Be Vegetarian

Garlic lends its unique flavor to whatever dish it is introduced to. Besides, you can enjoy the health benefits that it offers. Making your own garlic bread can be fun. Just follow the instructions

Ingredients
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 Vegan pre-sliced bread
Parsley (for garnishing)
Red pepper flakes

Directions
You may even use garlic powder if that suits you. But, using chopped garlic is highly recommended for that fresh garlic flavor.

Place the frying pan on moderate heat and add the oil and garlic. When the oil heats up add the red pepper to taste. If spicy food is not your cup of tea, avoid it. Put a slice of bread in the pan, and flip it when it browns. Take care not to burn the garlic. Your garlic bread is ready. 

Schizandra (Schizandra chinensis) is a plant native to China and Russia. Known as wu wei zi in China, this versatile plant helps protect the liver, regenerates it, and ensures proper liver function. Schizandra is a body toner, sedative, expectorant, and adaptogenic. It also provides vigor to the body and fights hepatitis.

Major Constituents
Fat                                  11.4%
Chromium                          0.18 mg / 100 gm
Phosphorous                  420.0 mg / 100 gm
Magnesium                     270.0 mg / 100 gm
Silica                                  0.34 mg / 100 gm
Vitamin A                   10,000.0 IU /100 gm
Vitamin C                        105.0 mg / 100 gm
Lignins (Schizandra, gomisin, deoxyschizandrin)
Phytosteroles (Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol)
Volatile oils

Benefits
Schizandra is an effective immune system stimulant. It also has a positive effect on the lungs and helps people suffering from asthma and bronchitis. This wonder plant has over 30 types of lignins that are responsible for the protective ring it throws around the liver. Studies conducted on the plant reveal that patients suffering from hepatitis showed a 76% improvement in their condition with no side effects. It is known to encourage the production of enzymes in the digestive system, including the liver, and help detoxify the body.

Being an effective body toner, it provides and maintains energy levels and helps in stressful conditions. It has a stimulating effect on the nervous system providing a soothing effect on the mind. It also helps in cases of depression and neurosis. Mental concentration too has been seen to improve in people taking schizandra. It helps the kidneys by balancing the water content in the body. In a nutshell, Schizandra helps strengthen the nervous, immune, respiratory, and digestive systems, besides stimulating sexual function.

Garlic belongs to the family of lilacs and is known for its medicinal properties since ages. This bulbous plant is rich in proteins, sugars, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iodine, sulfur and silicone besides, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C. Garlic is anthelmintic, a muscle relaxant, anti-rheumatic, and anti-diabetic. It helps proper digestion, and checks hyperthyroidism and hypertension. Garlic is also a known antibiotic, and helps lower cholesterol and fat.

Major Constituents
Ajoene – It helps in slowing the process of blood clot formation in the arteries and controls cholesterol levels in blood.
Allicin – it is a strong natural antibiotic
Selenium – Found in rich quantities, selenium neutralizes free radicals, thus preventing ailments. It is an anti-oxidant that helps organs from aging. Garlic in combination with Vitamins A and E accentuates their properties.
Fructose – It stimulates the immune system. 

Benefits
· Helps decongesting the lungs, prevents colds and flu
· An antibiotic, it fights bacteria such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, and salmonella.
· Ground garlic and aloe vera lotion applied on inflamed areas relieves pain.
· Good for children with intestinal worms
· As it is rich in iodine, people suffering from hyperthyroidism benefit from garlic
· It is an effective diuretic, hence helpful to people with urinary problems
· It is a muscle relaxant and muscle toner
· Its ability to lower glucose levels in the body by increasing insulin production helps diabetics
· Due to its vasodilator property, it reduces blood pressure.
· Relaxes the heart and helps reduce accelerated heart rate

Studies show that garlic helps in decreasing LDP (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDP (good cholesterol). It was found to lower LDP ranging from about 7 - 22% and raising HDP ranging from 15 – 31%. According to studies conducted by Chitani and Bordia, daily garlic intake during a month reduces coagulation and clots ranging from 72 – 85%.

Thyme is wonderful plant that has medicinal properties, and is used for seasoning food as well. Belonging to the labiate family, thyme is ingested for its digestive properties - when taken as a condiment. A teaspoon mixed with a pinch of salt helps relieve abdominal pain and flatulence. It is known to improve circulation, as also strengthen the lungs.

Major Constituents
· Tannin
· Triterpene,
· Aliphatic Resins
· Flavenoids

Benefits
· It helps in reducing colic pains and spasms
· It has anti-inflammatory properties
· Acts as a vasoconstrictor, and helps reduce phlegm
· Used in food to improve digestion
· Has antiseptic properties
· Strengthens the immune system

Its therapeutic properties are enhanced when taken with garlic. It is a natural bad breath remover, helps in cases of dental pain, and is used to clean stained teeth, as well.

Fenugreek, a green leafy vegetable, is known for its healing and recuperative properties. Besides, its pungent taste makes a tasty cooked dish. It supports the heart, promotes bile, and expels accumulated abdominal wind.

Constituents
Water                    81.8%
Carbohydrates         9.8%  
Protein                    4.9%
Minerals                   1.6%
Fat                          0.9%  
Phosphorus              0.05% 
Calcium                    0.47%          
Iron                       16.9 mg/100gm
Vitamin A            3900.0 IU/100gm 
Vitamin B                70.0 IU/100gm

Benefits
· Helps people suffering from dyspepsia and fever
· Recommended for pregnant women for its intestine cleansing properties
· Known to help provide relief in case of piles
· The heavy iron content helps people suffering from anemia

If you are suffering from indigestion, just take two tablespoonfuls of fenugreek juice.  You may even consume it in the form of soup. It is also beneficial in case of cough, vomiting, and rheumatism. Fenugreek juice is a good way to improve iron content in the body.

Cabbage is a green leafy vegetable that has many health benefits including revitalizing the heart and digestive system. It is consumed both in the form of salad and cooked vegetable. However, cabbage is known to produce wind in the tummy.

Constituents
Water                  90.2%
Carbohydrates       6.3%  
Protein                  1.8%
Minerals                 0.6%
Fat                        0.1%  
Phosphorus           0.05% 
Calcium                 0.03%
Iron                      0.8 mg/100gm         
Vitamin A         2000.0 IU/100gm
Vitamin B1           60.0 micrograms/100gm
Vitamin B2           30.0 micrograms/100gm
Niacin                    0.4 mg/100 gm
Vitamin C           124.0 mg/100 gm

Benefits
· According to Dr.Garneth Cheney, California, cabbage is a sure remedy for duodenal     and gastric ulcers.
· The iron in cabbage is easily assimilated and, hence, helpful for anemic patients
· Helpful in arthritis and obesity
· Improves defective vision, pyorrhea, and chronic digestion problems

The vitamin A content is only found in the outer leaves of cabbage, and so is the percentage of iron. So, the outer leaves should not be discarded in favor of the tender inner leaves. Dr.Cheney had suggested drinking 450 ml of cabbage juice to 65 patients of ulcer at intervals of a few hours everyday. Those who underwent the treatment reported marked reduction in pain within five days, and were healed in the second week.

When you think of carrots, you think of your eyesight. Carrots contain pro-vitamin A, which is good for your eyes. Sweet tasting, carrots stimulate gastric fire and eliminate abdominal gas. The calcium content is easily absorbed by the body, and as such it can take care of your calcium requirement, provided sufficient quantity is ingested.

Constituents
Water                              86.0%
Carbohydrates                  10.7%  
Protein                               0.9%
Fat                                    0.2%  
Phosphorus                        0.53% 
Calcium                              0.08%          
Iron                                   1.5 mg/100 gm
Carotene (Vitamin A)      2000.0 – 4300.0 IU/100gm 
Vitamin B                          60.0 IU/100gm

Carrots also contain Vitamins C, D and E, niacin, folic acid, pyrodoxine, biotin, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and copper in small quantities.

Benefits
· Keeps the eyes healthy
· Contains hormone tocokinin – an insulin-like compound – that is helpful in diabetes
· Chewing raw carrots cleanses and strengthens teeth
· Raw carrots and salt are helpful in cases of eczema
· Cleanses intestines by destroying intestinal bacteria
· Carrot juice eliminates excessive uric acid from blood
· Helpful in liver and gallstone conditions, tuberculosis, little menstruation, and gout
· Vitamin E in carrots has shown to be cancer resistant

The benefits of beetroot were known to the Romans and Greeks around 2000 years ago. It was known to cool the blood and revitalize the body. Normally used as salad, betaine in the beetroot is great for cleansing the intestine and stomach.

Constituents
Water                          83.8%
Carbohydrates              13.6%  
Protein                           1.7%
Fat                                0.1%  
Phosphorus                    0.06% 
Calcium                          0.20%          
Vitamin B1                  210.0 micrograms/100gm 
Vitamin B2                    90.0 micrograms/100gm
Nicotinic Acid                   0.4 mg
Vitamin C                        8.8 mg/100 gm

Benefits
· Helpful in constipation and digestion related problems
· Helpful in recovery from malignancies
· Purifies blood and provides reddish hue to body
· Has rejuvenating effect on body

German naturopath Kunstmann has recorded curing many cancer patients with beetroot juice in 1946. Following him in 1950, Hungarian Dr. Firenczi treated a patient of malignant tumor with beetroot juice. France too has reported success in malignancy from drinking high dosage of beetroot juice.

The papaya is a wonderful fruit that offers many health benefits. Mostly, it is known for its aid in easy digestion owing to the presence of papain. It has both laxative and antibilious properties. It is beneficial for the liver, heart, and the spleen.

Constituents
Water                 89.6%
Carbohydrates       9.5%  
Protein                  0.5%
Minerals                 0.4%
Fat                        0.1%  
Phosphorus           0.01% 
Calcium                 0.01%          
Iron                      0.4 mg/100 gm
Vitamin A         2020.0 IU/100gm 
Vitamin C             46 – 136 mg/100gm

Benefits
· Helps check splenic enlargement (splenomegaly)
· Helps expel round worms from digestive tract
· Useful in all liver-related problems
· Helpful in constipation, hyperacidity, dysentery, and dyspepsia
· Ensures proper menstrual flow
· Good for anemic patients
· Effective digestive tract cleanser

Besides papain, papaya contains enzymes like carpain (supports the heart), fibrin (helps in blood coagulation), and arginine (helps male fertility). Papaya is also recommended in cases of cancer since it contains various enzymes. It has diuretic properties that are beneficial in kidney ailments. As it produces heat in the body, some experts do not recommend eating papaya in cases of fever and pregnancy. Asthma patients too can benefit from papaya.

Green coconut water has a number of health benefits. You could conveniently use it as a health drink in the summers for the reason that it has a cooling effect on the body, besides being nutritious and diuretic.

Constituents
Water                     95.5%
Potassium             312.0 mg/100gm
Sodium                 105.0 mg/100gm
Chlorine                183.0 mg/100gm     
Magnesium              30.0 mg/100gm
Phosphorus             37.0 mg/100gm 
Calcium                   29.0 mg/100gm
Sulfur                     24.0 mg/100gm
Iron                         0.1 mg/100 gm
Copper                     0.04 mg/100gm 
Niacin                       0.64 mg.100gm
Pantothenic acid        0.52 mg/100gm
Biotin                       0.02 mg/100gm  
Riboflavin                  0.01 mg/100gm
Pyrodixin                  Trace      

Benefits
· Being diuretic, it helps in urine problems, edema, and kidney problems
· Useful in cholera; compensates mineral loss through excessive vomiting
· Nutritional content helpful in dehydration cases
· Its antibacterial properties are useful in eliminating intestinal germs
· Revitalizes heart, nervous and digestive systems

Coconut water is at its nutritious best when green. As it matures and acquires first yellow then brown hues, it loses a majority of its nutritional value.