Food & Health

Horseradish AN UNLIKELY SUPER FOOD

Sandwich lovers can appreciate the way horseradish sauce adds a little “kick” to their favorite sandwich, but many are unaware of the benefits it provides. The most compelling being it's anti-cancer properties. When you take a nibble of a sandwich spread with horseradish sauce, you do more than just titillate your taste buds - you take a bite out of cancer, too.

Health Benefits of Horseradish: It’s a Cancer Fighter

The horseradish plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family, a group of plants which includes nutritionally notable vegetables like cabbage, radishes, kale, broccoli and cauliflower. These vegetables are not only healthy and low in calories; they’re rich in compounds called glucosinolates, which help rid the body of cancer-causing chemicals. It does this by activating liver enzymes that break carcinogens down to a form that’s inactive. Glucosinolates are one of the ingredients that give broccoli its anticancer benefits. More Glucosinolates Than Broccoli?

If broccoli is good cancer prevention, then horseradish may be better. Studies show that the health benefits of horseradish are greater because it contains more glucosinolates than broccoli - or any of the other cruciferous vegetables. In fact, it contains up to ten times the amount found in a serving of broccoli. This means you don’t need to eat as much horseradish to get the anti-cancer benefits.

The glucosinolates in horseradish may also be more bioavailable than the glucosinolates in other cruciferous vegetables. The horseradish root contains a natural enzyme that helps break down these cancer fighting chemicals into a form the body can use. This enzyme is released when horseradish root is processed to make horseradish sauce – one of the few cases where processing enhances the health benefits of a food.

* Don’t forget to add some horseradish to the grocery cart; it’s not only healthy, but a tasty substitute for mayonnaise. Other Health Benefits of Horseradish

Horseradish is very low in calories, yet its spicy taste makes food more filling – so horseradish lovers end up eating less. Horseradish is also great for a stuffy nose or sinus infection, because it helps to unblock the sinuses in much the same way hot and spicy foods that contain peppers do.

for green cleaning5 tips

1.KITCHEN:

Use vinegar to create a natural all-purpose cleaner for the kitchen. Vinegar itself is edible; it contains no toxic chemicals that would be harmful if ingested, so it is a perfect cleaning product to use around food.

D.I.Y All-purpose cleaner using an empty spray bottle, combine a solution of half pickling vinegar, half warm water and 1 Tbsp. of dishwashing liquid. This solution can be used to clean the countertop, stove top, refrigerator, and microwave.Vinegar is excellent for use in your dishwasher. Add a cup of vinegar to your dishwasher machine to remove any stagnant odors; it will leave the interior shiny and squeaky clean.You can also add vinegar to your water when washing dishes by hand, the disinfecting power is sure to kill any bacteria and germs on your dinnerware. Vinegar of course has a distinct odor, but don’t worry; the smell will dissipate once it dries. Some precautions do need to be taken; for example vinegar should not be used on marble surfaces. As with any product, test a small area to make sure it is safe to proceed before using the product.

2.BATHROOM:

Bathroom cleaners are among some of the harshest chemical cleaners.You can make your own bathroom scrubbing solution to clean toilets, counter tops, fixtures and tub/shower, without the offensive fumes.

D.I.YTub and shower scrubbing solution – combine ½ cup of vinegar, ¾ cup of baking soda and 1 Tbsp. of lemon juice, mix together to form a thick paste (add more or less baking soda until desired consistently is achieved). Using a sponge, apply scrubbing solution on sinks, tub/shower and fixtures in small circular motions, let it sit for 20-30 minutes scrub with a sponge and rinse with warm water. To clean bathroom counter tops, use the all-purpose solution created for the kitchen. Knock out toilet stains and odors with 1 cup of undiluted vinegar. Before pouring the vinegar in the toilet, it is best to flush the toilet; after water descends, pour the vinegar around the inner rim of toilet then scrub the bowl with a toilet brush.

... pickling vinegar, baking soda, borax powder, lemons, a few essential oils mild dish soap and a couple of spray bottles.

These basic ingredients are highly effective, inexpensive and, above all, non-hazardous

3. WINDOWS AND MIRRORS:

The all-purpose solution works!

Simply spray and wipe for squeaky clean windows. Save paper towels, instead use old newspaper to wipe the windows; they won’t leave behind any lint.

4.WOOD AND TILE FLOORS:

Nothing spreads chemicals in the air faster than mopping the whole house with a toxic chemical cleaner. You can easily make your own mopping solution that will clean and disinfect your floors safely.

D.I.Y floor cleaner: In your mop bucket mix 1 cup of pickling vinegar, 1 gallon of water, 1 Tbsp. of mild dish soap and the desired amount of your favorite scented oil.

5.CARPETS: Many carpet fresheners have a fruity or floral bearing the disguise of toxic fumes that can potentially be harmful to your health. It is very simple to make your own fresh smelling carpet deodorizer,and it will be safe for the family and pets, too.

D.I.Y carpet deodorizer: Combine 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of borax in a plastic bag, add the desired amount of your favorite essential oil, and then mix together. Sprinkle the powder solution on carpets; let stand for 20 minutes then vacuum. Your house and carpet will smell delightful.