Do not let this humble grass deceive you! It is packed with so much goodness that it can help improve many chronic conditions. Nutrition-wise, it is a good source of vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese, with minute traces of B vitamins.
From the leaves and stems, citronella oil is obtained for making insect repellent, soap, perfumery and flavorings.
Lemongrass has long been used in Asian countries for its medicinal properties. What makes it so effective in many medical condition is that it contains anti-septic compounds that effectively kill the harmful micro-organisms (bacteria, yeast, fungus and parasites) in the digestive tract, whilst still preserving the good bacteria. It helps to improve digestive-related problems like indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal bloating, flatulence, stomach spasms, vomiting and cramps.
Thanks to its high iron content, which is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin (the protein in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body) lemongrass is helpful for people with Anemia.
Studies have shown that lemongrass contains citral, an anti-cancer compound that could cause cancer cells to die, while preserving the healthy tissues.
Its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties have been found to be effective in treating arthritis, gout and inflammation of the urinary tract. 
Lemongrass has been found to have a beneficial, balsamic action on the respiratory tract and so can be used to relieve the symptoms associated with flu, cold and hay fever. 
The anti-oxidant, anti-septic and diuretic effect of lemongrass make it an important ingredient to be included in your diet when detoxifying. It helps to cleanse and purify the liver, kidneys, bladder, pancreas and increases blood circulation. The diuretic effect helps carry out the toxins to be eliminated effectively. This process also helps to cleanse/detoxify the pancreas and improve its functions, thus lowering blood sugar level in diabetics. 
Lemongrass helps regulate intestinal function and motility due to its anti-microbial properties. A warm mug of lemongrass tea can be very soothing when having gastritis or acid indigestion. Drinking the tea therapeutically will gradually reduce the recurrence of both gastritis and heartburn.  
Lemongrass has an anti-cholesterol and anti-atherosclerosis action. It helps reduce both the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, as well as the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood.
As with all grasses, lemongrass is very fibrous and cannot be eaten as it is. You can juice it using a masticating juicer, or make tea of it. Try this great Lemongrass-Ginger tea recipe and drink it regularly for a super-boost to your immune system!

If you've ever had red bean ice cream at a Japanese restaurant then you’ve already eaten Adzuki beans! They are originally from China and are also grown in Japan where they are very popular, and more recently in some parts of the US. 
We love them for the same reason we adore all beans, because of the protein content. However adzuki beans are unique because they offer the lowest amount of fat and highest protein per bean than any other! Want to find out more?
Read our article on Adzuki beans written by Glowpeople for Goumbook.com

In most cases, the fresher the vegetable, the healthier it is. Tomatoes however are the exception! Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene and your body can absorb more from cooked tomatoes than those that are fresh and uncooked.
​The cooking/processing of tomatoes makes for more Lycopene availability in the final product.  Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that protects and rejuvenates our skin. It provides antioxidant protection from environmental damage, shielding skin from premature aging and reducing skin cell damage. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Tomatoes are also packed with Beta-carotene, vitamin C and Vitamin E to keep skin looking young and fresh. I personnally always buy tomato paste/sauce in jars rather then cans as there is no leakage from the contianer into the food. You can also make your own tomato paste, this is an Easy Recipe to make at home!

An ancient relative of wheat, Spelt is a wonderfully nutritious and ancient grain with a deep nut-like flavor. It has a higher water solubility that helps your body easily absorb its protein, vitamins and minerals. It offers a broader spectrum of nutrients compared to many of its relatives from the wheat family. It is an excellent source of manganese, and a good source of protein, copper, and zinc.
Spelt is better tolerated in the body then any other grain. Allthough it contains gluten, some Celiac patients and most wheat intolerant people find it non-problematic. 
You can cook the grain like risotto, toasting then adding stock, then simmering until completely cooked. There are also lots of different spelt pastas on the market (you will find them in Organic food stores) . You can also use Spelt flour to replace wheat flour in all your baking recipes. It is much lighter on the digestion and the taste is very similar so your recipes won't taste very different.

There's nothing wrong with a platter of crudités or a salad if you want to improve your diet, but steaming may help improve the cholesterol-lowering capabilities of some produce, including asparagus. Other veggies that get better after a short bout in the steam: beets, okra, carrots, eggplant, green beans, and cauliflower. RealAge Researchers think steaming these veggies may help them do a better job of binding bile acids, which means your liver needs to use up more LDL cholesterol in order to make bile. That translates into less circulating LDL in your bloodstream.

When it comes to cholesterol, olive oil is a nutritional superstar! It is rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and increase "good" HDL. In fact, in a study of people with high cholesterol, blood samples showed less potential for harmful clotting just two hours after the subjects ate a meal with olive oil. That's because olive oil is rich in phenolics, plant substances that makes blood less likely to clot. All you need is about 2 tablespoons a day for benefit (use it in place of other fats). The regular use of Olive oil is one of the main reasons why the "Mediterranean" diet is often hailed as the healthiest to follow.

Did you know that just 7 walnuts a day contain nearly 95% of your recommended daily intake of Omega-3 essential fatty acids?

Omega 3 is essential for proper brain function and healthy memory, joint health including reduction of inflammation in Arthritic conditions, maintaining healthy young skin...they also lower many cardiovascular risks by raising good cholesterol (HDL) and reducing bad cholesterol (LDL)...Include them as a snack daily and feel the difference!

Parsnips may seem like an unusual vegetable to many, but they add plenty to your diet:
Their fiber content is great for digestion and their sweet taste is satisfying without being high in calories. Parsnips shine as a fiber source and are high in soluble fiber, the type that helps lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar balanced.They're a surprising source of folic acid and have ample quantities of potassium, an aid to blood pressure. Parsnips are also rich in several vitamins. They are a great source of Vitamin C with a one-cup serving providing 38% of your daily requirements. They also provide a good amount of vitamin E which, along with vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant. Parsnips are very easy to cook and can be roasted, sauteed, pureed like mashed potato and combined with stews or soups. You can even grate them raw and add to salads.

Try this delicious recipe at home:

http://www.glowpeople.com/5/post/2013/05/roast-parsnips-with-honey-soy-and-orange.html

Are you trying to cut down on your meat intake? try this simple tip:

Crimini Mushrooms, more commonly know as mini-Portobello mushrooms have a delicious meaty flavor. Blending crimini mushrooms with ground turkey or meat is a great way to cut half the fat without losing taste. The high-fiber mushroom mixture works well for any meat-based dish and we promise you won't taste the difference!

Eggs and fish are great foods to include in your familie's diet as they can help improve concentration, but they’ve got to be the right kind:
Oily, fatty fish such as herring, wild or organic salmon, mackerel and trout contain the essential omega-3 fats that are proven to sharpen your mind. In fact, blood levels of omega-3s in newborn infants correlate with their IQ at the age of five.

If you don’t like eating fish, supplement an omega-3-rich fish oil every day, for you and your children.

Eggs contain phospholipids that also help improve memory and concentration. Don’t fry them, as this destroys the valuable nutrients, and always go for organic or free range.