Fruit Warrior Smoothies
While squirrels in the other side of
the planet are working hard gathering acorns for the cold winter ahead, our
country is about to experience a longer, drier season. And while Filipinos are typically
familiar with the heat, El Nino in 2014 is predicted to behave differently.
This awakens the survival
consciousness, and for travelers, enduring the sweltering solstice hasn’t been
easy. Or getting any easier.
If you’re cruising in a hot locale –
you may find yourself sweating more than when you lived ashore in air
conditioning and losing precious electrolytes in the process. Electrolytes are
electrically-charged salts in the body important to maintain voltages across
the cell membranes of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Without them, a person
becomes imbalanced, and loses energy easily.
Conditions like a bad bout of sea and
decompression sickness or diarrhea can cause one to lose electrolytes. And once
the problem begins, it tends to self- perpetuate and becomes serious unless
taken action quickly.
The good news is that these concerns
can be prevented with rehydration drinks. And more than once, we needed to give
our dogs a dose of liquid too as they cope with the same heat as us.
Common signs that you’ve lost too
many electrolytes include:
- Extreme fatigue (beyond normal for
the activity);
- Muscle cramps;
- Headache;
- Decreased or dark urination;
- Immediately breaking liquid intake
into sweat;
- Difficult appetite; and
- Nauseous tummy.
Make your own formula
I just love the versatility of
smoothies. I get so bored with the same thing, so it’s nice to have an arsenal
of different smoothies to keep things fresh. It’s
easy and affordable to make your own rehydration mix, similar to those
commercial drink packets which are dubbed unhealthy due to having higher sugar concentrations.
And high sugar is not a proper treatment.
- Grapefruit - Rich in vitamin C and is a great detoxifier
for the liver.
- Cucumber - Prevents water retention, promotes a healthy digestive
track, packed with bioavailable minerals, vitamins, and electrolytes.
- Apple – Source of fiber and vitamin C; helps balance
blood sugar levels, boosts digestion, and reduces inflammation.
- Virgin Coconut Oil – Coconut oil has antiviral,
antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It’s rich in medium-chain
triglycerides (MCTs) which help boost metabolism and lower the risks of heart
disease.
- Mango – Rich in vitamin C, fiber, and beta-carotene. It
also contains enzymes that help with the breakdown of protein in the body. Sources: Healing Foods: Eat your way to a
healthier life, Flora Health
Talk about a super charged meal in a
glass! So anytime
you need a boost, just think of the end results.
- The inclusion of a fruit smoothie in your diet lets you
absorb nutrients faster into your system due its liquid form. Vitamins can be
communicated faster to the body's systems, diminishing recovery time for
muscles.
- Smoothies carry both fiber and antioxidants that help flush
toxins from the system and protect tissue from free radicals.
- After a good workout, and even as you start your day, your
body needs an influx of fluids and electrolytes to recover what has been lost
through your exertion or during the body’s restorative functions while sleeping.
(John Louie dela Vega) FOCUS
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