Fruity Facts: Papaya, The Magical Fruit

Disclaimer: This photo is not mine

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and therefor the definition of beauty can be very different depending on where in the world you are. In Asia the belief of having white skin is seen as beautiful and that is why many Asians use lighter foundations, powders and even whitening remedies so they can become whiter. Papaya has been Mother Nature's answer to skin whitening for centuries and till this day, papaya is seen in many beauty skin whitening products around Asia. But what can this so called magical fruit really do for you?

Benefits: 

Compounds found in papaya helps break down and uses proteins properly. Papaya is known to help reduce inflammation for people with inflammatory medical conditions such as arthritis, asthma and can help prevent cancer. This magical fruit contains lots of enzymer and Vitamin C which is why it is often used to strengthen the blood for people who have a medical condition called Thrombocytopenia, which is a dangerous condition that can lead to internal bleeding. Due to high levels of Vitamin A, C and flavonoids, papaya is seen as a miracle or magical fruit. It helps keeping the skin healthy and wrinkle-free. And these nutrients work as antioxidants where they help to prevent free radical damage leading the cause of aging, and not to mention the fact that this amazing combo of Vitamins, antioxidants and enzymer is known to help whitening the skin.  

Papaya kicks acne mask:

Are you one of many who deals with pimples or acne scars? Then give this face mask a go. 

Papaya is a Vitamin C fruit which contains antibacterial properties that will kill off acne-causing bacteria from the skin. Papaya also has a deep-cleansing action that removes all the junk from clogged pores. 

What you need:

1/4 ripe Papaya, 1 tbs honey and 1/2 lemon juice.

Why?

The benefits:

Honey: Honey is known to hydrate and soften the skin. It gently exfoliates skin cells while preserving moisture. It contains antibacterial properties that kicks acne-causing bacterias, it helps fade blemishes and evens out discoloration. 

Lemon: Lemons is known to kill germs on the surface of the skin. It is also known to deep-clean the pores and refreshes the skin. It acts as a natural astrigent which will help tighten large pores. 

Directions:

Step 1. Mash the papaya into a lump free paste. 

Step 2. Add the honey and lemon juice and mix well.

Step 3. Apply the mask onto a clean face and let it sit for 15 mins.

Step 4. Rinse it off with warm water to loosen the mask and then rinse the face with cold water to close the pores. 

Papaya lightening and age-fighting mask

As soon as you enter your 20's, you should start protecting your skin for aging. Many things can affect your skin that can make you get pre-mature wrinkles and who really wants to be wrinkle? 

What you need:

1/4 ripe papaya, 1/4 cucumber and 1/2 banana. 

Why?

The benefits: 

Cucumber: Cucumbers are known to hydrate, moisturize, nourish and cleans the skin. It contains skin-lightening properties that helps fight against blemishes and acne scars. It is also known like Aloe vera to sooth and relieve inflamed acne and sunburns. 

Banana: Banana is known to smooth out the skin and reduce wrinkles. It also hydrates and moisturizes the skin plus it promotes glowing and youthful skin. 

Directions:

Step 1. Peel and blend all ingredients in a blender until you get a nice and smooth puree. 

Step 2. Apply it around your face though avoid the eyes and mouth. Let it then sink in for 10 - 15 mins.

Step 3. Then wash the mask off with warm water and then finish it off by washing your face with cold water to close the pores. Remember to pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Raw fruit Thai salad:

To freshen up a boring salad, try making a thai-inspired salad with fresh cut papayas, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, green beans and some red chili. Mix it all well and use coconut and fresh lime juice as a dressing. 

How to: 

Step 1. Cut the meat of the papaya in nice slices and mix it with two fresh tomatoes that have been sliced as well. 

Step 2. Peel one cucumber, 2 carrots, one little red onion and blanch some green beans and mix it all well with 1/2 red chili. 

Step 3. Make the salad dressing by mixing coconut milk with the juice from one lime and voila. 

Anyways that was all this time around. Do let me know if you tried one of the masks and hashtag me on Instragram with #FruityFactsWithShandra. So until next time - Ingat!

X❤️X❤️

Shandra.

Fruity Facts: Berries

Hi again, lovely!
If you haven't read my first Fruity Facts post (then I suggest you go and check it out hihi) then let me tell you that I am doing a series called Fruity Facts, where I will share with you all of Mother Natures beauty secrets. In my previous FF post, I talked about the benefits of Vitamin A and what type of food that contains it. Today I will be talking about some fruits that are pretty small but yet have a big impact on our bodies.. You guessed it, berries!
Now I am talking about all the types of berries you can think of (strawberries, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, elderberies and even the more tropical berries like goji berries, inca and acai), they all contain a thing we call anti-age antioxidants. A fancy term that pretty much means it contains something that helps with anti-ageing as in it will help you looking young.

Blueberries: Blueberries are rich in antioxidants. They are believed to lower cholesterol, prevent urinary tract infections  and improve memory, eyesight, balance and coordination. It also helps to slowing down the signs of aging and reduces the risks of heart disease and diabetes. 

Strawberries: Strawberries contains a thing called Carbolic acid, a fancy term for anti-inflammatory properties. They can protect your heart and fight cancer. According to research cited on WHFoods.org, “Those eating the most strawberries were three times less likely to develop cancer compared to those eating few or no strawberries.”

Raspberries: Raspberries contain Ellagitannins, which is a group of cancer-fighting compounds that are almost exclusive to this fruit. The berry's antimicrobial properties are also known to help prevent the multiplication of certain bacteria and fungi in the body.  

Blackberries: These berries are believed to protect the body against esophageal cancer. They are also believed to protect the body against heart disease, diabetes and memory loss, and will help prevent several types of cancer, endotoxin shock and blood clotting. 

Cranberries: Cranberries are famouse antidotes to urinary tract infections. It is also known to aid gastrointestinal and oral health. They can prevent kidney stones, lower your low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol, and can even help with recovery from a stroke. A perfect fruit for the elderly. 

Berry ice cream - the healthy way:
Pick the berries you want to blend, add a bit of vanilla powder, a bit of fresh mint leaves and some yogurt. Blend 2 dl of berries and add 1 tsb. of vanilla powder, then put 10 mint leaves in the mix and add 1,5 dl yogurt. You can add dried prudence to make it sweeter and blend away. When the mix is done, you simply put it in the freezer and a few hours later you got a healthy alternative to icecream that contains lots of Vitamin C that will protect your body. If you're smart you could also add some mango or carrots to the mix to add some Vitamin A to make sure you keep your skin looking fresh ;)

Whiter teeth:
One of Mother Nature's beauty secrets for keeping your teeth white is by scrubbing your teeth with a toothbrush and one mashed strawberry. The strawberry contains acids that helps your teeth while the stones in the berry helps as an exfoliater to remove the dirt from your teeth. Catherine Zeta Jones are one of the women who uses this method to keep her teeth white instead of always going to the dentist.  

Anyways these were only some few facts about the amazing berries but hopefully you learned something new from Mother Nature and might have inspired you to eat more fruits (especially berries)? So until next time - Ingat!  


X❤️X❤️
Shandra.