Health Benefits of Grapefruit

I know most of us parents want to feed our kids the best diet possible.  It can be so hard to find food that’s healthy and that they’ll willingly eat.  Grapefruit is a great choice because it’s nutritious and kids typically love it.  Not only are they good for kids but adults too!  Here are some benefits of grapefruit:

·         Helps with weight loss. Grapefruit is low in calories with only 42 calories per serving. You can eat plenty of this fruit without worrying about weight gain! Not only that but Researchers also confirmed that grapefruit may help prevent weight gain by lowering insulin levels.

·         Prevents cancer and lowers cholesterol. It is rich in pectin which is a dietary fiber. Pectin protects the colon by acting as a laxative which lowers the amount of time toxic substances are in the colon. It also binds to cancer causing substances on the colon. Pectin had also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.

·         Prevents kidney stones. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that when women drank 1/2 to 1 liter of grapefruit, apple or orange juice daily, their urinary pH value and citric acid excretion increased, significantly dropping their risk of forming calcium oxalate stones.

·         Grapefruit is good for vision, skin, and prevents lung and oral cavity cancer. Vitamin A works with antioxidants such as naringenin, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein are essential for vision. Vitamin A and flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. New research presented at the 228th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society showed that drinking three 6-ounce glasses of grapefruit juice a day was shown to reduce the activity of an enzyme that activates cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. In rats whose colons were injected with carcinogens, grapefruit and its isolated active compounds (apigenin, hesperidin, limonin, naringin, naringenin, nobiletin) not only increased the suicide (apoptosis) of cancer cells, but also the production of normal colon cells.

·         Prevents arthritis and works as an antiseptic. Grapefruit contains salicylic acid that helps break down the body’s inorganic calcium, which builds up in the cartilage of joints and may lead to arthritis. If you have arthritis, try drinking grapefruit juice with apple cider vinegar. You will notice a reduction in your arthritis symptoms. The salicylic acid in grapefruit also works as a powerful antiseptic. In addition, grapefruit seed extracts can be added to water to make an antiseptic spray for treating bacterial and fungal infections.

·         Helps your body heal wounds and prevents colds. It is a good source of antioxidant vitamin C. Vitamin-C is a strong natural anti-oxidant and helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It also assists the intestine in absorbing dietary iron. Vitamin C-rich foods like grapefruit may help reduce cold symptoms or severity of cold symptoms; over 20 scientific studies have suggested that vitamin C is a cold-fighter.

·         Affects heart rate and blood pressure. Fresh fruit is very rich in potassium. Potassium is an important part of cell and body fluids. It counters the effects of sodium which helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

·         Protects skin and prevents prostate cancer. Red varieties of grapefruits are especially rich in lycopene. Studies have shown that lycopene protects skin damage from UV rays and offers protection against prostate cancer.

·         Contains many vitamins and minerals. It contains moderate levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in addition to some resourceful minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.

Butternut Squash Bisque Recipe

                  Serves: 6 servings

                  Prep Time: 20 minutes

                  Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash
• peeled and seeded
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion
• chopped
• 6 cups chicken stock
• Salt

Instructions

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Serve

Meatless Meatloaf

Sauce

-          1 small onion, finely chopped

-          1 tbs. oil

-          1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

Sauté onion in oil until lightly browned. Add tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Boil 4-5 minutes. Set aside

Meatloaf

-          ½ c. cooked soybeans

-          ¾ c. black beans

-          ½ c. walnuts, ground

-          ½ tsp. salt

-          1 ½ c. onion, chopped

-          ½ c. ketchup

-          t/1 tsp. basil

-          1 tsp. oregano

-          ½ c. oatmeal

-          ½ c. seasoned bread crumbs

-          3 eggs

-          ¼ tsp. pepper

-          2 tbs. parsley, chopped

Preheat oven 350^o. Grease 9x5 loaf pan.

Mash soybeans and black beans with fork. Add oatmeal, nuts, and eggs. Mix well. Blend mixture with remaining ingredients. Place mixture in greased loaf pan. Top with sauce. Bake for 45-50 minutes.

Cucumber Sandwich

The cucumber sandwich is of British origin.  There are many different variation of this sandwich but this is the traditional way taught to me by my English grandmother.

1.      Slice two pieces from a loaf of homemade white bread.  The slices should be so thin that you can see through the pores of the bread.

2.      Lightly butter each slice bread.  Make sure the butter is spread right to the edges of the bread.  This is done to prevent the bread from getting soggy.

3.      Either peel or score the cucumber.

4.      Slice the cucumber as thin as you can (paper thin if possible).

5.      Sprinkle lemon juice and salt onto the cucumber and place on the bread right before serving.

6.      Cut the crust off the bread.

7.      Cut the sandwich into four triangles

Remember these sandwiches were delicacies of the British upper class so they should be delicate and light. 

Do you have a favorite version of the cucumber sandwich? 

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Black Bean Burgers

I have a few friends who are vegetarians and I love to give my family vegetarian meals several times a week.  I find it so hard to find new recipes that provide enough protein AND taste good too.  This is a recipe that one of my friends gave me and it is delicious.  My father is a steak and potatoes kind of guy and even he loves these burgers!

Ingredients

3 can black bean, drained

1 can corn, drained

Chopped onions

Chopped carrots

3 sweet potatoes, steamed, chopped and cubed

Directions

1.       Preheat Panini-grill

2.       In large bowl, mash the black beans

3.       Add everything, mix well

4.       Form into patties (size is a personal preference)

5.       Let cook for 5 minutes on Panini (should spray with nonstick on top and bottom)

What are your favorite vegetarian recipes?

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