First Day

I did these this morning :)

Skipping didn't go so well... the rope kept twisting... I need to go shopping for a new skipping rope, and exercise mat... I did some taebo type punches and loads of star jumps instead! Got very red and sweaty! Also... I cannot exercise in pjs sans bra... not recommended...


Credit: http://soni2006.hubpages.com/hub/best-floor-exercises-for-women

DECEMBER'S CHALLENGE...

So... it's long overdue that I got sporty... with a proper running program planned for January, I thought I would start small... with 20 minutes of exercise 5 days a week... I think it is do-able... of course someone has already claimed that I won't be able to skip for a solid minute even... yeah you know how much I love someone betting against me *punches palm* "Bring it" *cries... palm hurts*

:) wish me luck! the idea is to start tomorrow morning!!! :) will keep you posted.

End of the Challenge

So.... eating 5 portions of fruit and veg a day is not easy to maintain... most days I did OK, I am thankful for the extra awareness of adding good portions of fruit and veg into meals... thanks for the support and minimal butt-kicking.... I must beg for more nagging and butt-kicking in December... details to follow...

Z is for....

Zucchini

Have I eaten any of these before?
love zucchini :)

Hero of the day?
Zucchini :)

Benefits:

• High in Vit C
• Full of water
• Low in calories

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/8-health-benefits-of-zucchini.html
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-zucchini-1313.html
http://len7288.hubpages.com/hub/Health-Benefits-of-Zucchini

Y is for....

Yali pears
Yam


Have I eaten any of these before?
Yam! aka the yummy sweet potato :)

Hero of the day?
Obviously, the yam... USA just had Thanksgiving, so it seems fitting.

Benefits:

• rich in potassium 
• relatively low in calories and have no fat
• rich in Vit A

http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhealthinformation/a/swpotatohealth.htm
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=64

X is for....

Xigua (type of watermellon)
Xylocarp (type of coconut)
Ximenia (type of plum)

Have I eaten any of these before?
No! and doubt any of you have either!

Hero of the day?
Xigua... this is a small asian watermellon... benefits are obviously the same as average watermellon. Cooless factor comes in because it looks like they can be grown square.... that's crazy :)

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_xigua

W is for....

Watercress
Watermelon
Winter melon

Have I eaten any of these before?
Yes... well... maybe not winter melon...

Hero of the day?
Watermellon... cos it fun! Go Summer!!!

Benefits:

• Packed full of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B6
• Full of water (duh)
• Antioxidant action
• One site claims it works like Viagra... (no comment)

Nom... nom... nom....


Links:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/watermelon-health-facts.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/watermelon3.htm
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/surprising-health-benefits-of-watermelon.html

V is for....

Vanilla
Velvet Tamarind

Have I eaten any of these before?
Vanilla yes... velvet whatnots... no...

Hero of the day?
Obviously with the letters of the alphabet that begin the names of  more "usual" fruits, I shortened my lists to the usual suspects... once to get to V... well... you start grabbing at velvet straws... or should that be ropes?
Without further ado, i present you with... the velvet tamarind... which look like furry grapes...

"Velvet tamarind, Dialium indum, is a tall, tropical, fruit-bearing tree, native to southern Thailand and Malaysia. It belongs to theLeguminosae family, and has small, typically grape-sized edible fruits with brown hard inedible shells."

mmm.... so hard not furry? not sure what more to say about this.... odd....






Links:
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Velvet+tamarind

U is for....

Ugli fruit
Ugni

Have I eaten any of these before?
... gotta say no...
Ugli is a type of citrus (more below)
Ugni is a type of guava


Hero of the day?
Ugli fruit... cos it like... uuuuugleeeeeeeee... :)
It's sort of a brand of sorts of citrus...

""When buying the UGLI® brand of tangelos do not be misled by their appearance, you will love their sweet and tangy flavour."

“The Affliction is only Skin Deep so the Beauty is in the Eating “™

Links:
http://www.ugli.com/about_us.html
http://www.eatpress.com/?tag=ugli-fruit

T is for....

Tomato
Turnip
Tangerine

Have I eaten any of these before?
Yes! Especially tomatoes! Every possible type... which brings us to a very special hero..

Hero of the day?
Tomaraisons! Yes... raisons made from tomatoes... Woolies sells them and one of my darling friends is in heart with them :)


"Tomaraisins are self-dehydrated cherry tomatoes, dried as a whole, while keeping all nutritional advantages remain locked inside, preserving better quality, flavor and aroma."
Source: http://www.nutritionmatters.co.za/Nutrition-News/tomoraisins.html

Health benefits

• Low fat
• Low Sodium
• Full of fibre
• Packed with iron, calcium, beta-carotene, Vit E and zinc (so super good for your skin!)
• Rich in anti-oxidants