August Visitor

After I had broken up with mercy for the third time, I felt dejected, I knew this time,it was really over.
I confronted her as regards the fantasy guy I read about in her diary, she had been spending her nights with him under the guise of evening fellowship.
"Don't bother calling me," I said and walked out, ignoring her l pleas.

Just when I thought I made a mistake by not forgiving mercy despite her plea, I met sandra.
Sandra and I clicked, I discovered a new part of me I never knew existed. We barely knew each other for a week, but I felt I had known her almost all my life as we had so much in common. Even our last names.
Last weekend, I sat down in my room devising a way to finally tell Sandra how I felt, even though I knew it would be easier since she felt the same way, as she had constantly deliberately instigated the topic.
"You better say what's on your mind now before it's too late," she would say.
"Alex!" mama's voice called out from the living room, "come ooo, we have August  visitors in October." she sounded more excited than usual.
As I dragged my feet out of my room, I wondered what visitors could make mama so excited.
"At least it isn't mercy," I thought to my self. "She doesn't have the guts to..."
"Sandra!?" I exclaimed in shock when I entered the living room.
"Oh you are here," mama said, "have you met your uncle Lawrence and his daughter sandra?"

Health benefits of the Red Hibiscus :

The red hibiscus helps stimulate blood circulation, regulates menstruation, treats liver disorder, high blood pressure, arthritis, cough, ulcer and is also rich in vitamin C.

THE OTHER ROOM: MADE FOR MORE

It's a really busy day at the office today, I'm really famished, all I want right now is a nice meal, I haven't had anything since morning, and it's already 1pm. I mean who wouldn't be, except they were engaged in fasting anyway. I'm starting to get grumpy thanks to the rumbling of my stomach. Even  Naomi, my colleague who is sitting two tables away from me could hear it. That is why she is chuckling now, she probably thinks it is funny.
"So what would you like to have for lunch," she asks as she is standing up.
I stop typing to get an answer amidst the rumbling in my stomach.
"The usual," I say with a smile.
"white rice and beans again today?" she asks, glaring at me.
"Sandra don't you ever get tired of eating the same thing everyday?"
 Though she has a point, I just can't bring myself to take swallow outside, I prefer to prepare it myself.
I was about to reply when our department head walked up to my desk to drop some files in a brown envelope.
"Make sure you finish work on them," he says, " the manager needs them urgently."
I wouldn't have believed it if someone told me the day would go like this in the morning.

While I'm here buried in this pile of work, Naomi is out for lunch, and she is taking a lot of time, and to crown it all up, someone is eating close by, and i can sniff it. The aroma coming out is really nice, as I close my eyes to have more effect, I feel the person is enjoying a plate of fried rice, and dodo (fried plantain).
"Sandra!!" Naomi's voice calls out, I barely saw her come in.
"so now you are using your supernatural power to imagine what Fred is eating in his cubicle?"
"Hey, its not my fault. Blame it on the hunger I feel right now." I retort as I grab my lunch from her And begin to devour it.

Clock ticking, papers flipping, fingers busy on systems. Everyone is doing one thing or the other as no one wants to be caught idle since the CEO is at work today. At least thanks to Naomi, I was able to have lunch.
I notice my phone light blinking to indicate an incoming call, I really don't have the time to chitchat  with anyone right now but the caller ID causes me to pay attention to the phone.
"why is mama calling me at this hour, she should know that I'll  be at work by this time na," I say and reluctantly pick up the call.
***                 ***                     ****
"I seriously don't have time for this," I say as I hang up, "how will mama give me a call during work hours, only to ask about my love life." I tell Naomi, who begins to giggle.
I'm exasperated, so. I take it out on Naomi;
"Naomi if you laugh at me again I swear I'll knock you out."
"Hey, am sorry." she replies with a smile as she put both her hands up

Work is over now and i'm on my way home, I can't help but remember mums call. I'm actually getting tired of her incessant clamour for me to find a man and get married. "I wonder when it's a lady that goes out to find a man," I think to my self as I open the door to my apartment.
 I understand her concern but it's not my fault that work has been demanding, I have to work hard every single day to cloth feed and shelter her and my siblings, so I barely have time to date.
The last relationship I had was with Felix, he was sweet and nice but he was also possessive, he made it clear that he wanted a full time house wife, and that is nothing near my path, I did not struggle to see myself through school only to become someone's full time house wife. No lady who has struggled as hard as I did to get here today would want to end up in the kitchen.
I still have a career to build, I know I'm made for greater things. I simply can't waste my potential in the kitchen, living room or the other room for that matter.

AMANDA

I'd grown quite fond of Amanda, my wife's niece. She was my sole companion since Favour found a job that kept her out until very late in the night. When she first arrived Lagos, the principal at her new school had advised us to enroll her in JSS1, a far cry from the SSS2 in which she'd been back at the village. Now she'd moved up to JSS2 and was quickly developing into a woman. A few of her classmates already teased her and called her an early bloomer.
"Uncle welcome," she'd say, and grapple me each time I returned from work. She was a heavy hugger, so you had to have consumed about five wraps of fufu to withstand the power behind her hug.
"Ooooooh! How are you?" I'd ask, struggling to retain my balance.
"Fine, uncle."
"Good. Take this to my room and bring me my food, I'm famished."
I'd pass her my briefcase and plant myself in the wooden chair in the dining room, my weight making it squeak as it scraped the tiled floor.
"Thank you," I'd say, rolling up my sleeves as she set the food before me. Then I'd settle into the plate of pounded yam and vegetable soup.
She'd sit on the red couch across from me and begin to write in a book and I'd ask: "Is that an assignment from school?"
"Yes," she'd say and scratch her head in frustration. "Me I don't understand it o."
"What subject?" If she said Math, I'd yawn and feign fatigue because Math and I had never been friends. "Amanda, I'm really tired now. Don't worry, come later so we can rub minds and do it together." I'd smile uneasily and  head for my room, making sure to avoid her eyes as I went.
"By the way," I'd turn around sharply like I'd  forgotten something, "the food was tasty."
She'd grin and thank me, but she never came to my room anyway.

Last week, Amanda and I repeated this ritual and after a while, there was a rap on my bedroom door.
"Yes? come in," I said, as I sat up on my bed. I was shocked to see her sobbing as she came in. "What's wrong with you?"
There was no reply.
"Did you hear me? What's wrong?" I moved toward her and helped her sit on Favour's makeup chair.
"Uncle," she said, sniffling, "I can't do it."
"Do what?" I asked, perplexed.
"Aunty will kill me if I do it," she continued, hyperventilating as she spoke.
"Ok, calm down and talk to me. Why will your aunt kill you?"
"I cannot rub mind and DO IT with you."

                                                                                   By: Oguche  Joseph.

If the nose could only sniff her out.

Nina wore a long and confused look, she could have sworn she left her phone charging on the white plastic table beside the yellow painted wall. How else could she explain her phone charger still plugged to the wall socket.
She had kept her gaze fixed to a spot, trying to figure out if all that had transpired was simply a prank orchestrated by her room mates. Or if the original owners (thieves) were behind the disappearance of her phone.
Her roommates seemed busy and alien to the fact that her phone was missing despite her incessant plea that her phone be returned. Being in a bad mood and not wanting to burst into tears while demanding for everyone's attention, she quietly took some steps to the middle of the room in order to gain attention, and also ask that her phone be returned. She'd imagined that someone was trying to play a trick on her knowing the phone was merely two weeks old, moreover her roommates regarded themselves as big girls in school, who would ever believe that a 'big girl," could afford to stoop so low. It was simply unimaginable that one of them stole the phone.

"The person that took Nina's phone should return it ooo," kemi, one of her roommates ranted, "I don't have  money to contribute for a stolen phone." a cliche people used to avoid suspicion.

As the whole drama unfolded, Nina only got irritated, then she decided that a quick nap would do her a whole lot of good since by then she'd known that the thief had no intention of returning her phone.

If only she could sniff out the perpetrators with her nose, she'd be a lot better.

The point of this piece is to show our vulnerabilities. As good as the nose  is, it would have been really perfect if we could sniff out evil people from the crowd. Lots of people surround us. True friends and pretenders. Pretenders who can perfectly hide the content of their hearts without making a mistake.
If there is an offense levelled against the nose it would be its inability to smell evil from afar, a great offense against our person.

Morinda Lucida : what you didn't know

Morinda Lucida falls under family Rubiaceae. It is a tropical West African rainforest tree also called Brimstone tree, known to have wide usage in traditional medicine.

In Nigeria Morinda Lucida is one of the four most used plants in the preparation of traditional medicines against fever. Decoctions and infusions or plasters of root, barks and leaves are recognized remedies against different types of fever, including yellow fever, malaria, trypanosomiasis and feverish condition during childbirth.

The plant is also used to treat diabetes, hypertension, cerebral congestion, dysentery, stomach ache , ulcer, leprosy, gonorrhea, jaundice and itching.
The bitter tasting roots are used as flavouring for food and alcoholic beverages and in Nigeria the are popular as chewing stick. The wood is excellent for making charcoal but is also used for construction, furniture, poles and fuel wood.

BODY DETOX WITH HERBS

Detoxification:

A few number of people live a healthy lifestyle and regularly undergo a detox, they are the ones who live longer and healthiest.
These toxins play havoc in our physical health, they cause ailments and skillfully poison us slowly over time and we eventually lose the energy to expel them as the day goes by.
Detoxification is the process of reducing the buildup of various poisonous substances in the body through external and internal sources.

External pathways:
- Inhalation : Smoking, air pollution, dental filling.
- Ingestion: Drugs, chemical residues on food and water.
- Injection: Vaccination, flu shots, tattoos.
- Absorption: Chemicals from synthetic fabrics, paints, plastic, pesticides.
- Radiation: Medical x-ray, nuclear power plants, cell phones, microwave etc.

Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individuals cells, removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination, the body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys intestines, lungs, lymph and skin, when this systems are compromised, every cell in the body are adversely affected.

A detox program can help the body's natural cleansing process by:

- It improves the digestive system
- It increases energy
- It helps with weight loss
- It increases fertility
- It enhances the feeling of wellness
- It helps prevent constipation 
- It reduces the risk of having colon cancer
- It improves circulation of blood

Know Your Body

Teaching your body to burn fat daily will boost your performance and give the body fat a proper send off, while your body enjoy all round good health .

Most times our body cling to fat because of bad lifestyles and stress, such lifestyles include:

- Bad diet: Every time you sit at a meal you make a decision concerning your life, healthy diet contributes to an individual's life span.

- Unhealthy fat: These fats easily settle under the skin and later pose as health hazards.

-Sugary foods: Contributes largely to overweight 

-Lack of exercise: Simple exercise is better than no exercise at all.

#2 Nigerian healthy drink recipes

Zobo is a healthy Nigerian drink made from the dried red calyces and sepals of the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), known as Zobo leaves in Nigeria. The drink is  known by different names all over the world , Zobo, Hibiscus tea, bissap, wonjo. It's a rich and natural health drink filled with enormous health benefits.

Health benefits of zobo:

• It has long been used traditionally as a natural diuretic and in the treatment of several diseases such as Urinary tract infections. It Promotes kidney functioning.
• Zobo drink is a veritable source of vitamin A
• According to nutritionists, it has been found to be very effective in the management of hypertension due to its anti-hypertensive properties.
• It also helps in lowering blood pressure as it contains an enzyme inhibitor which blocks the production of Amylase
• It reduces the cholesterol in the body
• It aids in digestion and acts as a Natural health tonic
• It has Antibacterial properties
• It helps Decrease spams in the stomach
• It Soothes colds and provides similar cold relief obtained by consuming antioxidant drinks.

Ingredients for zobo drink:

- 1 cup Zobo leaves 
- Half of a small Pineapple
- Pineapple peels (the skin of the pineapple you're using) 
- 5 to 6 cups of Water
- 1 teaspoonful Cloves (optional)
- 1 tablespoonful Ginger (Grated or chopped Ginger) (optional)
- Sugar or Honey or any sweetener of choice(optional)

Preparation:

1. Rinse the Zobo leaves in sufficient water and set aside.
 Wash the unpeeled pineapple thoroughly,peel of the skin and cut into chunks, but don't throw away the skin, because you'll be making use of it too.

2.  Now, place the washed zobo leaves into a clean pot, add the water, the pineapple chunks and skin, the grated ginger, cloves(if using) and any other ingredients you'll like to add.
  Cover the pot and let the Zobo leaves boil on medium heat for 35 minutes. 
  Turn of the heat and leave the pot covered, so that the ingredients can steep a little longer in the hot water and also cool down completely.

3. When the drink cools down,  pour the Zobo leaves and all the contents of the pot through a sieve and into a clean container.
 
4. If you want to, you can add sugar, honey or any sweetener of choice to the strained Zobo drink.
 You can drink it right away, topped up with some iced cubes OR
 If you'll rather store it for later, pour into an airtight container and chill in the fridge.
 Zobo drink keeps for up to a week or more in the fridge.

KUNU ZAKI DRINK :

Kunu drink is a popular drink made from whole grains of millet and sometimes sorghum or corn. Its quite popular in most parts of Nigeria especially the northern part,  this drink has two forms depending on the main ingredient used; Kunu Zaki from millet and Kunu Gyada from rice. Preparation of this drink takes about a minimum of 2-3 days. This is because for the first two days, it’s left to soak in water so as to trigger the process of fermentation.  

Ingredients:

- 3 cups Millet
- 1/2 cup Sweet potatoes (Fresh or Dried)
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger (Fresh or Dried)
- 1 teaspoon Cloves
- Sugar to taste
- 2 Litres Water

Preparation:
1. Wash millet to remove stones (incase there are any), Soak Millet for 10 hours in cold water (preferably overnight).

2. Pound sweet potatoes, ginger and cloves. Put millet and all the other things you’ve pounded together and ground or blend.

3. Mix the blended or grounded millet into paste and divide the paste into two parts. Set one part aside.

4. Boil some water. Pour the boiling water into the remaining paste and stir until it’s thick, just like pap(akamu) leave it uncovered and allow it to cool.

5. Then pour the other part you’ve kept aside and stir (after sometime it’s going to be a bit watery, which is ok).Leave it to stay over night (it’s better to do the whole thing in the evening except for the soaking that should be done in the morning).

Sieve it in the morning. Add sugar to your  taste.
 

#1: Nigerian healthy drink recipes

Drinks loaded with sugar are not the right choice of drinks, we should avoid drinks like soda, energy drinks and the rest.
In this post we'll be looking into healthy drinks basically Nigerian drinks by the way.
Here are a few Nigerian drinks recipes.

- Tiger nut drink:
Kunun Aya ,also known as Ofio Milk, is a nutritious and refreshing drink, made with Tiger nuts. 

It has lots of health benefits and the milk can be used as a substitute for the regular cow's milk.

 Kunun Aya (Tiger nuts Milk) is native to the Hausas' in Nigeria and quite easy to prepare.

Ingredients:::

-  200gram of tiger nuts

-  600 to 700ml cool water 

-  Medium size Ginger (optional)

Directions:::

Step 1: Soak the tiger nuts in clean water Overnight. if you are using the dry tiger nuts you'd need to soak it overnight to get re-hydrated and swells a little. 

Step 2: Rinse the soaked tiger nuts and place in a blender.  Wash and place the ginger in the blender a little water and blend.

Step 3: Pour through a sieve with a tight mesh and let the milk strain out. The first milk strained would be thick. Place the chaff back into the blender , add some more water, blend & strain again till the whole milk is extracted. The subsequent milk strained would be lighter than the first.

Step 4: Place the extracted milk drink in a refrigerator to chill up. Serve cold!

Soya bean milk:

Soya bean milk is a very healthy drink, I remember the first time I had a cup of soy milk it was beautiful. Making the milk from scratch is not so tiring. If you are interested in giving it a try check out the ingredients and preparation process below.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried soyabeans(soy beans)
 - 5 cups Water
- Sugar/Honey to taste 
- Flavor of choice(optional)

Steps of preparation:

Step 1: Clean the soya beans and soak them in water over night.
After soaking pour out the water and pour in fresh water, then wash the soyabeans, peeling off the coat.

Step 2: . When you now have coatless(de-hulled) soybeans, place in a blender and grind Sieve the mixture trough a cheese cloth and recover the soy milk. 

Step 3:  Transfer the Soya bean paste into a clean pot, add about 3 cups of water and boil for about 30 minutes stir constantly to prevent browning or burning after boiling  leave to cool.

Step 4. While the hot milky paste is cooling, place the muslin cloth over the sieve and place on a bowl. Then pour in the milky paste and gently press down or squeeze the cloth to extract all the milk from the paste. After sieving, you'll be left with a rich soyabean sweeten the soyabean milk to your taste, serve and enjoy.

How to improve your health naturally.

There are various things you can do to improve your healthy naturally, all you need is discipline and dedication so as to achieve a perfect end result.
The major key to good health is living right(living a healthy lifestyle).
Here are ways in which you can improve your health.

Drink water:
Roughly 60% of the body is made of water, drinking enough water maintains the body's fluid balance, it helps transport nutrients in the body, regulate body temperature and more.

Eat nutritiously:
Eating right is very important, its important to eat natural, unprocessed food.
- Eat whole grains
- Eat low fat food
- Eat sea food
-Eat fruits and vegetables

Always eat breakfast:
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Having a little something to eat can make a big difference. Do not skip breakfast.

Meditate:
Meditation helps improve your health by reducing your blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels. There are so many benefits one can get from meditation.

Control stress:
Stress affects one's health without one realizing it, stress can be managed .Way's in which you can manage stress  are
-Get enough sleep
-Maintain positive attitude
-Limit alcohol and caffeine.

No smoking:
Smoking only damages the body systems. It is very important to avoid smoking so as to live healthy.

Maintain a healthy weight:
This is also important for good health, with this many diseases can be prevented and controlled.

Stay positive:
Staying positive helps manage stress and improves one's health. Positive thinking helps to expel doubts and low thinking.

Forgive:
A free mind is a healthy mind, give no room for hate. Life is too short to be wasted on keeping grudge. Love yourself by letting go of all the pain and hurt.

My apologies.

So sorry about the long break guys. I simply got caught up in so many stuffs, which is not a good excuse and I really missed you guys.

Health benefits of Clove.

Botanically, clove-spice belongs to the family ofMyrtaceae in the genus; Sygyzium, and scientifically named as Sygizium aromaticum.
Cloves are one of the spices indigenous to Asian countries like Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and even areas of East Africa. 
Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree, the clove tree is an evergreen tree that grows up to 8-12 m tall with large leaves and sanguine flowers grouped in terminal clusters.

The spice contains health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol. It is a phenyl-propanoids class of chemical compound which gives pleasant, sweet aromatic fragrances to the clove-bud. The clove oil is used in preparation of some toothpastes and clovacaine solutions, which is a local anesthetic used in oral ulceration and inflammation.

Health benefits includes :
- Provides aid in digestion
-  Lowers blood sugar levels
- Fights against cancer
- It protects the liver
- Boost the immune system
- Controls diabetes
- Preserves bone quality
- Fights against oral diseases and headaches.
- Cures blemishes and scars
- relieve pain from rheumatism,arthritis    
- Diabetes control

Causes, symptoms and treatment of bad breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath also known as halitosis can be an embarrassing problem which happens to millions of people worldwide.
A lot of people go about their daily activities with this disorder unaware. A close contact with such individuals can kick one off balance.

Symptoms of Halitosis:

- A thick coated tongue which may be either white or yellow in color
- A dry tongue
- Bad breath smell
- unpleasant or sour taste or changes in taste.

Causes of Halitosis:

- Poor oral hygiene
- Diabetes can result in bad breath
- Eating strong smelling foods such as garlic, acidic beverages, spicy foods or fish
- Cigarette or tobacco smoking
- Buildup of bacteria in your mouth that causes inflammation and gives off noxious odors or gases that smell like sulfur -- or worse.

Treatment:

Brushing the teeth and tongue, and flossing, can often get rid of bad breath, at least in the short term.
Mouthwash may temporarily mask bad breath and can help with oral hygiene.

Tongue scraping, together with proper oral hygiene is the most effective common treatment against the causes of halitosis. 
If proper oral hygiene does not get rid of bad breath, see a dentist or doctor for a diagnosis.

Best ways to take water.

- Early in the morning before you brush your teeth. This will make the enzyme in the mouth to help lubricate the digestive system for proper functioning.

- Few minutes before you take your bath to regulate body temperature and blood pressure.

- 15 to 30 minutes before every meal and 15 to 30 minutes after each meal for easy digestion.

- If you must drink water during meal take it hot or luke-warm, to aid digestion because cold water slows down digestion.

- Drink sparingly during the day time for rejuvenation and total overhauling of the body.

- Drink water at least two hours before your bed time to reduce frequent visit to the toilet at night.

Colon cleansing

The Colon:

The colon is also called the large intestine and it is divided into four parts.
The ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon and the sigmoid colon.
The colon absorbs water and electrolytes from solid waste recycle it back into the body and the remaining raw material is stored as feces, moved through the action of peristalsis before being removed through the rectum as stool.

Clean Colon:

A clean colon allows only water, vitamin and nutrients to be absorbed in the blood stream rather than releasing toxins and bacteria through the colon walls.

Colon Cleansing :

Colon cleansing is a good way to improve your body's overall health and wellness by removing toxins from gastrointestinal tract which can cause a variety of health problems, such as, arthritis, allergies, asthma, blotting, constipation etc.
When detoxified the colon clears the way for essential nutrients to filter into your body unobstructed.

Why Colon Cleansing?

Gastrointestinal problems are prolific in todays society, this is because people eat food lacking in the nutrients required for healthy digestion.

Colon disease:

The following are the most common disease or disorders of the colon; angiodysplasia of the colon, appendicitis, chronic functional abdominal pain, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis etc.

Benefits of colon cleansing

- Improve digestion: The cleansing of the colon helps to push undigested waste through your system, there by clearing the way for good nutrients absorption and boosting waste loss tremendously.

- Fight constipation: Colon detoxification ends constipation especially when the bowel movements become difficult or less frequent.

- Maintain PH balance: Foods that cause colon blockage are acid forming high protein diets without enough fiber and can strongly influence the risk for many serious health issues like osteoporosis, sarcopenia, fractures and kidney stone formation, high blood pressure, thyroid problem, cancer and others.
By making simple changes to your diet you can improve your body's pH balance.

- Fight osteoporosis: When there is accumulation of toxins in the body due to dirty colon, the body becomes too acidic, minerals are pulled out of the bones and tissues to compensate.

- Increase energy: Releasing the toxins in the body is rejuvenating, it refocuses the energy usually used for forcing wastes through your body intestines to other parts of the body, gives better blood circulation, more restful sleep and a boost in energy.

Cleansing Methods

There are two main cleansing methods :

- Colon cleansing through the rectum by the use of enema, called colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy, this is a method of flushing out the colon by sending water into the body through a tube inserted into a person's rectum

- Colon cleansing the oral way, through the use of laxatives, herbal tea, supplements, concoction, diet etc.

Foods that help to cleanse the colon:

A colon cleansing diet is a well balanced meal including more organic fruits, vegetables and water, adding lots of fiber will help to regularize bowel movements, make the stool soft, so it is more easier to pass, keeping the digestive system and body hydrated.

Effects of Drinking cold water while eating.

The issue of drinking cold water while eating has been a topic for debate for a long time now. The cool sensation provided by cold water can not be denied, the soothing relief we get from drinking cold water after being devoured by the heat of the day is mind relaxing.

Drinking cold water while eating is known to be unwise, because fatty foods tend to solidify when mixed with cold water, making digestion more difficult.

As Nigerians most of our dishes are basically oily, from our simple Egusi soup to Efo riro and even beans all have great oil level. So many people believe that a perfect plate of food like the ones mentioned should be pushed down with a cold bottle of water or beverage, not knowing the harm this combination brings to their health.

Imagine two plates of oil on your table, imagine you pouring cold water into the first plate of oil, and pouring warm water into the other plate of oil, a clear difference comes to mind.
Imagine what the colon looks like when we ingest cold water on oily food.

Also imagine your kitchen sink where you wash your oily plates daily, sometimes when water fails to run through the sink properly  we pour in hot water to make room. Same goes to our body system.

Apart from solidifying fat cold water also slows down digestion. Nothing is better than living healthy if warm water opening doors for nutrients to circulate our body why go against it.

So the next time you are seated to eat a plate of pounded yam and egusi soup demand for a bottle of warm water and not cold water.

Herbs for weight loss

Healing power of herbs:

Herbs are products of nature, they can be used in tablets, capsules or extract form as well as in bath and poultices.
There are so many herbs that help to keep the body in better shape.

Herbs for weight loss:

Tumeric: Helps reduce inflammation which may be a significant cause of obesity and difficulty loosing weight.

Cinnamon: Helps control blood sugar and insulin levels, protecting you from diabetes while simultaneously managing your hunger.

Cayenne pepper: Increases the body's  ability to burn fat when eating three times a day.

Cloves: Helps you lose weight by speeding up your metabolism and helping your body to burn more calories.

Ginger: Reduce your appetite and cut cravings.

Garlic: Helps the body metabolise carbohydrate and fat more effectively and prevent the body from creating more fat.

Super Almond

One of the super foods that fight obesity are almonds. Almonds are high in good fats, it reduces belly fat because it is a power house of essential nutrients like magnesium, protein, vitamin E and fiber. When the body has enough good protein it develops lean muscle mass which in turn helps the body burn fat.

- Soak 6-8 almonds in water over night
- Drink first thing in the morning
- If you have taken lemon water, wait for 30 minutes before taking the soaked almonds.

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor.

Grape a super fruit.

Grapes, one of the most popular and delicious fruits, they are rich sources of vitamins A, C, B6 and folate in addition to essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium. They contain antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting  and simple sugars that provide instant energy.

The potential health benefits of consuming grapes are numerous:
Prevention of cancer heart disease, high blood pressure, constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, macular degeneration and the prevention of cataracts.

Fruit nutrition and health benefits

Fruits and vegetables are essential for balance diet and good health. They are good source of vitamins and minerals without which human body cannot maintain proper health and develop resistance to disease. 

They are natural gifts from nature, it is necessary to make half your plate fruit. Fruits and vegetables provide health benefits and are important for the prevention of illnesses.

Fruits and vegetables contain variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 
Fruit is naturally low in fat, sodium and calories, and rich in potassium, fiber, vitamin C and folate.

Fiber in fruit helps to protect against heart disease and lower cholesterol. Fruits have been shown to help protect against heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, eye disease and more.

Homemade fruit juice:

I prefer to juice my fruits when I can't keep up with chewing, I'll vote for home made juice any day. The manufactured juice out there ain't the perfect source of needed nutrients, most packs come with the 100%  pure fruit inscription, my mum would say "its just water and flavour".

In getting the necessary nutrients you need from fruits you either chew the fruit or personally juice them.

Freshly squeezed juices from fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of minerals and vitamins. An increased intake of fruit and vegetable juices ensures that the body will efficiently absorb more minerals and vitamins.

Another helpful benefit of fruits and fruit juices is their ability to promote detoxification in the human body. Fruits help to cleanse the body, especially those with high acid levels.

So what are your excuses for not eating fruits? Take those thoughts out, add fruit and vegetables to you dish. There are lots of fruits out there, different shapes, flavours, colours, you could play around with the colours by juicing or making fruit salad.
If the cost of fruit is your excuse, you can overcome this. Buy a little at a time, find out stores that sell at good and affordable prices.
There is no excuse that should prevent you from having good health. Only make sure to eat fresh fruits.

Tiger nuts and its benefits

I remember back then as a child I fancied tiger nuts, its sweetness and milky nature did it for me. I didn't mind spending my lunch money on tiger nuts. Apart from chewing I recently found out I could make milk out of the nuts, which is awesome by the way.

In Nigeria tiger nut is also called "Ofio" (Yoruba) and "Aya" (Hausa).
Tiger nuts are a highly nutritious plant food. They are not nuts they are simply tiny tubers with a nut-like flavor and nut-like texture.

Tiger nuts are very healthy, they help to prevent heart attacks, thrombosis and activate blood circulation. The very high fibre content combined with a delicious taste, make them ideal for healthy eating.
Tigernuts are said to act as a mild appetite suppressant because they contain resistant starch, a type of starch which resists digestion.

Tiger nut milk is a creamy beverage.
The tiger nuts, fresh or dried are best soaked in water for at least 6 hours prior to making the drink. I personally prefer to soak

Wash thoroughly in water and remove any stones/twigs and other non-tiger nut things. The tiger nuts, fresh or dried are best soaked in water for at least 6 hours before blending, ensure the nuts are covered in water. 

Once soaked, pour the tigernuts and liquid through a colander and rinse well. Place the tiger nuts in your blender and add water. You can add ginger to give it flavour.

Pour through a fine mesh strainer to separate the milk from the pureed tiger nuts, u  can re process the tiger 2 to 3 times. Pour your milk into a glass and your tiger nuts milk is ready.

Enjoy this milk chilled, or use it in your favorite smoothie recipe.

Benefits of tiger nuts:

- It has great protein content
- It is a good source of Vitamin E
- Its high fiber contents help to control body weight
- Helps control blood pressure
- It provides the body with potassium
- Tiger nut milk is a perfect substitute of animal milk. 
- It is recommended for those who suffer from indigestion, flatulence and diarrhoea because it provides digestive 
- Highest source of resistance starch.

Do yo know (10) The health benefits of Nutmeg

It improves appetite and digestion, used to dispel flatulence, prevent gas and fermentation in the intestinal tract, good for nausea and vomiting, treats toothache, eczema, abdominal pain etc.

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor.

Therapeutic massage "a way of sharing energy and enjoying pleasurable relaxation"

Massage  is the therapeutic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. It is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure.

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. Studies shows that massage is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscles tension.

Benefits of therapeutic massage

- Encourages relaxation
- Lower blood pressure
- Relaxes muscles
- Relieves headaches
- Improves joint mobility
- Reduces spasms and cramping
- Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues
  and vital organs improving circulation
- Exercise and stretch weak, tight muscles

 

There are many different types of massage, including these common types:

Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

Deep massage. This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it's geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.

Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

How to find a massage therapist

The best way to find a massage therapist is to get a referral from someone you know who has a massage therapist or from a health professional who is  knowledgeable about forms of complementary and alternative health care.

When interviewing a massage therapist you should feel comfortable asking questions, find out if he or she graduated from an accredited school. It is proper to ask if he or she is licensed.

Do you know (9) The health benefits of Broccoli

It has twice as much Vitamin C as spinach and as much as lemons, thus being an excellent support to the immune system, it has antioxidant and anticancer compounds, it improves body detox process and can lower cholesterol levels, prevent heart disease.

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor.

Health risk of Snoring and Sleeping positions.

Snoring is the noise made when the airway is compromised during sleep
It can be an unpleasant problem, that put other members of the family or the snorers partner into a crazy state, it is a common condition that can affect anyone, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight, and it has a tendency to worsen with age
Occasional snoring is usually not very serious, but habitual snoring must not be taken lightly because it impair you’re your sleep, therefore medical assistance may be needed

CAUSES OF SNORING

Causes are:
Obstructed nasal airways
Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue
Bulky throat tissues (overweight can cause this)
Long soft palate/or uvula can narrow the opening from the nose to the throat

                 Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.
Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes, this disorder occurs if the area of your brain that controls your breathing doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles, as a result, you'll make no effort to breath for few periods

            Health risk of snoring

Interruptions of breathing: This is caused by partial or total obstruction or total blockage of the airway
Frequent waking from sleep or being wake even though you may not realize it

Light sleeping : waking up so many times a night interferes with the normal pattern of sleep, causing more times to be spent in light sleep than in more restorative deeper sleep

Strain on the heart: Prolong suffering from obstructive sleep often result in high blood pressure and may cause enlargement of the heart, with higher risk of heart attack and stroke

Poor night sleep: This leads to drowsiness during the day and can interfere with your quality of life and increase risk for car accident.

          

Sleeping position

Have you ever considered the importance of your sleeping posture?
We all have to sleep to function normally, but we all sleep in different ways, the position in which we sleep seems like a completely subconscious choice, so, how do you sleep at night; On your sides, back, or your belly? Surprisingly enough your sleeping position can reveal a lot about your personality as it directly affect your health, and it is essential that you know and adopt the best and healthiest position in order to have a productive day
We shall be considering eight common sleeping positions and their effects to help you discover how the way you sleep affect your well-being

On your back arms at sides

Sleeping on your back with your arms at your sides “soldiers” is generally considered to be the best sleeping position for spine and neck health, but unfortunately back sleepers tend to snore more than those in any other position and sleep apnea is strongly associated with sleeping on the back

On your back arms up

Lying on your back with your arms above your head known as “star fish” position, is good for the back, prevents facial wrinkles and skin breakout, but carries the risk of snoring, acid reflux and slight pressures on your shoulders

         Face down

Sleeping on your stomach “free fall” improves digestion, but expert say this is the easiest way to wake up with pain and discomfort because it flattens the natural curve of the spine, which can lead to back pain, therefore is considered one of the worst position, however, it eases snoring and some cases of sleep apnea

        fetal position
Sleeping all curled up with your knees drawn up and your chin tilted down might be comfortable “fetal position” but will cause stress on the back and neck, it will also restrict your breathing

On your sides arms down

When you sleep on your sides with both arms down “log position” the spine is best supported in its natural curve, this can definitely help reduce back and neck pain while also reducing sleep apnea, but it can contribute to skin aging due to gravity, meaning facial wrinkle and sagging breast.

On Side arms out

Sleeping on sides with arms stretched out “yearner” position has many of the same benefits of sleeping on your sides with your arms straight down, however, any side sleeping can cause shoulder and arm pain due to restricted blood flow and pressure on the nerves, which may be made worse by having your arms out in front of you

on the right side

If you're a side sleeper, the side you sleep on make a difference, sleeping on the right side can worsen heart burn, while sleeping on the left side can put strain on the internal organs like the liver, lungs and stomach (while minimizing acid reflux).
For pregnant women:
Doctors advice sleeping on the left side, since this can improve circulation of blood to the heart which benefits both mum and baby, sleeping on the back will put pressure on the lower back, which can lead to fainting, and stomach sleeping is impossible for obvious reasons