Soy Smoothie Meets Green Smoothie

A few days ago ...

Ripe banana + soy milk about to expire + peanut butter about to expire + blender = smoothie time! I needed my "green" for the day, so I threw in two kale leaves as well. That is how Peanut Butter Banana Soy Smoothie transformed into Green Smoothie. The concoction may sound unappealing but boy was it delicious; I barely tasted a hint of raw kale, which is good because the leafy veggie tastes absolutely disgusting on its own. Thank goodness to Lina for introducing me to the world of green smoothies!

This post contains the original Peanut Butter Banana Soy Smoothie Recipe. Below is my recipe for the green version. Not only is this smoothie a great source of vitamins A and K (both from the kale), but it is also packed with vitamin C (kale & banana), protein (soy & peanut butter), potassium (banana), and more.


SOY SMOOTHIE meets GREEN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients (for one Serving):
1 cup soy milk (plain or vanilla)
1 medium banana - quartered
1 tablespoon peanut butter
3 ice cubes
2-3 kale leaves (use 4 or 5 if you're brave enough)

Instructions:
Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.

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For why green vegetables are so important for the hair and body, check out this earlier post.


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KALE NUTRITION FACTS

Fruit Salad ... Body and Hair

There are numerous benefits to incorporating a fruit salad into your regular diet. For one, fruit salads are an efficient, flavorful way to absorb most of your vitamins and water for the day. Additionally, studies have suggested that certain fruits (such as cranberries) contain compounds and fiber that reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease, respectively. A diet containing fruits may also help to improve one's mood and reduce depression. The overall advantage to eating from this tasty food group is improved physical, mental, and emotional health. Below is a recipe for a fancy, fun fruit salad:

Fruit Salad in Watermelon
1 watermelon
1-2 honeydews
1-2 cantaloupes
1 pineapple
strawberries
blueberries
**Instructions:
Cut a thin slice from bottom of watermelon so it will rest evenly. Slice watermelon lengthwise in half. Carve a decorative zig-zag edge from 1/2 of watermelon. Scoop out fruit from watermelon. Scoop watermelon balls from second half. (Scoop honeydew and cantaloupe balls. Cut remaining fruits.)
Fill bowl with watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe balls, pineapple chunks, strawberries, blueberries and other fresh fruit in season. Mix and let stand. Add more fruit as needed to keep full for large party.
Source: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1832,149160-246195,00.html

For more intricate recipes, see:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1819,149160-247195,00.html
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1843,149161-246195,00.html
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Salad/Fruit-Salads/Main.aspx

HAIR-RELATED INFORMATION:
Fruits that are high in beta-carotene may contribute to the growth and maintenance of hair follicles. (To read more, see related post and study.) Such fruits include: cantaloupe, papaya, apricot, and mango to name a few. Meanwhile, fruits that are an excellent source of manganese -- including blueberries, pineapples, and raspberries -- supposedly help to prevent slow hair growth. This is just a handful of hair-related advantages to eating fruits.

In addition to the internal benefits of consuming fruits is the external advantage of applying a fruit salad to the hair. Yes, this sounds strange at first, but the right mixture of fruits can actually condition the hair. View the recipe below which is also posted in "Buh-Buh-Banana ... Deep Conditioners":

Fruit Salad Deep Conditioner
1/2 a banana
1/4 avocado
1/4 cantaloupe
1 tablespoon wheat germ oil
1 tablespoon yogurt
**Blend all ingredients. (Be sure to blend the banana thoroughly and sieve.) Apply to hair. For extra conditioning, squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave in hair for 15 minutes. Then rinse.
Source: http://styles101.homestead.com/nathairrec.html#anchor_35822

SOURCES & MORE READS:
10 FRUIT BENEFITS
CRANBERRY & OVARIAN CANCER
FRUITS & HEALTH
FRUITS & DEPRESSION
FRUITS & DIABETES MYTH
VITAMINS FOR THE HAIR
NUTRITION INFO TOOL

Carrots, Hair, and Body

Why are carrots great for the hair? Well, carrots are high in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A, a critical nutrient for our follicles. Additionally, vitamin A is essential for good vision and other body functions.

SHORT BACKGROUND ON BETA-CAROTENE:
Beta-carotene is a provitamin absorbed from plant food sources, such as carrots, and converted to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene differs from retinyl esters (an ester form of vitamin A) absorbed from animal food sources, such as eggs or chicken. Both beta-carotene and retinyl esters may be converted to various forms of vitamin A in the body, including retinol (alcohol form of vitamin A), retinal (aldehyde form), and retinoic acid (acid form).

VITAMIN A FOR THE HAIR:
- improves scalp skin condition & promotes hair growth
According to this study, vitamin A:
- has an important role in the growth and maintenance of follicles
- prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle
- plays a role in converting vellus hair (shorter, finer hair) to terminal (longer, thicker, more developed) hairs

VITAMIN A FOR THE BODY:
- promotes good vision; deficiency may result in night blindness (impaired vision in dim light and darkness; indication of poor retina health)
- commonly known as the "anti-infection" vitamin; promotes strong immune system
- promotes cell growth
- contributes to healthy skin - e.g., acne reduction
- may lower the risk of certain cancers according to some studies

INCORPORATING CARROTS:
It is best to consume fresh carrots rather than canned or frozen. Carrots may be eaten with a salad, as a side dish, or snack. Not a fan of carrots? Sweet potatos, cantaloupes, mangoes, papayas, spinach, and apricots are also good sources of beta-carotene. It is not enough to merely munch on carrots daily, though. Beta-carotene conversion to vitamin A depends on your overall diet (including how much zinc, lipids, etc. you absorb from other foods). Speak with your doctor about the best way to get the most from your diet. Many Americans generally obtain sufficient vitamin A.

ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS:
Please speak with your doctor before taking beta-carotene supplements due to certain risks that may arise. Smokers and those on medication are especially at an increased risk for lung cancer and other diseases.

SOURCES:
10 HEALTHY HAIR FOODS
VITAMIN A FUNCTIONS
BETA-CAROTENE
WIKI: BETA-CAROTENE
BETA-CAROTENE & VITAMIN A
RETONOIDS WIKI
RETINOL WIKI
VITAMIN A WIKI
VITAMIN A/RETINOID
RETINOL & HAIR STUDY
NIGHT BLINDNESS

Food for Your Hair

According to doctors on WebMD, the following 10 foods are great for achieving healthy hair. Many of us worry about the external (i.e., what products to apply to our hair) and forget about the internal (i.e., what to eat for our hair). No matter what topical product we use, if we are not on our A game on the inside, we will not achieve maximal hair health on the outside.





The 10 foods are as follows:

1. Salmon
2. Dark Green Vegetables
3. Beans
4. Nuts
5. Poultry
6. Eggs
7. Whole Grains
8. Oysters
9. Low-Fat Dairy Products
10. Carrots

What's more? Some of these foods are also good for our body in general. For example, green vegetables are good for reducing the risk and symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Whole grains may reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. The list goes on ...

Sources:
TOP 10 FOODS FOR HEALTHY HAIR
DIABETES, FRUITS, & VEGGIES
DIABETES & EATING