BANANA --- THE WONDER FRUIT!

As the old saying goes, a banana a day (take note, not apple anymore!), drives the doctor away. This yellow-colored fruit contains fiber, iron and is very rich in potassium plus a lot more nutritional values. A person with a body low in potassium doesn't need to spend for an expensive drug, just a banana will do!

According to studies this fruit of different varieties has the following health benefits:

1. Anti-depression - lightens up the mood of a depressed person. Been there, done that and tried banana, it did work! (for the time being, of course, unless you want to digest a banana every minute?!)
   
2. Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) - lucky for those who don't have it but for some PMS can be terribly painful. Forget the pills, ladies...hav' a banana!
3. Stress - too much problem at work or at home? Banana can be a solution, it's high-potassium content helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates body water's balance.
4. Tried giving up smoking? Bananas may be of help. It contains B6 & B12, potassium and magnesium that helps the body recover in nicotine withdrawal.
5. Food for the brain - a study had shown that students with more banana intake is inclined to get higher exam results or grades.
6. Body beautiful - aside from the good taste it gives, bananas will help you in losing those ugly fats. For those who usually eat snacks or dinner, this fruit is highly recommended instead of those cholesterol-filled snacks.
7. Constipation - even the uneducated and tribal people know about this. Older folks encourages the intake of bananas whenever a child has constipation for it's high-potassium content can help restore normal bowel content. No need for laxatives to attain relief.
8. Mosquito bite - rub the inside of the banana peel onto the bitten part and voila! See for yourself!
9. Anemia - bananas are rich in iron that helps regulate normal blood flow and production of hemoglobin.
10. Stroke - including bananas in one's daily diet cut the risks of death by strokes as much as 40%.

There are a lot more reasons why you've got to eat bananas. As for me, I consume it mainly for its taste, the health benefits are just a plus! No wonder monkeys love 'em!

Free Cure for Headaches

Veggie Burger

Mix the following:

- 1 grated carrot
- ½ cup collards
- 1 tbsp. sesame seeds
- 1 beaten egg
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 2 ½ cups of cooked rice or millet

Thoroughly mix all the ingredients. Shape it into small sized patties. Fry this until it becomes golden brown. Bake at 400 °F on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes per side.

Useful Tips in Cooking Vegetarian Meals for Kids

Vegetarian meals entails are meatless. It is rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers. Find ways to incorporate vegetarian meals in your children's diet to make them grow healthier and stronger..

Kids are generally picky and refuse to eat vegetables. Prepare meals with vegetables subtly included to make kids enjoy eating vegetables.

Vegetables can be cooked through stir frying, steaming, and sautéing, without losing the key nutrients. They are good sources of Vitamin A, B and C. Some minerals found in vegetables are iron, iodine, zinc, calcium and selenium. Children who regularly eat dark green vegetables and beans develop more red blood cells in their bodies.

Here are some tips when preparing vegetarian meals for kids:

• Modify the kid's favorite recipe. Use soya-based meat equivalents for a meat-free meal.

• Let your kids pick vegetables in your backyard and let them wash it. Getting them involved in cooking is positive reinforcement.

• Have fun making designs of boiled veggies on a plate with your child.

• Add vegetables to burgers. This is similar to one of the fastfood joints which provide "vegeburgers" and bean burritos. Also try making patties out of vegetables.

• Cook oven-baked fries instead of fried.

Children's repulsion to vegetables is often seen as just psychological. Find ways for children to enjoy eating vegetables. Cook meals that children normally like, and incorporate veggies without losing the meaty taste. After all, children who eat veggies are healthier and develop stronger immune systems.

BENEFITS OF BEING A VEGETARIAN

Here are some of the perks of not eating animal meat:

1. Longer life - according to a study in Loma Linda University, vegetarians live as much as 15 years longer than animal eaters. They are less likely to have heart ailments, cancer and high blood disease.
2. Money-saver - think of how much the price of meat have accelerated for the past years whereas vegetables and fruits can be grown from your own garden.
3. Weight-trimming - on the average, vegetarian people weigh less than meat eaters and are less likely to be obese.
4. Internal vacuum - fibers which are found in vegetables and fruits are good for cleaning up our body.
5. Stronger bones - too much protein consumed by eating animals makes the bone weak.
6. Avoid some food-borne diseases - foot and mouth plus bird flu from chicken meat and beef are some diseases that will be avoided.

These reasons are just the tip of the iceberg... there are a lot more!

Vegetarianism

So you have decided to be a vegetarian. That's a healthy choice you have made! Congratulations! There are different reasons for being a vegetarian, it maybe due to health, religion or ethics. Studies have shown how beneficial it is to a person if he/she follows a healthy habit especially in the intake of food. Vegetarianism is categorized as follows:

1. Ovo-vegetarian - people who include eggs and milk in their diet
2. Lacto vegetarian - excluding eggs, they consume dairy products
3. Pesca vegetarian - includes fish in their meals
4. Vegan - eat plant-based food and does not consume any kind of dairy product

Whatever your reason maybe or whatever kind of vegetarian are you, I applaud you for taking a big step! Along the way, temptations may come...but keep in mind that health is indeed wealth! So you've got nothing to lose except those fats!