Don’t throw away the best parts.

Greetings,

Somewhere along the way, we've stopped eating the skins off of fruits and veggies.  

We’ve been guilty of this our own selves, and after doing some research, we won’t be doing that any longer.

Here are some of the many benefits available from what usually gets thrown out!

APPLES

Researchers have rediscovered that ursolic acid in an apple’s skin offers many benefits, from building muscle growth to lowering cholesterol and blood sugar.

AVOCADOS

Well you can’t eat the skin on this one, you can use the oil to make a cream that is able to penetrate down into the lower levels to naturally soften and moisturizes.  Because the skin is high in sterolins, it can even help reduce age spots and is great to use after being out in the sun all day.

BANANAS

Bet you never tried this one, boil the skin for 10 minutes and drink it straight or add it to your juice.  Researchers in Taiwan discovered that this can ease depression because it had serotonin and this has been shown to help balance your mood swings.

It’s also good for your eyes, protecting eye cells from ultraviolet light, which are known to cause cataracts.

Are you shoes needing a polish?  You can polish your shoes with the skins and then use a soft cloth for a quick shine.

Are mosquitos getting you down? Just rub a banana peel and it should help soothe the itching.

Want to make you plants shine naturally? Rub them down and they will shine and also you’ll fertilize them and protect them for pests too.

KIWIS

Kiwis skin contain 3 times the antioxidants that’s in the pulp.  Put the skin in to your juicer to get the cancer fighting, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic benefits

LEMONS & LIMES

If you haven’t read my other post on using Lemons to fight cancer, be sure to read that post.

But that’s not all they’re good for.  Do you still use a microwave? (we don’t but some of you still do) Put a lemon peel and some of the pieces of fruit in to a bowl of water and let it come to a boil for about 10 minutes to get rid of those nasty odors.

The citric acid is great to safely polish brass, copper and any other non-ferrous metals.  Use baking soda to make the job even easier.

Here’s a good one, cut the rind and drop into a bottle of Vodka for a great summer drink.

Do you have an old bottle of Olive Oil? To revitalize your oil, put a couple of slice of the rind into your bottle to spice it up.

ORANGES

Don’t throw that orange peal away; it’s loaded with super flavonoids.  The antioxidants in the peel over 20 times more powerful than the juice itself.  Add grated peals to your casseroles and baked goods.

If you’re into juicing, just throw the whole oranges into the hopper.

PAPAYA

Are your feet rough and dry?  Rub papaya skins and also the pulp to soften and soothe you dry and cracked heels.

Papayas are loaded with vitamin A and papain, this breaks down and removes dead skin.  Not for just your feet but many people also use it to exfoliate their faces.

Quick warning, the juice from the skin can dry our your skin, don’t leave it on longer than 5 minutes.

PEACHES

Looking for a natural facial? Put a pinch of sugar on the inside of the peach skin and you have a great scrub for your face.

Peaches are high in Vitamin A and potassium.  Use it to hydrate and renew you skin.  When your eating the peach, don’t peal it for a natural boost for your immune system, help remove toxins protect your eyes from cataracts.  Peaches can also help lower your chances of cancer, heart disease and even arthritis.

PEARS

Did you know the skin in a pear has more vitamins and nutrients than the rest of the fruit?  The skins are packed with chlorogenic acid, a powerful anti-oxidant and flavonoid – phloretin.  These have been tested in a lab to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

POMEGRANATES

We’ve heard about the benefits of eating and drinking pomegranates.  But did you know that the rinds could help with diarrhea?  Boil a piece of the skin in water with cinnamon stick, let cool and drink this as needed or up to 3 times a day until the symptoms are gone.

POTATO

Are you roots showing?  Boil potato peels in water for 30 minutes and let cool.  Use this as a rinse after your shampoo to gradually darken grey hair (may need to try this one;-)

Next time you have a baked potato, don’t throw away the skin, one potato provides half of your daily allowance of soluble fiber, potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin C.

Now go eat your fruits and veggies, and don't skip the peels and rinds…

All the best,

Lou & Debbie