Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside a young, green coconut which is usually about the size of a basketball. Ideally, young coconuts that are harvested contain the most water.

As the coconut matures, the liquid is replaced with coconut jelly (meat). The greatest nutrient health benefits of coconut water comes from drinking the water of the young coconut.

Re-hydrates the Body

Coconut water is not just water. It is water filled with vitamins and minerals. Some of the minerals found in coconut water, such as potassium and sodium, act as electrolytes and help balance the water levels in our body. Having one or two glasses of coconut water after a long day in the sun can bring back lost minerals, vitamins, and energy in no time at all!

Lower Blood Pressure 

A 2005 study found that when subjects were given coconut water for two weeks, their systolic blood pressure was 71 percent lower and their diastolic blood pressure was 29 percent lower than those who drank plain water.

Protects Liver

Tests on tender coconut water for its hepato-protective properties show that it is good for the liver. Coconut water provides antioxidants, which reduce the activity of many toxins in the liver.

Reduce Stress and Muscle Tension

It’s almost as good as a massage!  Some of the electrolytes found in coconut water, specifically calcium and magnesium, may help with stress and muscle tension. Many of us are missing these critical minerals in our diets, making stress management even more challenging.

Reduces Urinary Disorders

Coconut water has diuretic properties, which is very helpful in cases of urinary disorders. Due to the diuretic effect, water is easily expelled from the body, along with the toxins, helping to keep our bodily systems healthy.

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If you haven’t been a regular napper since you were in diapers, you may want to reconsider it. Studies over the past couple decades show a short nap of 20-30 minutes can:

• Boost mood: A 1999 study found that a mid-afternoon nap improved not only sleepiness and performance level, but self-confidence.
• Create better focus and alertness: A NASA study found that a 40-minute nap improved performance by 34 percent and alertness by 100 percent in sleepy pilots and astronauts.
• Improve performance: Studies found that those who napped for an average of 25 minutes had fewer performance lapses, more vigor, and less fatigue, and that they tended to more quickly complete their tasks.
• Improve ability to learn: Studies found that naps as short as 10 minutes restored wakefulness, improved performance, and enhanced learning ability.
• Improve memory better than caffeine: A 2008 study found that taking naps was more effective for improving verbal memory, motor skills, and perceptual learning than caffeine was.

Napping also seems to boost brainpower—important for creativity. A 2010 study, for instance, found that an hour’s nap dramatically boosted and restored brainpower. Participants performed a challenging task early in the day where they had to remember a lot of facts. Then half of them took a nap in the afternoon, and the other half didn’t. Those who did performed better on a second challenging mental exercise—and better even than they had performed on the one they did earlier in the day.

If you’d like to incorporate a nap into your day, or want to improve the quality of your naps, try these tips.

• Make it short Studies have found that 10-20 minutes is optimal, up to 30. A long nap (longer than 30 minutes) can mess up your sleep cycles.
• Make it comfortable: Find a dark, quiet place. Sitting upright will help you wake up more easily, but most people nod off faster if they lie down. Choose your position based on how long you have. A ten-minute nap may be best spent in a chair, but it may not boost your creativity as much as a 20 minute nap lying down.
• Make it routine: Planning a regular nap time can help prepare your body so you easily fall asleep and wake up again.
• Take it at the optimal time: If you have a pretty normal schedule, optimal nap times are between the hours of 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Based on human circadian rhythms, we become naturally sleepy in the afternoon, which makes it the perfect time for a nap. Any later than that can interfere with your nighttime sleep.
• Enjoy it!

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The mango varies in color and size. Mangoes can be yellow, orange, green or red. It has one seed in the middle. While sweet is the most predominant flavor in mangoes, a little bit of sourness often accompanies the sweetness. Depending on the different varieties, some mangoes can be very sweet and others very sour.

Here are some benefits:

Reduced Cancer Risk

You should make foods with lots of antioxidants a part of your daily diet because they reduce the risk of cancer. Mangoes also have a ton of antioxidants in them that can reduce your risk of getting cancer.

Slowed Ageing Process

One of the scariest thoughts to enter someone’s mind is of aging. Once again, the collagen found in mango can help a great deal in preventing the wrinkles from appearing on your skin.

Fairer Skin

The topical treatments to improve your skin can never give you great results until you are giving your body the healthy nutrients on the inside. Mangoes have collagen in them.

Promotes Healthy Gut
According to the book ‘Healing Foods’, mango flesh contains prebiotic dietary fibre, which helps feed good bacteria in the gut.

Promotes Eye Health
Including mangoes in the diet may also help promote your eye health. Mangoes are rich in beta-carotene that helps in the production of Vitamin A.

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This particular issue is a little different because we chose a unique theme: Fever. That may raise a few questions, but this issue centres around perception. The saying “living in a fever dream” may spring to mind by the theme’s title, or even by the warm dazing colours that are featured.

Perception has a lot to do with everything. This is the way you look through your own unique lens, whether it is at the world or at yourself.

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Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet.

Studies show that dark chocolate can improve health and lower the risk of heart disease.

It Boosts Psychological Health

You may not believe it but consuming dark chocolate can improve your psychological health. It is a powerhouse of plenty of nutrients that function to soothe your tensed nerves.

Works as an Energy Booster

You can give your energy levels a quick boost by consuming a piece of dark chocolate with mild cocoa content in it. Incorporating it into your daily routine will ward off factors that contribute to sudden fatigue.

Treats Cough

Constant coughs are indeed worrisome. You can ease this condition by consuming a tiny piece of dark chocolate.

Enhance Your Mood

It can become a delicious source to enhance your mood. Studies have revealed that it is packed with phenethylamine. The compound is known to release endorphins. The latter functions to improve your mood, allowing you to feel good and have a positive frame of mind.

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Walnuts are a single-seeded stone fruit, widely used for its meat after the fruit fully ripens. The top layer is removed, while the meat is left in a hard wrinkly casing. The meat is segmented into two portions separated by a thinner paper like a version of the shell. The shell itself is quite rich in antioxidants and protects the meat from the free radicals present in the atmosphere around it.

Some benefits include:

Healthy Cardiovascular System

Walnuts are one of the healthiest foods for the cardiovascular system. This can be attributed to the fact that they are rich in potassium which is a natural vasodilator for the heart.

Bone Health

Walnuts are excellent for increasing and maintaining bone density. This is because they are rich in copper, zinc, Vitamin B, and calcium.

Anti-Inflammatory

A recent study concluded that walnuts being rich in antioxidants reduce inflammation in all parts of the body and also prevents it from occurring.

Healthy Sleep Cycle

Walnut consumption promotes melatonin production in the body. This is a hormone that induces sleep and can help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle.

Weight Loss

Contrary to the popular belief that high-fat content can result in weight gain, walnuts do otherwise. They are high in good fats and also contain a good amount of fiber. The right kind of fat can stimulate the metabolic process and reduce the retention of bad cholesterol and unwanted fat.

Stress Management

Foods rich in magnesium and zinc have a positive effect on stress levels. They help the mind relax and think clearly. It provide a combination of these minerals to help keep the brain functioning properly without succumbing to anxiety or stress.

Walnuts are delicious and nutrient dense. But eating in moderation is the best way to make use of its benefits. Overeating can result in weight gain and fat retention. Walnut oil should always be used with other carrier oils.

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With Father’s Day just around the corner, there’s just enough time to get in those last-minute Father’s Day gifts!

Here are some awesome Gift Ideas:

A Shaving Kit

Some dads hate shaving but the right kit might change his mind. Check out these great options on Amazon.

The Art of Shaving Full size kit here

The Daily Essentials Starter Set here

Bluetooth Speakers

Dads love music! Get him a good speaker so he can easily cart it around the yard, into the garage, or through the house.

Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker here

JBL Flip 3 Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker here

Sunglasses

Every dad wants to be in fashion! Make this happen by getting him one of these great shades.

Bamboo Wood POLARIZED Sunglasses here

Oakley Men’s Frogskins Lite Sunglasses here

A Good Watch

Watches make a great accessory for any dad. Some make for a great signature piee or just something fun.

Bewell Mens Wooden Watch here

Michael Kors Watches Lexington Watch here

A Handmade Card

Why not? People hardly do handwritten things these days so this might be just the best gift you can give.

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Cherries also come in different shapes from round to heart; They can be eaten as snacks and are also used in making tarts and cherry pies or juice. They benefit us in many ways as it is a source of nutrients and vitamins. They also help in burning fat, however they do not show a drastic loss in weight, you can substitute them with higher calorie food in order to reduce your daily calorie intake. Read below to know few cherry benefits.

Cherries contain melatonin which is five times more than the blackberries, strawberries and helps cure insomnia and maintaining healthy joint function. It is also suggested for jet lag.

Cherries are also alkaline content foods which means they will help to maintain the body’s ideal pH balance.

Being endowed with the highest level of anti-oxidants, in comparison to other fruits, it helps in slowing down the ageing process by fighting those free radicals present in the body which make the skin look older.

Vitamins are essential for overall health. The abundance of vitamins in cherries makes it a wonder fruit. Vitamin A keeps hair and scalp hydrated. It also regulates the production of an essential acid called retinoic acid which is important for hair follicles.

Tips to select cherries:

Buy cherries which are firm and have a glossy surface. Avoid those with cuts or bruises.

Cherries with bright green stems are ideal for eating. Those without stem should be consumed first as they tend to stale very quickly.

Tips to store cherries:

Cherries are delicate fruits and need to be stored properly in order to get the best flavour.

Cherries can be stored for about a week by freezing them in the refrigerator. Keep them in a plastic pouch and place in the refrigerator.

Cherries should be washed only before eating. Washing and then storing will quicken deterioration. Always store unwashed cherries in the refrigerator.

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The use of herbs and spices has been incredibly important throughout history. Many were celebrated for their medicinal properties, well before culinary use. Modern science has now shown that many of them do indeed carry remarkable health benefits.

Turmeric

It contains Curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory Effects. Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It contains several compounds with medicinal properties, the most important of which is curcumin.

Cayenne pepper

It is very rich in a substance called capsaicin, which reduces appetite and boosts fat burning. It has also shown anti-cancer potential in animal studies.

Thyme

Teas made with thyme have been used to treat athletes foot and vaginal yeast infections. Thyme tea can also be taken internally during illness to speed recovery.

Garlic

This plant has a powerful compound called allicin. Lab studies have shown that it may lower your chances of getting heart disease, and it may even help stop the growth of cancer cells.

Chili peppers

Fresh, dried, or powdered, chilies will give your food a kick. They also may boost your metabolism and help keep blood vessels healthy. One possible reason is capsaicin — the compound that makes them spicy.

Ginger

Lab studies also show that ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and may play a role in preventing diseases like cancer.

Basil

It has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and can help prevent osteoarthritis. It has been used in digestive disorders and is being studied for its anti-cancer properties.

Cinnamon

It has the highest antioxidant value of any spice. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar and blood triglyceride levels. It has also been used to alleviate nausea and to increase sensitivity to insulin and aid in fat burning. It provides manganese, iron and calcium. It’s antimicrobial properties can help extend the life of foods.

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Dealing with pressure is something we all must do daily. Since stress is unavoidable, it’s important to learn how to channel and deal with it in a healthy, productive way. In doing so, you’ll not only survive tough situations, but thrive in spite of them.

The easiest way to get started is to take ten minutes each day to prioritize and organize all the key things you need to accomplish.

Once you have the big priorities identified, you can break down your large goals into smaller, more-manageable incremental goals.

At that point, you will have a plan for moving ahead. Focusing on accomplishing one task at a time can prevent you and others from feeling overwhelmed.

Not every roadblock can be anticipated or prevented, and even the best plans sometimes go awry. When you face an unforeseen challenge, focus on what you can influence in the situation and choose how to react.

Every time you find yourself under pressure, you have an opportunity to take control of the situation and make the best of it. The most-effective leaders are those who overcome barriers and lead themselves and others through the pressure to exceptional performance and results.

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