Big Red Juicy Grapefruit!

Photo by: elainalove.com

Man oh man have I been on a grapefruit kick these days! I don't know if it's because I've been traveling quite a bit or because I recently was able to pick my very own grapefruits off the tree...(yes you heard me right)..or what. But me and grapefruits, see? We've become the best of buds.

Grapfruits grow on trees just like lemons, oranges, pomelos and limes do!! Photo by: the-fruit-trees.tumblr.com 

What I like about the grapefruit eating, is that you have an entire experience when you eat one...well at least I do. Since I was a little girl, my grandmother made picking and eating grapefruits such a fun and entertaining moment. We would go and she let me pick each one out, we filled the bags high with the tangy citrus fruits and at home grapefruits were one of the items I was allowed to eat as much of as I desired...so long as I "disciplined" myself. Sheesh, what an 8-yr old kid knows about discipline I'll never know...but it sure kept me regular eating all those grapefruits. Certainly better than KitKats I imagine.

Empty grapefruits bowls! Tasty! YUM! Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org

Well now that time has turned and it's me that's bringing my grandmother grapefruits off the tree, I have learned there were actually quite a few large benefits to eating them all along. Here are some of them:

1) Immune system booster
2) Anti-inflammatory properties
3) Good for those with asthma or arthritis
4) Great plaque remover, good for cardiovascular health

Look its a little sunshine! Aww! Photo by: www.heatovento350.com

5) Decrease chances of stroke, heart disease and cancer
6) Good for a man's prostrate due to Lycopene content (NOTE: this is found in pink and red varieties ONLY - not the white ones)
7) Lowers cholesterol

Fresh slice grapefruits! Ooooh! Me want some!!! Photo by: heidimix.blogspot.com 

8) Helps break down kidney or gallbladder stones
9) Can help prevent weight gain by regulating insulin levels
10) Fights CANCER!!

You can even sprout the grapefruits seeds TOO!!! Wow! GIve it a try! Photo by: www.newbeauty.com

What I've also found as a transitioning raw vegan (my diet consists of a 70-15-15 and about 80% of that being raw eating) is that I need to gain my nutrients and vitamins in essential places. Grapefruits provide a healthy balance of Vitamin C, almost 60% of our daily recommended dose as well a loads of Vitamin A.

Vitamin A is great for maintaining brain function, keeping your eyesight keen, allowing for reproduction of the cells and therefore keeping your skin bright and tight :-). We need Vitamin A in a host of situations throughout our bodies and GRAPEFRUITS provide a significant amount per dose, equivalent to about 40% of our daily recommended dose.

Grapefruit Juice, perfect for those early mornings! Photo by: www.health.com 

The Latin name for grapefruit is citrus paradisi and I guarantee you that's what I feel every time I eat one of these little sweets. Better than a candy bar or cup of hot chocolate any day, grapefruits provide a slight tart and tanginess that rivals their cousin oranges and is a great refresher and morning system wake-me-upper!

Simple greens salad with grapefruit and avocado! Easy does it! Photo by: www.bonappetit.com

The acidity of the grapefruits help to aid in digestion and therefore I believe grapefruits are best eaten (or juiced and drank) in the morning. Similar to our other early morning risers like: lemons, limes, tomatos, oranges, and tangerines, grapefruit juice in the morning is a great way to get the body flowing and the proper functions going.

Avocado and grapefruit salad. Simple food combining...raw fats with citrus fruits is a-okay! Photo by: www.mbskitchen.com 

Some of the other elements that grapefruits activate in our bodies are pantothenic acid, biotin copper, potassium, vitamin b1 and even FIBER! Have you ever had to use the restroom after eating a grapefruit or drinking its juice? Well the elements in our grapefruit juice helps to keep us regular!~ Maybe granny had it right all along!

So add some grapefruit eating to your repertoire today! Your whole body will thank you for it!

Happy grapefruit snuggles!!

Live. Love. Well.

~h

Broccoli is KING!

Broccoli flowers before they turn into little florets. Now I bet you didn't know that one did you? I didn't. :-)
Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org  

Yum, yum, yum! I love Broccoli! Some people think it has a funny smell when cooked...but if you just eat it raw...what's your excuse now, eh eh? Nada.

Broccoli is one of those fun vegetables that require some simple chopping and lots of chomping! They look like tiny trees and kids can really LOVE them if you start them out eating it early.

Broccoli has gotten a bad rap in the community for it's national use as the one vegetable that "kids hate the most." Truth is, they only hate what you tell them to hate. Am I right? Here's a funny tip on how to get your kids (and family members perhaps) to eat more broccoli...

Change the name. Change the name?? Yes, change the name. Call it something different, something cool. Wouldn't you rather eat something with a funky name like "'Brainy Bunch o' Broccoli!" What about "X-ray Vision Carrots," or  "Silly Dilly Green Beans?" See, sounds way cooler right? Studies suggest that changing the name of certain vegetables can make kids more inclined to eat them. Try it and see! Just food for thought. :-)

Ahh SO FUNNY! Just couldn't resist it. LOL Photo by: www.fugly.com

Anywho...for those of us that have a desire to lower our cholesterol, detox our bodies, increase our digestion capabilities, see better, have softer skin, increase our brain power, lessen the impact of our allergies, neutralize and eliminate unwanted contaminants in the body, fight our Vitamin D deficiency epidemic, defeat chronic inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and strengthen our liver...EATING BROCCOLI IS THE WAY TO GO!

Yummo! Easy like 1,2,3! Broccoli, evoo, garlic, salt and peppa! Photo by:

Fun ideas for eating BROCCOLI:
1) Broccoli Pesto
2) Steamed Broccoli

Broccoli Pesto. All you need is a food processor, broccoli, garlic cloves, basil, evoo, salt/peppa and pine nuts. Toss in. Blend. DONE. Photo by: www.nytimes.com

3) Broccoli Salad
4) Broccoli Stirfry
5) Broccoli Slaw

Raw Vegan Broccoli Slaw. You know you want some. Recipe above. Photo by: vegweb.com

6) Sauteed broccoli with garlic and lemon
7) Broccoli Soup (*NOTE: Follow the recipe, but I recommend not pureeing it)
8) Broccoli Pizza
9) Raw broccoli with hummus/olives/carrots OR with Peanut Butter

Tasty RAW Broccolis with Miso Peanut Butter. Don't knock it til' you try it. Recipe above.
Photo by: jeanetteshealthyliving.com

Broccoli contains massive amounts of Vitamin C (approx. 135% of your suggested daily intake), Vitamin K (approx. 115% of your suggested daily intake), Folate, Vitamin A, Manganese, Fiber, Tryptophan, Potassium, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Protein, Magnesium, Calcium, Choline, Iron, Vitamin E, Selenium...and to top it all off...ONLY 30 CALORIES PER ONE CUP RAW BROCCOLI! Seriously people.

Raw Broccoli wth honey-dijon dressing. Yup.
Photo by: www.zweitesfruehstueck.blogspot.com

Here's the thing we need to know. Humans come from the earth. We are physically, technologically, intellectually, spiritually and literally beings of the soil and water. Nearly every component found in the dirt under our feet, is found in the bones, blood and organs in our bodies. To over-simplify a bit, the body serves two basic main functions: 1) to absorb nutrients for the repair and rebuilding of our cells, 2) to eliminate waste from the cells.

What we eat (and don't eat) determines the level of efficiency at which these functions can be performed. So when we talk about nutrients and minerals and vitamins it is imperative to understand the WHY? behind the WHAT. The fact is we need a DAILY REPLENISHING of these nutrients in order to stay alive. Eat live foods, they will keep you alive too.

Live. Love. Well.
~h