The Atlas Gourmet

Antioxidants are substances that help our bodies fight free radicals-natural but poisonous chemical reactions that happen in our bodies and damage our cells.Different antioxidants combat different free radicals, so it’s sensible to understand and eat foods that have high antioxidants and vitamins that help preserve health and energy.

Vitamin C is a well known antioxidant vitamin. Foods that contain the antioxidant properties of Vitamin C include oranges, lemons, grapefruits, cantaloupe, plenty of leafy greens, broccoli and peppers. Beta carotene, found in carrots, is another antioxidant nutrient.

Garlic is another food famous for its antioxidant properties. Garlic basically has plenty of healthy properties and can even be used as an antibacterial.

Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are all foods that have high antioxidants.

Although cooking can water down the nutrients in food, most foods have more than enough to last. The antioxidant properties of red grapes are even found in wine, so it is not necessary to eat uncooked foods to get antioxidant benefits.

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Lemon trees laden with their winter crop, boughs drooping under the weight of many hued lemons: dark green, lighter green becoming suffused with yellow, vibrant yellow bursting with life, then as they go unpicked and overripe a flush of orange seeps into the knobbly fruit. Until I came to South Africa lemons came from a shop: smooth, uniform yellow skins all year round. Now I have learned to appreciate their seasonal bounty, struggling to use up all the fruit in winter, hoarding away the squeezed juice of the excess lemons in the freezer for summer, when the lemons must come from the shop again and are more expensive and less juicy.

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People strive to find recipes that provide delicious and healthy food. Health-conscious people focus on preparing low-fat dishes that are delicious and easily prepared. Chicken is an excellent source of protein and at the same time low in fat. Using healthy chicken recipes will significantly lower the blood cholesterol, thereby improving your overall health and fitness level. People love this versatile meat, which can be prepared in various lip-smacking forms.

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It’s hot. You’re at the pool. You crave something light and refreshing but don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Why not mix things up with frozen fruit?

There’s no better time than summer to find a cool way to eat healthy. Ideal for smoothies, salsas or everyday snacking, frozen fruit has the added benefit of being just as nutritious as fresh fruit. It’s a terrific way to enhance your summer menu, with 100 percent natural frozen fruit.

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Is a good breakfast on your agenda?

Because mornings are often hectic, some families try to get by with skimpy breakfasts or skip the meal entirely. You and your children, though, have already gone without food for 8 to 9 hours. Without a good breakfast, your bodies and your brains - which have no blood-glucose reserves, the brain’s main energy source - have even longer to wait for an energy boost. It’s much better to get up a little earlier to have a complete breakfast.

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