is for a whole new blog!