How to Make your Fruit Ripe in as Little as One Day

Have you ever wanted to make a something that required ripe fruit but the fruit you just bought is rock hard? Well, to help fruit ripen faster, place the fruit in a brown paper bag and close it loosely. They should ripen in a couple days.

Image: www.ifood.tv
As fruit ripens it gives off a gas. When contained that gas will help ripen other fruit which explains the saying ‘one bad apple spoils the bunch.’

To accelerate the ripen process even faster, place a piece of ripe fruit in with the unripe fruit, or use fruits such as apples which create more ethylene. I did this with peaches. I had a couple peaches that were overripe…like on the border of not being edible. I placed them in the paper bag with hard peaches that I just bought. The very next day the hard peaches became very ripe. I’m talking perfectly soft yet firm where I could bite into it with no problem. I was actually surprised this worked so well. You don’t have to use an overripe peach to help ripen other peaches. You could use a ripe banana, tomato or any other fruit.

How it works

Even though the fruit has been picked, the cells within it are still alive! Starch in the fruit gradually converts to glucose , a sugar, when certain enzymes are present. If you've ever tried to eat a pear before it was ripe, you probably noticed that not only was it very hard but it also wasn't sweet. That's because the starch hadn't yet converted to sugar, which is part of what makes fruit taste so yummy.

Ethylene is a gas that is made by some fruits, and it triggers the ripening process. Ethylene acts like an enzyme by speeding up the conversion of starch to sugar. Bananas make lots of ethylene as they ripen. The ethylene gas that comes out of the banana is trapped in the bag, exposing the other fruits to extra ethylene. The extra ethylene then triggers the ripening process for the pear and the apple. Apples also produce a lot of etylene, and that's why they can also be used to ripen other fruits.

Sources:

http://everydaysciencefun.blogspot.com/2013/02/science-at-home-how-to-ripen-fruit.html

http://heapingtablespoon.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/tip-to-ripen-fruit/

Think Dandelions are Weeds? Think Again

Image: tenebrousmagazine.blogspot.com
You may consider dandelion as a type of weed, but its root has a long history of therapeutic use. Dandelion has been used since ancient times for its healthful properties and support for liver complaints. [1] In Korean herbal medicine dandelion has been used to improve energy levels and health. [2] It is generally accepted by many people in Mexico, and elsewhere in the world, that beneficial effects are available in natural plants.

Indeed, research has shown that compounds in plants have pharmacokinetic effects. [3] Dandelion, long speculated to have antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective properties, is one such plant

Powerful Antioxidant, Resistant to Swelling

Dandelion contains chemicals whose biological activities are actively being explored for roles in human health. In particular, evidence suggests that dandelion contains antioxidant and redness-resistant compounds. [4] [5]

One study investigated the antioxidative effects of dandelion root in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. Results showed that dandelion positively affected antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles. Researchers believe this suggests dandelion could protect against oxidative stress related to certain circulatory disorders. [6]


Effect of Dandelion Root on the Digestive System and Gallbladder

The Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Poland tested therapeutic herbs for kynurenic acid, an amino acid that has generated interest for digestive system support, specifically bile production. The highest concentration of this compound was detected in dandelion. [7] Because dandelion helps to stimulate bile production and bile transport toxins out of the body, dandelion root may support your body’s natural immune response. A study devised to compare the activity of artichoke, dandelion, turmeric and rosemary found their antioxidant activity to support the rationale the traditional inclusion of these ingredients in gallbladder applications. [8]

Relation to the Liver

Acetaminophen toxicity causes oxidative stress in the liver. Could natural antioxidant compounds counteract it? A study designed to answer that question found that dandelion extract demonstrated antioxidant activity against free radicals to counteract acetaminophen liver toxicity. [9] Animal studies have been successful in finding beneficial links between certain liver problems and dandelion. [10] [11]

- Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Source: globalhealingcenter.com

References:
Schütz K, Carle R, Schieber A. Taraxacum–a review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11;107(3):313-23. Epub 2006 Jul 22. Review.

Lee BR, Lee JH, An HJ. Effects of Taraxacum officinale on fatigue and immunological parameters in mice. Molecules. 2012 Nov 7;17(11):13253-65. doi: 10.3390/molecules171113253.

Rodriguez-Fragoso L, Reyes-Esparza J, Burchiel SW, Herrera-Ruiz D, Torres E. Risks and benefits of commonly used herbal medicines in Mexico. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 15;227(1):125-35. Epub 2007 Oct 12. Review.

González-Castejón M, Visioli F, Rodriguez-Casado A. Diverse biological activities of dandelion. Nutr Rev. 2012 Sep;70(9):534-47. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00509.x. Epub 2012 Aug 17. Review.

Jeon HJ, Kang HJ, Jung HJ, Kang YS, Lim CJ, Kim YM, Park EH. Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jan 4;115(1):82-8. Epub 2007 Sep 15.

Choi UK, Lee OH, Yim JH, Cho CW, Rhee YK, Lim SI, Kim YC. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf on cholesterol-fed rabbits. Int J Mol Sci. 2010 Jan 6;11(1):67-78. doi: 10.3390/ijms11010067.

Urski MP, Turska M, Zgrajka W, Bartnik M, Kocki T, Turski WA. Distribution, synthesis, and absorption of kynurenic acid in plants. Planta Med. 2011 May;77(8):858-64. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250604. Epub 2010 Dec 14.

Menghini L, Genovese S, Epifano F, Tirillini B, Ferrante C, Leporini L. Antiproliferative, protective and antioxidant effects of artichoke, dandelion, turmeric and rosemary extracts and their formulation. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2010 Apr-Jun;23(2):601-10.

Colle D, Arantes LP, Gubert P, da Luz SC, Athayde ML, Teixeira Rocha JB, Soares FA. Antioxidant properties of Taraxacum officinale leaf extract are involved in the protective effect against hepatoxicity induced by acetaminophen in mice. J Med Food. 2012 Jun;15(6):549-56. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0282.

Domitrović R, Jakovac H, Romić Z, Rahelić D, Tadić Z. Antifibrotic activity of Taraxacum officinale root in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Aug 9;130(3):569-77. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.046. Epub 2010 Jun 2.

You Y, Yoo S, Yoon HG, Park J, Lee YH, Kim S, Oh KT, Lee J, Cho HY, Jun W. In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of the aqueous extract from Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) root against alcohol-induced oxidative stress. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Jun;48(6):1632-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.03.037. Epub 2010 Mar 27.

You May Suffer From Adrenal Fatigue Without Even Knowing It

Carly Fraser | Live Love Fruit

Find out what adrenal fatigue is and what you can do to naturally overcome it!

Image: www.20somethingallergies.com
The adrenal glands are triangular shaped endocrine glands that are located on top of the kidneys. These glands are mostly responsible for releasing hormones like cortisol and epinephrine and norepinephrine when stressed – in other words, these hormones are involved in the body’s “flight or flight” response.

In this day in age, we are bombarded by situations that release these hormones unbeknownst to our approval, creating an environment where our adrenal glands cannot adequately meet the demands of stress (whether physical, emotional or psychological). These situations range from driving a vehicle in rush-hour traffic, reading and/or watching and/or listening to the news, eating foods that do not serve our higher good, or other emotional crisis’ such as someone close who has recently died, relationship issues between lovers, family or friends. This can also include situations more on the physical plane such as major surgeries.

When there is repeated, constant stress coming into your life, the adrenals struggle to create a homeostatic balance. Adrenal fatigue results when there is an inadequate response to stress, and the adrenals can no longer produce enough regulatory hormones.

Many individuals, without knowing it, experience adrenal fatigue. If you randomly feel tired for no reason, have trouble getting out of bed in the morning (even when you go to bed early), feel overwhelmed or rundown, have a hard time recovering from illnesses or stress, or crave foods that are highly processed (sweet, fatty, and salty) then you might be experiencing adrenal fatigue.

Here are some tips to help recover yourself from adrenal fatigue, and get you back on the path to pure, vibrant health and living!

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Emotional Stress:
We may feel days, weeks, months, or even years of emotional stress. This can be related to grieving a death or loss of someone through a relationship.

Poor Diet:
When diet is poor and reliance on processed or frozen foods becomes an every day habit, our adrenal glands have the capability of undergoing self destruct! Many individuals consuming foods that are low in nutritional value are simply not getting the proper nutrients to support the adrenal glands. The adrenals need vitamins A, C, and E as well as the B-complex vitamins and minerals like manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other trace elements.

Cooking our food, and eating food that is highly processed reduces the amount of vitamins, minerals and enzymes in the food. Un-noticed allergic reactions to wheat and dairy can also destroy the bacterial flora in our gut and intestines, reducing absorption of nutrients and leading to mis-functioning adrenals.

Chronic Inflammation: 
Chronic inflammation disrupts not only the adrenals, but every other organ in the body. Reducing inflammation by eating proper and stressing less are two key components to helping heal our adrenals. Inflammation in the body is countered in the adrenals by releasing the hormones cortisol and cortisone. When inflammation is chronic, these hormones are consistently elevated, which leads to tired, burnt-out adrenals.

Healing Adrenal Fatigue

Go out and play!
I like to consider exercise as play – that is, if you enjoy what you do. I personally dance (free-form, nia, etc.) and find it to be incredibly healing to my body, physically, mentally and spiritually. Find something you love doing, and get moving! Walk in a forest to connect with nature, skip instead of walk, or turn on your favourite song and start dancing!

Exercise is a wonderful way to help get your adrenals back on track. Remember, that this exercise should not be excessive to the point of reaching “burn out,” but should be executed in a moderate sense to help assist in circulation and oxygenation. Getting into excessive exercise of any type uses up energy and adrenal reserves which individuals with adrenal fatigue cannot afford to lose!

Eat clean
Eating a clean diet is crucial to helping heal the adrenals. Poor nutrition leads to reduced vitamin and mineral levels circulating in the blood and thus prevents the organs, including the adrenal glands, from working properly. Cut out processed, high sugar or highly refined foods! Avoid or completely remove stimulants like caffeine, smoking as well as alcohol. These interfere with hormone processing and can weaken the adrenals.
Instead, eat a whole foods diet, full of raw fruit and vegetables like sprouts, leafy greens, avocados, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, garlic, essential fatty acids like hemp, olive or flax oil. This will increase vitamin and mineral density in the body – in particular, asparagus, turnip greens, spinach, bananas, asparagus and almonds are a wonderful source of B vitamins and potassium which help heal and nourish the adrenals.
Minimize Stress (Meditate & Laugh!)

Reduce stress in your life by learning to forgive, letting go, tuning into a more positive attitude and learning that problems are only problems if you define them as such. Meditating is also another great way to reduce stress levels and feel at peace and ease with situations that arise in your life.
Laughing is a powerful stress-relief medicine. Laughter, believe it or not, enhances our intake of oxygen and stimulates our brain, muscles, heart and lungs. It also increases endorphin release in the brain (a chemical that actually reduces stress!). Stimulation via the heart and circulatory system helps aid in muscle relaxation and an overall sense of relief and relaxed feelings.

When we are constantly stressed, the adrenals are in full-force, pumping out hormones like cortisol to compensate for this consistent “fight-or-flight” mode. Over time, the adrenals will tire out and fail to function properly. Taking control of your stress levels and living life more freely is an excellent way to let go and just be.

Ensure Quality, Long Sleep
With adrenal fatigue comes disrupted sleep. This is because hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are at a constant high and this results in chronic alertness, making it difficult to relax into heavy sleep. Taking time to relax before bed, practicing breathing exercises or meditating, and turning the lights down an hour before sleep can help calm the adrenals and lower cortisol and adrenaline levels.

Originally posted at: livelovefruit.com

Sources
http://www.naturalnews.com/019339_adrenal_fatigue_chronic_stress.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/14/adrenal-testing.aspx
http://womentowomen.com/adrenal-health-2/natural-treatments-for-adrenal-imbalance-restoring-the-energy-you-thought-was-lost/
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/adrenal_burnout.htm
http://www.realrawfood.com/article/adrenal-fatigue-questions-and-answers
http://www.youngandraw.com/foods-herbs-that-help-combat-adrenal-fatigue/
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/sleep-disruption

How to Make Garlic Syrup for Chest Infections

healthyandnaturalworld.com

Image: www.myhousecallmd.com

Garlic is known as a powerful remedy and has been used in many herbal medicines. Garlic has a wide ranging and very effective medical properties. It helps to improve the immune system and fights against bacterial and viral infections. The strongly scented oil is largely extracted through the lungs, clearing chest infections and recurring colds. Raw garlic contains allicin which is known to be more powerful antibiotic than penicillin.

This garlic recipe is for sweet and soothing syrup. In the past it was a popular remedy for asthma. It can still be used for this as well as for coughs, hoarseness and other chest complains as garlic fights against infections and helps to clear the phlegm.

Garlic Syrup Recipe for Chest Infections

1 cup (250ml) boiling water
4 oz (125g) garlic, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/4 cup (70ml) vinegar
8 oz (250g) sugar

Add the boiling water to the garlic, cover and let stand for 12-24 hours. In a small pan simmer the fennel seeds in the vinegar. Add this to the garlic mixture and stir well. Heat the mixture and simmer until the garlic is soft. Strain through a piece of muslin and press the garlic to extract all the juices. Heat the liquid and gradually add the sugar. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar, but don’t allow the mixture to boil. Allow the syrup to cool and then pour into sterilized bottles. Store in a cool, dark place. Take up to 3 teaspoons a day when needed.

Source: healthyandnaturalworld.com

This is How to Peel Garlic in Less Than 10 seconds

Peeling garlic...why are you so difficult? We all love garlic but peeling it is another story. It's important that we all get our servings of garlic as often as possible and as much as possible. Not only is garlic delicious, it's also very good for you. Check out our previous article: The Health Benefits and Uses of Garlic

Here is a short video that shows you an easy way to peel garlic literally in under 10 seconds.



Image: ohmyveggies.com

You May Suffer From Adrenal Fatigue Without Even Knowing It


Find out what adrenal fatigue is and what you can do to naturally overcome it!

Image: www.20somethingallergies.com
The adrenal glands are triangular shaped endocrine glands that are located on top of the kidneys. These glands are mostly responsible for releasing hormones like cortisol and epinephrine and norepinephrine when stressed – in other words, these hormones are involved in the body’s “flight or flight” response.

In this day in age, we are bombarded by situations that release these hormones unbeknownst to our approval, creating an environment where our adrenal glands cannot adequately meet the demands of stress (whether physical, emotional or psychological). These situations range from driving a vehicle in rush-hour traffic, reading and/or watching and/or listening to the news, eating foods that do not serve our higher good, or other emotional crisis’ such as someone close who has recently died, relationship issues between lovers, family or friends. This can also include situations more on the physical plane such as major surgeries.

When there is repeated, constant stress coming into your life, the adrenals struggle to create a homeostatic balance. Adrenal fatigue results when there is an inadequate response to stress, and the adrenals can no longer produce enough regulatory hormones.

Many individuals, without knowing it, experience adrenal fatigue. If you randomly feel tired for no reason, have trouble getting out of bed in the morning (even when you go to bed early), feel overwhelmed or rundown, have a hard time recovering from illnesses or stress, or crave foods that are highly processed (sweet, fatty, and salty) then you might be experiencing adrenal fatigue.

Here are some tips to help recover yourself from adrenal fatigue, and get you back on the path to pure, vibrant health and living!

Causes of Adrenal Fatigue

Emotional Stress: 
We may feel days, weeks, months, or even years of emotional stress. This can be related to grieving a death or loss of someone through a relationship.

Poor Diet:
When diet is poor and reliance on processed or frozen foods becomes an every day habit, our adrenal glands have the capability of undergoing self destruct! Many individuals consuming foods that are low in nutritional value are simply not getting the proper nutrients to support the adrenal glands. The adrenals need vitamins A, C, and E as well as the B-complex vitamins and minerals like manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and other trace elements.

Cooking our food, and eating food that is highly processed reduces the amount of vitamins, minerals and enzymes in the food. Un-noticed allergic reactions to wheat and dairy can also destroy the bacterial flora in our gut and intestines, reducing absorption of nutrients and leading to mis-functioning adrenals.

Chronic Inflammation: 
Chronic inflammation disrupts not only the adrenals, but every other organ in the body. Reducing inflammation by eating proper and stressing less are two key components to helping heal our adrenals. Inflammation in the body is countered in the adrenals by releasing the hormones cortisol and cortisone. When inflammation is chronic, these hormones are consistently elevated, which leads to tired, burnt-out adrenals.

Healing Adrenal Fatigue

Go out and play!
I like to consider exercise as play – that is, if you enjoy what you do. I personally dance (free-form, nia, etc.) and find it to be incredibly healing to my body, physically, mentally and spiritually. Find something you love doing, and get moving! Walk in a forest to connect with nature, skip instead of walk, or turn on your favourite song and start dancing!

Exercise is a wonderful way to help get your adrenals back on track. Remember, that this exercise should not be excessive to the point of reaching “burn out,” but should be executed in a moderate sense to help assist in circulation and oxygenation. Getting into excessive exercise of any type uses up energy and adrenal reserves which individuals with adrenal fatigue cannot afford to lose!

Eat clean
Eating a clean diet is crucial to helping heal the adrenals. Poor nutrition leads to reduced vitamin and mineral levels circulating in the blood and thus prevents the organs, including the adrenal glands, from working properly. Cut out processed, high sugar or highly refined foods! Avoid or completely remove stimulants like caffeine, smoking as well as alcohol. These interfere with hormone processing and can weaken the adrenals.
Instead, eat a whole foods diet, full of raw fruit and vegetables like sprouts, leafy greens, avocados, nuts, seeds, mushrooms, garlic, essential fatty acids like hemp, olive or flax oil. This will increase vitamin and mineral density in the body – in particular, asparagus, turnip greens, spinach, bananas, asparagus and almonds are a wonderful source of B vitamins and potassium which help heal and nourish the adrenals.

Minimize Stress (Meditate & Laugh!)
Reduce stress in your life by learning to forgive, letting go, tuning into a more positive attitude and learning that problems are only problems if you define them as such. Meditating is also another great way to reduce stress levels and feel at peace and ease with situations that arise in your life.

Laughing is a powerful stress-relief medicine. Laughter, believe it or not, enhances our intake of oxygen and stimulates our brain, muscles, heart and lungs. It also increases endorphin release in the brain (a chemical that actually reduces stress!). Stimulation via the heart and circulatory system helps aid in muscle relaxation and an overall sense of relief and relaxed feelings.

When we are constantly stressed, the adrenals are in full-force, pumping out hormones like cortisol to compensate for this consistent “fight-or-flight” mode. Over time, the adrenals will tire out and fail to function properly. Taking control of your stress levels and living life more freely is an excellent way to let go and just be.

Ensure Quality, Long Sleep
With adrenal fatigue comes disrupted sleep. This is because hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are at a constant high and this results in chronic alertness, making it difficult to relax into heavy sleep. Taking time to relax before bed, practicing breathing exercises or meditating, and turning the lights down an hour before sleep can help calm the adrenals and lower cortisol and adrenaline levels.

Originally posted at: livelovefruit.com 

Sources
http://www.naturalnews.com/019339_adrenal_fatigue_chronic_stress.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/14/adrenal-testing.aspx
http://womentowomen.com/adrenal-health-2/natural-treatments-for-adrenal-imbalance-restoring-the-energy-you-thought-was-lost/
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/adrenal_burnout.htm
http://www.realrawfood.com/article/adrenal-fatigue-questions-and-answers
http://www.youngandraw.com/foods-herbs-that-help-combat-adrenal-fatigue/
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/sleep-disruption

How to store your garlic and onions so they last for months

Image: theyummylife.com
You've probably experienced your garlic growing a little green sprout out of the top of it and your onions getting moldy. While it's a good thing when garlic sprouts if you're planning on planting it, that can be a problem when you are planning on eating it.

Here is a very simple and inexpensive way to keep your onions and garlic fresh for months:

What you'll need

  • Onions and garlic that are firm and blemish free.
  • Brown lunch paper bags.
  • A Hole punch.
  • Paper clips for holding the bags closed.


How to make:

1. Punch the bags. You can do this any way you wish, even randomly all about the upper half of the bags. Typically holes are punched by folding the bag a few times and then punching in a row, spacing the punches an inch or so apart. Another method would be to fold the bag in half lengthwise, punch along one edge, flip the folded bag over and punch along the other edge, approximately 1″ between punches. It by no means needs to be perfect, simply punch holes for ventilation. The result is multiple rows of holes.

2. Fill the bag up to half full (just below or at first punched holes), fold over the top, label it and paper clip it to hold the top down.

I store my bags in the same drawer in the kitchen as before.  It's important not to crowd them. Air needs to circulate around the bags--that's the whole point of punching the holes. I use the same plastic bins as before; they help keep the bags upright and orderly and are roomy enough for air circulation between the bags. The bins can also be placed on pantry or cabinet shelves.

This punched paper bag method should extend the life of onions, garlic, and shallots in most situations. However, their specific life may vary depending on the temperature, humidity, and light conditions where the bags are stored.

Additional tips:

Temperature: These will last the longest in a dark, cool (but not cold), dry storage area. I've successfully kept them in my 65-70ish degree kitchen drawer for up to 3 months.  A cool, dark basement is a good choice, if you happen to have one. Onions should not be stored for an extended time in the refrigerator because the cold temperature will soften their texture; plus, onions will impart their flavor on surrounding produce.

No plastic bags: Don't ever store onions in plastic bags. That will accelerate sprouting and spoilage because of the lack of air circulation.

No potatoes nearby: Potatoes and onions should not be stored together. They give off gases that will accelerate spoilage of each other.

Sources:

rawforbeauty.com

theyummylife.com