By now we have all heard about the enormous health benefits of Coconut Oil, and many of us have began preparing our food with it. It has become an important part of our quest to a healthy lifestyle. Now the question is which coconut oil should we buy and does it really matter?   There are four things you should look for in a coconut oil in order to get the best health benefits it offers.

    When it comes to our face, we can all admit we choose better and more expensive products to use. After all, it's what people look at the most.  There are so many options out there that companies throw at us with many promises for better, younger looking skin. I used to think that more expensive products would provide more visible benefits since they need to justify and make up for a high price tag. Now, I not only use a much cheaper product in price but also it's made of only one ingredient - pure organic argan oil. A price tag of around $ 15 dollars a bottle, it truly can be called a miracle cure for your skin. So what is Argan Oil? And where do I even start about all the benefits it provides?
    First of all, argan oil is a wonderful example of a natural skin care product that truly works.  Researchers claim that pure organic Argan oil  is beneficial for treating wrinkles, aging, acne, dry skin, hair treatment, dry scalp, hair growth, stretch marks, cracked feet and psoriasis. It was discovered a long time ago in Morocco by French and English tourists, however, for being pretty new to America, the oil has already established its credibility and is highly sought after.  The Argan tree grows in Souss valley south east of Agadir and north east Essouira in Morocco. The argan tree lives longer than the olive and requires no cultivation.  Traditionally, Moroccan women extract Argan oil by collecting the seeds and then pressing them. In order to obtain 1 liter of Argan oil, it takes about 12 - 20 hours of work by hand. For centuries Moroccan women have used Argan oil to nourish their skin, hair and nails. It's no surprise that it is being called "liquid gold".
It is high in vitamin E and essential fatty acids which are beneficial in protecting against premature aging caused by oxidation. Multiple researchers have been pointing to the hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil. I've been using it for a couple of weeks, and I not only see the difference in my skin, but also people around me have noticed my healthy glow!

I love all things coconut. I remember after the fall of the Soviet Union, when we were introduced to foreign things, the first thing that left a life long impression on me was a Bounty chocolate bar. It was filled with shredded coconut (this was very unique and divine for a child who had never tried anything like that in her life). It was as if I were transferred to the heavenly tropics with every bite I took. SO, that's where my love relationship with coconut started. Then, there was Rafaello candies which still make me smile every time I think of them. And now, thank God, coconut has become popular and even recommended by nutritionists!  I love coconut milk; I use it everywhere possible in place of regular milk. It can get pricey, so I was thrilled to find this great recipe for making coconut milk. It tastes great, full of important nutrients and is very budget friendly!

How To: Make Coconut Milk
(From Elana’s Pantry)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 6 drops stevia

Method:

Soak coconut in water for 1-2 hours (do not discard water).

In a blender, combine coconut, water, vanilla, and process on highest speed.

Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer (or a strainer bag, or cheesecloth would work), discarding solids.  Serve or refrigerate.

Ways to use it:
Besides using coconut milk in recipes, it can also be used as a skin softener due to natural moisturizers and oils  found in coconut milk. 

Coconut milk is a great alternative to milk in desserts. You can substitute the oil and water with the same amount of coconut milk. It makes for a very moist cake.

Enjoy!!!

Recently I came across an article in The Telegraph "Breast cancer sufferer 'used superfoods to combat disease". It talked about a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She declined traditional treatments and decided to find a cure for her diagnosis with nutrition. She used a range of superfoods including the spice Turmeric (used in curries) which she claims "makes cancer cells commit suicide". Four years later, she has no sign of cancer coming back. What a blow to pharmaceutical companies who build their empires on traditional modern medicine (though I acknowledge their contributions and place in the medical community) .  In our society we are encouraged to visit doctors so they can over-prescribe us chemically produced medicine and make these pharmaceutical companies richer. I don't think people should be surprised when certain individuals get cured from illnesses by just using natural remedies because that's what people used for centuries prior to us.
    When I think of turmeric, I think of Indian cuisine and unfortunately it doesn't make me salivate since I've never been a fan of Indian food except for their bread (Naan). But there are many other ways to incorporate turmeric into your diet. From a culinary and medical perspective, curry spice, is one the most important spices. Taking turmeric daily, in small doses, is supposed to be good for overall health as it cleans out your system and keeps your organs healthy.

Turmeric stimulates the production of bile which helps to break down fatty foods, which in turn, may help you lose weight. Taking one teaspoon of Turmeric powder with every meal may help in loosing weight. This of course doesn't cancel the fact that you need to eat healthy and exercise.

Turmeric has major antioxidant properties which helps fight diseases by destroying free radicals.

The most promising quality of turmeric is its ability to prevent cancer. This super-food can stop cancer from growing and spreading into other organs. It causes cancer cells to commit suicide.

Turmeric's anti-bacterial agents may help our body fight against colds, cough and flu.  Turmeric's key ingredient Curcumin is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help in healing cuts and wounds.

Turmeric improves liver function. This is done through the production of enzymes that break down toxins into materials that are easily eliminated by the body. Taking turmeric increases the production of these enzymes, thus improving liver function.

I am determined to use turmeric daily, and so here are some ways to add turmeric to your diet:

• Include the spice as an ingredient in your regular meals.
• You can make a tea out of turmeric. Boil about four cups of water with a spoonful of turmeric for about ten to fifteen minutes. Strain and drink.
• Add turmeric into your daily smoothies
• Add turmeric to a glass of warm milk which helps fight cold and flu
• Or you can use turmeric supplements daily

My Turmeric Smoothie Recipe!

• 2 cups  vanilla almond milk
• 1 large banana
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup frozen mango pieces
  
• 1/2 cup kale
  

Blend & pulse. Enjoy!!!

Since July is peak season for tomatoes, I want to take a closer look at this magical fruit?! There is still some confusion circling around about tomatoes. Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Technically, it's a fruit, but certainly used in households as a vegetable. Regardless of their nature, tomatoes provide great nutritional benefits to people. See living in season.
I fell in love with tomatoes when I was pregnant. I think I got spared from the uncontrollable cravings that most pregnant women have. However, the only food I craved was tomatoes. Not a bad thing to crave! Low in calories and certainly good for you. As a side note, craving tomatoes while pregnant for the most part is an indication that you are having a boy. It is certainly not a scientific statement, but a wife's tale that proved to be accurate among my friends and me! Eating tomatoes is very beneficial during and after pregnancy, since tomatoes are a source of vitamin C, one of the many essential nutrients you need during pregnancy to keep yourself and your baby healthy. The vitamin also assists in the absorption of iron, which is great for pregnant women since they generally have higher iron needs.
Interesting facts about tomatoes:
Though raw tomatoes are great for you, cooking them releases even more of the benefits. Tomatoes don’t lose any of their nutritional value in the high heat processing , making canned tomatoes and tomato sauce both just as beneficial as fresh tomatoes. I think it's the only fruit that is better for you when it's cooked. And being in love with Italian food and its magnificent sauces, this discovery is even more appealing.

Try to buy organic tomatoes as they provide a higher dose of lycopene ( a powerful antioxidant) than non-organic.

Despite the fact that tomatoes are a popular ingredient in the Italian cuisine, they actually originated in Mexico and it was first introduced to Europe through Columbus.

SO here you go, I hope this information will make you eat more tomatoes and incorporate them in your daily cooking.  Make sure you visit your local Farmers' markets for this seasonal, full of nutritional benefits, fruit!

This is my favorite eats from Nordstrom's Cafe - Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

• 12 cups canned peeled plum tomatoes
• 3 lbs carrots, chopped
• 3 lbs onions, chopped
• 4 tablespoons fresh basil
• 1 cup olive oil
• 2 gallons water
• 1 lb chicken base
• 3 quarts heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons sea salt
• 4 tablespoons black pepper

Directions:

1.  In a large stock pot, sautee the olive oil, carrots, and onions at medium heat for 15 minutes.
2.  Add the basil, salt, pepper, and tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
3.  In a large bowl, whisk the chicken base into the water until dissolved.
4.  Add the water mixture to the stock pot, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 45 minutes.
5.  Puree the soup using a hand blender while adding the heavy cream until it reaches a thin consistency.

So easy and so good! Enjoy!