Olive oil for health

I know that it is not always easy nowadays to live a healthy life. With all the pressures and stress of this modern world we live in, we sometimes just don't have the time to relax, and think about what we are doing to our bodies!

Every day is just a mad rush, getting up in the early hours of the morning, getting kids off to work, sitting in the traffic for hours, just all leads to stressed out lives. Where are the good old days, where people normally worked in the village they grew up in, kids walked to school, and everyone went home for a relaxing lunch, and a nap afterwards!

Although this is impossible for most people in this current world, it is still possible for each one of us, to just slow down, and take time in our busy lives to breath deeply for a couple of minutes during the day, do some stretching exercise, where ever you are, and eat food that is good for you.


I have found the food that people eat in the Mediterranean countries, is full of goodness, and health giving benefits. One of the most important foods to add to your diet, is Extra Virgin olive oil! By just adding 2 tablespoons of this liquid gold to your diet, you can improve you health!

Researchers have discovered that extra virgin olive oil can help in preventing heart disease, reduce the risk of cancer, control diabetes, and even protect brain health, by reducing small blood vessel damage in the brain. A recent report from a research team of Athens University, found that among the 150 tested olive oil specimens from various areas of Greece and California, samples containing the largest quantities of the well-known oleocanthal and other ant-inflammatory substances were the Koroneiki variety - and especially the oils made from olives from the area of Messinia, near Kalamata.
There are also many olive oil producers in South Africa, mainly in the Western Cape, who produce the best quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils. One should always look out for the SA Olive Industry Association sticker on the olive oil, to make sure that you are getting the best quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

So by adding some fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, garlic and olive oil to your daily diet, and some activity, like walking briskly for half an hour a day, you can make a huge difference to your health. Worth it?

Here are a few great recipes to get you started on improving your health, and to show you how easy it is to follow a healthy diet.

The first recipe is recommended before you start, to cleanse your liver. If you want to improve your overall health and lose weight, you have to remove the toxins from your liver in order for it to function properly. Here is a wonderful recipe that will do just that.

Liver Detox Drink

Ingredients:

6 cups of water

5 stems of celery

A cup of chopped parsley

3 lemons

Instructions:

Place all the ingredients in a blender or juicer and mix well.

We recommend you not to consume large meals during the procedure. You should also drink large amounts of water. Water will aid you to remove the toxins from your body easier.

Enjoy this drink 2 times per week.

This next one is one of my favorite healthy recipes, as it combines a lot of different veggies in one pan, and is super healthy!

Ratatouille

Ingredients

Vegan, Gluten free, Paleo

• 1 Medium Sized Eggplant
• 1 Cup of Zucchini
• 1 Cup of Yellow Squash
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 1 Whole Onion
• 1 Cup of Tomatoes, Chopped
• Salt/Pepper
• 1 Garlic Clove
• ¼ Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ Teaspoon of Oregano
• ⅛ Teaspoon of Ground Coriander
• ¼ Teaspoon of Thyme
• ½ Cup of Shredded Fresh Basil

Instructions

Chop Eggplant, Zuccini, Bell Peppers and Squash.

Peel and slice Onion, and chop garlic. 

Heat oil in large pan, add onion and garlic, and fry until slightly caramalized, then add chopped veggies, and cook until soft.

Season with Origanum, Thyme, Coriander, Salt and Pepper to taste.

Stir in fresh Basil and mix well.

Serve and enjoy!

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Please keep following my posts for more health tips and recipes using Olive Oil.