POTATO CREAMY SOUP

1 big potato, peeled, finely diced
1 cup evaporated milk
3 tablespoons cream of mushroom powder
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
3 spring onions, cut into 1 1/2
salt to taste
water

• Boil potato and onions in a saucepan with enough water to cover them until tender.
• Mash potato in saucepan.
• Dilute cream of mushroom and cornstarch in 1/2 cup water and add to mashed potato.
• Add milk and butter. Add enough water to desired thinness.
• Season with salt. Boil for 2 minutes.
• Add spring onions. Remove immediately from fire.

(Recipe is from Cooking Smart by B.M. Varona and D.A. Varona)

SOYMILK

One of the health drinks that I usually take and luckily for me it is widely available in my country of residence but for those who have a hard time finding it in the local grocery store, here is how you can make it.

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh soybeans
water
salt to taste
sugar to taste

• Soak soybeans in warm water for at least 6 hours.
• Remove soybean skin and rinse thoroughly.
• Grind soybeans or blend at high speed.
• Extract soybean milk by squeezing through a cheese cloth.
• Add water to soybean milk to make 8 cups.
• Cook soymilk in a kettle over medium flame.Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Lower fire and keep kettle uncovered.
• Simmer for at least an hour.
• Add sugar and salt. Let cool.
• Serve hot or cold.

Exercise - To A Healthier and Slimmer YOU!

I love exercise! It makes me feel great inside and out. Good thing the company that I work for established an aerobics program for us employees to join in. We sweat our bodies away twice a week. Since I joined the class, here are some of the remarkable changes that happened:

1. Goodbye, PMS!
   - a day in every month, I get to suffer from this terrible pain. Luckily, I found the secret, just have a regular exercise and you'll be pain-free!
   
2. Healthy body - exercise helps keep the blood in my body well-circulated thus keeping me healthy. Note also that it reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
   
3. No more muscle pain - before my regular exercise, my upper back used to ache extensively.
4. I feel & look better - I lost several pounds since I started with this regimen and my skin looked brighter.

There are more, and I mean more benefits of exercise but those things listed above where the things I notice on my body.

So what about you? What health tip can you share? Post on my comment to share...who knows you may be of help to someone.

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!