Fountain of Youth

 

HEALTH AMPLIFIED

Fountain of youth

With the heat wave that has spread across South Africa this past week or two, fires raging and almost drought like conditions, everyone is in desperate need of water. Water is a basic, essential need, and without it people can die.

Our family drinks a lot of water! We don’t keep juice in the house, except when we have visitors. So it is mostly water, smoothies and rooibos tea during the day. We love flavouring our water with bursts of flavour of cucumber, mint leaves, ginger, cut up fruit or lemon. Then we add some chia seeds for texture, nutrition and fun! The little seeds swell after about 10 minutes in water and are packed with protein and fibre, and our kids love the fun element in it! Make sure to give it a good shake or stir before you have a sip. We sometimes call it vegetarian caviar!

Store bought flavoured water is actually cooldrink. It is filled with sweeteners and flavouring, it just lacks the colourant. Most store bought flavoured water contains high amounts of sugar, non-nutritive sweeteners, fructose, flavouring, vitamin C balls, chia seeds, basil seeds or carbonated water.

Try to stay away from sugar water and non-nutritive sweeteners, it will only cause havoc with your hormones and can cause chemical imbalances. Even if it does contain healthy “happy” seeds and vitamin C balls. Rather grab plain or sparkling water and a fruit if you want hydration and vitamins.

Checkers has a flavoured water which is just water and flavouring. It takes a bit to get used to if you are a regular flavoured water drinker. There is also a sparkling flavoured water available containing fructose and flavouring. Fructose does cause a little less havoc, so keep this in mind when looking for water next time.

I’m very excited to try Kangen water! This is a water machine that you can install in your kitchen, and is manufactured by Enagic. This machine has the ability to change the pH level of your water, depending on what you want to do with the water. Our bodies function better if it is more on the alkaline side, that is also why a diet rich in raw fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthier pH level in our bodies.

The “strong water” setting’s pH is alkaline at a pH of about 11 on the pH scale. This pH is recommended when washing your fruit and vegetables. Normal tap water does not remove any wax or oil substances on your produce. Chemicals, pesticides and dirt is in this waxy layer. The “strong water” setting emulsifies the wax when washing and ultimately helps to keep your produce fresher for longer. You will also not have all those terrible chemicals entering your body.

There is a water setting that can act as a surface household cleaner, without bringing harmful chemicals into your house. The pH level can kill germs, emulsify oils and dirt, and make your house sparkly clean without using other products.

The drinking water setting has an optimal pH that will hydrate your cells in your body for optimal cell metabolism, energy and better performance.

Then there is my favourite, “Beauty water”… With the optimal pH for your skin, you can place it in a spritzer bottle to hydrate and freshen your skin wherever you are going. This is also seen as an anti-ageing water because it also helps to plump up your skin cells. Use this settings water when you want to wash your face. I wouldn’t suggest bathing in it, because it will take a while to fill up your bath using that little machine!

Vichy Skin Care uses thermal water in their skin care products. There are also other skin care products available on the market that use thermal water as an ingredient. The water has a unique composition acting as a purifier, anti-oxidant and calming agent. Vichy is well known for their face spritzer.

I have personally not made use of Kangen water, because the machine can cost you R70 000. BUT, I think if you had to add up cleaning products, health bills and skin care products, it can quickly add up to R70 000. I would love to hear anyone’s comment on this machine. Please have a look at the links below to find out exactly what this machine can do for you!

https://youtu.be/10s-0gkSoEA 

https://youtu.be/zfzD-eEz8Fo

Lizelle

 

Recipes:

Healthy “Halva”

This is a Turkish sweet treat made with sesame seeds and sugar. I used to always have “Halva” on my Christmas present list as a child! This is my healthier version. Our kids don’t like it very much, but it is for me!

1 Cup desiccated coconut

1 Cup sesame seeds (ground in seed/coffee grinder)

1 tsp vanilla

3 Tbsp melted coconut oil

2 Tbsp raw honey

-Place everything in the food processor and process until it starts to stick together.

-Press into a small flat dish or oven pan lined with baking paper. Press down and inwards to compact it.

-Freeze until just set (about 15 min).

-Cut into small blocks, place in airtight container and keep in the fridge or freezer.

 

Peanut honey snack

Raw peanuts (Find it in the isle where the dried beans, lentil and soup mixes are.)

2 Tbsp honey

Cinnamon

Pinch of pink salt

-Oven 170 degrees Celsius.

-Place raw peanuts in an oven pan to cover the bottom.

-Roast peanuts in the oven, giving it a good shake every 5 minutes to prevent burning etc.

-Roast about 20 minutes.

-Remove from the oven, drizzle honey over the peanuts, sprinkle cinnamon and a pinch of salt over it, mix well.

-Place it back in the oven and roast until golden and sticky.

-Remove from the oven, and let cool.

-Use a spatula to loosen nuts from the bottom from sticking. (The honey hardens as it cools.)

-Store in an airtight container when completely cooled.

* Optional: Replace cinnamon with masala powder or any spice of choice.