Healthy foods
Healing properties of onion
The onion is an irreplaceable food item in South-Eastern Europe, as well as in other parts of the world and in various cousines.
People love it in many ways. Even though it makes some people cry while mincing it and leaves a strong smell after eating, most dishes would have an "empty" taste without it.
Apart from gastronomy, it is a popular feature in natural medicine, and its healing properties are famous around the world.
The fact is that the onion's qualities are varied and strong, warranting it a place among the healthiest foods in the world.
5 Types of Seasonal Foods for Autumn
When choosing products for your everyday menu it is better to choose them according to the season.
Nature already provided us with everything our body needs during colder days when the sun energy is low.
Preparing warm meals during cold weather will improve your immunity, mental abilities and even your mood.
Proper choice of spices can benefit your digestion system and give balance to your body.
Dill, fennel, ginger, horseradish, chili, rosemary, basil and curcuma are just some of the spices you can use in this time of year.
Chestnut’s sweet benefits
Now is the ideal time to go out in the nature, enjoy fresh air and find chestnuts.
Sweet chestnut, lat. Castanea sativa, is one of the first food items humans ever ate.
It is mostly found in southern Europe and around the Mediterranean and historians believe that this plant came from Greece into Europe.
The chestnut tree resembles oak tree, it is much appreciated and has high quality and it can live for 500 hundred years.
The oldest chestnut tree, dubbed “Hundred horses”, is located on Sicilian mountain Etna and it is believed that it is between 2000 and 4000 years old.
Miraculous berry - Sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn (Latin name Hippophae rhamnoides) berries have a millennia long tradition of use.
Articles about the healing properties of sea buckthorn have been found in the books of the ancient Greeks.
Theophrastus (372-287 BC) mentions the medicinal properties of these berries in his text Historia Planarum.
References to the medicinal use of these berries were found in the Tibetan medical books.
In Tibet, sea buckthorn oil is called the oil of life.
In Russia and China it has been added into pharmacopoeia as both food and medicine.
Wonders hidden in red raspberries
Due to their divine taste nobody needs convincing to indulge themselves with these fruits.
But, the taste is not the only benefit of this dark red fruit.
Raspberries are much more than a tasty summer snack.
This fruit is rich in nutrients which can prevent diseases, and give strength and endurance to the body.
Raspberries are rich in hydroxybenzoic acid, antocianins, resveratrol and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol.
Most of those phytonutrients preserve cell health, protect cells against damages and regulate inflammatory enzymes.
Peas - healthy food with a long tradition
We are all prone to quickly believe in nutritive value of various exotic and less available foods.
We often think about many ways in which such items, if available, would enrich our menu and strengthen our organism.
But, how aware are we of nutritive richness hidden in many simple and easily accessible foods that are within our reach?
One of such food is pea, a plant with a century-long tradition of cultivation around the world.
Figs - juicy, sweet and therapeutic fruits
Whether fresh or dried, figs are rich in many healthy phytonutrients, antioxidants and vitamins.
Juicy and sweet fig is one of the first fruits enjoyed by our ancient ancestors.
Remains of figs over 11,000 years old have been found in the Middle East.
It is possible that people cultivated fig tree before wheat, barley and legumes.
Apart from the Mediterranean, its original home, figs are grown in many countries in both hemispheres.
The most widespread and most popular type is common fig (Latin name Ficus carica).
Astonishing benefits of lettuce
Lettuce (Latin name Lactuca sativa) has firmly taken its place at kitchen tables around the world since the ancient times.
Its origin has not been determined, but according to some findings, today's lettuce is a descendant of the wild species that grew in the area of Siberia.
Even the ancient Greeks and Romans recognized its valuable properties and regularly enriched their menus with this valuable vegetable.
Hippocrates, the Greek physician and father of medicine, attributed strong medicinal properties to lettuce.
In ancient Persia it was prized as a food that provided peace of mind.
In the past it was known as "wise men grass", which reflects its value and power.
The secret of health is in the peel
Because of today's treatment of food with pesticides, conventional wisdom is that when consuming fruits or vegetables you should always remove the peel of the fruit, while the rest of the fruit is used and processed for a meal.
However, few of us know that it is the peel of fruits and vegetables that contains much higher amounts of vitamins than the inside of the fruit itself.
By removing it we lose a rich source of nutrients.
Not only that - fruits and vegetables have a certain synergy with the peel on, which means that if you split the peel, and the core and the stem, you lose the complete intensity of a fruit.
The healing properties of whey
Do you make cheese, kefir or yogurt at home and throw the liquid that remains after juicing?
Do not do it anymore, because whey is an ancient remedy that was recommended by Hippocrates himself.
It was thought that Norwegian women owed their beautiful skin to this drink.
Respected physician dr. Paavo Ariola advised his patients to drink whey to achieve a long and productive life.
Another proof of this is Old Thomas Parr, a modest English farmer, who lived for 152 years.
He was known for drinking whey every day.
Food – The Regulator of Your Health
Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food.
There is no book on nutritionism that doesn’t start with this ancient statement of Hippocrates.
This classic statement was considered true … until recently.
Technological development of biochemistry, pharmaceutics and modern medicine demolished Hippocrates way of thinking.
The intention of the scientists was not destructive but the results show otherwise.
Today, food is no longer considered as a medicine and in some countries laws are prohibiting food to be considered as such.
Substances that lead to health are considered as medicine.
There are many definitions of what is to be considered as medicine. Some do not mention food, but legislators have prohibited connecting food with medicine drugs.
Food is considered only as a fuel and energy for the body.
Coconut Sugar for Slim and Healthy Body
Coconut sugar, also referred to as palm sugar, is the one of the most popular sweeteners in cookery.
This is so not only because it is delicious but because it is widely used and considered healthier than other sweeteners.
Coconut sugar has been used as a traditional sweetener for thousands of years in South and South-East Asia.
Today it is very popular in Indonesia and it is becoming more present in other places around the world.
Exploitation of coconut tree for the purpose of extracting sugar does not damage the tree and does not affect its ability of producing other coconut products.
Are Sweet Potatoes Really Healthier Than Regular Potatoes?
Recently we can often hear a question: what is healthier – regular potatoes or sweet potatoes?
In certain “healthy eating” circles, the sweet potatoes have been crowned a “superfood”.
At the same time regular potatoes are considered unhealthy because they contain high carbohydrates, high glycemic index and high calorie value.
Even though nutritionists claim that sweet potatoes are a healthier alternative, the truth is that both contain important nutrients necessary for body’s health.
Furthermore, both of them can me consumed as part of a well- balanced diet and you can still have a lean and healthy body.
Here is the answer why regular potatoes and sweet potatoes both deserve to be placed on your plate.
How to overcome vitamin deficiency with fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts
During winter, the body is supplied with nutrient reserves accumulated during summer and fall.
In early spring, those reserves are nearly exhausted, which is one of the causes of spring fatigue.
On top of a lack of vitamins, you can also struggle because of the change in life rhythm and the transition to daylight savings time, which "steals" from us one precious hour.
Therefore, despite the beauty of spring, you can suffer from fatigue and bad moods and be more susceptible to diseases.
But you can strengthen your body with vitamins and other nutrients, with more rest and regular sleep, and you will handle the onset of spring without any problems.
Strawberry Tree - Bright Red Treasure of Mediterranean
Strawberry tree or cane-apple (lat. Arbutus unedo) is an evergreen shrub tree in the family Ericaceaea that grows to 5-10 m tall.
Its habitat is widespread through the Mediterranean region, up to Ireland and England, and even in Micronesia and warmer regions of Asia.
Strawberry tree is an exceptional plant with long period of flowering and fruit formation.
Its hermaphrodite flowers appear between October and December. Then there is pollination and later red berries are formed.
In other words, it takes a year for the fruit to form and ripe, and until it becomes suitable for eating.
Traditionally, for culinary and medical purposes, people use its fruits and leaves.
Natural Sweeteners - Three Healthy Substitutes for Sugar
Today, natural sweeteners are dominating the market.
There are more and more discussions on how white refined sugar is harmful and how it is important to find a healthy, alternative sugar replacement.
Sugar – an ingredient that is considered as the new age plague – is used more and more every day even though it has always been present in every kitchen.
Scientists warn that sugar can be harmful to our body.
Besides the fact that sugar contains large number of empty calories, it is also responsible for excess weight, diabetes, cancer and many other serious diseases.
If you want to do something for your health, you certainly have to remove sugar from your nutrition and replace it with adequate alternatives.
Health secrets of the Klamath Lake
Klamath Lake – the cleanest lake in the world – hides health secrets unknown to the world until recently.
The secret is its inhabitants, the Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) algae, which feed on the purest water from geothermal and volcanic sources, and absorb the sunlight.
Uniquely, Klamath Lake and its waters are responsible for the incredible healing powers and composition of the AFA algae.
These algae are the purest treasure trove of nutrients, which the body can fully exploit.
They are a concentrated source of sunlight and energy, which provide amazing benefits the health of body, mind and spirit since they grow at the altitude of 2,000 m, where they are in a direct contact with the energy of the sun and the cosmos.
Due to their exceptional healing properties, experts dubbed these algae the food of the future.
Pumpkin - Healing Queen of Autumn Fruits
Pumpkin (lat. Cucurbita pepo) is an annual plant with creeping stem that is widespread in our region.
There are varieties of pumpkin types and forms, and because of that people also call it squash or gourd.
Pumpkin originated from Central America.
According to some information, it was brought to Europe by Columbus and initially was cultivated as cattle feed.
But in time it was recognized in Europe as a delicious and healthy food that is perfect for human nutrition.
Because of its excellent taste and various ways in which it can be prepared, pumpkin is popular in many world cuisines.
People who practice traditional medicine and modern phytotherapy adore and praise it for its healing benefits.
Heling benefits of pumpkin are hidden in all its parts – flowers, leaves, young stems, bark, pulp and seeds.
Get healthy with the help of ginger
Ginger (Latin name Zingiber officinale) is a root native to India. It looks like a fist with irregular fingers.
It is being used in medicinal purposes for over 5,000 years. Today it is grown not only in Japan and India, but also in America.
It contains 0.25 to three percent essential oil, and five to eight percent gingerol – a thick oily liquid with pungent taste but odorless.
Jujube – Small Fruit That Brings Great Benefits to the Body
Jujube (lat. Zizyphus jujuba) is a tree of the buckthorn family, also known as Chinese date or red date.
It originated from Southeast Asia, where it was first mentioned in ancient Chinese poems written 2.500 years ago.
In autumn it produces sweet-sour brown fruits similar to dates.
In our continental regions jujube is almost unknown, but it is widespread and regularly used in the Adriatic region.
Its great value is affirmed by the fact that it is one of the most important herbs of traditional Chinese medicine and also the most widespread tree in China.
If there is any possibility to obtain this fruits, please do so because they are extremely beneficial to health.
How to Eat Healthy and Save Money?
Sometimes eating healthy seems complicated while having a low budget.
But healthy food doesn’t have to be expensive.
There are some tricks that will help you save money and still eat healthy while buying whole, organic ingredients for affordable prices.
Here are 13 tips that will help you eat healthy without spending too much money.
If you want to save money planning is one of the key factors.
Take one day in a week to plan your meals for the following week.
Then make a grocery list of everything you need.
6 Foods to Help You Fall Asleep
Did you sleep well last night?
There is nothing more pleasant then waking up refreshed after a good night sleep and then getting ready for a new day.
Studies confirm that good sleep is necessary for normal functioning during the day.
While we are sleeping our body is resting and filling up with energy for a new day.
It is recommended to sleep at least for 7 hours and in order to sleep well you should eat your last meal at least 2 hours before going to bed.
Those who are hungry will have trouble sleeping as well as the ones who have eaten too much.
According to the experts, lack of sleep speeds the aging process and increases the possibility of diseases.
Use Sweet Potatoes and Avoid Diabetes, Obesity and Cancer
Sweet potato (lat. Ipomoea batatas) is a root plant that originated from tropical and subtropical areas of Middle and South America.
Because of its big root that has a starchy and sweet taste, it belongs to a group of root vegetables.
Various civilizations used it for at least 5,000 years.
Mass distribution of sweet potatoes can be found in America, Asia and Africa, but it is mostly produced in China, Indonesia and Uganda.
It became popular in Europe in the last ten years and also in Croatia where it is known as “slatki krumpir”
11 Benefits of Oat Flakes
According to an ancient legend oats are responsible for the strength and health of Scots.
Traditional Scottish breakfast always included oatmeal.
Scots are not the only ones that are considered as oat lovers. Oats are a favorite breakfast of many nations and they can be considered as one of the favorite foods in the world.
Oats are delicious, practical and healthy.
Oats are fast, nutritious and satiating meal that will provide you with energy for the whole day.
To make them, the whole groats are steamed and softened and then pressed between rollers to form flakes after which they are dried.
Nutritionally, old fashioned oats are nearly identical to steel-cut oats, but they are cooked quicker.
Due to containing high amounts of minerals and fibers, oat flakes have many health benefits.
The healthiest foods in the world: Chickpeas
Chickpea in not only a delicious but also healthy food product, particularly suitable for diabetics.
Garbanzo beans, or chickpeas, originally from Persia, have a delicious taste and delicate flavor.
Records show that chickpea has been used for more than seven thousand years.
Chickpea is very popular among Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It has been subsequently spread to other countries in the world.
Today, the main producers of chickpeas are India, Pakistan, Turkey, Ethiopia and Mexico.
Dried Fruits - Healthy and Natural Sweets
Baking cakes and preparing various sweets is an integral part of the holiday season.
Unfortunately, eating cakes often is not healthy due to high amounts of sugar they contain.
Excessive sugar consumption can be easily avoided by using dried fruits instead, which will make your sweets tastier and healthier.
Dry fruits are not only an excellent source of natural sugar, but they are rich with enzymes, vitamins and minerals.
They contain higher levels of minerals, especially potassium and iron, and are therefore considered very important in child’s nutrition.
Banana - Universal Ally to Your Health
Banana (lat. Musa spp.) originates from Southeast Asia and grows in all tropical regions of the world.
Bananas are cultivated as food, but also as a decorative garden or house plant.
The earliest records on bananas date back 2.500 years ago and are found in Sanskrit language, while banana trade started at the end of 14th century.
The soldiers of Alexander the Great were the first Europeans who discovered this fruit in India.
Bananas were spread in Africa by Arabs and European settlers (Spanish, Portuguese and English) brought them to South America in the 16th century.
Many benefits of eggplant
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Eggplant (lat. Solanum melongena) is well known among local people in Croatia as “melancan”, “malancan” or dark blue eggplant.
Eggplant has a large tree that is full of branches. It can grow up to 70 cm and is decorated with large green leaves.
Its fruits are very nutritious and can be differentiated by shape and color.
The most popular and the most spread type of eggplant is an oblong, dark purple eggplant.
This interesting plant originates from India where it has been used for 3.000 years.
From there its cultivation first spread to East Asia and then to China and Japan.
In 14th century it started to be cultivated in southeast Europe and in 16th century it became popular in middle European countries.
The healing properties of cabbage
Cabbage is a favorite dish at our tables, especially in the pickled form.
But do you know that it is a very effective and inexpensive remedy for many ailments?
A hundred grams of raw cabbage contain 42 mg of vitamin C.
It is accompanied by vitamin A, folic acid and the minerals magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and sodium.
There are many varieties of cabbage, the most popular of which are the white, red and Savoy cabbage, which some people erroneously call kale.
World’s healthies foods - Blackberry
Blackberry (lat. Rubus fruticosus) is a wild plant which can be found growing beside fences, forests and roads. It has a shape of a bush and can grow 3 meters high.
It is native to the Northern temperate areas of the globe and its medicinal history spans back to more than 2.000 years.
History reveals the traditional usage of blackberry fruit, leaf, bark and roots by the Romans and Greeks for healing numerous health conditions ranging from a mild infection to venomous bites.
During the 18th century it was used for treating gout and it was so influential that people used to call it “gout berry”.
Recent scientific evidences have contributed extensively in revealing the therapeutic potential of blackberries.
Benefits of Berries
Everything we eat has a big effect on our health, quality of life and longevity.
In wish to lead a healthy life, we are trying to nurture our body with nature given fruits knowing that nature is always the best solution.
The valuable gifts of nature are berries because they contain important nutrients vital for human health.
Locally cultivated berries include blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and currant.
Adding them to your daily diet can lead to essential changes in the body.
There are various ways in which they can be utilized. Berries can be eaten freshly picked or used for preparation of various juices, shakes, fruit soups, salads, jams, marmalades and cakes.
The healing power of apples
The king fruit not only of winter, but of all seasons, apple is a delicious and medicinal food.
In many cultures it is considered to be the elixir of life.
According to Scandinavian mythology, the gods ate apples to remain eternally young.
The Celts also considered apple to be a special fruit. According to a legend, the one who eat an apple from a magical garden would never become sick or grow old.
Apple was also the favorite fruit of the Romans.
In Roman times, during the reign of Augustus, about 30 different types of apples were known.
The amazing world of algae: Sea kelp
Sea kelp is one of the most popular ingredients in Asian cuisine. It is part of the large brown seaweed in the order of Laminariceae.
Kelp grows in shallow, underwater oceanic forests called kelp forests.
It may also be referred to as kombu, konbu, dashima or haidai.
There are approximately 30 different kinds of kelp, Saccharina japonica being the most commonly used species and extensively cultivated in the seas of Japan and Korea.
About 90 per cent of Japanese seaweed (konbu) is harvested around Hokkaido. The sea ice generated off the Siberian coast towards Hokkaido brings valuable minerals and nutrients with it, thus creating perfect conditions for optimal algae growth.
Given its impressive nutritional value, kelp may be considered a nutritional powerhouse that provides many health benefits.
Cashews - your favorite healthy snack
Due to their delicate flavor, cashews are a favorite snack that can be bought in almost every supermarket throughout the year.
Cashews are not only used as a snack, but also in salads, sweets, spreads and vegetable dishes.
It is also used for making butter with a delicious taste.
Cashews are not really nuts, but cashew apple seeds - cashew fruit.
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a small evergreen tree up to a maximum of 12 m high native to Brazil.
Cashew is now cultivated in many tropical regions of the world because of its fruit and seeds.
Table of glycemic index for different food items
The glycemic index shows how some foods affect blood glucose levels and how they affect the secretion of insulin after they are consumed.
Glucose, which has a glycemic index of 100 (according to Montignac 115), is taken as a measure.
High glycemic index is observed in simple carbohydrates (glucose) and foods such as: honey, white sugar, white bread. Their common trait is that they quickly enter the bloodstream, rapidly raise blood sugar levels, cause an increased secretion of the hormone insulin and a rapid release of energy.
Potatoes: useless vegetable or a gift of nature?
In our time, when potato has a bad reputation as an unhealthy food and junk vegetable that contains no vitamins, I have to stand up for it because that is just not true.
There is no other vegetable as versatile as the humble potato.
Equally tasty whether it is cooked, baked or fried, potato rarely gets the praise it deserves.
We forget that this humble food has played an important role in the history of mankind.
A lot of times potato saved the people from starvation during the war or in areas of poor climate.
In many countries it has promoted the population growth and the economic development.
Potatoes were first cultivated by Indians from Peru more than 4,000 years ago.
Raw food - the experiences of our readers
I was overweight (about 30 pounds), my cholesterol was 8, triglycerides 2, I suffered from heart problems and high blood pressure - up to 180 over 110.
The thing that disturbed me the most was my skin disease, which caused a terrible itch (I used to scratch myself until I bled). Besides, I had frequent colds and headaches.
My doctor told me that I needed to take medications for blood pressure, cholesterol etc.
But since I'm not inclined to trust doctors, I got scared and started reading books I had about a healthy way of treatment. I came across raw diet.
Couscous – all the advantages of the world's smallest pasta
Couscous is known as "the smallest pasta in the world".
It is made by grinding and forming semolina, a kind of durum wheat.
It looks like a wheat species but according to the way it is made it is classified as pasta and contains gluten.
The homeland of this interesting and slightly unusual food is Africa, and the recipes for its use date back to the 10th century.
The French writer Jean Jacques Bouchard wrote about it as early as 1630, which suggests it was included in the French cuisine at that time, before entering other world cuisines.
In most North African countries couscous is staple food, while in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia it is recognised as a national dish which is always eaten on Friday night.
The benefits of chlorophyll
Sometimes nature offers the easiest solution to help us.
In life there are some things that are so simple and obvious that you would think: "No, this can not be true!"
When we hear that red wine stains can be removed with the help of white wine, we can not believe how easy it in fact is.
Such examples are everywhere. One of them is chlorophyll.
We all know how the health of red blood cells is important for the general health of the body.
What is the easiest way to keep our blood cells always clean, healthy and numerous?
What substance does our body use for building and transferring red blood cells? Hemoglobin!
Is white sugar really that unhealthy?
We have heard many times that white sugar is bad for our health.
But why is it so bad and how is it scientifically confirmed?
For now, both conventional and alternative medicine agree that white sugar:
• is a source of empty calories (does not contain vitamins and minerals, but is rich in calories)
• promotes weight gain
• causes tooth decay
• has a high glycemic index (rapidly raises blood sugar levels)
Chinese cabbage - a source of energy and health
Chinese cabbage (Latin name Brassica chinensis or Brassica pekinensis) is a green leafy vegetable incredibly rich in many important nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, etc.
The tradition of cultivation of this vegetable goes back least 6000 years.
The Chinese first began to use this vegetables for preparing meals with a pleasant and delicate flavor.
They also knew its medicinal properties.
Doctor Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty studied the medicinal properties of Chinese cabbage.
In the 14th century, Chinese cabbage spread to all parts of China, and at the beginning of the 20th century it reached Korea and Japan. Now Chinese cabbage is known throughout the world and is available in almost every supermarket.
Chinese cabbage belongs to the family of Cruciferae. Other members of this family include broccoli, ordinary cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
The benefits of hazelnuts
Hazel (Latin name Corylus avellana) is a shrub-like plant widely distributed throughout Europe and West Asia.
It usually grows between three and eight meters in height and provides tasty and nutritious fruits - nuts.
Hazelnut belongs to a group of nuts and thanks to its great popularity around the world it is present in many recipes and products.
Its popularity is confirmed by the fact that over 800,000 tons of hazelnuts are produced in the world every year.
Its distinct sweet taste and the high nutritional value are the reasons for such great popularity.
Hazelnut is rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which make up by far the largest share of its total fat content.
Asafoetida improves digestion and protects against viruses
Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida), also known as asafetida, hing, ingu and gigantic anise, is a plant native to Persia, where it was used as a spice.
Raw asafoetida has a pungent, unpleasant smell, but after stewing it in a little oil or butter it acquires a beautiful mild scent similar to leek.
Asafoetida may be used as a condiment in the preparation of almost all savory dishes.
Because of its strong odor it must be kept in a tightly closed container, otherwise its aroma gets transferred to other spices nearby.
Before adding it to a dish, fry it in a little oil, butter or ghee to get the taste and flavor similar to roasted onions or garlic.
The benefits of ginger
Ginger (lat. Zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant known for its rhizome, ginger root.
It has been used for thousand years as a medicine, spice, food and as a beauty product.
Ginger originated from China, but it also grows in other parts of the world such as Asia, India, Africa and Caribbean Islands.
Ginger is a very important plant used in Ayurvedic medicine and it is very popular in culinary around the world because of its bitter taste.
It is rich in essential oils, vitamin B, potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium.
Buckwheat - delicious and healthy
Buckwheat is a seed of Fagopyrum esculentum plant, which belongs to the family Polygonaceae.
This plant originally comes from Asia.
From 10th to 13th century buckwheat was widely cultivated in China, before it spread to Europe and Russia, and later to America.
Buckwheat is now the most popular in Russia and Poland, where it plays an important role in traditional cuisine.
It is also widely used in the U.S., Canada and France - a country known for crepes - pancakes made of buckwheat flour.
Although you might think that buckwheat is a grain, it is not true.
Despite being considered a grain in cuisine because of its nutritive value, buckwheat botanically belongs to the category of green leafy vegetables. According to some sources it is even considered as a fruit.
Buckwheat seeds are similar to wheat seeds in size, but they have a unique triangular shape.
Craving for food or lack of nutrients?
You had a big lunch only two hours ago, and now all you are thinking about is the creamy chocolate hidden in the arsniupper kitchen cabinet?
For five minutes you have successfully resisted the temptation, but you cannot stop thinking how good just a small piece of chocolate would be.
Your world slows down and the idea that chocolate will help you becomes stronger.
With the excuse that you now need chocolate because of a lack of energy, you have no choice but to yield to temptation.
You are trying to eat healthy, but you are helpless in such situations. Do not worry, you're not alone.
Most people have a need or desire for a particular food, even when they are not hungry.
One hundred reasons for fiber-rich diet
We constantly hear that fibers are necessary for good digestion, slim figure and overall health.
However, no one will know the correct answer to the question what dietary fibers are and where to find them.
Fibers are no mystery. They are present in foods that we consume every day.
Fibers are a part of the carbohydrates of plants that do not disintegrate in our stomach, but only pass through the digestive system.
To fully understand the role of fibers, you should know that there are two types of dietary fibers - soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fibers disintegrate in contact with water, while insoluble fibers swell up and do not disintegrate.
Whether fibers are soluble or insoluble determines their role in our organism.
Quince – aromatic golden source of health
Some historians believe that a quince, not an apple, was forbidden fruit in Eden.
Aromatic quince, Latin name Cydonia oblonga, has served as a symbol of fertility since ancient times.
Thus, the newlyweds - before the wedding - had to eat quince to make sure their marriage was fruitful and happy.
Less known is the fact that the name of marmalade comes from the Portuguese word for quince - marmeleiro.
The first marmalade was made of quince.
Quince should not be seen only as an ornamental fruit. It is also a medicine and a tasty and healthy autumn dessert.
Red Currant - a summer treasure chest of health
Red currant or redcurrant (lat. Ribes rubrum) is a perennial shrub growing in Western Europe. It belongs to the order of Saxifragales and is a close relative of gooseberries.
It is a popular sour red berry which is most frequently used for jams or juices and is welcome as a salad in many European cuisines.
History has recorded that as early as 11th century red currant was used as a precious decoration of monastery yards and town squares, as well as a highly appreciated ingredient of dishes and natural remedies.
Today it is also known for its nutritious and healing properties so you should by no means ignore if you have a chance to enjoy this tasty seasonal fruit.
Guide through the whole grains
Grains ... How well do we actually know them?
In most cases we use integrated rice and complete wheat flour in our kitchen.
But on the shelves of health food stores there are so many types of grains we simply forgot about or are not familiar with so we avoid them totally.
Learn more about whole grains and their healing properties.
Bring variety into your cooking and start eating tasty and healthy!
In this list we included plants that do not officially belong to the family of cereals, but are very similar to grains because of their nutritional properties.
Steaming - one of the best ways of preparing food
What you think of when you hear the word "steam"?
Sauna? A steam locomotive? Hot coffee?
How about juicy vegetables, which are slowly cooked on steam?
Steaming is not a newly-invented method. This cooking method is being used for thousands of years.
Steaming had played an important role in the life of many peoples of the world.
Healing properties of chestnut
If you think of the fall, surely boiled or roasted chestnuts will surely come to mind!
You will also think ofAnd the various delicacies made of chestnuts that come in many different forms of salty or sweet dishes - from the famous chestnut rolls, chestnut soup with chestnuts, chestnut cream and so on.
Chestnut, especially its wild varietyone, is often a decoration in city parks and parkways.
In the forest you will find it in the company of oak and elm.
This is a lasting tree and some famous old chestnut trees are over 500 years old.
While the chestnut was a favorite food of the ancient Romans, the ancient Greeks recognized its healing properties.
All benefits of mango
Mango is being used as food and medicine for centuries.
In unani medicine, mango is traditionally used for cleansing the body of toxins, as a cure for anemia and as a remedy for diseases of the nervous system.
Ayurvedic medicine uses the dried flowers of mango for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and urinary tract infections.
Fruit, leaves, roots, bark and even mango seeds contain valuable nutrients, particularly phenols and flavonoids.
Because of the wealth of antioxidants, mango holds a high position on the ORAC scale.
This exotic super fruit is rich in vitamins A, B complex (especially B6), C, E and beta carotene, which the body uses for the production of vitamin A.
5 foods that eliminate sugar dependency
Most of us cannot explain why during the painful emotional states we reach for cookies, cakes, white bread, chocolate or pudding.
Many believe that these foods help them because they have excellent taste.
But it is only a part of the reason.
We are drawn to that food because the ingredients that raise spirits - simple carbohydrates, that is, monosaccharides and disaccharides.
In everyday language, we call them simply sugars.
When you bite the apple strudel or a donut, we introduce these compounds into our organism and immediately we feel better.
Chlorella- one algae for all problems
Chlorella is a single-celled, rounded green algae.
It grows in fresh water, and it was created about two and a half billion years ago, and is among the oldest forms of life on Earth.
Today, this plant is known as a superfood or dietary supplement of extraordinary nutritional value.
It is one of the few edible species of aquatic algae.
It is an exceptional source of protein because in dried form it consists of 45% protein and is great for vegetarians, athletes and people suffering from obesity.
It is a quality source of amino acids, magnesium, iron and trace minerals. It contains all the B-vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. It also has high fiber content.
Healthiest food in the world: Broccoli
Imagine a food item that provides everything necessary for health, rejuvenation and detoxification of the body.
With the help of which you can prevent many health problems, such as allergies, colds, arthritis, cancer and eye diseases.
A food item which provides the necessary energy and vitality, and it helps with weight loss.
Yes, such food item actually exists.
Broccoli is a wonderful food item and its health benefits are innumerable.
Here are 13 reasons why you need to include broccoli in your daily menu.
Blueberries protect against dementia and preserve vision
Blueberry is a perennial shrub native to North America, where even today most of the berries are grown.
Fresh and ripe fruits are mostly purple, and sometimes can be darker, almost black.
Blueberries are a real superfood: full of nutrients and bring numerous health benefits, as well as being low in calories.
Blueberries contain a diverse range of nutrients and are the richest in manganese, vitamins C and K, and dietary fiber.
They are rich in potassium, calcium and phosphorus, and are even more important because of their phytonutrient content.
Healthiest foods of the world: lemon
Lemon is one of the most useful foods on the planet.
Lemon protects against so many diseases that it can rightfully be called a super-food.
Lemon is full of nutrients – it contains bioflavonoids, pectin, folic acid, vitamins C, A, B1, B6, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese.
Furthermore, it has a beneficial effect on the liver, intestine, and stomach, immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems.
If you regularly eat lemon, you can prevent diseases such as laryngitis, bronchitis, flu, cold, arthritis, high blood pressure, bacterial infections, kidney stones and gallstones, and according to the latest research even cancer!
Paracelsus and future nutrition
The goal of every living being, especially the man as the most intelligent and most superior beings on Earth, is to incorporate into itself the most natural and the best material in order to be healthy and live longer.
Construction material and the overall development of human life is the food that we need to consume in as natural form as possible.
Research confirms that the most intelligent people on Earth have for centuries knew the scientific and folk wisdom: "you are what you eat."
Paracelsus, the father of pharmacology, Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist and astrologer said:
“All that is needed for the good health of a man is found in nature.”
The healthiest food in the world: chili
Chili, cayenne pepper and chili peppers are hot peppers from the Capsicum family.
They became popular because of their hot flavor that is an indispensable part of many dishes and sauces.
Peppers owe their hot flavor to a special ingredient called capsaicin.
The more capsaicin it contains, the peppers are hotter.
The large quantities of capsaicin burn the lips, tongue and throat and make you cry.
Big fans of peppery hot dishes are Indians, Vietnamese, Mexicans and Hungarians.
Sprouts - live food for perfect health
Sprouts are the best food you can grow yourself. Their incredible nutritional content makes them indispensable in the diet of people who tend to achieve perfect health.
The benefits of sprouts are mentioned in the Bible, in the Book of Daniel. They were popular in China over 5000 years ago - the doctors used to prescribe them for the treatment of many diseases.
Today we see an increase in popularity of germs, due to their affordable price and nutritional value.
You can grow them yourself, using the seeds of the plants - for example, sunflower seeds, broccoli, cabbage and carrots. It is also possible to achieve germination of legumes and nuts.
Their beneficial effects on health can be seen quickly, and studies have uncovered the reason behind their many benefits.
Specifically, the content of nutrients increases manifold via germination
Cranberry – a wetland beauty
Originating from the wetlands and forests of North America, cranberry (, Latin name Vaccinium macrocarpon), is now cultivated throughout Europe.
The dDwarf shrub with dark green leaves 10 to 40 centimeters tall hides a small greenish fruit which, that, when ripe, turn to dark red. color.
It develops pinkish white flowers in late May.
Cranberry is extremely resistant to cold and frost (it can sustain the cold of up to - 40 ° C), and is distributed through by regions with temperate continental climate all the way to the Arctic Circle.
Cranberry fruits have been are used in folk medicine since the 16th century, which is not surprising seeing that they because they contain a number of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and organic acids.
How to eat healthy and save money
Unfortunately, we are not all able to grow healthy food in our own garden.
With the increasing prices it is good to know where and what kind of food to buy.
Take time for serious shopping, allow yourselves trial and error.
In this way you will find out where you can make the best purchase.
If your city has more health food stores, find out who has the better deals for certain foods.
You will be surprised when you realize that in some expensive stores some items are costing less than elsewhere.
Mulberry - the most powerful natural remedy at hand
Mulberry is somewhat forgotten, but delicious fruit that grows wild or planted.
In our region, we find it in black, red and white variety, while there is about one hundred varieties throughout the world.
Black mulberry, of all varieties, has the strongest aroma.
The fruit grows on same deciduous tree from Morus family, and mulberry leaves are known as food to silkworms.
Virgil wrote that mulberry is the smartest plant since it is the last one to develop buds and waits for warm weather.
In the past in the Valley of Neretva River mulberry wood was highly prized and was used for making barrels.
A wonder called garlic
For thousands of years this miraculous herb cures a variety of ailments.
Homer wrote about it in the Odyssey as the "plant of salvation", in the Vedas it is described as "the holy divine herb and remedy."
Pharaohs gave garlic to slaves during the construction of the Cheops pyramid in order for them to have a strong, healthy and robust body for heavy physical work.
There is a story that garlic was the reason for the first known strike. Namely, during the construction of the pyramids, slaves stopped receiving garlic and they started a mutiny and stopped construction.
Collard greens - Dalmatian treasure
Collard greens (Lat. Brassica oleracea acephala) are an herbaceous Mediterranean vegetable available in all seasons.
It is green in color and has a bitter-sweet taste. Although cultivated since ancient times, scientists have only recently discovered it contains a wealth of nutrients.
Its origins are unknown, but it was cultivated in the time of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt.
It was also used in the cuisine of ancient Greeks and Romans and in the parts of present-day Croatia people started cultivating it in the early fourth century. In Dalmatia, it has long been the most popular cabbage plant.
Today it is cultivated in gardens in Dalmatia - especially the hinterland, on islands and in Herzegovina, while we do not find much of it in the continental regions.
Goji berries – high-energy superfood from Himalayas
Small goji berry (also known as wolfberry) is one of the most powerful herbs in the world.
Goji berry (Lat. Lyceum barbarum) is a woody shrubbery plant that produces highly energetic fruits with berry-chocolate flavor.
It grows on Himalayas where it is used not just in cuisine, but also in medicine for centuries.
They are also called “lucky berries” or “red diamonds”.
In England, goji berries are known since the 18th century and were used in cuisine and as decoration.
Food for genes - study reveals a connection between diet and gene expression
The influence of diet on our health is no longer a secret.
However, recent studies confirm even more important role of the food in our body.
It has been proven that the food directly affects our genes.
Research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology confirmed that there is a strong connection between our diet and gene expression.
Acai palm - superfood from the Amazon for detoxification and weight loss
Acai palm (Latin name Euterpe oleracea) is a species of palm tree Euterpe family, which is grown for its edible fruit.
Acai palm grows in Central and South America, from Belize to Brazil and Peru, mainly in swampy and water-covered areas.
Its fruit is small, round, black-purple berry up to 25 millimeters in diameter that looks similar to grape.
It grows in large, branched clusters containing as much as 900 fruits.
Only in recent years have we seen an extremely increased demand for acai berries - one of the healthiest fruits in the world.
6 Principles of the Macrobiotic Diet
Diet is part of our daily lives and a factor through which we affect both our health and general well-being.
It is our responsibility whether that influence will be beneficial or not, and macrobiotic principles provide us with the tools and compass for positively affecting our livelihood.
How do we utilize those principles for longevity, health, a more fulfilled and complete life? Quality of life can be achieved by choosing quality ingredients and their quality application.
With a macrobiotic diet, you are taking into account several basic principles.
Health-boosting golden orange fruit
Kumquat (Latin name Fortunella) is a winter/spring seasonal citrus fruit belonging to the Rutaceae family, in the genus Fortunella.
The earliest historical reference to kumquats appears in the 12th century Chinese literature.
Consequently, it is thought to have originated in central China, where it is known by various names, among them chin-chat ("golden orange"), chin-kan ("golden mandarin") or chin-tou ("golden bean").
Native to Asia, kumquats were brought to Europe and the Americas in the 19th century and today they are most widely cultivated in Brasil, Argentina, Spain, California and South Africa.
How to make a tasty and healthy breakfast in 5 minutes
Morning is not your favorite part of the day? You are not the only one.
For many of us morning means getting up early, rushing to work, getting children ready for school or nursery and similar “problems”.
With all this, we have to make something for breakfast. We need something light, tasty and - if possible - healthy.
With the lack of time it is almost impossible. Luckily for several thousand people in the world, this problem has already been solved.
For breakfast drink a delicious smoothie made of green leafy vegetables and fruits. This drink is usually called green smoothie or green pulpy juice.
10 healthy reasons to add flaxseed to your diet
Flaxseed is one of the oldest foods consumed by humans and is considered to be one of the world's first cultivated superfoods. Its nutritional value provides many health benefits.
Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, soluble and insoluble fiber, protein, vitamin B1, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Many people prefer flaxseed due to its pleasant nutty taste and as a valuable gluten-free alternative.
Its nutritional and cosmetic benefits have been recognized since ancient times, which should encourage you to discover the numerous health benefits of this nutritious plant.
Make this healing and delicious spread by yourself!
The purpose of the food we eat is to nourish and heal us, as Hippocrates advised.
A review of scientific literature and practical experience gives encouraging results.
The results indicate the increasing use of Hristijan, a healthful spread.
This food, whose name literally means Christian, is prepared in the following manner.
Health benefits of walnuts
Not only do walnuts taste good, they give us a tremendous amount of energy and offer many health benefits.
The Greeks called them "Jupiter’s fruit", considering walnuts as a food fit for the gods.
Since ancient times walnuts have been mentioned in connection with intellectuality - the fruit has the shape of the human brain!
All nuts are good for health, but compared to other nuts, walnuts contain twice the amount of antioxidants.
There are about twenty types of nuts. The two most popular types are Persian walnut (Juglans regia), which originated in Asia and the Far East, and black walnut (Juglans nigra) which is native to North America.
Radish – a hot "treat" for healthy digestion and clean skin
The familiar radish is actually a very ancient and respected culture that has been cultivated for over 3,000 years.
Its Latin name is Raphanus sativus, which literally means cultivated cabbage.
In Roman times, the workers received radishes as a reward, and it was an every-day meal to Egyptian slaves.
The ancient Greeks loved radish so much that they offered it as a sacrifice for their gods on a silver platter.
In the Middle Ages it had a negative connotation because people thought the radish was a symbol of strife and conflict.
Dandelion - free healing food from your backyard
Many of us have blown the seeds of this flower in childhood.
Popular dandelion has a Latin name of Taraxacum officinale, and it originates from Europe and northern Asia.
Over the centuries it had many names such as bitter greens, chicory, Italian salad and more.
Dandelion is a cheap and affordable food and medicine and now is the perfect time for harvesting since the dandelion season has just started.
Barley – universal remedy for all sorts of inflammations
Barley (Latin name Hordeum Vulgare), also commonly known and available as barley broth, barley porridge and pearl barley, is usually associated with - beer production.
However, this edible annual grass in the family Poaceae was one of the first cultivated grains, originating in the Middle East.
Its long and distinguished history dates back to the Neolithic Age and it used to give crispy quality to the foods.
Roman gladiators were known as 'hordearii', which means "eaters of barley or barley men", since their diet relied on barley.
Salad rocket strengthens libido and protects you from degenerative diseases
Salad rocket (Lat. Eruca sativa) is delicious leafy vegetable that is easily cultivated and protects the garden from pests, so it' is amazingly versatile.
Records of this plant native to the Mediterranean can be found in the Bible and the Talmud, where it is praised for its culinary and medicinal use.
In ancient Rome and Egypt, its seeds and were considered as aphrodisiacs.
In Vergilius’s poem Moretum it is described as a plant that "arouses sexual desire in sleepy people."
Raspberry treats women problems, protects against the Sun and enhances weight loss
Raspberry (Lat. Rubus idaeus) is an herbaceous plant of the rose family.
It is believed that raspberry is native to South Asia and it is so old that it was eaten by the cave people.
Over many centuries, it was valued as a medicinal herb.
The ancient Greeks attributed it a power of promoting fertility, for which raspberry leaves were used.
Chase away insomnia, prevent inflammation and clean the urinary tracts with cherry
Lovely dark red cherry (Lat. Prunus cerasus) originates from North India and Iran, and is popular since ancient times.
It was adored by the Persians and the Romans, who introduced it to Britons who later distributed it around the world.
According to Buddhist legend, cherry tree offered its fruits to Maya, the Buddha’s mother, to keep her healthy and fed during pregnancy.
Legend has foundations, because cherry nourishes the body and gives a feeling of satiety.
Royal Jelly – bee hive superfood
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Royal jelly is the best product bees make.
Its healing can be used for treating all diseases, and many say it is the most perfect food in the world.
This food heals, nourishes and revitalizes our body.
Royal jelly has been known since ancient times.
Olive - pearl of Mediterranean diet
People have been cultivating olives for at least six thousand years.
In Crete, Palestine and Egypt, people used them as food, medicine and fuel for lamps.
In ancient Greece, olive oil was so important it is mentioned in the ancient myths.
Did you know that the Mediterranean diet is among the healthiest diets in the world?
Horseradish for cold days
You are visiting your friend and his family on a lunch.
A rich meal is served and the small bowl contains horseradish sauce you have never eaten before.
You tell to yourself: "I've tried many things, so let’s give it a taste”.
Suddenly, tears fill your eyes and mucus start coming from your nose. You start blushing and rush off to the toilet.
Kefir – healing mushroom in the Caucasus
Kefir is a delicious and nutritious dairy drink originating in the Caucasus.
According to legend, the granules and instructions for its preparation were given to the natives directly from the Prophet Muhammad, together with the commandment about keeping it secret.
The inhabitants of the Caucasus, for which is believed that they owe their vitality and longevity to everyday enjoyment of this healing potion, have indeed for centuries jealously guarded the secret of kefir preparation. In fact, up until the moment when love became involved in its story.
Cocoa - food of the gods
According to Aztec king Montezuma, this beverage was reserved for warriors and social elite and it also had sacral and ceremonial application.
Swedish botanist Linne gave this plant name Theobroma Cacao L, where Theobroma means “food of the gods".
Cacao grows on trees that are on average 4-8 meters high and it a part of the evergreen family of Sterculiaceae.
The origins of this plant are in tropical areas of Southern America and its fruit is mostly used for making cocoa powder and chocolate.
Healthiest food in the world: cranberry
Cranberry, Lat Vaccinium macrocarpon, is a bushy plant with astringent red fruits.
Originally from North America, where the natives have long been used as food, medicine and in religious purposes.
Because of its properties, it is deservedly ranked among the healthiest plants in the world.
Body Ecology
It is said that the cleanliness is next to godliness. Where to find real godliness then?
When changing the oil in the engine of our car, we choose a quality brand of oil.
When we buy clothes and shoes we choose reliable manufacturers and designers.
And what about the food we consume every day?
This fruit absorbs radiation, protects the liver and strengthens immunity
This fruit, with fruits like berries, has a sour, pungent taste.
It is resistant to winter and frosts and, therefore, can survive in temperatures as low as -47 degrees Celsius, for which it is dubbed Siberian blueberries.
Because of its resistance, it is now growing in colder countries such as Finland, Sweden and Russia.
It originates from North America, from where it came to Europe. North American natives used it as food and medicine.
Amaranth - ancient cereal for a healthy heart and strong immune system
Amaranth (Lat. Amaranthus spp.) is an ancient cereal that is widespread in Asia and America.
This nutrient pseudocereal has been cultivated for over 8000 years.
In Croatia, amaranth is still a relatively new food item, but it is becoming more popular due to its superior nutritional properties.
Amaranth’s appearance is similar to millet.
Rosemary - a spice, remedy and a symbol of fidelity
Rosemary is a shrubbery plant that originates from the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated throughout Europe and America.
Named after the Latin words ros (dew) and marinus (sea), meaning "sea dew", since its growth benefits from sea breeze that carry moisture.
Throughout the history, the rosemary was very popular, it holds a special place among plants because of the symbolism which is tied to it.
It is valued as a spice and natural medicine for over a thousand years, and even Greek gods loved it.
Artichoke – a delicacy and a medicine
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a plant from the family of compositae.
It is mostly found in southern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.
It has always been very much appreciated and today forty varieties of it are cultivated.
According to the drawings of Egyptian tombs, it is in use for at least 2500 years, making it one of the oldest food items.
Ceylon cinnamon - natural remedy more precious than gold
What's the first thing that comes to your mind at the mention of cinnamon? Granny's homemade apple strudel, Mom's gingerbread cookies or winter tea?
Although cinnamon is mainly used today as a spice, it was so highly treasured in the past that it was considered more precious than gold.
Cinnamon has a long history both as a spice and as a medicine.
It was mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the three principal spices Moses needed to produce the precious oil for holy anointment.
Carob – a friend of children’s digestion and one of our grandmothers’ favourite spices
With the holidays fast approaching, many of you are enjoying in preparing and tasting holiday sweets. If you’re opting for healthy ones, let carob be one of your main ingredients.
Carob is a Mediterranean evergreen with the Latin name of Ceratonia silique, which bears profusely brown edible pods. The pods contain seeds which, regardless of their size and how they are stored, always have an equal mass of precisely 0.18 grams.
Healing with medlar – an unfairly ignored gift of nature
Medlar (Mespilus germanica) is a fruit belonging to the rose family.
It is fairly common wild deciduous bush, two to five meters high or a cultivated tree, which can grow up to eight meters high.
It originated in the southwestern Asia, from where it was brought to Europe, initially to Greece and Italy, but later to the whole continent.
Medlar is a fruit that used to be enjoyed by the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians.
Watermelon – ideal food for hot summer days
With the coming of summer, new seasonal fruits arrive.
But, there is no better fruit for quenching thirst in hot summer days than watermelon.
Although we say that watermelon is a fruit, it is actually a vegetable – like pumpkin and zucchini.
Watermelons can be oblong or round in shape; they have a thick green peel that is either covered with stripes or spots.
This delicious fruit fights anemia, lowers high blood pressure and helps with weight loss
If there is a fruit with irresistible look, pleasant aroma and irresistible taste, which is also extremely healthy and even beneficial, it is undoubtedly a strawberry.
Strawberries belong to the family Rosaceae (rose), which has long pedicle with three scaly leaves.
These berries are full of surprises.
So, believe it or not, among the many types of strawberries there are even yellow strawberries, that are seen as a real specialty, and whose fruits are harvested until autumn.
Saffron - the king of spices
The spice saffron has been known since ancient times.
It was used in Mesopotamia 5000 years ago, and is even mentioned in the Bible.
Saffron is a symbol of wisdom and wealth, material as spiritual both.
The name comes from the Persian word za'faran, which translated literally means "be yellow".
Benefits of basil
Basil (Lat. Ocimum basilicum) is shrub-like and fragrant herb, with oval and mostly green leaves.
There are approximately sixty basil types and all of them differ in taste and appearance.
It grows in various parts of the world, but it was originally cultivated in tropical parts of Asia.
The first written record of it is four centuries old and comes from the ancient Egypt.
Asparagus - more than food
Asparagus was considered as a delicacy in the past. You could find it only on the tables of wealthy people.
But today this superfood is available to everyone - you can buy asparagus at farmers markets and shopping malls.
You can head to picking wild asparagus, which also acts as anti-stress therapy.
Asparagus, Lat. Asparagus L. is a perennial plant from the lily family.
Quinoa – gluten-free cereal that regulates digestion and protects the heart
Quinoa (Lat. Chenopodium quinoa) – an ancient South American plant – is called the mother of all cereals.
As much as 5 000 years ago, this plant was cultivated in Peru, Chile and Argentine.
Alongside corn, this was one of two staple food items in the Inca Empire.
Peru and Bolivia are world’s leading quinoa producers, although this plant is cultivated in the USA, India, Japan and several African and European countries.
Sauerkraut – an advocate of good digestion and immunity
In rural regions of Croatia there is a long tradition of pickling cabbage.
Sauerkraut has been one of the most important food items and vitamin C sources to our ancestors.
Today, we follow such tradition and pickle cabbage for winter food stores.
It is true that many customs die out, but this one should not be allowed to die out since sauerkraut is extremely nutritive and healing food item.
Gooseberry – elixir of health and longevity
These days, gooseberry is ripening - a tasty and healthy fruit with a sour taste.
Unfortunately, this plant is unknown to the most od the people. It is a tasty berry fruit, similar to currant.
Gooseberry, Lat. Ribes grossularia, grows around Europe, northwest Africa and south, west and southeast Asia.
It can be green, yellow, red, orange or black, depending on variety.
9 benefits of clove
Clove (Lat. Syzygium aromaticum) is a traditionally favorite winter spice.
It is originally from Indonesian Spice Islands, i.e. northern Maluku.
Today it is cultivated in Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar and on Pemba.
Cloves are in fact unripe, unopened flower buds of evergreen tropical tree from myrtle family.
How to choose to best oil for your health
Many fats are healthy – check which ones!
Contrary to common belief, not all fats we introduce into our organism are harmful for our health.
Actually, many fats help maintain appropriate body weight and ensure the regular functioning of cardiovascular and nervous systems.
But, with all this misinformation regarding harmful effects of oils and fats, it is hard to believe opposite and many people, at the expense of their own health, avoid fats.
In order to clear such doubts, here follow several information about oils that have beneficial effects on our health.
Apple – the healthiest fruit in the world
Do you believe that apple came straight from the paradise and landed on our menu?
Do you believe that apple is a symbol of lust, love and eternal youth?
Such epithets reflect human admiration towards this fruit.
The old Celts believed that apple has miraculous properties and that the person that manages to eat an apple from a magical garden will never again be hungry, thirsty or sick nor will that person ever grow old.
Pu-Erh tea – Chinese liquid gold
Effects of Pu-Erh tea in alleviating various health problems have been known for centuries.
Do you like tea more than coffee?
Do you enjoy those calm moments with a cup of tea and a book and the sensation of joy you get?
If your answer was “yes” on both questions, then you have certainly tried many kinds of tea, like green, black or white teas. But you maybe missed one.
Grapes – fruit healthy in hundreds of ways
What is the first thing you think about when you see a vineyard?
A basket filled with delicious berries? Raisins, must?
All of that has the same meaning – health!
Grapevine is one of the oldest cultivated plants.
Grapevine culture originated 9 000 yeas ago in the region of Asia Minor, Caucasia and Mesopotamia.
The lie about cholesterol
For a number of years, we have been bombarded from all sides by information that cholesterol in our organism causes irreparable damage.
Accordingly, if we want to be healthy, we have to drastically decrease the intake of animal fat such as milk, butter, cheese, crème and other dairy products.
But, is that really the truth? It appears not, since an increasing number of doctors and scientists claim that this is a fallacy of mythological proportions.
Green magma – natural elixir made of young barley leaves
That barley is cultivated with no use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers, quite the opposite; it is cultivated in strict ecological conditions.
Green magma leaves are cultivated in Japan and American part of California.
Benefits of young barley leaves were discovered, after prolonged research, by a Japanese doctor Yoshihide Hagiwara.
Oxalates: do natural food items hide the danger of kidney stones?
Today’s prevalent belief is that oxalates – harmless compounds found in many plants – can cause kidney stone formation.
Because of that, many nutritionists recommended avoidance of food items containing oxalates.
But is that really the truth?
Should we, because of the fear of kidney stone formation, avoid useful and nutritive food items such as spinach, parsley, raspberries and even cocoa?
Orange – a star among healing fruits
Folk wisdom claims that orange juice is gold in the morning, silver in the noon and bronze in the evening.
It is believed that oranges originate from Asia, from where they spread around the world and in the 15th century they were embraced by Europe.
They were so expensive in the past that they were eaten only as a treat on Christmas. Luckily, today they are widely available.
Oranges are one of the most powerful healing fruits and yellow and red varieties of orange are the most popular and famous ones.
Guarana: natural stimulant without harmful side effects
Guarana, lat. Paullinia cupana, is an evergreen plant that grows in Venezuela and northern Brazil.
This plant grows only in rich Amazon rainforests that have tropical temperatures and an abundance of rain falls.
Guarana is a climbing bush that can grow up to 12 m (40 feet) in height. It has reddish fruits that grow in clusters.
Fruits contain black seeds surrounded with white layers, which makes them look like eyes.
Agave – a treat for palate, a balm for skin, a remedy for intestines
Agave is a genus of monocots, although it was long considered to be a genus of cactuses due to its appearance.
It is specific because the plant dies after it blossoms, but it is sometimes possible to wait for 40 years before it blossoms.
Since this plant originally comes from the desert, it is resistant to high temperature differences and extreme heats.
The home of this plant is in Mexico, from where it was brought to Europe in 1561. Today we can find it around the Mediterranean.
In Mediterranean area we find agave with Latin name Agava americana.
Millet - versatile, healthy and easily digested cereal
Millet is an ancient seed originally cultivated in the dry climates of Africa and northern China since the Neolithic period.
Archeologists have discovered a 4 000 years old bowl containing millet noodles in northwestern China.
In time, millet had spread around the world.
Romans and Gauls used this cereal for making porridge and during the Middle Ages, millet was more often on the menu than wheat.
Despite its popularity, millet has been mostly seen as food for farm animals in Europe and America.
Tangerine – practical, tasty and healthy snack
Tangerine (lat. Citrus Reticulata) is a fruit from the citrus family.
Its orange and thin peel is easy to remove and the fruit is easily sliced.
It grows on the evergreen tree that is two to three meters high and has dark-green leaves with spiky ends.
It comes from South-East Asia and it was named after a light-orange clothes worn by Mandarins - clerks in ancient China - since this fruit was only available to privileged classes.
Spirulina – a blue-green life energy source
Spirulina is blue-green fresh water algae that grows in rich minerals found in alkaline lakes and fishponds around the world.
This small, spiral algae is 3.6 million years old, which makes it one of the oldest inhabitants of our world.
Spirulina got its name because of its shape.
The people of Africa, North America and Asia have been using spirulina for thousands of years.
Old Aztecs ate it in a form of dried cookies.
Pomegranate – a fruit that cures inside and outside
Pomegranate, lat. Punica granatum, is one of the oldest fruit varieties known to mankind.
Record about it can be found in many cultures and religions.
This nutritive fruit is rich in antioxidants and it has always been regarded as a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life.
Its juice, seeds and oil are very popular.
Many studies have confirmed that this is one of the best healing fruits in the world due to its positive effects on cardiovascular, nervous and bone system.
Pumpkin – a winter dose of immunity and slenderness
A long time ago, pumpkin was an important source of nutrition for American Indians.
It helped them sustain long and cold winters.
They presented it to pilgrims who also made pumpkin important food in their diet and irreplaceable part of the Thanksgiving dinner table.
It is believed that Columbus brought a pumpkin to Europe, where it was firstly used as cattle food.
Coconut oil – a perfect gift of nature
In the last several years, one oil became very popular among people that are studying the influence of food on human overall health.
That is coconut oil.
This oil is a usual item in folk medicine among inhabitants of Asia and Pacific.
It spread in our regions of the world only during the last ten years.
Coconut oil has so high nutritive value and healing properties that it should be used in every household.
Preparing fresh juices at home
Beetroot - ideal food for the winter months
Superfoods - foods that could save your life
Have you ever heard of superfoods?
"Super" food does not fly through the air and saves people like Superman does.
But it certainly can save you if it comes to the treatment or prevention of disease, because they provide superior nutritional support to human body.
The term "superfood" refers to foods that have a high level of phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients have a huge positive impact on our health.
Superfoods: bee products, seaweed and super-plants
Bee Products
Indians used them for thousands of years, the Egyptians for at least 7500 years; the Babylonians knew their medicinal properties.
In the Western world, the benefits of bee products were discovered "accidentally", by observing the life of native beekeepers living in Russia. Their life expectancy was over 100 years and they all consumed bee products every day.
5 reasons to eat dark chocolate
Do you feel guilty when you eat chocolate? Well, you shouldn't!
The ancient Mayans believed it to be the food of the gods and they were not mistaken: chocolate is actually excellent for your health.
Of course, this applies to dark chocolate.
In fact, the darker the chocolate is, the better it is for your health.
Vanilla – Healing properties graced by an irresistible aroma
Vanilla is one of the most famous and most appreciated, but also one of the most expensive spices.
Although mostly used as a spice, its healing properties are being continually discovered.
This has made vanilla increasingly popular in the field of natural medicine.
Aromatic vanilla beans are the fruits of climbing orchid that grows in tropic forests of Central America.
There are 150 varieties of vanilla, but only two of them are used today – Bourbon and Tahitian vanilla.
The Totonacs, ancient people of South America, held it in high regard as a cure for poisons, pulmonary diseases and syphilis. It was a part of many herbal remedies.
Apple cider vinegar - a cure for every disease?
Vinegar is one of the most healing gifts of nature and its millennium long usage proves it.
One of the most famous vinegars is apple cider vinegar.
It is believed that it has been used for treatment for at least 10000 years.
The father of medicine, Hippocrates, recommended it as a healing elixir.
Since the old days various peoples used it as preservative, deodorant and tonic for vitality, strength, disinfection and fast healing of wounds.
Apple cider vinegar contains 19 out of 22 important minerals for growth, regeneration and health of our body...
Protect your prostate and lower cholesterol levels with summer squash
Recently, the season of this wonderful vegetable has started.
There are many types of squash of various colors and shapes, but small dark-green zucchini that look like big cucumbers are most common ones.
Alongside melons and cucumbers, squash belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family.
Although it is a fruit, most of us see it as a vegetable.
Squash comes from America, and humans have been consuming this vegetable for over 10,000 years.
It is believed that today's type of zucchini was developed over time in Italy.