When life gives you lemons...

Eat 'em! Did you know that lemons are full of nutrients? As sour as they are, they are actually very beneficial to our health; therefore, we should consider adding them to our diet.

First off... 

1. Lemons are full of vitamin C
Even though they are not the number 1 source of vitamin C, they still contain a good amount. Why is vitamin C so important to our diets? Many reasons! You probably know that vitamin C helps fight against the common cold. Ever wonder why your mama loaded you up on vitamin C whenever you got sick? Wonder no more! There is also a supplement drink mix called "Emergen-C" which was created to boost your immune system. 

Vitamin C not only helps our immune system, but it also helps us to absorb iron. I first learned this because I struggled with my energy levels in college. When I went to see the doctor I found out I'm slightly anemic, which means I'm low in iron. She recommended that I take iron supplements along with vitamin C since it helps the absorption of iron. 

Vitamin C is also a great antioxidant. Antioxidants are important because they help fight the free radicals in our bodies that are damaging to our DNA. 

Other important roles of vitamin C are to help prevent things like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, and possibly even asthma. 

With benefits like that, why not consume lemons and boost your vitamin C levels? 

2. Lemons are a great detoxifying agent 
There are many ways lemons help detoxify the body. The citric acid, nutrients, elements, and antibacterial properties of lemons help the body flush out the bad and absorb the good! 

Drinking lemon water can have major health benefits. First of all, it helps your gastrointestinal tract and your urinary tract. It stimulates liver function, producing bile, which helps food run smoothly through your body. It also is a natural diuretic, so you might find yourself going to the bathroom a lot, which is okay because your body is eliminating waste! 

Consuming lemon water can even help prevent kidney stones, gallstones, and calcium deposits! The citric acid in the lemons helps in the dissolving process. So why not drink up some lemon water before they even form? 

Since lemons are full of vitamin C, which helps produce collagen, we can also have nicer-looking skin! Not only does it help fight acne-causing bacteria, but it can also prevent wrinkles! Collagen improves the elasticity of our skin, making our skin look more firm, fresh, and smooth! 

3. Lemons heal and rejuvenate
There is honestly just too much to say about lemons! They are truly a gift from God. More perks from this citrusy fruit: 
- lemons balance the pH in our bodies
- can be used as hair treatment for dandruff or balding  
- can relieve soreness in your feet
- can boost your mood if you struggle with stress or depression
- help brain and nerve cells, due to its potassium levels
- can treat diseases such as malaria, cholera, or scurvy 
- strengthen blood vessels

Lemons truly promote our mental and physical health. They are even called "blood purifiers" due the amazing effects the bioflavonoids have on our bodies. I can go on and on about how wonderful lemons are for us! Take the time to do some research and find out for yourself just how beneficial these fruits are.  

Apply it! 
Just some little ways you can introduce lemons into your diet if you have not already.... 1) drink lemon water in the morning, 2) Sprinkle lemon juice on grilled fish or chicken, 3) add lemon to your favorite juices or smoothies


Sources: 

1. Iron and Vitamin C - http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/vitamin-c-increase-iron-absorption-4865.html
2. Antioxidants - http://www.nutrex-hawaii.com/benefits-of-antioxidants
3. Vitamin C - http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid
4. Collagen - https://draxe.com/what-is-collagen/
5. Lemon Water - http://www.foodmatters.com/article/cheers-to-drinking-warm-lemon-water
6. Lemon Nutritional Facts - https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html
7. Benefits of Lemon Water - https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-of-lemon-water#1
8. Health Benefits of Lemons - http://www.care2.com/greenliving/16-health-benefits-of-lemons.html

The truth about Wheatgrass

Have you heard that drinking wheatgrass juice is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body? Some say that drinking one shot of wheatgrass is equivalent to consuming 2.5 pounds of vegetables! Crazy, right? I've also heard that is is good for your bones, helps shed some weight, clears up skin, and has healing properties! These are just some claims people have about wheatgrass.

So, what is the truth about this mysterious green drink? Does it really live up to the hype? Here are a few facts I found out: 

1. source of chlorophyll 
2. full of vitamins and minerals 
3. helps eliminate indigestion 

and so on... I purposely only listed these three. From these facts people have made all sorts of claims such as the ones mentioned previously. I honestly do not believe that drinking wheatgrass magically helps someone lose a lot of weight. I also do not believe that one shot of wheatgrass equals 2.5 pounds of veggies. I do, however, believe that the chlorophyll and vitamins and minerals found in wheatgrass will benefit your body. Chlorophyll contains antioxidants and will help detoxify your body. It helps in digestion of food, eliminating waste, and blood building because it is rich in enzymes. People who have anemia can benefit from drinking wheatgrass because it helps to replenish red blood cells. It also helps blood cells carry more oxygen. 

So, are there any precautions we should be aware of? Yes! With anything we consume, we should be aware of the effects it has on our bodies and what is considered a healthy amount to consume. A few possible side effects of wheatgrass include: nausea, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. Since wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, which helps detoxify the body, toxic elements are being released. This may cause nausea if the body is undergoing a rapid detoxification. This also may cause diarrhea for the same reason. Allergic reactions are a side effect if the consumer is sensitive to wheat. 

With that said, be aware of your body and its needs! Be informed of the effects of wheatgrass, both good and bad. Be wise in how much you consume. And remember moderation! 

New year, New you!

Hello my lovelies! Happy New Year! With a new year comes new goals, new challenges, new dreams. Don't be discouraged if some of last year's dreams didn't come to pass! New year, new you. Pick up where you left off and move forward. Whether your goal is to eat healthier, exercise more, grow plants or whatever, you can do it! Set your mind to it. Let your actions reflect your plans. 

A little encouragement... 
My Mexican Sunflower bloomed! Super excited. 

This gives me hope that I can successfully grow a garden if I set my mind to it and if I'm knowledgeable of my plants' needs. Of course, this didn't happen overnight. Nor did it come easy for me. BUT it sure is rewarding! My goal for this year is to be an even better "plant mommy" and eventually grow other flowers, fruits, herbs, and/or veggies! While I live in an apartment, I'm limited in what I can grow. However, with the space I do have I want to see what else I can add to my garden. 

Another goal of mine is to investigate health benefits of different plants and find out what is myth and what is fact. I'm a firm believer that fruits and vegetables are very healthy for you. Now -- to find out which ones are really full of nutrients and which ones are phony! 

Peace 

Kim

Update!

Hello my friends! It has been a while. Quick update: most of my plants have died! Gasp! Lesson learned: plants need good and proper drainage! Why is drainage so important? Apparently a plant's roots need a healthy amount of air. Stagnate water can harm the plant's health. This is called root rot. Once a plant has root rot it can be impossible to recover.

With my remaining plants I have propped them up on a wooden pallet with open slits, hoping that will allow more drainage and air for the plant. I may even drill more holes in the bottom of the pots.

While root rot was most likely the cause of my plants' death, it's important to remember that all plants have their own unique requirements to be healthy! Know your plants. Know their needs.

Source:
https://extension.illinois.edu/containergardening/choosing_drainage.cfm

The best way to start the morning!

Apples 

Carrots 

Pears 

Oranges 

Celery 

= 

YUM!

Juice it!

Cheers!

What foods to eat organic!

Hi guys! I've heard there are some fruits/veggies that you should eat organic and here's why! These specific produce items naturally absorb more pesticides. So, if you have the chance then go for organic when it comes to these foods! 

Strawberries, Apples, Nectarines, Peaches, Celery, Grapes, Cherries, Spinach, Tomatoes, Bell peppers, Cherry tomatoes, Cucumbers. 

Why is it important to avoid pesticides? They're unhealthy and hazardous to our health. Effects can be minimal or chronic. These effects can include things like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and even more serious problems like cancer, autism, and other diseases! Look it up! Think about it... if the purpose of pesticides is to kill living pests like bugs, fungus, weeds, etc then why should we assume it has no effect on human life? Take the initiative and buy organic! :) 

Sources: 

http://blog.puriumcorp.com/2016/04/13/choosing-produce-beware-the-dirty-dozen/

http://www.toxicsaction.org/problems-and-solutions/pesticides

Update and change of direction

Hi friends :) Here's my update: lots of plants are thriving, while some have unfortunately died! Gasp! Oh well, got to move on and take care of the survivors. Unfortunately, some of my plants are in need of more space. So my next game plan is to give some away and replant others. I hope it goes well, and I hope to yield some fruit (tomatoes!)! 

Even though this blog started to record my personal gardening experience, I want to shift in a different direction. While I still want to record how my garden is doing, I also want to research and record different health benefits of different plants as part of your diet and health! I would like support and input from you friends if you have good advice and info regarding health benefits! So stay tuned! 

Updated pic of the wildflowers