Nutritional and medicinal benefits of the Guava fruit!

     Guava is a fruit native to Mexico, Central America and some South American countries like Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and others. Guavas are now cultivated in the tropics of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. In the last decades Australia and North America also started their cultivation. 

      Guava is from the genus Psidium which in Latin means pomegranate. There are over a 100 known species so far. This fruit is 1.6 to 4.7 in long. Depending on the species the shape, color and outer skin thickness varies.

      Guava is usually considered one of the fruits with the most nutritional properties. It is very high in vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. As a matter of fact it has a higher vitamin C value than oranges. These vitamins help stimulate growth and repair tissue. Guava also has high levels of amino acids and contains calcium, potassium and antiseptic properties. Guava also helps regenerate collagen and fortifies teeth and bones and has been linked to aid with gastric ulcers, and control of arterial pressure. Some studies even suggest it lowers the risk of cardiac weakness.

      Among other benefits it is high in antioxidants, which help counterbalance toxic substances that oxidize and destroy the body's cells. If you want to strengthen your immune system  adding more antioxidants in your diet is a great way to get started. Some laboratory evidence and studies indicate that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. To read more about antioxidants and cancer you can visit cancer.gov. here is the direct link: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/prevention/antioxidants

       Experts suggest that guava is also rich in dietary fiber and its seeds serve as natural laxatives when ingested whole. This property can promote digestion and frequent bowel movement.


       Among many cultures guava can be used in many different ways. There are many recipes all over the internet, in cookbooks, and some are simply passed from generations to generations. 
       There is guava nectar which is made with selected ripe guavas and can either be homemade or bought at many Latin supermarkets.

        In some countries guava is cooked as a paste and used in many dishes. The paste is a combination of guava pulp and sugar which is cooked slowly until it becomes thick enough to form into a block, which is the form in which it is usually sold. This guava paste can also be found in Latin markets.

        There is also guava jam, juice and jelly. It does not matter how it is eaten, just remember that guava is out there and some consider it a super food. Try it for its delicious flavor and its many nutritional benefits.

Vegetable Ivory or Tagua Nut

Tagua nut or vegetable ivory, is a palm native of the tropical rainforests of South America.  Tagua is usually found in groups in swampy territory within the forest.  The palms grow up to 65ft tall and produce an average of sixteen knobbly fruits. The brown fruits are very large, with a a hard and spiky shell containing the nuts. There are about thirty nuts per spike, each nut can measure up to four inches.
The cultivation, preservation and sustainable harvesting of these trees is highly encouraged and the seeds are picked up after they naturally fall to the ground. The nuts are left to dry under the sun for a few weeks allowing the cellulose pulp to turn to ivory. Since tagua can be died, cut, sliced, carved and lathed it is widely used by artisans to make jewelry and other handicrafts.
Tagua has a great economic value and it is considered a renewable resource. Since vegetable ivory is almost indistinguishable from animal ivory  it assists with elephant conservation.

History and Interesting facts
Tagua belongs to the Kingdom Plantae. It is an Angiosperm and it belongs to the Arecaceae Family. Its Genus is Phytelephas which literally means "plant elephant", so far there are six species of Tagua Palms.
Phytelephas aequatorialis – Ecuadorean Ivory Palm
Phytelephas macrocarpa – Large-fruited Ivory Palm
Phytelephas schottii – Colombian Ivory Palm
Phytelephas seemannii
Phytelephas tenuicaulis
Phytelephas tumacana

In the 1920's Tagua was widely used for crafts and in the fasion industry. About twenty percent of buttons world wide were made out of tagua; however, low-priced synthetic buttons replaced the tagua buttons market.

How to Loose All Your Teeth (**SARCASTIC WRITING**)

How to Loose All Your Teeth (**SARCASTIC WRITING**)

       Dear reader: If you do not appreciate a beautiful smile and want to lose all your teeth I present you with a recompilation of steps and tips oh how to speed up the process of teeth decay. It is important for you to keep in mind that this works with better result after you have reached an age where all your permanent teeth have come in; otherwise you will need to repeat this process. Note that if you are not a child or a teenager any more, your mouth may have somewhere between 28 and 32 permanent teeth, of course that is assuming that you have not gotten any teeth extracted, or that you do not suffer from some type of rate health condition that presents itself with more of fewer teeth. Keep in mind that is easier to lose the molars first since they receive less attention, are on the back of your mouth, and perform most part of the daily mastication.

       To begin, try not to visit a dentist ever, no matter how much you trust doctors. This step is critical in order to achieve maximum results in the least amount of time. However, if you do visit a dentist do not follow any advice he or she may give you. For instance, do not brush your teeth after each meal nor use dental floss, not even once a month because this will delay the results you are looking for. It is imperative that you eat as many sweets and sticky food as possible; these types of food with stick in the teeth and stay there until they become cavities. Chocolates and all kind of sodas are very good in helping you achieve your goal.

        After you develop a cavity, you are a step closer to losing that tooth. All you have to do, is to make sure you keep up with the habits of eating sticky sweets, not brushing, and not flossing. You will know when you are about to lose a tooth because you will fell an uncomfortable pain when dinging hot or cold beverages. When your reach this point you may find some comfort by taking pain killers. After a while, you will not experience much pain because the cavity is so deep that it has destroyed the verve of your tooth.

        Remember not to go back to the dentist for any follow up visit or you may get healthier. Going back may mean that all your efforts to get that ugly smile won't pay up! If you do follow these steps, you, and those around you will be able to enjoy the rotten smell of your bad breath thanks to the accumulation of food particles that stick to the surface of your tongue and teeth.