The Benefits of Juicing Carrots

As a mom who does not always cook for their kids like I should I get concerned my kids get enough of the vitamins that they need. They say “eating a carrot every day is like signing a life insurance policy” and that is because they are so healthy for you. When you drink carrot juice every day it is not only like taking a huge preventative measure to prevent any illness from happening in the future it can also cure some diseased conditions you have, or at least alleviate their symptoms. Drinking carrot juice has also been able reverse chronic conditions (like night blindness) and is known for making people look more youthful in general.

The high nutritional content of carrot expediently rushing into your bloodstream to feed your cells can give you an immediate burst of energy. n. It is a natural “upper” that encourages you to be bright, vital and active.

Carrot juice is tasty and combines nicely with a number of other nutritious fruits and vegetables such as juices such as apples, celery, spinach, tomatoes, basil, pineapples, mango, papaya and many others. It is the ultimate “foundation juice” to which other juices can be added.

All carrots are beneficial for your health however there can be some subtle differences in nutrition between varieties. For instance a dark purple heirloom carrot can contain the same powerful antioxidants as blueberries. A white carrot may have much less beta-carotene in it then an orange one but it may have more potassium.

It is also to your benefit to buy organic carrots as they will contain fewer pesticides than other types. Be sure to choose fruits that are firm and not too pitted or limp. Dehydrated, old looking vegetables might still have some nutrition in them but they will not really yield much juice.

Before you juice a carrot be sure to clean it well…You can buy special fruit and vegetable soap that helps get this residue off your fruit as well. Just remember to scrub them well before you cut them up and juice them.

Choose a quality brand of juicer that does not jump across the counter when fed carrot chunks. The best way to juice them is to cut them into finger length chunks and then use the hopper to push them through the hopper.

If you find tepid carrot juice unappetizing you can always serve it over ice. Another tip is to put it in the juice freezer or even blend the resulting juice with some ice. If you want the fresh carrot juice to taste a little bit spicier you can add a touch of curry powder, pepper and sea salt.

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Making Baby Food Out of Tofu

Tofu is a soybean curd; it is made from unfermented. It is a fantastic source of iron, protein and calcium that is smooth and silky and easily blended into baby food…

However, as Tofu is a soy product, you should not offer it to an infant who has been identified as having any allergy to soy.

Tofu is a very versatile food and can be eaten raw, baked, sautéed and pureed into soups, broths and grain dishes. It is also the ideal vegetarian source of protein for a baby. However it is not ready to serve to a child until he or she is at least eight months old as it can be a bit hard on underdeveloped digestive systems.

Tofu comes in blocks that must be drained and blotted dry. You can then spoon it, slice it or spoon it. It is very easily blended or mashed.

Tofu keeps in the fridge for up to a week. It does not freeze well so it is better to make baby food from it in smaller batches.
For a sweet treat try adding honey and crushed graham crackers to tofu and pureeing it together. For an extra tasty treat mash a chocolate chip cookie or Oreo cookie into blended tofu.

Tofu tastes like pudding when blended with a touch of vanilla and any fruit. If the fruit is frozen it can have a texture a little more like ice cream once blended. Try blending it with apples, strawberries, blueberries or pears. You can add a bit of yogurt for a milkier taste.
Tofus also goes great mashed up with cottage cheese and avocado and pureed in a blender. A very simple meal is to cube the tofu and sauté it in olive oil. Season it with salt and pepper and then serve. Another great idea is to blend the tofu with carrots and sweet potato to make baby food.

Tofu can also substitute for scrambled eggs if mixed with olive oil or butter, green pepper, onion and tomato and fry it up. You can serve this like a scramble if you want but if the baby is very young then it is suggested that you puree it.

The other great thing about Tofu is that if you buy the silken kind you can add fruits, juices, yogurt and a bit of ice to make a delicious smoothie for your baby. This is especially healthy and refreshing for your baby on a hot day when he or she may not feel much like eating.

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