Guest Post & Mango Banana Smoothie Recipe

Interested in a simple easy way to improve your health and nutrition?  Juicing and making smoothies are a great way to get your daily nutrition in and create a healthy, delicious drink at the same time.  It's also an awesome way to get the kids to try new things and get their daily intake of healthy fruits and / or veggies.  Here's a great guest post and mango banana smoothie recipe from Chris Wimmer from HealthSmartLiving.com.

Benefits of Mango
Sometimes when something tastes so good you think it can’t possibly healthy. A good example of this is the Mango. They are a delicious rich fruit but don’t let the decedent taste fool you. Mangoes have been linked to several major health benefits.  They prevent cancer by supplying you antioxidants (quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, and gallic acid), lowers cholesterol because its rich in pectin, fiber, and vitamin C and boost your immune system with mega doses of vitamin A, C, and carotenoids.

Benefits to Smoothies

There are many great benefits to smoothies but my two personal favorites are improved hydration and the perfect on the go breakfast. Dehydration comes in variations and is often overlooked as the root cause of common symptoms. These symptoms include dry skin, headaches, constipation, dizziness, and sleepiness. We are especially at risk for dehydration in the summer so this is also the perfect time of year to enjoy smoothies as a smoothie contains a high percentage of water.

Breakfast on the go

Smoothies are way better than grabbing those convenience bars or (gasp) donut. With very little planning a smoothie can be whipped up as fast as a cup of coffee and enjoyed just as easily on the morning commute. The big difference is the smoothie will give you a power punching boost vs. most other ‘convenient’ breakfast options.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of peeled organic mango (cubed)
• 3/4 cup ripe organic banana (sliced)
• 2/3 cup organic fat-free milk.  You can use (Flax Seed milk or Almond milk as alternatives)
• 1 teaspoon organic, raw honey
• 1/4 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

Directions
Place mango cubes on a tray and put in the freezer for 1 hour. Cubes should be firm not rocks. Place frozen mango and the remaining ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth.  Enjoy!


Author Bio: Chris Wimmer writes and blogs at HealthSmartLiving.com about cooking and juicing as ways to improve your health.

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Beauty Oils - Cutting Through the Hype

Beauty oils in cosmetics have skyrocketed and are currently on trend.  It's common to see major cosmetic brands promoting beauty oils on their labels and in tv commercials.  But is the oil trend in cosmetics just all hype?  Or are there really added benefits of including healthy, natural oils such as argan oil or macadamia oil in beauty products?

Studies show using oil on your skin or face is essential for healthy, beautiful glowing skin.  But if you look at the ingredients on the back of the labels, most of these mainstream products in actuality contain only 2% oil or less!  A closer look at the label's ingredients reveal a lot of other toxic chemicals that do nothing for skin or hair health.

You've probably bought into the beauty oil hype and purchased a product you think is an all natural beauty oil, only to find out there's almost no natural oil at all and mostly chemicals you cannot pronounce.  Remember, the ingredient with the highest amount is listed at the top of the ingredients list and goes down from there.  So when you see your beauty oil last, don't waste your time.  

When buying a natural beauty oil, the best way to go is directly to the source.  In the case of argan oil, thanks to companies like Argand’Or, women can now buy 100% pure, organic argan oil hand-pressed by the Berber women of Morocco who have been doing it for generations.

People love argan oil because:

• It contains high levels of essential fatty acids and antioxidants
• It hydrates and moisturizes skin, hair, and nails 
• It's all natural and comes from mother earth
• It diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
• It gives your skin a beautiful, healthy glow

So instead of buying those expensive name brands that may only contain a very small amount of argan oil or (liquid gold), I recommended you buy argan oil as a stand-alone product which is uniquely rich in argan oil.  You can also add it to boost the skincare you're already using.  You can add it to shampoo, conditioner, facial moisturizer or body lotion for an added moisture boost.

Try Argand’Or for yourself.  You will instantly see, as well as feel the difference hand-pressed Argan oil makes wherever and however you use it.  Please visit www.argandorusa.com to learn more or purchase Argand’Or products online.

The Health and Beauty Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

One of my favorite natural products for natural health and beauty is Apple Cider Vinegar.  Apple Cider Vinegar, or (ACV) is made by the fermentation of apple cider, and tastes like vinegar but with an “apple” twist. In the natural health crowd, ACV is well-known as a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent as well as internal cleanser. It was even used in the time of Hippocrates (“the father of medicine”) as a remedy for many ailments. ACV contains many vital minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sulfur, and copper.

ACV for Natural Health
The amino acid in ACV is an effective antiseptic and antibiotic, however, the acetic acid can aid in treatment of various fungal, bacterial, and yeast infections.  ACV mimics the acidic environment of the stomach to help food break down. Clinical studies have shown that it lowers blood pressure and also helps regulate insulin levels.  ACV is also rich in enzymes and alkalizes your body (i.e., it raises your pH), which is a great way to help prevent cancer since cancer can only live and thrive in an acidic environment.  It can also help soothe pain from an itch.

This miracle vinegar helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. Believe it or not, research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help with allergies because of its ability to reduce mucous and sinus congestion. When reducing the effects of allergies, it can also help stave off sinus infections and their related symptoms, such as sore throats and headaches.

ACV is rich in natural enzymes that can help rid your body of candida  - yeasts that are attributed to thrush in humans. Candida also creates fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections.  ACV can help you detox too!  Since it balances the body's pH levels, apple cider vinegar creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver.

ACV for Natural Beauty
In a 2009 study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, it was found that subjects that consumed acetic acid for 12 weeks experienced significant declines in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference and triglycerides. Triglycerides contribute to the bad cholesterol which is what we want to avoid.

 Research shows significant weight loss benefits from sustained daily intake of acetic acid (which is a main ingredient in apple cider vinegar).  To add ACV to your daily routine and assist with weight loss, add 2 tsp. - 1 tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar to 16 ounces of water. This concoction can be sipped throughout the day.  If you don't like the taste, add some frozen fruit with Sweetleaf Stevia or a natural water enhancer like Skinny Girl Blueberry Acai  droplets into water.  I promise you won't taste it.

Apple Cider Vinegar can also be used to replace your conditioner.  It seals the cuticle, helps defrizz and detangle your hair.  And it will leave your hair with an amazing shine like those expensive Keratin
treatments!  Try a little bit to begin with then increase the amount for more dramatic results.  Start with 1/2 a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a cup of cold water. Pour the solution through your hair after shampooing.  Leave in your hair for a minute or two and rinse.

Tip: Make sure you buy Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar or you'll loose all the important enzymes and nutritional benefits.  So mix up your own ACV concoctions and leave me a comment what works for you!


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