With all the delicious foods to choose from during the holidays, and in spite of our best efforts to keep food indulgences to a minimum, there are times when we find that it's nearly impossible to resist an extra helping of treats.

To deal with our temporary lack of constraint that can produce an upset tummy, here are some natural and inexpensive remedies to jump start your digestive system back into high gear.

The Facts

Our digestive system is an important key to living a long and healthy life. Digestive function is made up of numerous organs working together to break down, absorb, and process nutrients in the food we eat. Without healthy digestion, the body can become malnourished and toxins may build up, leading to degenerative diseases.

Using herbs and whole foods is a simple way to support the natural detoxification organs of your body.

Below are some simple tricks to turn foods you already have in your cabinets into goldmines for the digestive system.

Caffeine-free herbal teas can reduce an uncomfortable, bloated system.

Warm and soothing, these medicinal leaves become digestive support upon contact.

• Peppermint - Used for centuries to ease the digestive system. Assists with dissipation of gas and indigestion.
• Chamomile - With anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, the calming effects of this tea also help relieve stress, which is often linked to digestive problems.
• Lemon grass - Soothes the digestive system and calms the nerves.

Green juices are packed with nutrition. Drinking emerald sunshine enables the release of stored toxins throughout the system.

 

Green juices can cleanse your digestive system, helping to move things along while providing an extra dose of readily available nutrients.

Start with vegetables that are gentle on your system like celery and cucumbers, adding a little apple to sweeten things up.

Pineapples contain the digestive enzyme bromelain, and papayas contain papain.

These natural enzymes support the digestive system in breaking down and absorbing nutrients from the foods we eat.
Consuming the fresh juice from these fruits can help relieve gas, upset stomach and occasional constipation and diarrhea.

Warm lemon water is used in many ancient remedies to alleviate digestive distress, support liver detoxification, normalize digestive juices, and reduce intestinal bloating.
 
Lemon activates the liver to release toxins and helps to cleanse and move any roughage that stays behind in the intestines.

Mix half of a juiced lemon with eight ounces of warm water. Drink upon waking on an empty stomach.

Ginger stimulates digestion by speeding up the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

Widely used all over the world for many digestive disturbances, ginger has been found to soothe the digestive lining and balance gastric juices, making it a great remedy for overeating.

Peel and slice a two-inch piece of fresh ginger. Add to three cups of boiling water. Brew for five minutes, strain and sip the tea slowly. You may add some natural sweetener to taste.

Naturally high in probiotics, foods such as raw sauerkraut provide beneficial enzymes that increase the digestibility of any food. This enhances lactic acid which in turn promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestines as well as preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and increasing nutrient absorption.

Even though the temptation to indulge may be more likely to occur during the holidays, these simple, natural remedies can promote healthy digestion any time of the year.

Source Link: http://www.naturalnews.com/038188_holiday_food_detox_tips.html

   10 ways Brussels Sprouts promotes good health

 

1. Like most of the other cruciferous vegetables, brussels sprouts help in detoxification and maintain a healthier digestive system.
2. It helps strengthen your immune system, further helping you to ward off infections and illnesses.
3. Owing to the high content of fiber, brussels sprouts help in controlling the bad cholesterol from building up, thus preventing the blockage of arteries, the key cause of heart diseases.
4. The high content of folate or vitamin B9 can help prevent serious neural tube defects in the fetus in the early weeks of pregnancy.
5. The vegetable helps in fighting cancer due to its high content of the phytochemical, indole as well as vitamin C.
6. High levels of antioxidants help in fighting cancer since they carry compounds like isothiocyanates which help in preventing cancer.
7. Being rich in glucosinolates, this tiny vegetable can help boost the health of your liver by strengthening its ability to deal with toxic substances.
8. It helps promote good cell growth due to being rich in folic acid.
9. It helps protect the human body from age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and osteoarthritis.
10. It helps in reducing the frequency of migraine headaches.

 How to use

Experts suggest not washing or trimming the sprouts before storing them. You can simply remove the yellow or wilted outer leaves before storing your brussels sprouts.

You can simply steam or roast them and add it to your salads, pasta or just like a side dish.

Even if you have not been a fan of brussels sprouts, I think you will love this recipe. It not only has great flavor, but it only takes minutes to prepare. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

    Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes. Serves 2.

Ingredients:

1 lb Brussels sprouts
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp lemon juice
2 medium cloves garlic, chopped or pressed
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: 1 TBS dijon mustard, 1 TBS minced parsley

 

 

Directions:

1. Fill the bottom of the steamer with 2 inches of water.
2. While steam is building up in steamer, cut Brussels sprouts into quarters or chop into smaller pieces and let sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out their hidden health benefits.
3. Chop or press garlic and let sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out their health-promoting properties.
4. Steam Brussels sprouts for 5 minutes.
5. Transfer to a bowl. Toss Brussels sprouts, while they are still hot, with the rest of the ingredients and enjoy.

 

References

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/vegetables/brussels-sprouts.php

http://www.gardeningchannel.com/the-health-benefits-of-brussels-sprouts/

http://kylenorton.healthblogs.org/2011/12/28/the-world-most-healthy-foods-vegetables-brussels-sprouts-brassica-oleracea-health-benefits-and-side-effects/

http://home.howstuffworks.com/brussels-sprouts3.htm

http://www.whyfoods.com/vegetables-eating-benefits-brussels-sprouts.php

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-eating-brussels-sprouts-4461.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=recipe&dbid=244

 

Happy Healthy January

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Susan Frangos and Arlyn Tratt