Beetroot + Grapes Juice

Beetroot has had a great PR job over recent years, being hailed as a ‘super food’ by numerous experts.

Health benefits of beetroot

Find out about the top 5 health benefits of beetroot and how you can make sure you’re getting your daily dose – without resorting to pickled beetroot from a jar!

Beetroot Is Your Liver’s Friend
The beta cyanin in beetroot can help detox your liver, having a knock-on effect for your bloodstream, by helping the body to eliminate toxins and potentially preventing the build-up of fatty deposits.
So if you have found yourself ‘over-indulging’, adding some raw beetroot or beetroot juice to your diet can help you recover.
Then again, why save it just for the ‘morning after’?!

Beetroot Juice Can Prevent Strokes & Heart Attacks
Beetroot juice has been shown to reduce high blood pressure. It affects an estimated 25% of the world’s adult population and is a significant factor in coronary heart disease and strokes.
Researchers at Barts’ Hospital (London) and the London School Of Medicine found that drinking 500ml of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce high blood pressure, for over 24 hours after drinking.
Whilst most of us wouldn’t fancy a pint of red stuff every morning, the research gives us a very big hint that including at least some beetroot in our diet on a daily basis will be good for us.

Beetroot Is Packed With Nutrients

Beetroot leaves can be eaten raw when young.
Beetroot is a super-storehouse of both vitamin C and iron, which is great news for your body. Both are essential elements for health, but many of us struggle to absorb enough iron. Luckily, good old Mother Nature included extra vitamin C in her beetroots and this vitamin helps increase iron absorbtion!
Vitamin C is water soluble, which means it leaches out of veggies when you cook them in water. So the easiest way to get your combo-fix is to eat raw beetroot.
Incidentally, young beetroot leaves are a better source of iron than spinach!
The roots are a good source of many other vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, phosphorous, magnesium and B6.

Beetroot Can Cheer You Up
Beetroot has been shown to contain the compound betaine, which enhances the production of the body’s natural mood-lifter seratonin. So it would seem that munching fresh beetroot can literally make you smile.
Betaine is also really useful for cardiovascular health.

Immune System Booster
Beetroot’s amazing range of vitamins and nutrients have been shown to boost your immune system, helping you better fight off infection. These nutrients help stimulate the reoxygenation of cells and the production of new blood cells. Pretty important stuff!
Source : Raw Food Journey

So, here's a healthy drink to share with you all. There is no exact measurement as it depends on individual's preference. :)

Ingredients :

- Beetroot (washed and cut into cube)

- Grapes (washed)

- Honey

- Water

Method :

1)  Put beetroot, grapes and water into the blender.  I didn't use the juice extractor because I prefer my juice with fiber; so blender is the best choice.

2) Blend until smooth.  Add honey.

3)  Serve chilled.

Stir Fried Swiss Brown Mushrooms with Chinese Leeks and Eggs

Mushrooms have a surprisingly high nutritional value. They are low in calories, cholesterol-free, fat-free, high in protein and fiber and low in sodium. Besides, they are also high in nutrients such as selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D and more.

With more than 14,000 kinds of mushrooms in existence, only 3,000 of those are edible and about 1,400 are actually recognized as poisonous.

Mushrooms are not only nutritious, they are delicious too! That's the reason we love mushrooms; any type of mushrooms and I can cook it anyway I like! Here's a dish of Swiss Brown Mushrooms with Chinese Leeks and Eggs.

Ingredients :

- 100g of mushrooms (1 box is 200g and I used only half) - washed and cut
- 3 stalks of Chinese Leeks - washed and cut
- 4 eggs (beat)
- ginger (sliced finely)
Cooking oil

Seasonings : (to taste)
- Salt
- Soy Sauce

Method :

1) Heat oil in a wok. Saute ginger until aromatic.

2) Add leeks and mushrooms. Stir well. Add salt.

3) Add beaten egg and let it set. Then mix well. Add some water if it is too dry.

4) Lastly, add soy sauce and stir.

 More mushrooms in your diet are not only tasty; they're good for you too!

Healthy Salad

This healthy fall salad recipe calls for a classic combination of sweet and sour - the sweet supplied by ripe pears, and the sour by pickles and vinaigrette. Jicama strips add a refreshing and delightful crunch to the mix.

Ingredients:

2 ripe pears, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces

1 medium jicama, peeled and sliced into thin strips

3 green onions, finely chopped

1 yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped into bite-size pieces

4 cups mixed baby salad greens
1/4 cup pickles, sliced

For Vinaigrette:1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar or lemon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Whisk 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, Dijon mustard, turmeric and sea salt and pepper together to form a basic vinaigrette for this salad.

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl, drizzle with vinaigrette, then give it a good toss with your hands.

Serve immediately. The quantities listed in this recipe make approximately four portions.

Thanks to Dr Ben Kim for this yummy and healthy salad recipe!