Aloe Vera Honey Lemon | 芦荟柠檬蜜糖

Here are the 4 Benefits of eating Aloe Vera: 

1. Phytochemical
Aloe vera contains many type of phytochemicals, such as aloin, glucommannans, salicylic acid, emodin, lectins and etc. Phytochemicals are important in preventing cancer, hearth disease, high blood pressure and other diseases. 


 2. Diabetes
 Aloe vera is useful is useful in the treatment of Diabetes and increase blood lipids in human (Lipids is important to heal wounds).  Aloe vera helps maintain a healthy blood sugar level.


3. Multivitamins
Aloe vera is a good source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, Folic Acid and Niacin which are important nutrients in boosting body's defense.


4. Minerals 
Aloe vera contains copper, zinc, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese. We can have a daily dose of minerals just by drinking aloe vera juice.



Side Effect: 
Accroding to WebMD.com, taking large amount of aloe vera can cause some side effect such as stomach pain and cramps. Long-term use of large amounts of aloe latex might cause diarrhea, kidney problems, blood in the urine, low potassium, muscle weakness, weight loss, and heart disturbances.

Aloe Vera Honey Lemon

Ingredients:

1 Aloe vera leaf (~25cm)

1/2 Lemon

2 teaspoons of Manuka Honey

Warm water

Procedure: 
1. Remove the green aloe vera skin and cut the pulp into pieces of a few cm long and soak them in water for few minutes.
2. Pour warm water into a glass. Stir in Manuka honey and fresh lemon juice, mixing until honey is dissolved.
3. Then add few tablespoon of aloe vera pulps into the honey lemon drink. Serve chilled!

常吃芦荟的四大好处：

1. 新鲜的芦荟含有丰富的植物化学成分，可以帮助预防癌症，高血压和心血管疾病。

2.芦荟可以帮助治疗糖尿病患，控制血糖和增加血小板数量。（血小板有助于伤口伤口复原）

3.芦荟含有维生素A，B1，B2，B6，B12，C，E，叶酸 (folic acid) 和 烟酸 (niacin) 有助于提升免疫力。

4.芦荟还含有多种矿物质，比如铜，锌，铁，钙，钠，钾，铬，镁，锰，等等。每天吃一小片芦荟可以补充人体一天所需的矿物质。   


切记：根据医药网站(WebMD.com) 过量饮食芦荟会导致肚子痛，肠胃不舒服及其他副作用。胃肠敏感的人最好免吃。


芦荟柠檬蜜糖

材料：

芦荟一大片（~ 25cm），半个柠檬，Manuka 蜜糖两茶匙，和温水。

做法：

1. 把芦荟皮切除，里面的肉切成小片然后泡水几分钟。

2. 准备温水，加入蜜糖和柠檬汁，搅拌均匀。

3. 再加入芦荟肉，冷藏后享用 




References:
1. Aloe Vera- Wikipedia
2. Aloe Vera- Phytochemical
3. Aloe: Uses, Side effects, interaction and warning- WebMD

walnut smoothie

Spinach Smoothie

goji berries

Healthy Salad Wraps to Jumpstart Your New Year!

Happy new year to everyone! If your resolution for 2013 is to eat healthy, lose weight and get fit, check out these delicious veggie wraps to jumpstart your healthy eating! ^ ^

1. Avocado Kale Salad Wraps

Ingredients: 

Kale

Avocado

Cherry tomatoes

Almonds

Red onions

Wholemeal wraps

  Basil garlic dressing 

2. Garden Veggie Salads Wraps

                   

Ingredients: 

Baby lettuce

Cucumber

Walnuts

Red onions

Cumin seeds

  Cherry tomatoes

Cheddar cheese 

Wholemeal wraps 

  Lemon myrtle dressing

3. Spinach Lettuce Salad Wraps

 

Ingredients: 

Spinach

Baby lettuce

Red onions

Cumin seeds

  Cherry tomatoes

Cheddar cheese 

Wholemeal wraps 

  Basil garlic dressing

Kiwi fruit smoothie | 好喝又美容的奇异果沙冰

Kiwi Fruit contains very high amount of vitamin C than any other citrus fruits and more potassium than banana. While the average orange has about 82mg of vitamin C, the kiwi has up to 110 mg. That is almost 34% more vitamin C than orange. The US National Institute of Health recommended that adult men over age 19 consume 90 mg a day, and adult women 75 mg a day for the growth and repair of all parts of body tissues. 

Ingredients:

 1 cold kiwi fruit

1 cold apple

1 banana

5 almonds
1 cold dragon fruit 

1 teaspoons granular lecithin

splash of water

Evaluation:

1. Flavour: Sour-sweet and nutty flavour with nice kiwi fruit aroma.   
2. Texture : Thick and creamy.
3. Nutrition Value: Very high vitamin C content. Promote Collagen growth naturally, and helps keep the skin firm and youthful.
4. Average Rating:★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

奇异果含有非常丰富的维生素C,可以促进胶原蛋白合成，使皮肤变得光滑白嫩，保持青春、健康的肌肤。

 

材料：

冷的奇異果 (Kiwi) 。。1粒
冷的苹果。。。。。。。1粒 
冷冻龙珠果。。。。。。1粒
杏仁。。。。。。。。。5粒
颗粒卵磷脂/大豆卵磷脂。。。。。1茶匙 (Granular Lechitin)
水。。。。。。。。。。少许 （帮助搅碎Blending)  



做法简单，只要把以上的材料放入混合器 (Blender) 搅碎后就可以喝了！

References:
1) National Institute of Health: Vitamin C
2) Yahoo voices: Kiwi Fruit: The Little Green Fruit with More Vitamin C Than Oranges.

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are smaller tomatoes that are generally sweeter than larger tomatoes. They come in different shapes and colors, including yellow, orange, red, green strips and black. Cherry tomatoes are packed full of vitamins including Vitamin A, C, E as well as potassium and other mineral salts.

Usage: Fruit snacks, use in salad, as appetizer or as a garnish.

Selection: When selecting tomatoes in the market, select cherry tomatoes that are big, firm, smooth-skinned and bright colour.

Storage: Refrigerating cherry tomatoes can spoil their flavour, usually people just store them at room temperature and use within a few days.

Health Benefits: A research published in the May 2005 medical journal " Biochimica et Biophysica Acta" indicate that eating tomatoes regularly could reduce the risk of men getting prostate cancer. Tomatoes cantain high level of lycopene （茄红素）, a red carotenoid pigment which can promote prostate health.

For great cherry tomato recipes, you can check out the links below:  

1) Healthy and gluten free bean curd skin with tomato pasta sauce | 健康又美味的无麸质干豆腐皮配意大利番茄酱

2) Dragon fruit and tomato smoothie | 龙珠果番茄沙冰 

References:
1.Livestrong.com: Cherry tomatoes nutrition information
2 Netdoctor.com: The health benefits of tomatoes