Neutralize Stomach Acid with Pumpkin and Other Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a delicious vegetable and wonderful for so many things. I personally love pumpkin! The color, the taste, it all lends to an exquisite dining experience. Pumpkin is so good that I sometimes use it to flavor my gravies(a tip I learned from my mother in law).

Pumpkin comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Long, round, small, large. My father in law plants pumpkin on the land he farms and he has had some huge pumpkins that surprised me. I never knew pumpkins could get that big. Of course, since then I've seen pictures of humongous pumpkins online but at the time it was super huge to me and still is by normal standards.

Now here is a list of the health benefits

1. Low in fat
2. Low in sodium
3. Rich in beta-carotene
4. Rich in potassium
5. Rich in calcium
6. Significant soluble fiber
7. Has hypotensive properties
8. Has diuretic properties
9. Has laxative properties aiding in constipation
10. Had anticarcinogenic properties
11. May assist with coronary heart disease
12. Capable of neutralizing excess stomach acid
13. Has an emollient and protective effect on the stomach lining
14. Aids in dyspepsia(indigestion)
15. Helpful in cases of pyrosis(heartburn)
16. Good for cases of gastroduodenal ulcer

Here are some pumpkin recipes for you experience the benefits a bit more often.



Jenn
If you have a question on vegetarian eating that you would like me to answer then fill in this short form to submit your question. I'll answer in an Ask Jenn video on Wednesdays.

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.
For God's Glory!

9 Health Benefits of Beets

Image courtesy of Simon Howden/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Bright red, stains your fingers, sometimes makes your urine pink depending on your intake.  All this describes beets but did you know that besides those things beets have many health benefits? Here 's a partial list of the things that beets are good for:

1. Antioxidant
2. Anti-inflammatory
3. Aids in detoxification
4. Protects against heart disease
5. Protects against birth defects
6. Protects against certain types of cancers
7. Prevents respiratory problems
8. Boosts energy
9. Prevents cataract

Caution: Persons with kidney or gall bladder problems should consult their physician before consuming beets due to the ability of the oxalates in beets to crystallize body fluids.

Here are some beet recipes to start you off as you incorporate more beets into your eating plan.  Click on the pictures and you will be taken to the recipe.

Beet Rice	Spinach Beet and Lentil Pattie	Curried Beets

 Here are some other Beet Recipes.

Tweet

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.


http://www.whfoods.com/
http://www.organicfacts.net/
http://home.howstuffworks.com

9 Health Benefits Of Eating Bok Choy(Chinese Cabbage)

Bok Choy is a chinese cabbage that has excellent healing properties as do all fruits and vegetables. 

1. It aids the body to reduce risk of certain cancers and cataracts
2. Helps in building stronger teeth and bones
3. Helps the body regulate heart function
4. Helps maintain blood pressure
5. Helps maintain body density
6. Removes toxic substances from the body
7. Helps the body to coagulate the blood
8. Helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus
9. Saves the body from free radicals

Looking at these health benefits, it is worth it, if available, to add a little chinese cabbage to our weekly or monthly menu for greater health.  Here are a couple of recipes using bok choy:

Bok Choy and Tomato Saute - jennifervalerie.com

Bok Choy and Pumpkin Saute - jennifervalerie.com

Bok Choy Stir-Fry Recipe - Food.com 

The Best Sauteed Bok Choy Recipe - Food.com

Planting your own bok choy is a wonderful way to ensure you have a regular supply on hand to add to your meals.  Amazon has several options of  Bok Choy Seeds at different prices here.

 

 

Founder and Author of Fruitful Vine and Insanely Simple! Salads. 

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.

Health Benefits Of Eggplant

Epplant held no curiosity for me until one day we were blessed with it by someone. It is a beautiful purple vegetable and good for so many things. Eggplant just like most fruits and vegetables are power packed. It is beneficial to optimal health in so many ways. Here are the ways that eggplant can benefit all of us:

photo credit:agricultureguide.org

Health Benefits of Eggplant

1. Cholesterol reduction
2. resists extra iron from getting accumulated
3. protects from cardiovascular disease and heart attack
4. effectively used to control obesity
5. helps keep blood sugar in check, reduce glucose levels of type II Diabetes
6. reduce and regulates high blood pressure
7. helps lower cholesterol levels and prevent cholesterol build-up
8. help prevent constipation
9. helps lower your risk for coronary heart disease
10. can help reduce swelling or bleeding
11. has been used to treat dysentery
12. helps protect the lipids (fats) in brain cell membranes
13. can help prevent cancer
14. can prevent hemorrhoids
15. naturally low in calories and has no fat 
16. preventing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines
17. can help in cases of stomach ulcers 
18. helps prevent colitis 
19. can help in various nervous conditions
20. good for balancing diets that are heavy in protein and starches
21. helpful for the proper functioning of the digestive system
22. antimicrobial, antimutagenic and anti LDL
23. helps prevent bacterial and viral infection

Caution
Persons with suspected or untreated kidney or gall bladder problems should refrain from eating eggplants. Eggplant should also be avoided by individuals suffering from gout.

http://www.whfoods.com, http://www.elements4health.com, http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, http://hubpages.com/, http://www.associatedcontent.com, http://www.brighthub.com, http://www.natural-homeremedies.com

I haven't seen eggplant for a while so if you have access to it include it in your meal plan and enjoy the health benefits. 

For more articles on healthy living, raw foods, vegetarian and raw food recipes and more subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter.   

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.

30 Health Benefits of Tomato

Tomato is one of my favorite things to eat.  I love anything tomatoey(is that even a word?).  I've been on a quest to find out the health benefits of all the fruits and vegetables we consume as a family.  I love sharing what I know so I'm sharing today the health benefits of one of my favorite foods - the wonderful, the awesome tasting, the magnificent(well, you get the picture) tomato.

Health Benefits of Tomato

1. Helps improve the texture and color of skin, cleanses and revitalizes the skin
2. Purifies the blood
3. Helps in cases of liver congestion and protects the liver from cirrhosis
4. Natural antiseptic that can help protect against infection
5. Helps to prevent hemorrhages.
6. Contains lycopene (the red pigment in tomato) which is a powerful antioxidant that can also fight cancer cells
7. Reduces cholesterol 
8. Keeps the gut healthy  
9. Reduces the risk of developing hypertension(high blood pressure)
10. Reduces the oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.
11. Aids in maintaining healthy teeth and hair.  
12. Prevents urinary tract infections 
13. Prevents gallstones
14. Regular consumption of tomato can also dissolve gallstones
15. Aids bone health
16. Heart-protective, good for coronary heart health
17. Prevents/Heals Certain Types of Cancer
18. Prevents diarrhea
19. Soothes eye irritation
20. Heals sunburn
21. Heals wounds and sores
22. Prevents constipation
23. Prevents jaundice
24. Removes toxins from the body
25. Daily consumption of tomato protects the skin against UV-induced erythema
26. Tomato ranks high in preparation of anti-aging products
27. Reduces the incidence of bladder cancer
28. Those who eat raw tomatoes have been found to be at a much lesser risk of developing rectal, colon or stomach cancer
29. Tomatoes block the effects of nitrosamines and thus, reduce the risk of lung cancer
30. Pregnant women, suffering from morning sickness, will benefit from tomato consumption

Amazing!  Tomato is definitely remaining on my list of foods to continue eating.  My older son had an allergic reaction(buttons on his skin) to anything with tomato in it and even the tomato itself up from the time he was born until recently.  I mainly kept it out of his diet until I decided to fight it.  I took it to the Lord in prayer and gave him small amounts of tomato from time to time. 

Well, the good news is that now he can eat it without any of the buttons showing up on his skin like they used to.  Hallelujah!  I still don't give him great amounts but unlike before he can partake of it. God is good.


http://hubpages.com , http://www.organicfacts.net/, http://health.learninginfo.org, http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/, http://www.holisticonline.com/



For more articles on healthy living, raw foods, vegetarian and raw food recipes and more subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter. 

Visit and like the Fruitful Vine Facebook Page for even more articles and links on healthy living.

My Light Bulb Moment with Chinese Cabbage(Bok Choy)

Many months ago I went to the market to purchase some cabbage. At that time it was a scarce vegetable and so the prices were too high for my budget. One of the vendors introduced me to Chinese Cabbage and gave me hints on preparing it.

Then just recently we received a gift of Chinese cabbage from our new church. As usual I like to research the benefits of whatever the Lord blesses us with. I firmly believe that He gives us all we need when we need it. And of course when I find out I like to share. So here goes. But before I share I want to tell you about a light bulb moment I had about this Chinese cabbage.

After preparing the cabbage I wondered to myself if the Chinese cabbage that we received and the bok choy I had heard about and read about on the internet were related. I had never seen a picture of the bok choy before so it couldn't click before. I did a search for bok choy and lo and behold the picture that wikipedia had was the very same Chinese cabbage I had in my kitchen. I was like Wow! The very same thing. So I've been eating bok choy without knowing it. That was my light bulb moment.  Don't laugh - it felt good making that discovery. :)

Nutrition & Health Benefits Of Eating Bok Choy(Chinese Cabbage)

* Contains excellent amounts of beta-carotene which aids the body to reduce risk of certain cancers and cataracts.
* It is a rich source of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus with the indirect result being that it helps in building stronger teeth and bones.
* It contains little fat, little carbs and is low in calories which makes it great for those seeking to lose weight or maintain a low carb, low fat or low calorie diet.
* The potassium in bok choy helps the body in its various functions, like regulating heart function, maintaining blood pressure and maintaining electrolyte balance.
* Rich in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that saves the body from free radicals and removes toxic substances from the body as well.
* The great amounts of calcium resident in bok choy aids in building stronger and healthy bones and teeth.
* It is rich in vitamin A which is essential for maintaining healthy teeth, mucous membranes, skeletal and soft tissues, and skin.
* Bok choy also contains vitamin K which helps the body to coagulate the blood, maintain body density and make the absorption of calcium easier.

Minerals & Vitamins in Chinese Cabbage(Bok Choy)

Potassium - 631 mg
Phosphorus - 49 mg
Magnesium - 19 mg
Calcium - 158 mg
Iron - 1.77 mg
Zinc - 0.29 mg
Copper - 0.032 mg
Manganese - 0.245 mg
Selenium - 0.7 mcg
Sodium - 58 mg
Also contains small amounts of other minerals.


Vitamin C - 44.2 mg
Niacin - 0.728 mg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.054 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.107 mg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.134 mg
Vitamin B6 - 0.282 mg
Folate - 70 mcg
Vitamin A - 7223 IU
Vitamin E - 0.15 mg
Vitamin K - 57.8 mcg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

I am continually amazed at the wonders of God's natural foods. Tomorrow God willing, I will share a couple of ways I used the chinese cabbage and recipes I've found.

For more articles on healthy living, raw foods, vegetarian and raw food recipes and more subscribe to the Fruitful Vine Newsletter. 

healthalternatives2000.com,lifestyle.iloveindia.com

Health Benefits of Christophene

Christophene(also spelled christophine) is in abundance now in my kitchen so I decided to research the nutrients and benefits of this God created food and share with you. Christophene is a vegetable from the squash family. It is shaped like a pear and has a seed in the middle. The skin can be green or an off white, light yellowish color. The skin also can be smooth or prickly. It is known by many names depending on the region. Among its many names are chayote, mirliton, brione, chow chow, sayote and chouchoute.

 

Nutrients and health benefits

Christophene is rich in amino acids and vitamin C. For centuries people on our island(Dominica) have used it to lower high blood pressure. The leaves and fruit have diuretic, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory properties, and a tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hypertension, and to dissolve kidney stones. Also found in the fruit in small amounts are calcium, sodium, thiamine, vitamin A, riboflavin and ascorbic acid.  Very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Very high in dietary fiber, vitamin K, folate, zinc, copper and manganese. High in niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, magnesium and potassium. Infusions of the fruit are used to alleviate urine retention.

Culinary Uses

The taste of the christophene is mild and any seasoning of your choice can be added to it. It cooks very quickly so it's great for healthy eating in a hurry.

It can be prepared steamed or eaten raw. The raw part surprised me. In conversation with one of the ladies at church she said that she grates it and eats it just like she would do with a cucumber. I had never heard that before.  My only experience with christophene while I was growing up was using it in what we call a 'braff' (a sort of soup made with fish and or smoked meat, ground provisions(tania, dasheen, potato, green bananas). Since I've been married I've used it in various ways.  I've added it to my fish gravy, steamed it, lightly sauteed it with onions, garlic and a little sea salt.  I've used it in vegetable soups.  I've done a pumpkin and christophene medley as well.  Let's just say that I've broadened my scope from just 'braff'.  Seeing that my desire is to eat as much raw foods as possible, it was a wonderful discovery both from the sister at churh and my research to learn that it can be eaten raw.

Christophene is used in gravies as well with both fish and meat. It can be used in soups, stews, casseroles, salads. It is a very versatile vegetable. It can be stuffed, grilled, used in stir fries or roasted as well.

Storing

I’ve found that christophene lasts a very long time in the fridge. Christophene can last in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for almost a month. When left outside of the refrigerator I’ve found that it doesn’t last as long. If you peel and cut it and then refrigerate it doesn’t last long either. So the key is to keep it in its skin in a plastic bag in the fridge for it to last longer.

In researching I found out that the seed is edible. I’ve always removed it but since reading that I’m going to try using the seed as well. Definitely don’t want to miss out on a potential health benefit that may be present in the seed. Another new discovery is that the leaves and root can also be consumed. Interesting!

To read more on Christophene read Medicinal plant called sayote.

Here are some delicious christophene recipes for you to enjoy!

Christophene and Tomato Stir Fry	Crustless Christophene Quiche	Carrot, Pumpkin and Christophene Slaw

Here are some other Christophene recipes.



Answers.com, Wikipedia.com, blog.agriculture.ph, nature100percent.com