Here’s the scoop on some nutrition packed favourites and why you won’t want to leave home without them!

Cranberries
These vitamin C packed berries don’t have to be pigeonholed as a side dish to a roast turkey dinner. First discovered by the Native Americans, cranberries were used to fight infections and treat wounds. Their high antioxidant content helps fight cancer and prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s). Cranberries contain a chemical called proanthocyanidins (PACS), which prevent bacteria, which cause UTI’s from adhering to the urinary tract. Cranberries are not always easy to come by but you can find them in pill form at your nearest chemist.

Cucumbers
Biologically they are classified as a fruit but regardless of what you call them, cucumbers are your friend. They are 96% water and contain silica, which helps hair, skin and nails stay radiant. Cucumbers are great to apply topically to the skin or ingest internally to reduce water retention and swelling. If you are suffering from a kidney infection, cucumbers help flush toxins out of your system due to their diuretic effect. They also contain an enzyme called erepsin, which assists with protein synthesis in the kidneys. They are delicious in salads or on their own. Try my favourite tzatziki recipe to get some extra cucumbers into your diet.

Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) containers plain yogurt
2 cucumbers – peeled, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
3 cloves garlic, peeled

Directions
In a food processor or blender, combine yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, dill and garlic. Process until well-combined. Transfer to a separate dish, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour for best flavour.

Serve and enjoy!

Tweet

If you enjoyed this feature, you may want to Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter for our latest style updates, giveaways and other juicy stuff.

Join us on:

Featured Contributor: Stephanie Siemion

Discover More Stylish features below:

• Benefits of red wine
• Top 5 Healthy Cheese Alternatives
• Urban Rituelle His Face Scrub
• Health tips to ban bloating