Orange Love

Something I really need to do more of on this blog is to share some of the ways to improve my health over the past few years. One of which is how I changed my diet. Of cause, this change was initiated by me getting kicked in the ass by lots of sickness! But what is important is that I am in a better place and am treating my body better.

One of the things I have found that makes me feel all kinds of good are mandarin oranges. I try to keep myself hydrated (which is so important during the hot-dry season) but sometimes I just get tired of the taste of water, or should I say lack thereof!

What I learned is that oranges (or generally, citrus fruits) help your body absorb all the water you drink better than water alone. They also help your liver do its job which is to get rid of toxins. Not to mention lots of Vitamin C.

I get many headaches most of the time from the hot weather. Before I go running for water, I try some oranges. Most of the time I find that it gets rid of my headache. If for nothing else oranges taste great and give you a good source of Vit C!

Anyone else love the orange?

For the Love of Chocolate

Ok I'll admit it... I am a chocoholic, ever since I was a kid. Anything with chocolate from ice-cream, to candy, to cookies, and cake. That was my downfall. I don't know about you but chocolate just gives me the urge to have more. Imagine white chocolate filled with crunchy nuts, and cookies with thick dark chocolate, that’s food made in heaven!

Before I get off on the flavourful trip down memory lane, the point I was going to make is related to health. I am sure everyone has heard about the health benefits of dark chocolate, or they called it cacao, which is the actual cocoa bean used to make chocolate. Dark chocolate has antioxidants as well as heart healthy benefits.

In my quest to become healthier, I have changed my diet in many ways but the hardest has been giving up some of the things I love. I think that we still need to have those foods we crave as long as it is in moderation to be successful at our diet and healthful eating habits. So I was happy as a clam to find out that dark chocolate was good for me!

Cacao is now pretty easy to find as an ingredient in most dark chocolates out there. The labels will read "60% cacao" or "70% cacao" and that is what you want to look for. Cacao is the unprocessed chocolate straight from the bean. It is the main ingredient used to make all chocolate.

Any other chocolate lover’s out there? What is your favorite way to enjoy this delight?