9 – 12 large fresh strawberries 1 celery rib 1/2 large apple 1 banana 1/4 – 1/2 lemon 1 acai smoothie pack-thawed* (I use samazon brand – unsweetened) 1/2 – 1 packet of NuStevia or 1tbsp. light agave nectar (for sweetness)
If using a blender, blend all ingredients and enjoy. If using a juicer, blend all ingredients except for acai smoothie pack and sweetener. Pour juice in to large glass and stir in acai smoothie pack and sweetener.
Elderberry Recipes can be a wonderful and healthy addition to many of your favorite recipes. You will be surprised at how many great elderberry recipes are available. Work your way through them and you will not be surprised at how much you enjoy them. Take this recipe for elderberry jelly for example. Not only is it delicious but with the antioxidant properties you don’t have to feel guilty eating it.
1 package Powdered fruit pectin (some, like a crabapple jelly recipe, does not require pectin but since elderberry is lower in pectin it will require the addition)
Instructions:
Remove the stems from the Elderberries and place in large kettle
Crush berries, cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes
Strain juice through jelly bag or piece of cheesecloth
Measure juice making sure you about 3 1/2 cups. If you don’t you can add apple juice to make up the difference
Add lemon juice and pour into kettle.
Add sugar
Heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Add pectin (some, like a crabapple jelly recipe does not require pectin but since elderberry is lower in pectin it will require the addition). Bring to a full boil and boil for 1 minute.
Remove from heat, skim off foam and pour into hot jars
Makes 3-4 half pints of elderberry jelly. Enjoy on top of a fresh, homemade slice of Elderberry bread.
Here are some additional elderberry recipes for you to try:
Are sweets just not your thing? Looking for another way to use elderberries? You can also make incredible, tart vinegar by following this Elderberry vinegar recipe:
Elderberry Vinegar
2 c Elderberries, stemmed
Vinegar
Instructions:
Place 2 cups of stemmed elderberries in an ovenproof dish and cover with vinegar.
Cook at 300 F for 1 1/2 hours, or until the berries burst.
Let the mixture stand overnight
Strain through a jelly bag or piece of cheese cloth.
Nearly 1 in 3 American Adults have high blood pressure (hbp). This pressure is a measure of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. A person’s pressure rises and falls throughout the day, but when it stays elevated over time, it is hypertension. It is a cause for concern because it increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses.
Symptoms of Hypertension (HBP)
High blood pressure has no obvious signs or symptoms. It is often called “the silent killer,” and a blood pressure measurement is the only way to detect it. A blood pressure monitor is all a doctor or nurse needs to check your pressure.
Blood Pressure Guidelines
Good = 120/80 mmHg or lower
Borderline High Risk = 120/80-139/89 mmHg
High Risk = 140/90 mmHg or higher
Treating High Blood Pressure with Medications
Many of the drugs used to control hypertension are called antihypertensives. Common antihypertensives are:
Diuretics, which rid the body of excess fluid and salt
Beta blockers, which decrease the heart’s need for blood and oxygen, easing its workload
Drugs that reduce blood pressure by preventing your blood vessels from constricting
Medications that relax the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, widening them
Drugs that both reduce heart rate and widen the blood vessels
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a nonmedical way to fight high blood pressure. A cliantioxidant-fruits.comcal study that tested the effects of nutrients in food on the bood pressure found that elevated blood pressure was reduced in people who followed an eating plan that emphasized fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy foods. A second clinical study, called DASH-Sodium, found that reducing dietary sodium lowered blood pressure in both people who followed the DASH eating plan and those who ate a typical American diet.
Note: Decongestants can increase blood pressure and may interfere with blood pressure medication. Ask your pharmacist to help you choose a cold and flu medication that doesn’t contain a decongestant.
Hypertension can run in families. If you’re a parent with high blood pressure, check your child’s blood pressure every now and then so you can stop damage before it begins.
You can always take your blood pressure at home by using a home blood pressure monitor. But keep these guidelines in mind:
Demonstrate your technique to a health care provider, such as your pharmacist, to ensure that you are using the proper technique
Avoid caffeine and cigarettes for at least 30 minutes before taking a measurement
Rest quietly for five minutes before testing
Sit in an upright position with your legs and ankles uncrossed and your back unsupported
Wait at least two minutes before repeating the measurement
The biggest mistake people make at the onset of a heart attack or stroke is to delay getting help because they are unsure of their symptoms. Err on the side of caution. If you or someone around you exhibits any of these signs, call 9-1-1. The sooner emergency treatment is received, the better the chances of surviving a heart attack or stroke.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
Chest discomfort, for example, uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and then comes back.
Upper body discomfort, such as pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath, which may be associated with or occur before chest discomfort.
Other telltale signs, such as suddenly breaking out in a cold sweat or a feeling of nausea or light-headedness.
A Warning to Women Your heart attack symptoms may be different from those experienced by men. Watch for these additional signs:
Abdominal discomfort or indigestion, which might include a burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen.
Irregular heartbeat
Flu-like symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting
Unexplained fatigue or weakness
Stroke Warning Signs
Sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm or leg, usually on only one side of the body.
Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking
Dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
Sudden severe headache for which there is no known cause.
If you don’t have heart disease, consider yourself lucky. But don’t think you’re risk-free. The numbers show just how prevalent heart-related illinesses are. Instead of becoming a statistic, try making a few small changes in lifestyle that could make a big difference in your heart and reduce heart disease warning signs.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women.
Of the 2.4 million Americans who die each year, more than 36% die from heart-related illnesses compared to 23% from cancer.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death, killing about 150,000 people a year.
79.4 million people in the U.S. have some form of heart disease.
In 2007, the total cost for heart related medical care and disability in the U.S. was estimated to be $431.8 billion.
Source: American Heart Association, Heart Facts 2007
Regular Aspirin Use
Did you know that aspirin can reduce your risk of a heart attack by as much as 32%? And reduce the risk of a second attack by 20%? And therefore reduce your heart disease warning signs? Talk to your doctor to see if an aspirin regimen is right for you.
The “common” or European pear is packed full with a variety of nutrients, including dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C and several polyphenols. Research has concluded that fruit may be able to help normalize blood sugar levels, boost metabolism and provide a variety of other health benefits.
The nutritional benefits are:
Potassium
Dietary Fiber
Vitamin C
The fruit can help with:
Gastrointestinal health
Blood glucose
Diabetic conditions
Thinking about cooking with them? You can always check out my Fruit Recipe Page to find unique recipes of specific fruits found on this site.
The benefits of goji berry are numerous; you’ll also want to know the benefit of goji health juice and the side effects of goji berries.
The goji berry is known as the wolfberry. Wolfberries are commercially called goji berries. It is also known as the Chinese wolfberry.
Goji berries are usually never found in their fresh form, except for in the areas of the world where they are grown. However, they are available as dried fruit and therefore are raisin like textures.
Goji Berries are used in cooking and medicinally.
Benefits:
11 essentail and 22 trace minerals
18 amino acids
6 essential vitamins
8 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides
beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols
5 carotenoids, including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin (below), lutein, lycopene and cryptoxanthin, a xanthophyll
numerous phenolic pigments (phenols) associated with antioxidant properties
5 unsaturated fatty acids, including the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid
100 grams of the dried berries contain important amounts of:
Calcium
Potassium
Iron
Zinc
Selenium
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Vitamin C
Like all antioxidant fruit, the goji berry has great benefits. They are grown in temperate and subtropical climates in China, Mongolia and the Himalayas (Tibet). The berries in these regions have been thought to help the following:
strengthen the legs
boost immune function
helps eyesight
improves sexual function and fertility
improve circulation
promote longevity
protects the liver
Benefits of goji berries are that they are loaded in antioxidants, especially carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin protects the retina of the eye. Learn more about the benefits of goji berry and growing goji berry.
