Just Amazing Things

Your Grocery Store Guide to Health

2015-05-12T04:52:00.002-07:00

If this research is to go by, making healthy eating habits and choices is primarily a state of mind, and one which can be cultivated over time.

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According to the study, eating an apple upon entering the grocery store led to shoppers buying 25% more fruits and vegetables than those who did not, in a new study from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab. "What this teaches us," says Aner Tal, PhD of Cornell, "is that having a small healthy snack before shopping can put us in a healthier mindset and steer us towards making better food choices."

The study advises shoppers to eat a small snack before heading to a grocery store so you make healthier choices.

Co-author Brian Wansink conducted three experiments to make their case, the first of which involved 120 shoppers. They were given at random an apple, a cookie or nothing at all as they arrived at the grocery store. Tracking their purchases, the researchers concluded that those who had eaten an apple bought 28% more fruits and vegetables than those who had consumed a cookie and 25% more fruits and vegetables that those who were not given a snack.

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What influences shoppers, according to the study, is the perceived healthfulness, rather than actual healthfulness. The research also advises shoppers to eat a small, healthy snack before going to the grocery store in order to reduce hunger and point you in the right direction when making healthy choices. This way they can also make good daily healthy eating habits.

Source: HTC & Relaxnews

My Trip to Paradise of Love this Summer

2015-05-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

You know how they say ‘If I had to be marooned on an island…’? Well, I’d like that island to be Bali, Indonesia. A 1.5 hour flight away from Jakarta, Bali lies just 3km away from Java and is truly a paradise.

Scuba Diving in Amed, Bali (image source)

Although I landed in Denpasar, Bali’s capital, instead of starting there, I decided to map a different route. Reason? A hankering for adventure. Amed is unexplored - it’s hardly frequented by tourists. It’s devoid of commercialism. Bali is home to 90% Hindus, followed by Muslim, Christian and Buddhist population.

Clown Fish (image source)

Now, back to adventure. I had two choices: trekking up Mount Agung, a 3000 meter active volcano or diving. But thanks to Bali’s famed coral reefs, I was interested in a meditative session of diving. Needless to say, it also wouldn’t challenge my sorry levels of stamina. If, however, you’re fit, Mount Agung can be climbed in 5-7 hours in a trek that begins 11pm. The Jemuluk Bay is an excellent choice for snorkelers too, and the rocky Tulamben Bay boasts of a US military shipwreck. We saw barracuda, mantis shrimp, frogfish and even a turtle, who was a very cool customer. Stay options are aplenty and they are cheap and excellent. For food, there are Indonesian cuisine. Try Pantai for their daily catch.

This small island of Indonesia is home to people with big hearts and it’s beauty, warmth and culture will leave your wanting for more, much more

Besakih Complex Pura Penataran Agung (image source)

Rice Fields in Ubud (image source)

The next leg of our journey was Ubud in central Bali, a quaint retreat where the countryside boasts of miles of terraced rice paddies. You can take a tour and buy souvenirs on the way. Although recently developed, Ubud is full of great restaurants, boutiques and shops where you can get masks, vintage wooden posters, jewellery and other knick knacks. It is also home to many art galleries that stock artworks by local artists. Make sure you catch dinner at Café Lotus, which also hosts a traditional Balinese dance performance with the Pura Saraswati (Saraswati Temple) as the backdrop. And though there are many places where you’ll find Italian, Mexican and even Indian, I suggest trying the local cuisine, like Nasi Goreng (a rice preparation), Mie Goreng (Noodles) and Sate (skewered meat with peanut sauce).

Tanah Lot Temple (image source)

I also visited a coffee plantation to check out the famed Luwak coffee which – brace your guts (no pun intended) – is literally ‘poop coffee’, made by extracting coffee seeds from the poo of the Luwak and roasting them. But it’s heart beating to see the animals caged, and in some places, being ‘fed’ the coffee beans rather than them ‘choosing’ the best ones, which they naturally do.

Shopping at Bali (image source)

After two days in Ubud, I headed to Seminyak in South Bali, which lies in stark contrast to the quiet streets of Amed. Here you will find swanky hotels, restaurants and stores. While I mostly lounged by the pool and walked along the beach, you could try surfing further down south in Kuta. As my journey came to an end, I realized that Bali isn’t all adventure and shopping, it’s also a spiritual revival, one that will always leave me wanting to come back, and you too.

Neha Malude (HTC News)

Experts Says These Foods are Calorie Bombs

2015-05-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

All health foods are not actually healthy: instead, some may make you gain weight. Here are healthy eating tips.

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Resolved to lose weight and so, you’re only eating healthy these days? Think again, as certain foods that seem healthy are actually calorie bombs leading to weight gain. Here are some of those culprits, and expert advice on the right way to eat them.

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AVOCADO

Ah! Yes, avocado is a delicious super food, and each avocado contains 10 gm of fiber and twice the amount of potassium as food in bananas. They are also full of anti-oxidants and are belly filling. However, if losing weight is your aim, you better watch your avocado intake. They are calorie dense, and are very high in fat content.

Expert advice: Use in moderation when adding them to your salads and sandwiches. Stick to one avocado a day.

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NUTS

You may be snacking on dry fruits instead of popcorn at the movies or opting for peanuts, because someone told you nuts are healthy. Sure they have heart-healthy fats, but may pose as a hindrance in getting that lean body you desire.

Expert advice: Avoid the combination of beer and nuts.

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PROTEIN BAR

Protein is good, right? Oh yes it is, but not when it’s in the form of protein bars. If you want to lose kilos, stay away from these bars, or else say goodbye to those flat abs.

Expert advice: Replace the protein bars with lentils or egg whites, as they have a low calorie count.

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SMOOTHIE

We’re not saying smoothies are bad, but you’ve got to exclude ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate, cream or flavored syrup from this yoghurt wonder, and you’re good to go.

Expert Advice: A healthy smoothie is one that only contains fresh fruits, low-fat yoghurt and unsweetened milk.

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SALAD

We all switch to salads as soon as we pledge to start eating healthy. There’s nothing wrong with it, as long as you don’t overload your salad with cheese, croutons, nuts and creamy dressings. Doing this will make your salad more fattening than a pizza!

Expert advice: Add seeds and nuts to your salad for the crunch and flavor.

Here in this video Katie is sharing some healthy eating tips and healthy breakfast ideas quick & easy way.
Click here to watch this video

Inputs by nutritionist Tripti Tandon (HTC News)

Eat Healthy, Share Healthy!

Get Set To See Yellow this Season with Minions

2015-04-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to see more of the delightfully despicable minions? The quirky scientists of Pantone Color Institute, New Jersey, US, have just the thing for you. They have introduced a new color in a bright citric shade. The color is called Minion Yellow, inspired by the popular bespectacled animated characters Minions from the movie Despicable Me, and its upcoming sequel.

Not surprisingly, the brain behind this creation was the pop culture savant Pharrell Williams, who co-wrote the score for the flick and its sequel, and whose ability to create trends, be they in fashion or music, is well documented.

The vice president of Pantone Color Institute Laurie Pressman says, “Color is contextual, and right now there is a desire for colors that are more vibrant and uplifting.”

If one had any doubts that the pop culture of today has a huge influence on the world of fashion, this should put them to rest. And, gear up to see more of your beloved yellow creatures.

Watch all scenes and songs from Despicable Me 2.

Despicable Me 2 - All Minion Scenes - Songs... by NewViralVideo

10 Easy Ways to Save the Earth, Now

2015-04-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Saving the Earth? Why, that’s a job for activists and environmentalists, you might say. But who says you can’t do your bit? One earth day, today, here’s how you can make the planet a little better in a small yet significant way.

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1. Don’t Use RO Water Systems

Using RO (reverse osmosis) purifiers is a waste of water, say experts. “RO purifiers use 75 liters of water to give you 25 liters of drinkable water” says renowned food and trade policy analyst and environmentalist, Devinder Sharma. “Obviously, a typical family uses much more than 25 liters of water a day – so you’re wasting much more than 75 liters. Here we are ruing the condition of our farmers and we leave that water to run down the drain, literally”. How can you use that water? “Use it for mopping, watering your plants, washing your car, anything, but use it” he says.

2. Give Away your Plastic Bottles

We have a tendency to keep collecting plastic bottles (like buying a bottle of water when we’re out) and then using the bottles to store drinking water at home or carry them to office as water bottles. Stop collecting plastic bottles or throwing them in the dustbin. You’re better off giving them away to scrap dealers who collect newspapers and other odds and ends from your home every month.

3. Switch Off that Desktop Computer

How many of us corporate employees are guilty of leaving our desktop computers on every day after we leave office? A desktop that is on for 8 hours a day using close to 600 kWh- that is around 170 kgs of CO2 every year. And this is just when it’s on. Of course, you can put your desktop in a hibernation mode, but do you?

4. Stop Using Paper – Switch to E-Bills

If you have credit cards and multiple bank accounts, chances are that you have paper bills and statements being posted to your every month too. How about switching to e-statements and e-bills? More and more people are switching to net banking, so they don’t even use chequebooks or passbooks anymore. What about you?

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5. Quit Wasting That Water!

Did you know that a one-minute shower uses up around 30 liters of water? This goes up if it’s a high-power shower, of course. Multiply that by, say 10 minutes – that’s 300 liters of water wasted for an activity that shouldn’t take more than five minutes. And this isn’t even inclusive of your brushing, flushing or hand-washing! “An average toilet flush uses up 12.5 liters for 500 ml of urine”.

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6. Plant A Plant

No matter how small your space, have a plant. “Even if it’s just a herb or a green chili plant that needs little attention, grow it. A little amount of greenery goes a long way”. And if you like, you can even build a mini garden in your house – use vertical arrangement, hanging planters, box shelves – the choice is yours. After all, in an increasingly concrete world, it’s nice to have an oasis of your own, is it not?

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7. Buy Less

Why buy it if you don’t need it? One of the main reasons we leave a huge carbon footprint is that we buy more than we use or need. More consumption, more resources, simple. If you can make do with one AC, why but two? One of the biggest problems of a growing economy is that our buying power has grown. The flip side is that now we buy more than we can use. Why buy 10 pairs of leather shoes when you end up using only five on a daily basis?

8. Fill Those Tyres

Of course, carpooling is way better than driving solo but hey, if you don’t have an option, make sure you fill your tyres properly. Many a time, we ignore filling our car tyres because we’re getting late but there are few who know what impact that can have. Improper inflating of tyres causes them to drag more to speed up, thus using more fuel, reducing your car’s efficiency and causing pollution through emissions.

9. Washing Woes

No one needs to be told how much water washing machines use, right? Plenty. Are you perhaps, guilty of throwing in a handful of dirty laundry and setting the option to ‘full load’? Wash your clothes only when the machine is full – and while you’re at it, clean that lint filter. When you don’t, your machine’s efficiency lowers, using up more power, and therefore, electricity, than required.

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10. Stop Using Toilet Paper

This is the biggest culprit behind deforestation. As per the organization, Earth911, nearly 7 million trees are cut down for toilet paper needs of just the US. Why are Indians, who’ve never used toilet paper, switching to it now? Water is much more hygienic, isn’t it? It’s not just individuals, corporate companies are just as responsible.

Text By: Neha Malude (HT News)

Amazing Free Fall Jump At Dean's Blue Hole

2015-03-21T05:52:00.003-07:00

Guillaume Nery is a French champion free-diver who broke the record at Dean's Blue Hole (Bahamas), world's deepest hole also called vertical cave. This video was filmed on breath hold by Julie Gautier.

Amazing Space Saving Furniture Video Part-2

2015-03-21T05:52:00.001-07:00

Highly engineered hydraulic bookshelves, beds, couches, desks (Made In Italy)

[source]

Also see :

Amazing Space Saving Furniture Video Part-1

Amazing Space Saving Furniture Video Part-3

Cadbury Chocolates For Goolge Founders

2015-03-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

Sergey Brin and Larry Page are really lucky to have their names on Cadbury +1 chocolate bars. Cadbury has specially made these personalized Dairy Milk +1 Chocolate bars for them.

Probably, this is going to be a new trend in social media, when people want to have their names on different products. This is really a nice concept and I am excited to see some other big names on it. Don't you?

A Two-Wheeled Car With Self Balancing Capability

2015-03-21T05:51:00.002-07:00

Hybrid Lit C-1 two wheeled car that enables you stay upright and well balanced using gyroscope even at low speed or a standstill. It uses the technology named gyroscope which can be seen in Honda's UNI-CUB and Segway scooters. Its electronic sensors keep the vehicle balanced at all times even if the vehicle is involved in a collision.You can sit and drive using a wheel like in a car. That's why it is called two-wheeled car. It has a top speed of 120Mph. It's battery can give you enough autonomy for 150 to 220 miles and can be charged up in six hours.

Availabiliy: 2014

Price: $12,000 - $16,000 (USD)

Watch these videos to get the idea:

Wanna watch more videos, Click here

Tell us how do you like this post!

Yummy Chocolate Images

2015-03-21T05:51:00.001-07:00

Yummy chocolate cakes, pastries, pure chocolates, chocolate gifts and chocolates in different shapes. Hmmm! I am going to get one right now.

Amazing Things

2015-03-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

All new amazing fully loaded car:

Ctrl + Alt + Coffee - Don't press delete button on you keyboard because its time to take a sip of coffee:

Its like a little outhouse where you can study, play and sleep:

Amazing by-cycle with a new and a very important feature:

Portable Shoe:

Enter a new world:

Create A Little Grass Lawn In Keyboard

2015-03-21T05:50:00.005-07:00

Its easy to grow beautiful green grass in your computer's keyboard. You can take your old keyboards to create this mind blowing decorative item or a little lawn keyboard.

Watch this video to know the secret.

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HD Nature Wallpapers Widescreen

2015-03-21T05:50:00.003-07:00

Best selected HD nature widescreen wallpapers make you a part of nature.

Also see Twitter Nature Backgrounds

Amazing Space Saving Furniture Video Part-1

2015-03-21T05:50:00.002-07:00

Mechanical engineers design furniture for saving space in a small house.

[source]

See this video:

Also see :
Amazing Space Saving Furniture Video Part-2
Amazing Space Saving Furniture Video Part-3

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You Are Doing It Wrong

2015-03-21T05:50:00.001-07:00

You Are Doing It Wrong

Amazing Goal Trick Video

2015-03-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

I want to show you an amazing goal trick first. This old video shows the true spirit of football. Four of the team members done this beautifully. Take a look

Beautiful Trick of An Amazing Goal - Must Watch by soniasgreat

Another interesting video where Lionel Messi is playing with children.

Introducing One Wheel Bike - SBU V3

2015-03-21T05:49:00.009-07:00

Unlike this bike, some days ago I've posted about a two wheeled car. These both vehicles have some similarities like self balancing capability.

SBU V3 (Self Balancing Unicycle) is popular among youngsters. They like it very much and according to FocusDesigns, now you have a bragging rights with this bike. This ultra portable commuter has the smart sensing capability and runs on 1000 Watt BLDC motor which can take you from 0 to 10 Mph in 3 seconds. This clean, green and advance technology gives you more power with the top speed of 12.5 Mph. More features of this amazing bike.

SBU - One wheel bike videos:

Top 10 Cool Twitter Nature Backgrounds

2015-03-21T05:49:00.008-07:00

Nowadays, most of the people on earth use twitter, a popular micro-blogging site. The best thing about twitter is that it can be accessed on mobile phones easily as compared to other sites because you type your message within 140 characters (Now 280 Characters) like SMSs, so this makes you fast. But the other fact cannot be neglected that the PCs are still alive, because sometimes you need a fully functional computer with full size keyboard, a mouse and a big screen. You can go further to customize your desktop with some colorful backgrounds and wallpapers.

What if I say that you can stay connected with nature while tweeting. Download top 10 cool twitter nature backgrounds below. These backgrounds can also be used as your desktop backgrounds. So enjoy and happy tweeting...! :)

Click here for HD Nature Wallpapers Widescreen
If you like this post then please share with your friends.

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Top 10 Macro Photographs of Insects

2015-03-21T05:49:00.007-07:00

At the point when was the last time you saw an insect, and chose to stop what you're doing and gaze comfortable? Then again possibly take your Polaroid and do a 1-on-1 macro photo shoot from few millimeters away of insects? What the vast majority of us truly do is some place in the middle of shouting, and hopping on the closest couch.

Anyway there is a little gathering of picture takers that as opposed to shouting like a 2 year old, really go and search for these bugs. They discover them and capture them up close, and its astounding to perceive how these modest creepy crawlies truly look. On the off chance that the bugs you meet every day alarm you, hold up until you see this set of pictures.

Top 10 macro photos of insects:

Have you ever shot bugs with a macro lens in the recent past? Share your experience in the comments below or on our Facebook Group. Facebook Page.

World's Deepest & Oldest Lake

2015-03-21T05:49:00.004-07:00

Frozen lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia:

25 million years old Lake Baikal with the average depth of 744.4 meters (2,442 ft.), area of 12,248 sq miles (31,722 km²) and length of 395.2 miles (636 km) is the deepest, oldest freshwater lake in the world located in Siberia, Russia. New travelers go for hiking, cross-country skiing and to see the beauty of this winter lake where average temperatures vary from a minimum of −19 °C in winter to maximum of 14 °C in summer. You can find fishes like Omul, Arctic grayling, Baikal sturgeon etc.

Olkhon is the third largest lake-bound island in the world with an area of 730 km² as you can see in Baikal lake location map below.

View Larger Map

Here are Some beautiful and breathtaking Frozen lake Baikal photos

Infographic Represents How Internet Works In A Day

2015-03-21T05:49:00.003-07:00

We can connect through internet in a day globally. It is sometimes called network of network where millions of private, public, government networks, academic, business etc. are linked by a broad array of wireless and electronic technologies.

Do you often think that what would happen if the internet crashed. We are dependent on internet and ever we can't imagine what whould happen if it doesn't work.

This info-graphic shows you how the internet works in a day even while you sleep

[Source]

Top 10 Rare Beaches to See Once in Life

2015-03-21T05:49:00.001-07:00

Why beaches are important in our lives. Well... my friends say that they really like kayaking and canoeing, some friends say they are keen to jump in the waves, especially girls. Some say they love the eternal look of the water. When I go to the beach, I try to find a quiet place where I can just be the one with nature. It makes me feel so free and alive. And sometimes, swimming is great fun too. A reason for going to the beach won't be common among everyone. You just decide what you want to do there. Below are the top 10 photographs of rare beaches you should see at least once in your life.

Is this year going to be the best for you? Share your story in the comment section below, and share this post with your friends.
Thanks.

Durdle Door, Dorset, England [Credit]

Bora Bora, French Polynesia [Credit]

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands [Credit]

Kalalau, Kauai, Hawaii [Credit]

Kythnos Greece [Credit]

Karidi Beach, Greece [Credit]

Natural Arch, Legzira Beach, Morocco [Credit]

Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, Portugal [Credit]

Musha-Cay-Bahamas [Credit]

Beautiful Blue Sea, Tahiti [Credit]

13 Creative And Futuristic Car Designs

2015-03-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

Take a look at what's cooking in car designers' mind. Are they going to take automotive industry to a next level?

Honda Air

Volkswaken Ego

Peugeot Leonin

Chevrolet Stingray

Citroen Survolt

Ferrari Dino

General Motors LeSabre

Lamborghini Concept

Audi Avatar

Ferrari Future Concept Car

Mazda

Volvo Air Motion Concept

Peugeot Metromorph

Huge Lightning Strikes World's Tallest Building - Burj Khalifa

2015-03-21T05:48:00.001-07:00

Emirate's Burj Khalifa, world's tallest building in Dubai, is hit by huge lightning.
The building stands at a massive 830m high with 160 floors. Construction of the tower began in 2004 and the exterior of the structure was completed in 2009. In 2010, the building was opened for public.

Beautiful rainbow can be seen after the rain.

This will surely change your thinking about banana

2015-03-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

This is fascinating. In the wake of perusing this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS:
Forget the pills – eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER
200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system..
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort foodlike chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Many other cultures see bananas as a ‘cooling’ fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, ‘A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!’