Lemon?

I know these are lemons. But I'm not really sure.. Haha! It looks like a guava to me actually. Well, the plant grew in our garden and bears its fruit on regular basis. But I find it odd though, I haven't seen it ripen not even once.

While the lemon tree that my Dad planted in the backyard I see the fruit changes its color. But that one? Never.
So I thought, is there any variation??? Or maybe it is a male plant that's why the fruit doesn't ripen?? LOL

Cucumber

This is my snack for three consecutive days now... I bought this last time I went to the market. I sliced and let it swam on sweet and spicy vinegar...

 

The cucumber is a type of melon and comes from the same family as watermelon, zucchini and other squash.  It is cylindrical in shape with lengths of approximately 6 to 9 inches.  Its skin is very similar to watermelon, ranges from green to white.  Inside, the flesh is pale green and very juicy. 
The cucumber is a tropical plant but is also easily available in most part of the world.  However, in some cultures, cucumber is more often used to make pickles, of which most of its nutrients would have been lost.

Nutritional BenefitsCucumber has an impressive amount of water (about 96%) that is naturally distilled, which makes it superior to ordinary water.  Its skin contains a high percentage of vitamin A, so should not be peeled off.The cucumber contains alkaline-forming minerals and is an excellent source of vitamin C and A (anti-oxidants), folate, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, silica, sulfur, and lesser amounts of vitamin B complex, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and chlorine. 

You have seen beauty practitioners use slices of cucumber on their eyes.  It is found that the caffeic acid in this vegetable helps to prevent water retention and when applied topically, helps reduce puffy and swollen eyes. 

Health BenefitsMany people are ignorant of the immense health benefits of cucumber and would avoid eating cucumber where possible.  Fresh cucumber may taste "bland" to some but its thirst-quenching and cooling properties are refreshing. It acts as an anti-oxidant when taken together with fried and barbequed foods. I like to mix cucumber juice with carrot or orange juices.  Here's a list of health benefits of cool cucumber:Acidity: The alkalinity of the minerals in cucumber juice effectively helps in regulating the body's blood pH, neutralizing acidity.  The juice is also soothing for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.Blood pressure:  Like celery, this colorless drink can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium.Connective tissues, building:  The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.Cooling: During dry and hot weather, drink a glass of cucumber + celery juice. It wonderfully helps to normalize body temperature.Diuretic:  Cucumber juice is diuretic, encouraging waste removal through urination.  This also helps in the dissolution of kidney stones.Fever:  The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.Inflammation:  The Chinese think that cucumbers are too "cooling" and not suitable for people with rheumatism.  But we know now that cucumber can help counter uric acids that are causing inflammation in joints.  When cucumber is taken it does its cleaning work at the joints, thus stirring up pain as it eliminates the uric acid.  This means it also help other inflamed conditions like arthritis, asthma, and gout.Hair growth:  The silicon and sulfur content in cucumber juice makes it especially helpful in promoting hair growth.  Drink it mixed with carrot, lettuce or spinach juice.

Puffy eyes:  Some people wake up in the morning with puffy eyes, probably due to too much water retention in the body (or having cried to sleep).  To reduce the puffiness, lie down and put two slices of cucumber on the eyes for a good ten minutes.

Skin conditions:  The high amount of vitamin C and anti-oxidants in cucumber makes it an important ingredient in many beauty creams for treating eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc.Sunburn:  When there is a sunburn, make cucumber juice and rub it on the affected area for a cooling and healing effect.

Water retention:  It supplies the necessary electrolytes and restores hydration of the body cells, thus reducing water retention. 

Consumption TipsChoose cucumbers that are dark green in color and firm to the touch.  Avoid those that are yellowish or are wrinkled at either ends.  Thinner cucumbers have fewer seeds than those that are thicker.Store cucumbers in the fridge to retain its freshness.  Cut cucumbers should be kept wrapped up or in an air-tight container and kept in the fridge.  Consume within a day or two.
Caution

Where possible, buy organic as cucumbers may be waxed or have pesticides.  If non-organic, wash cucumber under cold running water and scrub gently with a vegetable brush.  It might help also to soak it for 5-10 minutes with 1-2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.  http://www.juicing-for-health.com

Yummy Strawberries

fresh strawberries

Guyabano/Soursop

Our neighbor gave us two guyabano early today. They got it from their own tree which bears plenty of fruits. Honestly I'm not fond of guyabano, I have tasted it waaaay baaacckk and boy, I don't like the taste. The same as how I dislike durian. heehee!

That was before, but I don't know now, well maybe I should give a second try and give guyabano a chance to justify how healthy and delicious fruit it is.

Guyabano/Soursop (Scientific Name: Annona muricata Linnaeus) A.K.A  Guanabana & Graviola

Let's take a closer look and fall in love. :)

Guyabano/Soursop Fruit Nutrition

Guyabano belongs to the family of Annonaceae, (A. muricata L.). The flesh of the fruit consist of a white edible pulp that is high in carbohydrates and considerable amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Potassium and dietary fiber. Guyabano is low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. Not only is guyabano a good health food, it also taste delicious. The tree and fruit is known in various names: Guyabano in Filipino, Soursop in English, Graviola in Brazil, and Guanabana in Spanish.

About the Guyabano

The heart shaped / oblong guyabano fruit has a dark green, leathery and spike-like skin that measures from 8 to 12 inches long and can weigh up to 2.5 kilos. The creamy and delectable flesh contains from 60 to 100 black-brown seeds that are indigestible and non-edible.

The guyabano tree is relatively small. It usually grows from 8 to less than 20 feet high and is sensitive to very cold temperatures. The guyabano tree requires a lot of water, warmth and humidity and is usually grown in the tropics. It is cultivated commercially in Central & South America, West Africa, Asia and South Florida in limited numbers.

Products made from Guyabano fruit:

Aside from being eaten raw, the guyabano fruit is processed into candies, tarts, shakes, ice-cream, sherbets and other beverages.

Medicinal Uses of Guyabano

Guyabano has been used as folkloric herbal medicine in many regions thought the world. It is considered to be antispasmodic, sudorific and emetic. A decoction (boiling in water) of guyabano leaves is used to kill bedbugs and head lice.

To reduce fever, a decoction of leaves can be taken internally or the leaves added to bathing water also has the same effect. The crushed fresh leaves are also applied on skin eruptions for faster healing. A poultice of young guyabano leaves is applied on the skin to alleviate rheumatism and other skin infections like eczema. Applied during the healing of wounds, this can result in less or no skin scars. The decoction can also be used as a wet compress on swollen feet and other inflammations.

The juice of the fruit is taken orally as a herbal remedy for urethritis, haematuria and liver ailments.

Studies are underway by leading medical institutes, universities and pharmaceutical companies of the healing properties of guyabano against cancers. Initial findings show that certain compounds and chemicals extracted from guyabano leaves, seeds, fruit and bark appear to kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells remain unaffected.

Other uses of Guyabano

Pulverizing the guyabano seeds and mixing it with soap & water is used as effective spray against caterpillars, armyworms and leafhoppers on plants.

The guyabano leaves are believed to have a tranquilizing and sedative properties. In the Netherlands Antilles, the leaves are placed inside pillows or placed on top of the mattress to induce a good night's sleep. http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org

Wow, enough facts to love guyabano...

Well, I ought to like it;)