98 Years Old, & Still Goin' Strong

I'm amazed at the story of this 98 year old cardiothoractic surgeon.
At 98 years old, Dr. Ellesworth shares his story on healthy living.
Watch, and be in awe!

RAWesome Friday: The Health Benefits of Watermelon

It's one of the most refreshing, delicious fruits of the summer!
Watermelons are a "sweet" way to quench your thirst! Some countries even use the rind as a vegetable, and others roast the seeds

 (www.nutrition-and-you.com). 

  The amazing Health Benefits of Watermelon:

• Rich source of phytonutrients, and antioxidants - Lycopene is a phytonutrient that is beneficial to heart and bone health, (www.whfoods.com) 
• High in potassium & Vitamin A - helps control heart rate and blood pressure (nutrition-and-you.com).

• High in citrulline - citrulline is an amino acid that enters our bodies and flushes through our kidney's, turning into something called "arginine." Arginine can help improve blood flow and heart health (www.whfoods.com)
• Helps keep the body alkaline - Keeping your body at a natural alkaline state may help fight disease. When we are overly acidic, the pH imbalance may cause heart issues, and even a weakened immune system  (www.realfoodforlife.com, snyderhealth.info)
• A Natural Laxative - you can safely relieve or prevent constipation by consuming watermelon (www.naturalnews.com).

How do ya like them melons?

Did you know that allowing a watermelon to fully ripen will give you the best nutrient value? If the watermelon has white flesh, studies show that they have next to no beta-carotene at all (whfoods.com). Wait until the outside is dark green, and the flesh is fully red. Enjoy watermelon at room temp, since our bodies tend to digest them easier that way (www.realfoodforlife.com). 

What are you waiting for? Dig in!



References

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/watermelon.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31

www.realfoodforlife.com

www.naturalnews.com

http://www.snyderhealth.info/a299940-fight-disease-by-keeping-your-body.cfm

Happy RAWesome Mother's Day!

It's Mother's Day weekend, and I'm telling you....you should show her some love with a little raw chocolate!

I just whipped up these goodies for my mom for dessert. I'm not gonna lie, they're one of the best things I've eaten in a long time. I know she's gonna love 'em, too (if my husband doesn't eat them all first!)

Pure cocoa is said to reduce stress, and may even help heart health (vegetarian.about.com). It may also regulate sleep and appetite, and may help prevent diabetes. The flavanols and cocoa are natural chemicals found in plants that are also rich in antioxidants (mercola.com).

These cookies are simple, and incredibly deeeeelish!

Happy Mother's Day!

HealthNutty Raw Chocolate Cookies 

(adapted from rawtarian.com)

2 cups almond flour

3 cups ground walnuts

2 cups medjool dates

6 tablespoons blue agave nectar

5 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1 cup pure cocoa

1. Soak medjool dates in 2 cups of boiling hot water (let them sit for 20 minutes)

2. Meanwhile, ground walnuts in food processor until flour-like

3.Combine almond flour, ground walnuts, and cocoa together in bowl

4. Drain water from dates and put them in food processor along with agave nectar, coconut oil, vanilla, until smoth.

5. Add date mixture with ground almond mixture and combine until all ingredients are mixed into a delicious chocolatey dough.

6. Form cookies and eat them...raw!

References

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/beverage1/a/raw-chocolate-nutrition.htm

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/06/14/will-cocoa-soon-be-used-as-medicine.aspx

The winner of Kicking Horse coffee is......

Jill M, from Peterborough Ontario, you won the gift bag and tin of Kicking Horse Coffee!

Congrats!

Thanks to all who entered. Stay tuned for more health nutty GIVEAWAY's, coming soon....