Getting more into Vegetables: Bitter Gourd

Still on my quest for a healthy lifestyle, I am now trying to get myself more on vegetables. In focus: Bitter gourd! Also known as bitter melon or bitter squash, this vegetable is known by other names locally.It is widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, but with an extremely bitter taste. That explains the reason why I did not like it when my mom served bitter gourd when I was a kid.

Now that I need to have more vegetable on my diet, then bitter gourd is one of the vegetables that I should start eating again. Bitter gourd pods can be easily bought from Asian shops selling fresh produce. Some local fruit shops also sell them. I also found out that most Asian shops are also selling bitter gourd teas in either powder or tea bag choices. Bitter gourd has a few health benefits including lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels so that explains that it is also sold as a health supplement.

On with my bitter gourd adventure, I prepared sauteed bitter gourd with onions, tomatoes and eggs. I am still within my 6 eggs a week limit so I am alright. Surprisingly, I enjoyed my vegetable dish of the day! I was tempted to cook rice but resisted the urge or else I would have ended with more than one cup of rice.

Some tips in cooking bitter gourd:

1. After slicing the bitter gourd pod and removing the seeds with a spoon, wash the bitter gourd and sprinkle generous amount of salt. Let is stay for a few minutes before washing and slicing it. This will help in cutting the bitter taste.

2. Make sure that your pan is really hot and allow the vegetable to cook for some time, approximately 10 minutes or until it is a bit translucent and soft. Bitter gourd is quite dense so it is not a good idea for a quick stir fry.

3. Make sure you have the right amount of oil to coat the bitter gourd. Just enough to coat it. Add a little bit more while cooking when it the bitter gourd seems to dry out. I sometimes add just a little bit of water to help it cook more.

Bitter gourd as with other vegetables should be taken in moderation. I think this goes the same for almost everything in life. I think variety and balance is the key. I have been having sweet juices from fruit and vegetable juices so I need a bitter balance with the bitter gourd. I still have two months to go before I see my doctor so my adventure still continues.

Getting into Juicing

Just came from my doctor yesterday to see my blood test results. I was told months ago that I had to lower my cholesterol levels if not, he will have put me on medication. Yes, my cholesterol levels went down but not to the to required range. I asked my doctor to give me another chance to lower it down naturally before he puts me on medication. Now I am on a mission of changing my diet and making a healthy lifestyle change.

First effort: Juicing!

A mixture of kale, carrots, apple, orange, celery and lemon juice I make for the whole family.

I have been juicing for like a good three (3) weeks. By juicing, I mean just using the juice as a supplement while I try to monitor my diet as well. Juice fasting has become a craze but I think it is not for me. The juice as a supplement to my daily diet has given me little wonders to my well being. Few benefits of juicing includes helping us absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables and fruits.  It allows us to consume more vegetable and fruits easier.

I noticed that I feel more energetic since I started juicing. I also noticed that it also improved my appetite though I really try to be mindful of the food I take. A few tips on juicing:

1. Make sure that you clean the vegetables and fruits very well. 
2. Always try to make 80/20 percent of vegetable and fruit ratio.
3. Clean your juicer or blender after each use.
4. Drink the juice immediately but if you want to drink it later, store it in an airtight container and fill it to the brim. Add lemon or lime to help prevent the juice from oxidizing.
5. Be creative in using the juice pulp. There are lots of ideas in using the pulp. I have tried it using it to make vegetable patties. It is a healthy snack option.

As I continue on this mission towards a healthy lifestyle, I know that it will not be easy. I am taking it one day at a time. One step at a time. After two months,a good blood test results will be my ultimate reward.

Fighting Insomnia

Sleeping has always been my problem. I would do everything just to make me fall asleep; from reading, counting, praying, and all do all sorts of things but none of them really worked. When I worked on a night shift schedule, things went really worst. It has become a real problem. Lack of sleep not only makes me tired to go to work but also hinders me from doing my tasks well. I feel my brain was not functioning as its best. I also noticed I gained weight so easily. Well, I was justifying my appetite as I have to gain back my energy because of the stress at work and the different work schedule.Furthermore, noticed that I did not looked my best as I was always tired and my skin looked dry. When I stopped working night shift, things went a lot better but I was still having problems with sleeping. It's amazing that my husband has the same problem too! So when I got married and came to Australia, fighting insomnia was one task we really had to deal with.

Nature's Way Rest & Restore MultiVitamin

We came across one natural night vitamin that helps fight insomnia. Nature's Way Rest & Restore MutiVitamin. I found it very effective and I feel refreshed and ready for the day in the morning. My husband also finds it very helpful. It is a multivitamin that works while you sleep. We have been taking it for two months and it really did help us fight insomnia. Nature's Way Rest & Restore MultiVitamin works at night by calming the nervous system so you rest better, it aids in restoration for your body and mind. It is said to recharge your body, restore your energy, repair your cells and replenish your nutrients. It works with your body while you sleep to help the body’s natural recharging and repairing that happens while you sleep, to help you feel renewed and restored every day- so that you can wake up feeling brighter, fresher and more energetic the whole day! Fighting insomnia was a task done for us.

If you opt not to take vitamins, here are other helpful tips to fight insomnia.

1. Relax your mind. Try staying away from technology or gadgets before bed. Limit using the TV, computer, cellphones, tablets, etc. before going to bed.
2. Prepare your room. The bed is for sleeping so make sure it is comforting enough to sleep. Leave all worries outside of it. If possible, stick to a routine of getting to sleep and getting up. This really helps.
3. Try warm milk and banana. I tried this and it also worked. They have certain properties that help fight insomnia.
4. Don't take anything that keeps you awake before bedtime or close to bedtime. Coffee and some soda drinks make me awake so I really try to keep away from them.
5. Try having a warm bath. It lowers your body temperature and relaxes you.

Sweet dreams!