Long Overdue Report Back

So.... admittedly, this challenge hasn't done that well... it's not easy when you are dashing around and partying it up for a solid week for your birthday... I have scrapped by some days with a fruit plate for breakfast or apple on the run!

It's great to have an increased awareness of a balanced diet and I seem to have dropped 2kgs in the last two weeks (on the scale... it doesn't feel like it though!) so maybe it's just the extra fibre or swapping sandwiches for salads about 50% of the time?

Wish me luck for the next two weeks!

xxx

L is for...

Leeks
Lettuce
Loganberries
Litchi
Lemon
Lime
Loquat
Have I eaten any of these before?
Yes, even had a loquat tree in the front garden while I was growing up :)

Hero of the day?

Loganberries because they are:

• Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium
• High in Dietary Fibre, Vitamin C, Manganese, Vitamin K, Folate and Copper
• Maintaining good general health
• Losing weight

Extra information:
http://www.natural-environment.com/nutrition/fruit/loganberry-nutrition-facts.php
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=16189

K is for...

Kiwi
Kumquat
Kale

Have I eaten any of these before?
Kiwi's are one of my faaaaaaaaaaaaaavourite fruits :)

Hero of the day?
Kale, because its PACKED full of vitamins and antioxidants:

• Manganese
• Iron
• Copper
• Calcium
• Dietry Fibre
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B1, B2, B6
• Vitamin E

Apparently you can eat kale raw or steam it - don't over cook it or you will destroy too many of the vitamins.

More here:

http://www.antioxidants-guide.com/health_benefit_of_kale.html

http://www.howstuffworks.com/kale3.htm

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/the-truth-about-kale

http://www.healingfoodreference.com/kale.html

J is for...

Jasmine
Jalapeno

Hero of the day?
Jasmine is best used in teas or as oil.

Good for:

• Digestion
• Detoxing
• Weight loss
• Increases metabolism 
• Improves circulation 
• And even known for its aphrodisiac effect

Sources
http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/jasmine.html

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-jasmine-essential-oil.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasmine

I is for....

Iceberg lettuce

Have I eaten any of these before?
Iceberg lettuce... yes.... I'm pretty disappointed that there is only one item for today. Everything else was Indian-something or other.

Hero of the day?
Iceberg Lettuce! (are you surprised?)

• Loads of water
• Low calories
• Vitamin A, B1, B2, C and K

"Regular inclusion of lettuce in salads is known to prevent osteoporosis, iron deficiency anemia and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases, ARMD, Alzheimer's disease and cancers."

Sources:
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/lettuce.html
http://www.everynutrient.com/healthbenefitsoflettuce.html

H is for....

Haricot bean

Honeydew melon
Horse chestnut
Horseradish
Habenero chilli

Have I eaten any of these before?
Not really! Oh, horseradish, but only at Pesach.

Hero of the day?
Honeydew melon - they look delicious and healthy!


Benefits:

• Potassium which is great for your muscles as it reduces cramping
• Folic acid
• Low in sodium, fat-free, cholesterol free and low calories. 
• Contain plenty of water 
• A great source of Vitamin C

Sources:

http://len7288.hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Honeydew

G is for....

Garlic
Gooseberries
Grapes
Greengage
Grapefruit
Gooseberry
Greenbeans
Ginger
Guava

Have I eaten any of these before?
Yes, in one form or another, although I think I've only had greengage jelly!

Hero of the day?
Guava, mostly because I grew up with a guava tree in my back garden.

Benefits:

• High blood pressure
• Poor circulation (strengthen the heart)
• Congestion of the lungs
• Cough & Cold
• Skin Care
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Scurvy

Read more here:

http://len7288.hubpages.com/hub/Health_Benefits_of_Guava

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-guava.html

http://www.streetdirectory.com/food_editorials/health_food/fruits/guava_health_benefits_of_guava.html

F is for...

Fennel
Figs

Have I eaten any of these before?
Yup.... all two of them ;)

Hero of the day?
Fennel:

• Great for digestion
• The tea is apparently even good for snake bites, insect bites and food poisoning
• Good for sore throats

More info here:http://www.diet.co.uk/a-z-fruit-vegatables/Fennel.html
http://www.compleatmother.com/womens-health/herbs/fennel.shtml

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY :)

Dear Reader

I'm am not the kind of girl to let my birthday sneak up on people.... I LoVe my birthday :) I love attention! So go ahead and wish me ;)

Love
Sharon

PS: here's hoping that carrot cake counts as a veggie

Arty Apples

http://thinkoutsidetheboxtoday.com/fruit-skulls/

http://www.picturebulk.com/arts/15-gorgeous-examples-of-fruit-art/

http://adrastia217.blogspot.com/2011/04/kiwi-duck-failed-carve-attempt.html

http://pictures.labho.com/amazing-fruit-art-collection/amazing-fruit-art-collection/