Pomegranate: Miracle Fruit

Pomegranates have been cultivated since ancient times, but did you know that new science has found surprising benefits for the fabled fruit? Research shows that the succulent seeds may slow aging, halt the spread of cancer, improve heart health, and have Viagra-like effects on men.
What’s more, this tasty treat is low in calories (only around 105 for an average-sized fruit) in addition to being loaded with nutrients. High in vitamin C and potassium, the bright red fruit also boasts high levels of antioxidants. And if you eat the seeds rather than drinking the tangy juice, you’ll have added fiber in your diet as well.
The ruby-red fruit is difficult to resist, according to mythology. In fact, some Biblical scholars believe that it was the pomegranate, not the apple, which was the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. In Greek mythology, Persephone was condemned to spend six months in the Underworld each year because Hades tricked her into eating a few pomegranate seeds.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the many ways these tiny seeds can help improve your health. 

1. May Slow Aging

Pomegranates have polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that many believe slows aging. A look at polyphenol-rich foods including pomegranates has shown that it does in fact help extend the lifespan, according to new research from the University of Kansas.

2. Increases Testosterone

Researchers looked at 60 volunteers, and the results were clear: drinking pomegranate juice increased the level of testosterone in the saliva. Testosterone has myriad benefits, including increased muscle, reduced fat, renewed energy, better moods and, of course, an improved sex drive. The study found a surge in T levels in both men and women. Another small study, published in Journal of Impotence Research, suggested that pomegranate juice might have natural Viagra-like effects. The researchers reported that 47 percent of men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) reported improvement after drinking the juice daily for one month, compared to a 31 percent rate of improvement in men who drank apple juice. Intriguingly, throughout history, the pomegranate has been a symbol of fertility and has long been thought to have aphrodisiac powers.
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3. Lowers Bad Cholesterol

Pomegranate juice may well slow the buildup of cholesterol for those who have risk factors associated with heart disease. This has to do with the tangy juice’s high levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants, which reduce “bad” cholesterol.

4. Zaps Inflammation

Pomegranates reduce inflammation and stop the breakdown of cartilage. This is particularly helpful for those suffering from arthritis, as it prevents its onset and severity, according to research published in the Journal of Inflammation. It does this by stopping the overproduction of cytokines, which are responsible for inflammation and the destruction of tissue when produced in excess.
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5. May Control Blood Pressure 

The study was small, but the results were promising—study participants drinking pomegranate juice significantly improved their blood pressure in only a week compared to those who only drank water. Drinking the ancient elixir also showed improved ratios of the stress hormone cortisol and cortisone, its inert counterpart. In a 2012 study lasting two weeks, sipping the juice improved blood pressure and reduced stiffness in arterial walls.

6. Fights Cancer

Some components of the tangy juice have the potential to stop cancer cells from spreading, according to researchers at the University of California. The research was conducted on prostate cancer cells that were prone to spread, but the cells treated with pomegranate juice were less likely to do so.

7. May Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Research on mice shows that pomegranate juice improved behavior in a model of Alzheimer’s disease. Mice given pomegranate juice were able to learn tasks more quickly and swim faster than mice that received sugar water.
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Want to work this nutritional powerhouse into your diet? Several sites feature creative recipes that are nutritious and delicious. Here are a handful of my favorites, plus shopping tips:

• Martha Stewart’s Pomegranate Recipes feature salads, pistachio-pomegranate pilaf, duck breasts with a pomegranate-pilaf sauce, and more.

• Eating Well’s Healthy Pomegranate Recipes include a variety of salads, main dishes, and a handful of pomegranate drinks, such as mimosas, iced tea, and a pomegranate cosmopolitan. Although pomegranate juice won’t get you the fiber packed in the ruby red seeds, you’ll still benefit from the antioxidants and various other vitamins and nutrients.

• AllRecipes.com features a wide variety of recipes—pomegranate-themed ones included—submitted by readers.

If you choose to drink the tangy juice, make sure it’s pure pomegranate juice rather than a sugar-loaded mixture of fruit juices. As always, it’s wise to check with a doctor before making major dietary changes. Pomegranate juice can cause dangerous side effects when combined with certain medications.
 If you’re preparing the juicy fruit, start by cutting off the “crown” and slicing what’s left into sections. Then, place those sections into lukewarm water. You’ll be able to easily roll out the seeds with your fingers. Strain the water, and you’re ready to eat.

Source: http://wikipedia.com
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New Study Finds Coconut Oil Can Help with Fat Loss

For the study, which was published in the medical journal Lipids, the researchers assembled 40 female volunteers between the ages of 20 and 40 who suffered from abdominal obesity. Over a 12-week period, the women were given 30 millimeters of either soybean oil or coconut oil on a daily basis. During this time, the volunteers were instructed to follow their regular diet and walk for 50 minutes per day. At the end of the 12-week period, the researchers found that the women who were given the coconut oil experienced a significant reduction in both BMI and waist circumference, as well as an increase in "good" HDL cholesterol. These results were not found in the group that was given soybean oil.

"It appears that dietetic supplementation with coconut oil does not cause dyslipidemia and seems to promote a reduction in abdominal obesity," the researchers concluded.

While the "superfood" label is often overused in natural health circles, most researchers will admit that coconut oil deserves it. This edible oil, which is produced from the flesh of coconuts, has been shown to possess amazing antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties, improve blood cholesterol levels, boost energy and much more. However, a peer-reviewed Brazilian study has also found that consuming just 30 millimeters (1 ounce) of coconut oil a day can help treat abdominal obesity - providing yet more evidence that healthy saturated fats are essential for long-term weight loss.

Coconut oil contains fats that aid weight loss

Though coconut oil was demonized for decades due to its considerable saturated fat content, scientists now understand that there is a big difference between the long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) found in foods like cheese and meat and the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) found in foods like coconut oil. Unlike the former, which must be broken down in the intestines and transported to the blood before they can be used for energy, the latter are metabolized very quickly and actually bypass the fat cells in which they might otherwise be stored. For this reason, dieters who choose to receive their fats from MCT-rich foods like coconut oil will experience the greatest long-term results.

Note: The best kind of coconut oil to purchase is organic, raw coconut oil. Refined coconut oil, which has been bleached and deodorized, has a compromised nutritional profile and, depending on the manner in which it was processed, might even contain harmful trans fats. Therefore, make sure that you always choose raw coconut oil that was extracted from fresh coconut meat. This kind of oil will possess the unmistakable scent of coconut, signifying minimal processing.


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/043875_coconut_oil_belly_fat_weight_loss.html#ixzz2t7ZLvypu

Rose Energy Smoothie

  A fantastic morning 'Mood' enhancing Smoothie Easy to make and uplifts your day!

1 Tbsp of Rose Water
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 Banana
1 Cup of frozen Blueberries
1 Scoop of Vanilla Flavor Protein Powder
Ice
2 cups (aprox) Silk Milk

Blend & Enjoy!

 

    Damascena Roses are considered the "First Rose" or original Rose of Earth. All other Roses are off chutes of this one and only truly Rose of the Ages. 

    The flowers are renowned for their fine fragrance, and are commercially harvested for rose oil used in perfumery and to make rose water and "rose concrete". The flower petals are also edible. They may be used to flavor food, as a garnish, and preserved in sugar as gulkand.

    For centuries, the Damascus rose has been considered a symbol of beauty and love. The fragrance of the rose has been captured and preserved in the form of rose water by an ancient method that can be traced back to biblical times in the Middle East, and later to the Indian subcontinent. A Persian scientist, Avicenna, is credited with the invention of the process for extracting rose water from rose petals in the early 11th century.

  Since ancient times, roses have been used medicinally, nutritionally, and as a source of perfume. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Phoenecians considered large public rose gardens to be as important as croplands such as orchards and wheat fields.

   Rose perfumes are made from rose oil, also called attar of roses, which is a mixture of volatile essential oils obtained by steam-distilling the crushed petals of roses, a process first developed in Iran (Persia). Rose water is a by-product of this process. It has been suggested that the Persian polymath Avicenna discovered how to make rose water in the tenth century.

   Rose water has a very distinctive flavor and is used heavily in Persian and Middle east cuisine, especially in sweets such as nougat, raahat and baklava. For example, rose water is used to give some types of Turkish delight their distinctive flavors. Beside its usage in food, it is also used as a perfume, especially in religious ceremonies (Hindu, Muslim and Zoroastrian).

   The Cypriot version of mahalebi uses rosewater. In Iran, it is also added to tea, ice cream, cookies and other sweets in small quantities, and in the Arab world and India it is used to flavor milk and dairy-based dishes such as rice pudding. It is also a key ingredient in sweet lassi, a drink made from yogurt, sugar and various fruit juices, and is also used to make jallab. In Malaysia and Singapore, rose water is mixed with milk, sugar and pink food coloring to make a sweet drink called bandung. Rose water is frequently used as a halal substitute for red wine and other alcohols in cooking.
Marzipan has long been flavored with rose water. Marzipan originated in the Middle East and arrived in Western Europe by the Middle Ages; it continues to be served as a postprandial snack.  Rose water was also used to make Waverly Jumbles. American and European bakers enjoyed the floral flavoring of rose water in their baking until the 19th century when vanilla flavoring became popular.

In the United States, rose syrup is used to make rose scones and marshmallows.

   Rose water is a usual component of perfume. A rose water ointment is occasionally used as an emollient, and rose water is sometimes used in cosmetics such as cold creams. Water used to clean the Kaaba, the Qibla for Muslims located in Mecca, combines Zamzam water with rose water as an additive. Rose water is used in some Hindu rituals as well. Rose water also figures in Christianity, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

   Rose water was first produced by Muslim chemists in the medieval Islamic world through the distillation of roses, for use in the drinking and perfumery industries.
In parts of the Middle East, rose water is commonly added to lemonade.

    Rose essential oil vibrates at a rate of 320 megahertz of electrical energy.  The highest frequency of any flower found on Earth!

   I find the fragrance to be indulging and the flavor a light delight. Ever since I have started using Rose Water in my daily life, I feel uplifted and happy. I found improvements in my attitude and in my complection as well. I have more energy and sleep peacefully, fully and rested.

    I am also an E-cigarette user having been free from combustable tobacco for 9 months. I mix my own "E-Juice" and I have found my favorite to be a Rose Candy and Lemon flavor. It's light and wonderful, clears my mind. I feel closer to reality as I inhale the age old scent that is renowned through time.

   As for pure Rose Water, I buy mine off of Amazon.com, you can find it at a reasonable rate. I use it as a facial toner and after bath body spray. I also use it in a homemade "hair mask" and I add 1 Tbsp. to my morning smoothie.

   If you cannot find pure Damascena Rose Water try using Bulgarian Rose Water. It's as close to the original Rose and purposes serve just as well. I have had to substitute this also as world politics dictate.