Nature's Beauty Rewind. Today's Top Three

Since starting the blog, I've made an effort to include posts about natural and whole foods, oils and so forth to remind and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Natural antioxidants, vitamins and benefits for taking care of the inside as much as the visual appearance are key. In a time where more food products are processed with chemicals and synthetic by-products don't overlook the beauty of nature's bountiful options.

Here are a few reminders:

1. Kale:
http://jodywatleyblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/natures-beauty-kale.html

2. Garlic:
http://jodywatleyblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/natures-beauty-garlic.html

3. Olive Oil
http://jodywatleyblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/natures-beauty-olive-oil.html

Nature's Beauty. Bountiful Summer Fruits and Vegetables

When you look at your plate how vibrant are the colors? Greens, Red, Blues, Orange, Yellow and so on represent natural antioxidants and vitamins beneficial to your health on a daily basis. I think it's a lifestyle choice to consider year 'round; making sure your plate looks a bit like a crayon box with a range of hue options.

During the summer one of my favorite's is roasted corn with a dash of sea salt, fresh lime juice and a sprinkling of butter (though it's not really needed).

Eat fresh!

Nature's Beauty. Beets

I love beets and always have. They always remind me of Sunday dinners and I thank my Mom for always feeding us such good food. She made the best pickled beets when I was a little girl and now I use her recipe , much to her delight.  Beets with their vibrant color are are another vegetable with natural antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.  Steam, roast or pickle or juice - all good.

Nature's Beauty. Kale

I have to thank my daughter for turning me on to kale a few years ago. I used to always overlook it at the produce section. It's a member of the cabbage family and in the market often placed to next and confused with collard greens. It has 7 times more beta carotene than broccoli from what I've learned. Kale is vitamin rich in A, C and K as well as calcium and iron. The robust leafy green vegetable is also high in fiber. Other dietary benefits include helping to lower cholesterol and lowering risks for cancer and cataracts a benefit of the lutein properties. If you shop whole foods or local farmer's markets you'll find a greater variety of it as well.


Sautee it with olive oil and other favorite vegetables or on it's own with a bit of shaved garlic and a splash of sea salt, steam it, or throw it into your next pot of greens or soup. It's delicious and healthy!











Photo: (via) flickr.com

Nature's Beauty. Tomatoes

My favorites are cherry tomatoes. They're great to keep around as a snack on their own, even when you don't feel like a salad. With so many cases of cancer it seems wise to include whole foods which may decrease the risks and improve colon and prostate health.

Tomatoes add flavor to many dishes beyond pasta when cooking and are naturally full of anti-oxidants and Vitamins A and C.

Sauteed chicken prepared with this healthy vegetable along with kalamata olives, garlic, olive oil and other seasonings are delicious in my kitchen for a wonderful Mediterranean inspired dish.






Photo: (via) flickr

Daily Bliss.

Eating something you enjoy which also happens to be healthy. I've been eating a lot of raspberries this week.









Photo: (Via) Jody Watley

Nature's Beauty. Aloe Vera

There's so much goodness in aloe vera. The plant should be a home staple. Most people are aware it's great for sun and other burns as a topical aid, but there are so many other ways in which the gel inside the plant can be used once juiced.

A natural healer and full of a range of vitamins and minerals, aloe vera reportedly halts the growth of cancerous tumors, eases inflammation associated with arthritis, lowers cholesterol, stabilizes blood sugar in diabetics, assists in digestive issues, and supposedly can help in treating colon polyps.

Click the header of the post to learn more useful tips about aloe vera and watch the video which demonstrates how to fillet the leaves.
Crank up the blender!

Nature's Beauty. Watermelon Juice. Reduce Bloating.

I'd recommend investing in a juicer if possible. Making fresh juice, you all of the nutrients without added sugar and preservatives found in what you buy from the store. Otherwise read and pay attention to labels.

Watermelon juice is one of my favorites as a summer thirst quencher. It contains Vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as potassium and the anti-oxidant lycopene which is found in tomatoes. Add to the benefits: it's fat free and reduces bloat. Need I say more?








Photo: (via) thecattylife.com

Nature's Beauty. Romaine Lettuce

I hope these posts make you think about eating healthier, and including more whole foods into your daily lifestyle.

Romaine is a more robust textured lettuce, which I enjoy. Of course once you add cheese and heavy salad dressings you diminish what's good. Romaine is low in calories and high in water volume. The vitamins include A (which includes beta-carotene), K,C, and folic acid which are all good for the heart.





Photo: (via) Flickr

Nature's Beauty. Oats

Consumption of whole grains and dietary fiber is known to lower your cholesterol, blood pressure as well as reduce risk of heart disease.


Just don't add too much butter and sugar to that bowl of oatmeal!








Photo: (via) Flickr

Nature's Beauty. Almonds

Almonds are one of my favorite snacks. They are full of the same healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil known to prevent heart disease. Nuts such as almonds also help lower cholesterol according to the British Journal of Nutrition. Almonds contain Vitamin E, magnesium and potassium. Eating almonds is known to reduce glycemic index.
Another benefit from the Journal of Obesity is that people who eat nuts at least two times a week were 31% less likely to gain weight than those who never eat nuts, although many people believe the opposite is true.