Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, B, C, K, folic acid, chromium, potassium, antioxidants and fiber.

They improve the immune system, they have anticancer properties, prevent macular degeneration and aid in heart disease. Men who consume ten servings or more, per week, have lower prostate cancer rates.

It has been found that lycopene, a carotenoid in tomatoes, is fat soluble, so the anticancer properties are specially beneficial when consumed with fat-rich foods like avocado, olive oil and nuts.

Dates are rich in vitamins B, C, K and minerals like potassium, calcium, copper, iron, iodine, magnesium and zinc and antioxidants. Also,they are loaded with fiber which helps regulate bowel function. They help lower bad cholesterol and counteract alcohol intoxication.

They are usually sold dried and are therefore very sweet so I use mine to sweeten almond milk or in desserts.

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are high in Vitamins B, E and K, calcium, iron, zinc, fiber and protein. They are great at keeping cholesterol within normal levels and protect against heart disease.

Chickpeas also have antioxidants that protect against carcinogens.

The most delicious way to eat chickpeas is to add them in salads, soups or pureed into hummus.

Hummus Recipe

1 garlic clove, peeled

2 1/2 cups of cooked and peeled chickpeas

3 tablespoons organic olive oil (unfiltered, unpressed or first cold pressed)

2 tablespoons tahini

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Juice of 1 regular large lemon

Sea salt

Water

In a food processor, first mince the garlic, then add the rest of the ingredients and then, slowly add water to the desired consistency. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Tangerines, also known as mandarines or clementines, are delicious and very healthy fruits. They are a great source of vitamins B3, B5, B6, A, C, E, K, biotin and folate, zinc, magnesium, potassium and fiber. They are also very high in antioxidants.

They are great in controlling blood sugar, fighting against chronic disease and cancer and maintaining a healthy immune system and healthy skin.

Just peel the skin off and enjoy!

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Pomegranates are considered a superfood thanks to their healing attributes.

Pomegranates are rich in vitamins B3, B5, C, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, copper, potassium, zinc and fiber. They are also rich in antioxidants which prevent several forms of cancer, including prostate cancer. Pomegranates help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. They also have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Pomegranate juice provides a more concentrated source of nutrients and antioxidants. Just make sure it’s fresh and no sugar has been added.

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Cherries are powerful antioxidants and rich in vitamins B3, B5, C, beta-carotene, biotin, folate, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and fiber.

Thanks to anthocyanins, which are antioxidants they help control free radicals and inflammation. They are also anticarcinogenic.

Cherries also help with arthritis, gout, insomnia, they stimulate the immune system and are great preventing skin aging.

Studies have shown that fresh cherry juice reduces risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Beets are very detoxifying, this is thanks to a powerful antioxidant called betacyanin, which helps cleanse the liver, the kidneys and the gallbladder.

They are high in vitamins B3, B5, C, Folate and beta-carotene, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc iron and fiber.

Beets stimulate the immune system and the production of new red blood cells. They are helpful against cancer and maintain an alkali pH in the body.

Beets can be cooked or eaten raw. I love them raw in juices!

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Carrots are rich in carotenoids, vitamins B1, B3, B6, C, E, K biotin, folate, calcium, magnesium zinc, potassium and fiber. Beta-carotene, a carotenoid found in carrots, has been found to reduce some cancer rates, by 50%.

Carrots are important for eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids that protect the eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts.

Carrots have also been found to reduce high cholesterol levels as well. Eating two carrots a day can help reduce your cholesterol levels.

I love to have my carrots raw, I use them in salads and they are also great for juicing. If juicing, remember not to use a lot of them, specially if the juicing method you are using is removing the fiber, because this increases the glucose concentration.

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Oats are a super beneficial food for lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, due to the soluble fiber they contain, which reduces the rate at which the food leaves the stomach and so the glucose absorption is delayed. 

In addition to this great benefit, oats also contain phytonutrients that protect against oxidative damage, cancer and heart disease. They are also excellent immune system enhancers.

Oats are rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, E, K, biotin, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc and protein.

Oatmeal is a healthy nutritious breakfast and only takes a few minutes to prepare. Just boil oats with water and add apples, blueberries, dates, almonds, flaxseeds, walnuts, raisins, or whatever you can think of!

Remember… Eat Healthy, Be Happy!

Almonds are rich in vitamins E, B2, B3, B5, folate, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and fiber. They also contain protein and omega 6 fatty acids. They are antioxidant and help lower cholesterol. They maintain healthy glucose and fat levels in the blood. They are great for the skin and help people trying to lose weight. They have more calcium than any other nut, which makes them helpful against osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Almond Milk

A lot of people ask me how almond milk is made. I tell them it the easiest thing to make and everyone should make their own.

1 cup raw organic almonds (unsalted)

3 cups water

1 tablespoon agave nectar or 3 dates (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

The first step is to remove the skin from the almonds. You can do this by soaking them for 24 hours (best) or if in a hurry, boiling 2 cups of water, then adding the almonds and letting them boil for 3 minutes.

Remove water and cool almonds (if boiled) for a few minutes, until they are cool enough to touch. You can either peel the skin off or use them as they are.

Add 3 cups of filtered water to a blender (I use my Vitamix, it’s the best!), then add almonds and if you want your almond milk a little sweeter add agave nectar or dates. Blend for a couple of minutes and strain using a fine mesh strainer. Enjoy…

Remember Eat Healthy… Be Happy!