Papaya the "Fruit of the Angels".

Deliciously sweet with musky undertones and a soft, butter-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the "fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus. Once considered quite exotic, they can now be found in markets throughout the year. Although there is a slight seasonal peak in early summer and fall, papaya trees produce fruit year round.

The fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe.

Papayas offer not only the luscious taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber.

Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies.

Nutritive value of Papaya : Per 100 gm.

• VITAMINS

o Vitamin A  : 1,750 I.U
o Vitamin B  : Thiamine 0.03 mg.
o Riboflavin : 0.04 mg.
o Niacin       : 0.3 mg.
o Vitamin C : 56 mg.
o Also contains Vitamin E and K.

• MINERALS

o Calcium        : 20 mg.
o Iron                : 0.3 mg.
o Phosphorus: 16 mg.
o Potassium   : 470 mg.

• FAT : 0.1 gm.
• CARBOHYDRATES : 10gm.
• PROTEIN : 0.6gm.
• CALORIES : 39

Reported Health Benefits of Papaya

• Increases quality of proteins in whole organism.
• Revitalize the human body and maintain energy and vitality.
• Encourages the renewal of muscle tissue.
• Supports cardiovascular system.
• Boosts up the immune system.
• Helps with the digestive system, by breaking down the proteins and supporting production of digestive enzymes.
• Papaya can be use also externally as a treatment for skin wounds that don’t heal quickly, for this you can use papaya peel or ointments made out of papaya.
• Prevents the cataract formation.
• Due to high vitamin A, it lowers the risk of emphysema in smokers and passive smokers.
• Alleviates inflammation.
• Helps with the nausea and constipation.
• Can benefit people suffering colon cancer and other forms of cancers and aliments of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems.

SHAKE IT UP

• pour 200 ml low fat Yogurt in a blender - add 1/2 a papaya (pealed and seedless)
• add 3 ice cubes
• add 2 spoons of F1 Tropical Fruit - And add 1 or 2 spoons of the F3 protein (as per plan you are on)
• Add some low fat milk if the shake is too thick

Mix it all up and enjoy.

The Cherry Shake

This week we are mixing the CherryShake. Cherries only have 42 Kcal per 100 gram so they are a great source of energy.

Cherries contain anthocyanin, the red pigment in berries. Cherry anthocyanin has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in rats. Anthocyanin is also potent antioxidants under active research for a variety of potential health benefits. Cherries can significantly lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Ok let’s get to it.
- pour 250 ml low fat milk in a blender
- add a handful (around 125gr) of pitted cherries
- add 10 pieces of almonds
- add 2 spoons of F1 Vanilla
- And add 1 or 2 spoons of the F3 (as per plan you are on)
Mix it all up and enjoy.

Have a Healthy Life.

Meera.


** Want to lose weight the healthy way? No dieting, no hunger feeling, still able to eat your favorite food? You can. See also www.shapeofyourlife.com/areem for testimonials.

Contact me for more information. **

A Sinful Delight

This week we are going Chocolate.



It is known for its remedial effects against love burns (many women will acknowledge that), a bad day feeling and to lift your spirit.


Of course we are talking about the pure Dark Chocolate (>85% Cacao) and not the diluted milky or white versions which have a lot of added products and sugar.

There is no need to feel guilty about eating moderate amounts of Pure dark chocolate. Several studies suggest that chocolate can actually be good for you and your heart. In these studies it has been found that chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, acts as an antioxidant. A fatty acid constituent in chocolate eliminates some kinds of "free radicals" found in the bloodstream. These free radicals would normally oxidize LDL ("bad" cholesterol). Once oxidized, LDL could attach to the walls of the arteries leading to atherosclerosis and blockages.

Additional studies have shown that chocolate can also have a positive effect on platelets. In these studies, researchers found that after consumption of chocolate, the platelets were less likely to aggregate and cause a blood clot.

Despite the good news on cocoa, even dark chocolate is a very calorie-dense food, so while the fat content may not invite cardiovascular disease from an atherogenic (arterial clogging) perspective, its regular consumption will add a lot of extra calories to someone's daily total, and as a result still affect those who have to watch their caloric intake.

Nevertheless, being listed as the No.1 ingredient in many chocolate products, sugar is unquestionably a worse culprit compared to the fat content when addressing the effects of chocolate on someone's overall health.

In moderation, Pure Dark Chocolate can certainly be the Sinful Delight it was meant to be! So for this week treat yourself to a delightful Chococoffeedream Shake!

• Melt half a bar of pure dark chocolate (85% Cacao or higher) and put it in the blender

• add 250 ml soya milk (no sugar) or low fat milk in the blender

• Add 26 gr (or 3 spoons) of F1 Cappuccino (or if not available use Dutch Chocolate)

• Add 1 or 2 spoons of F3 as per the program you are on

• Blend all for 30 sec - 1 min in the blender

• Pour it in a big glass

• Sprinkle some grated dark chocolate on the shake

And Enjoy

Have a Healthy Life.

Meera.


** Want to lose weight the healthy way? No dieting, no hunger feeling, still able to eat your favorite food? You can. See also www.shapeofyourlife.com/areem for testimonials
Contact me for more information. **

The Vitamin C Booster

This shake is a boost of Vitamin C and it has a fresh taste.
Blood oranges' red pigment, anthocyanin, is an antioxidant. Blood oranges may also diminish the risk of heart disease, some types of cancer, and LDL cholesterol accumulation. Additionally, they may reduce the risk of cataracts, and aid in the body's healing process.


Blood oranges, like all citrus fruits, are a great source of vitamin C; an average orange provides 130% of the FDA's recommended daily intake. It also provides 16% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber. Oranges can also be a valuable source of folate, calcium, and vitamin A.
 

The recipe:
 • Pour 250 ml soya milk (no sugar) or low fat milk in a blender
• Add 1 pealed red grapefruit
• Add 1 pealed red Orange (also called Blood Orange) if not available use normal Orange
• Add 26 gr (or 3 spoons) of F1 Tropical Fruit (or if available use Strawberry)
• Add 1 or 2 spoons of F3 as per plan you are on
• Blend all for 30 sec - 1 min in the blender
• Pour it in a big glass


And Enjoy

Have a Healthy Life.

Meera.


** Want to lose weight the healthy way? No dieting, no hunger feeling, still able to eat your favorite food? You can.
See also www.shapeofyourlife.com/areem for testimonials
Contact me for more information. **

The Celery Shake

You have read earlier about the health benefits of cucumber so I won’t discuss that here.
Let’s look at Celery.

Celery provides an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. It is a very good source of folic acid, potassium, and vitamins B1 and B6. Celery also offers a good source of vitamin B2 and calcium.

1. Eating celery will reduce high blood pressure and give the effect of calmness.

2. Celery clears uric acid from painful joints and may help the treatment of arthritis and rheumatic problems.

3. Celery also helps the kidney and acts an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

4. Another benefit of celery is the fact that you can eat a lot of it without thinking much about your waistline. Celery actually has almost zero calories.

So Shake it up

- pour 150 ml apple juice (pure and unsweetened) in a blender (best is organic apple juice)

- cut ¼ of a cucumber (with skin) and add to the blender

- add 1 piece of the celery rib

- add 2 spoons of F1 Vanilla

- And add 1 or 2 spoons of the F3 (as per plan you are on).

Mix it all up and enjoy.

Have a healthy Life.

Meera.

** Want to lose weight the healthy way? No dieting, no hunger feeling, still able to eat your favorite food? You can.
See also www.shapeofyourlife.com/areem for testimonials
Contact me for more information. **

Tropical with Bubbles

We are going tropical and bubbly this week.This one serves 2 people as we don’t want you to enjoy it alone.

- pour 200 ml soymilk (unsweetened) in a blender
- add 200 ml tropical mix fruit juice (e.g. Marigold or Tropicana)
- add 100ml sparkling water
- add the flesh of 2 pealed and pitted Mango
- add 4 spoons of Tropical Fruit F1
- And add 2 or 4 spoons of the F3 (as per plan you both are on)
- Mix this for a short burst (otherwise you will lose the bubbles from the sparkling water)

 Pour it in a nice tall glass, add a straw, and Enjoy.


** Want to lose weight the healthy way? No dieting, no hunger feeling, still able to eat your favorite food? You can.
See also www.shapeofyourlife.com/areem for testimonials
Contact me for more information. **

Goning Bananas with Pears.

We have just discovered the fantastic taste combination of pear and banana. And if you add vanilla yogurt it is even a favorite.

Let me share some nutritional facts:

- Bananas have lots of protein and protein is known to activate you brain and it is good for building muscle. A banana is especially good during lunch or before and after a workout.

- Pears are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of vitamin C for only 100 calories per serving. And, they’re sodium free, fat free, and cholesterol free. That’s a lot of nutrition in one sweet and juicy package!

The combination of these 2 healthy fruits gives you a wonderful nutritional shake.
 
Ok let’s get to it.


- pour 175 ml soymilk (unsweetened) in a blender
- add 50ml vanilla yogurt
- cut 1 pear in 4 parts and remove the seeds and put it in the blender
- add 1 pealed yellow banana
- add 1 spoon of Tropical Fruit F1
- add 1 spoon of F1 Vanilla
- And add 1 or 2 spoons of the F3 (as per plan you are on)

And Enjoy.

Have a healthy life.

Meera.



** Want to lose weight the healthy way? No dieting, no hunger feeling, still able to eat your favorite food? You can.
See also www.shapeofyourlife.com/areem for testimonials

Contact me for more information. **