Monthly Archives: November 2013
Health Benefit Of Lemon & Water
Health Benefit of Lemon & Water
Packed with antioxidants and other health benefits, a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon revitalizes the body and mind. Here are 10 reasons to drink it first thing:
- Supports the immune system: The juice of half a lemon in a glass of water is rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and assists the body in fighting colds and flu. Lemon also enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron, an important nutrient for a healthy immune system.
- Aids digestion: As lemon juice is similar in atomic structure to the stomach’s digestive juices, it has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It helps cleanse the bowel by flushing out waste more efficiently and stimulates the release of gastric juices, which aid digestion. The digestive qualities of lemon juice can also help relieve symptoms of indigestion, heartburn and bloating.
- Repairs skin: Lemons are great for combating skin ageing. The antioxidant properties help combat free radical damage, which is responsible for the symptoms of ageing. “We know that lemons are rich in vitamin C and that is really what creates collagen synthesis, which is wonderful in terms of keeping wrinkles at bay. Vitamin C is required in the synthesis of amino acids into collagen and the job of collagen and connective tissue is to hold things tight and protect our skin tissue.”
- Reduces appetite: Lemons contain pectin, a soluble fiber commonly found in citrus fruits. Pectin helps stave off hunger as the fiber creates a feeling of fullness, which results in the suppression of hunger cravings, you’re less likely to snack or make poor food choices.
- Balances pH levels: Lemons are one of the most alkalizing foods for the body and a good pH level is essential as too much acidity in the body can be inflammatory. Lemon water is very alkalizing and most of us have acidic bodies.
- Cleanses the urinary tract: Lemon juice is a diuretic, meaning it encourages the production of urine. As a result, toxins are released at a faster rate, helping to purify the system and keep it healthy. Lemon juice can also change the pH level of the urinary tract, which discourages the proliferation of bad bacteria.
- Freshens breath: The antiseptic qualities in lemon juice help kill off bad bacteria in the mouth by acting as a disinfectant. A glass of lemon water is also a healthier morning wake-you-up than coffee. If you’re concerned about the acid harming tooth enamel, rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
- Protects overall health: High levels of potassium in lemons can help brain and nerve functioning and control blood pressure. Lemon water can also ward off stress and depression, which have been linked to low levels of potassium. Lemons also contain vitamin P, which improves capillary permeability and overall blood flow.
- Promotes healing: Ascorbic acid, vitamin C, promotes wound healing in the body and is an important nutrient in maintaining healthy bones, tissue and cartilage. It also calms inflammation in the body.
- Detoxifies the liver: Lemon water acts as a liver cleanser by assisting in detoxification. It purifies and stimulates the liver by encouraging the production of bile, an acid required for digestion. Lemon water can also help control excess bile flow, decrease the amount of phlegm produced by the body and assist in dissolving gallstones.
Egg & Pickle Sandwich
Fresh, salty & delicious
This is the perfect lunch sandwich, with the mix of leafy greens, eggs, bread and pickles it’s amazing!
You’ll need:
- 2 Slices of fresh Rye bread
- Crisp lettuce, iceberg lettuce or any kind of lettuce
- 1 hard-boiled Egg
- 3 Slices of pickles
- 2 Slices of bell pepper (green, yellow or red)
- Thousand Island Dressing
- 1-2 Tbsp of unsalted butter
Method:
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil, then add your egg and let it boil for about ten minutes.
- Get your greens and dressing ready.
- Over medium/high heat melt the butter in a pan and lightly coat each side of your bread and let it warm until both sides of the bread is crispy.
- Remove from heat and add the dressing, lettuce, pickles, bell pepper, egg and enjoy!
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
Tasty, Easy, Homemade Dressing!
I’m sure you all have tried thousand island dressing before, but maybe what you didn’t know is that it’s super simple to make at home! This recipe makes 2 1/2 cups and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Recipe:
- 1 1/2 Cups Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Cup Organic Ketchup
- 1 tsp organic Mustard
- 4-5 Slices of pickles
- 2 Tbsp pickle juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients in a food-processor until the pickles are finely chopped. Salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately or store cooled.
Apple Pie (in Apple)
Apple Pie in Apple!
We saw this online and thought, we HAVE to make this! We decided to do an old fashioned apple pie crust with no sugar and using rye flour instead of all purpose flour. This is a great portioned sized dessert!
Crust: (enough for 10 apples)
- 1 Cup Rye flour (all purpose)
- A Pinch of Salt
- 10,5 Tbsp unsalted Butter (cold, cut into little dices)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Lemon juice (cold)
- 2-3 Tbsp Ice water
Method:
Food-processor:
- Mix the flour, salt and cold butter together on high speed in your food-processor for a few seconds, then pulse a few times until the dough has a grainy consistency.
- While the food-processor is still on add the ice water and cold lemon juice and mix until the dough is smooth.
- Remove dough from bowl and press into a ball then roll out your pie crust on parchment paper. While using a pizza slicer cut the dough into thin slices and place into the refrigerator until you are ready to use.
Filling:
- 1-2 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 10 Granny Smith Apples
- all of your scooped apple core (remember to removed the stones)
- Peanuts
- Raisins
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
Method:
- Wash, and cut the top of your apples. Using a spoon hollow out the core to make the apple “bowl”. Be careful to not puncture the peel, this will cause the apple to break and leak while in the oven. Set the “apple bowls” aside.
- Cut the scooped apple core into small chunks.
- In a bowl, mix together the apple core, lemon juice, nuts, raisins, sugar and cinnamon (however much you desire, taste in-between).
- Spoon filling back into the apple bowls and press down gently, then cover the top of the apple in a lattice pattern with pie crust strips.
- Lightly brush the crust with some milk, then sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on top.
Bake in the oven in a baking dish for 20-35 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. Carefully remove the apples from the baking dish and serve hot along with ice-cream or whipped cream!
Enjoy!
Healthy Flapjacks
Healthy twist on traditional Flapjacks!
We have never made this recipe, in fact we weren’t quite sure how to make this to be honest. We had a request and we did some digging and after a few attempts we feel happy with the final result. We found out that this is a traditional Irish/British food so please if we’ve done this wrong let us know so that we can alter it to your liking 
The traditional recipe calls for syrup and a great amount of butter, so we switched that with raisins, dates and coconut oil and added some dried fruits and flax-seeds. While researching the healthier version of flapjacks we noticed some also add agave syrup for that special taste and texture, this is optional and tastes really nice. If you want to add syrup and butter to the recipe use unsalted butter (5 Tbsp) and Agave syrup (4 Tbsp) instead of golden syrup and stay healthy See tip below for this method and other tips.
Recipe:
- 1 Cup pitted Dates or Raisins
- 1/2 Ripe Banana
- 2-3 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 2 Cups Oatmeal / Oats
- 1 Tbsp Flax-seeds
- 2-3 Tbsp Dried fruit or nuts of your choice (banana, cashew nuts, apricots, raisins, coconut flakes, etc.)
Step by Step:
- Preheat your own to 325F / 170C
- Drop your dates/raisins and banana in your food-processor and mix well, you might have to scrape down the sides a few times. Alternatively you can also add the oats for a smoother texture.
- Now scoop the mixture into a bowl and add all of the ingredients and stir it well until everything sticks together, you might have to add more coconut oil as you go along.
- Pour the mixture into baking sheet/dish spread well and lightly press down the top with a spatula making sure the surface is even.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cut the flapjacks into squares or however desired and leave to cool in the baking sheet/dish until completely cooled.
- Store in airtight container, in room temperature or the fridge.
Alternative Method:
- Instead of using dates/raisins, banana and coconut oil, you can use butter and syrup.
- Use 5 Tbsp of unsalted butter and 4 Tbsp of Agave syrup.
- In a sauce pan melt the butter and agave syrup, then add all of your ingredients in the pan and stir well. Then continue the recipe how it is mentioned above.
Enjoy!