13 Great Ways to Use Apples Around the House

Apples are one of the world’s most popular fruits. Not only are they delicious, but they're extremely healthy as well. However, did you know that apples, apart from being eaten, have a number of other incredible uses? Here are 13 ways apples can be used that you most probably didn't know about:

 

1. Migraine Relief 

If you suffer from migraines, the pain and discomfort can be overwhelming. However, studies have revealed that smelling a green apple can help relieve some of the discomfort caused by a migraine.

2. Prevent Sugar from Crystallizing Brown sugar is much healthier (and arguably – tastier) than white sugar. The only problem with it is that it tends to clump and crystallize. To prevent this from happening, put a piece of apple in a small fabric pouch and add it to your container of sugar. The apple will increase the moisture and prevent it from clumping together.

3. Preserve Baked Goods Bread and cakes tend to dry out quickly, even when kept in a sealed container. To keep them from drying out, put half an apple into the container you keep your baked goods in.

4. General Cleaner Instead of using chemical-filled industrial cleaners, why not make your own effective, antiseptic, deodorizing cleaner? Simply mix equal amounts of apple-cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle, and there you have it!

5. Natural Sweetener Apples are an excellent replacement for sugar, as they add their unique flavor without overpowering the dish/drink. Apples contain fructose, which is healthier than white sugar and artificial sweeteners. Try adding grated apples to dishes instead of sugar and you’ll be amazed with the results.

6. Facial Mask 

Apples contain a structural heteropolysaccharide called pectin, which helps tone your facial skin. To use it as a mask, grate it and mix with honey, then apply the mixture to your face. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes, then wash it off.

7. Prevent Nausea  Many people suffer from motion sickness while riding in a car, but eating a green apple can help reduce nausea.

8. Treat Allergies Apples contain a chemical called quercetin, which helps the immune system limit the amount of histamines it produces during an allergic reaction. Histamines are what cause allergic symptoms, so reducing their amount will help ease your allergies.

9. Make a Fancy Drink In recent years, flavored vodka has become quite popular, but its price can be much higher than regular vodka. If you fancy some apple-flavored vodka, simply follow this recipe:

• Cut some apples and put them in a sealed jar.
• Cover the apples in vodka, seal the jar and it let sit for a few days.
• If the taste is not yet to your liking, simply let it sit until you're satisfied with the taste.

10. Accelerate Ripening of Fruits 

Some fruits, such as apples, emit a gas called Ethylene that hastens the ripening of other fruits. If you want those avocados and bananas to ripen quicker, place an apple next to them, that ought to do the job. 

11. Doggy Treats While there are many foods you shouldn’t give your dog, apples happen to be one of the healthiest and most recommended fruits for dogs. Apples are much healthier than processed dog-treats, but be sure to avoid giving them the core. Apple seeds contain cyanide which is very poisonous for humans and dogs alike.

12. Flea Treatment Apple-cider vinegar is incredibly effective at getting rid of fleas. Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar, apply it to your pet's fur and gently massage it into the skin. The vinegar will chase away the fleas quickly and effectively.

13. Fix Over-Salted Food If you happen to add too much salt to a dish you’re making, just cut a few pieces of apple and put them in the pot. The apple pieces will absorb the salt without damaging the flavor of the dish.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Avoid these artificial additives and sweeteners

1) Acesulfame potassium- Produces insulin secretion which leads to high insulin levels that promote inflammatory conditions and a weak immune system.

2)  Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)- Its consumption is associated with headaches, heart palpitations, brain lesions and Parkinson's disease.

3) Sucralose- Causes inflammation in the kidneys and liver, damage the thymus gland and causes gut microflora imbalance.

4) Aspartame- Evidence suggests that elevated doses of aspartame increases risk of blood related cancers including lymphoma and leukemia.

5) Sodium Benzoate- Has been linked to neuro-developmental disorders such as ADHD, asthma and other inflammatory disorders.

Natural sweetener alternatives
Stevia
Coconut sugar
Blackstrap molasses
Yacon syrup
Raw honey
Maple syrup

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                         FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                  https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/           

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4 natural alternatives to sweeteners

With the average child now consuming 18 years' worth of sugar by the of age 10, according to figures released by officials, it is officially time to ditch sugar. But are sugar-free alternatives really the answer? 

Are artificial sweeteners the answer?

Before you reach for the sweeteners in place of traditional sugar, it's time to consider the evidence. Sugar is undoubtably a problem that needs to be addressed, but low-calorie sugar-free alternatives may not be the best solution after all.

'A new study  has reported that there is no evidence that low-calorie and artificial sweeteners help people lose weight, and that there is not enough evidence as to the safety of using these alternatives,' the researchers explain. 'The research comes following an increase in the number of food and drink manufacturers that are using low-calorie and artificial sweeteners in their products, so as to reduce sugar levels.'

Evidence has emerged that artificial sweeteners can in fact have the reverse effect and further exacerbate the problem. 'While we still have a lot to learn, recent research  found that artificial sweetener scrambles the bacteria in the gut, making the body less tolerant to glucose,' he says. 

'As such, sweeteners can change how the body processes fat and receives its energy, causing weight gain, instead of reducing it. Natural sweeteners do not contain any harmful chemicals, and provide other health benefits, depending on the source you choose. For example, honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, while molasses is rich in iron.'

Natural alternatives to artificial sweeteners

There are a number of reasons why you would be wise to opt for natural sweeteners. 'It is always important to maintain a balanced diet and since natural sweeteners do not contain synthetic substances, as many artificial sweeteners do, adding them to your diet allows you to satisfy your sweet cravings without the guilt,' he says. 'Natural sweeteners can also reduce some of the key health threats of sugar and alternative sweeteners, such as tooth decay.'

He recommends the following healthy alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners:

Honey

Honey is a great alternative to non-sugar sweeteners because of its versatile nature and multiple health benefits, but make sure that you choose high-quality honey that is preferably raw. Honey contains important antioxidants, such as flavonoids. The natural sweetener, which is low in calories, also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which is why adding honey to your tea or coffee, or to hot water and lemon is a great way to clear your throat if it is sore.

Molasses

One of the main health benefits of molasses is that it contains 20 per cent of the daily recommended intake of calcium and 40 per cent of the daily recommended intake of iron, which means that it can both aid in strengthening bones and help people that have an iron deficiency. It also contains high levels of potassium, which can help boost your energy levels. Besides adding molasses to your recipes, you can add it to hot water and drink in the morning as a dietary supplement and healthy morning energy boost.

Agave

Some question whether agave nectar is better for you than refined sugar, since it has a higher calorie content; however, the argument for agave is that it has a lower glycemic index than sugar and does not contain any chemicals. Since agave is high in fructose, it means that it has to be metabolised by the liver, so consume this sweetener in moderation. Agave is best used in deserts and when baking.

Dates

Dried dates can be found in most supermarkets. Because they’re dried, their calorie content is higher than most fresh fruit, but they will also provide you with 20 per cent of the daily recommended intake of potassium and 12 per cent of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin B. As such, dates are a great energy-boosting afternoon snack. Dates are also high in flavonoids, which can help reduce inflammation. Dates have a sweet, almost caramel taste, so can be used as an alternative to sugar when baking.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                
 PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                               
     https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                     
  FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                              https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

GYMNEMIA SYLVESTRE

Shardunikagurmar, or more commonly, gymnema, is one Ayurvedic herb which has undergone extensive study. It has been found to be effective in treating and preventing type II diabetes because it appears to help control blood sugar levels. It can be used as a natural sweetener, or taken in capsule form.