Taste the green this St Patricks weekend

Why not celebrate St. Patricks day by consuming something nice and healthy, instead of green Guinness!!!

Okay, back to normal colour text, the green gives me a headache ;-)

 To make this a little easier for you, here are a couple of green recipes for you to try, one soup and one smoothie. Enjoy.

Green soup with Broccoli, Spinach and Ginger.

This easy soup can be thin or thick, depending upon the amount of water you add. Best of all, it cooks quickly.

 Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
4 cups fresh broccoli, cut up

Raisins Vs Energy Bars

An article published recently in the Journal of The International Society of Sports Nutrition examined the effects of carbohydrate supplements on 5K running time trial. But instead of just comparing man-made supplements against each other, this randomised, controlled trial used 3 trials comparing the effects of a man made supplement against raisins and water.

When the groups used raisins or manufactured carb supplements, they finished about a minute faster than when they used water only. The researchers also found that raisins and sports chews promoted higher carbohydrate oxidation than water.

So what’s in a raisin?
By weight, raisins consist of about 67%-72% fructose and glucose (sugars), 3.5% dietary fibre and 3% protein. Although high in certain antioxidants, raisins have less vitamin C than fresh grapes. Raisins contain no cholesterol and are low in sodium (salt).

Raisins, along with most other dried fruits, also have the added benefit of being strongly alkalising in the body, and so can be used to balance the acidifying effects of a diet rich in meat or dairy products.

Need another reason to eat them? Data presented earlier this year suggest that, among individuals with mild increases in blood pressure, the routine consumption of raisins (three times a day) may significantly lower blood pressure.

Quit smoking : Foods that help

Orange foods: carrot, sweet potato and mango are rich in beta-carotene, which is

important for healthy lung walls.

Broccoli is rich in isothiocyanate that helps protect against lung disease. Try other

brassica veg like cabbage, kale and sprouts.

Vitamin C: cigarettes rob the body of vitamin C. Eat berries, cherries, grapefruit and

kiwis.

Antioxidants: ex-smokers need more, so aim for seven or more portions of fruit and veg a

day and eat a rainbow of colours.

Water will help flush toxins and ease food cravings. Fill a two-litre bottle every morning

and aim to drink it all by the end of the day.