Coconut Water Craze!

I've been hooked on coconut water for some time now. Growing up I was not a big fan of coconuts, but years later it has sunk its hooks on my taste buds and I can't get enough masha'Allah.

It all started with what you see on the left, O.N.E. Coconut water.

We saw an endorsement for O.N.E. by the Gracies about how rich and pure it was, how healthy it was, and so on, but I really wasn't convinced.

My brother ended up going to visit his wife is California in 2010 and he had a chance to visit the Gracie Academy. Shortly after that, he told me he tried O.N.E. coconut water and that it was delicious.

Now my curiosity started to grow. So walking down M.O.M's one day (short for Mom's Organic Market) we saw a bunch on a shelf and decided to buy some. I was a bit skeptical knowing that I have never liked anything coconutty, but I was ready to give it a try and I am glad I did.

Now I am like a walking billboard for coconut WATER (only cause I still don't like the coconut itself, just the water). Its especially refreshing after a serious workout to get you hydrated.

So I wanted to share with everyone some of the benefits of coconut water and get you on the band-wagon if you're not on it yet.

The following is taken from Home Remedies Web:

What are the Benefits of Coconut Water?

Many studies have shown that the antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Coconut Water may help with a number of minor to severe health conditions. This nutrient rich drink has been used to regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, and it has been found to boost energy levels and increase metabolism in the human body. Other conditions that it has been found to be effective at treating include stomach flu, dysentery, indigestion, constipation, intestinal worms, cholera, urinary abnormalities, urethral stone, malfunctioning kidneys, dry and itchy skin, age spots, and wrinkles.

Uses of Coconut Water

Age Spots, Wrinkles, and Other Skin Problems

Researchers have found that Cytokinins help regulate the cell growth and their divisions. Coconut Water contains these cytokinins and lauric acid which can minimize the aging of skin cells, balance PH levels, and keep the connective tissues strong and hydrated. Therefore, simply applying Coconut Water onto affected skin areas every night before going to bed may help with acne, age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, and eczema.

Boosting Energy

Abundant in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, Coconut Water makes a wonderful energy drink. In particular, coconut water has less sugar and sodium content compared to most sports drinks, while packing more Potassium, Calcium, and Chloride, which makes it a better choice to rehydrate, replenish and boost the body's energy levels after any strenuous activity or workout. For example, in every 100ml of Coconut Water there is approximately 294mg of potassium compared to 117mg in an average energy drink, 25mg of sodium compared to 200mg in energy drinks and 41mg in most sport drinks, 5mg sugar compared to 20-25mg, and 118mg of chloride compare to 39mg in average energy and sport drinks.

Cardiovascular Health

According to researchers, individuals with high blood pressure usually have low potassium levels. Therefore, drinking coconut water on a regular basis can be quite effective at regulating blood pressure due to its high concentration of potassium and lauric acid. Similarly, some recent studies have found that coconut water can help increase HDL (good) cholesterol, which makes it a wonderful natural treatment for maintaining good cardiovascular health.

Dehydration

Rich in Potassium and other minerals, Coconut Water helps to regulate our internal fluids and replenish and rehydrate the body. It has been used to treat dehydration caused by dysentery, cholera, diarrhea and stomach flu, and the electrolyte balance and plasma in Coconut Water has been found to be similar to that of human blood. Therefore, drinking one cup of Coconut Water twice daily during digestive tract abnormalities, hot temperatures, and after strenuous workouts can help rehydrate the body quickly.

Digestive Problems

Coconut Water contains Lauric acid which our body converts into monolaurin. Monolaurin has great antiviral, antiprozoal and antibacterial activity which helps fight against intestinal worms, parasites, lipid-coated viruses and other gastrointestinal tract infections in children and adults. Additionally, the water from coconut may not only act as an antibiotic but it can also rehydrate the body. Therefore, a simple remedy for Intestinal Worms is to mix one teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil into a cup of Coconut Water and drink it daily for at least three days. For constipation, diarrhea and other common digestive problems drink one cup of Coconut Water twice daily.

Weight Loss

Coconut water is a natural electrolyte and isotonic beverage which help increase the body's metabolism. Therefore, it can greatly benefit people who are struggling with weight issues.


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So as you can see, there is an abundant of reason to start drinking coconut water in general. Adding it to you diet will definitely be a healthy move.

As for what brand, then I prefer O.N.E. or Vital Coco, they are 100% coconut water and both brands are from Brazil.

So go ahead, get bold, get wild, and buy O.N.E.!!!!

Recipe: Man-Berry Smoothie!

Mango-Strawberry Smoothie aka "MAN-BERRY" Smoothie!!!

Here is a typical blend we love to have at home. It's great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We recommend that you have it alone as a meal. We also recommend using only organic ingredients to promote a healthy mind and body. Try it out and enjoy!





Ingredients:

10 oz. organic frozen mangoes

5 oz. organic frozen strawberries or fresh strawberries

½ of raw non-pasteurized milk or organic whole milk

½ of organic pomegranate cranberry juice (100% juice only)

One (1) tablespoon of organic honey for sweetness (add as desired)

Two (2) tablespoons of whole black seeds (also known as black cumin seed)

Directions:

Add to mixer and blend until smooth on medium to high speed.

Serves four (4)

*This is an exclusive recipe of Aqabah Karate and Rukaanah Martial Arts Journal

Staying in shape during Ramadan

Regardless of the fact that Muslims around the world are abstaining from food and water for almost the entire day for the month of Ramadan, many of us tend to gain weight during this month.

It is a strange phenomenon, but the reality is that it's true. The reason for it is that many of us try to do minimal physical activities so that we don't feel hydrated during the day. This is especially so this Ramadan since it fell during the summer season. This causes for the body's metabolism to slow down and not burn as many calories as one would if they were actively exercising.

In addition, many of us tend over eat when it is time to break our fast because our mind thinks that the stomach is starving. Although chowing down on some briyani or naan tastes great, we should remember to be moderate in our eating.

Keep in mind that our stomachs are shrinking due to the fast and over eating, even if it is less than you normally eat during the year, can cause some serious discomfort. Also, since the breaking of the fast is late, many of us do not have time to hit the treadmill to burn off the calories we just took in.

Many Muslims say, "I'll just burn it off during Taraweeh." You may be able to burn some, but not the necessary amount required to keep the food you just ate from turning into stored fat. Now image doing this for a period of 30 days. If this is the case, no wonder many of us gain 5 to 10 pounds during this month instead of shedding some weight.

Ramadan is a month not to only purify our hearts, but also our bodies. We should take advantage of this month to hit the reset button on our health and start fresh.

With that said, I wanted to share some friendly advice on how to stay in shape during Ramadan without having to hit the gym so hard.

1. Wake up for suhoor (the predawn meal) - The reason is that feeding the body, especially some healthy nutrients, kick your body into gear early during the day. Suhoor will help you stay full and hydrated and will be the fuel you need to burn calories during the day. Remember though, keep it healthy. I'd stay away from the fuul, naan, eggs, coffee, finish it off with a date breakfast. Dates and water are more than enough to keep you feeling good throughout the day.

Remember, it was reported by Anas bin Malik that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him said): "Take the suhoor (the predawn meal) as there is blessing in it." (reported by Bukhari)

2. Stay active during the day - What I mean is do your normal activities, like walking, jogging, etc. If you feel that you are feeling dehydrated, then scale it back a bit, but don't sit on the couch all day waiting for Maghrib so you can break your fast. Live your normal life. Too many times, we become lazy during this month. However, we should remember this is the month to do more, spiritually and physically.

Stay away from heavy workouts, but do enough to get some calories burning and circulation to your body, even if its a nice walk after you break your fast.

3. Eat moderately - Don't grab a handful of everything on the table and put it on your plate. Eat slowly and moderately. There is no need to taste everything at iftaar. Just get what you feel you need. The idea is to break your fast and eat until you are satisfied, not to stuff yourself until you can't eat anymore. Listen to your stomach, not your taste buds.

Remember, Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: 'No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.'" (Ahmad & At-Tirmidhi)

4. Get proper rest - I don't mean to sleep for hours on end, but the truth is the body needs to rest. If you can squeeze a nap (kaylula) after dhuhr prayer that would be awesome. For those who can't, try to get adequate sleep at night so that your body feels energized for another day of fasting. Sleep helps the body relax, reduces stress, and aids with digestion.

Insha'Allah this should be sufficient, if we observe it, to keep us fit and healthy during Ramadan.

Let's take advantage of this blessed month to come closer to Allah with our acts of 'ibaadah, purify our hearts, increase in good deeds, seek His mercy and forgiveness, and also purify our bodies so that we can be in shape for the rest of the year.

This is an advice to myself first and foremost. Whomsoever benefits from it, it is only from Allah.