Cook and Brew.

While most of us are through setting up the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations in our homes some may still be in the midst of their preparations. So for those of you who are tired from scrubbing their kitchen floors, living room and garage flooring, quench your thirst with these cool and colorful holiday drink.

1 can pineapple chunks
2 medium bananas, sliced
1 cup mango cubes
1 cup strawberries
1 cup watermelon cubes
1 cup fresh dalandan juice
2 seedless oranges (peeled and cut into segments)
2 tablespoons honey
mint leaves (for garnishing)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix and toss lightly. Cool and serve.

Not only this is thirst-quenching but it also supplies the average daily requirement of fruit intake of our body.

Research and statistics show that the current generation of kids are getting more unfit. Instant foods, junk foods, sweets and candies, then they get lots of distractions not to exercise like fascination with TV watching, ps3, wii, xbox video games and computers. So aside from giving them a healthy diet, parents should also get their kids to exercise. The best way to do this is to exercise together as a family. The motivation and good example should come from the parents themselves. After all, this also makes a great family bonding activity.

Many of us are anticipating and excited for the Christmas Holidays but a lot also dread the “weight gain” inevitable opportunity that Christmas feasting brings. If only there’s a thing such as a calorie emergency alert system that will tip off or warn when one overeats, many would have included this in their Christmas wish list. But since this isn’t invented yet, then I guess people don’t have a choice but practice self-control. I have read some holiday eating tips last week and I’ll be sharing them in a while.

Christmas Feast

I used to avoid and abhor the sour taste of yogurt. But when my 19 month old son’s pediatrician included this in his dietary intake, my mindset changed because of the following benefits:

* Tolerance to Milk. According to studies, yogurt enhances lactose digestion in individuals with low intestinal levels of lactase which is the enzyme necessary to digest lactose or the milk’s sugar.

* Avoids Cancer. Yogurt improves the enzymes in intestine and liver and helps in the production of white blood cells. These helps fight off cancer (specifically colorectal cancer and possibly breast cancer) and improves one immunity.

* Balances Weight. It makes our digestion functions smoothly and prompts maximum nutrient absorbing.

* Prevents Diarrhea . It kills harmful bacteria in our intestines. A particular strain of bacteria used in yogurt, Lactobacillus strain GG, aids in treatment and prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, and acute diarrhea in children.

* Prevents Ulcers. It suppresses the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a known ulcer-inducing bacteria.

* Reduces Cholesterol. Good bacteria in yogurt absorbs the cholesterol in small intestine and also helps in decreasing cholesterol in blood.

I took the food personality quiz from here and below is the result I got:

Junk Food Addict: Cupcakes, chips, chicken wings…If it’s loaded with carbs, fat, and sweets, you’ve gotta have it. While eating this stuff is okay in small portions, make sure to balance your diet with healthy stuff like veggies and salads.

Tsk tsk tsk..looks like I really have to watch my diet more closely and responsibly.