Eating a few cucumber slices before going to bed helps you to wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins, and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!

Cucumber

Cucumbers have a high water content (95% water), which helps ward off dehydration and combat the heat. This makes them perfect for the summer.

Health Benefits 

• Protects your brain from neurological illnesses
• Reduces your risk of cancer
• Fights inflammation
• Antioxidant properties
• Freshens your breath
• Manages stress
• Supports your digestive health
• Supports heart health
• Relieves pain

Nutritional facts

Cucumbers contain the following nutrients, vitamins, and minerals:

• Vitamin K
• Molybdenum
• Pantothenic acid
• Copper
• Potassium
• Manganese
• Vitamin C
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Biotin
• Vitamin B1

Tips

Cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Most cucumbers are treated with a wax coating after they are picked to protect their surface and to increase shelf life. This is one reason to buy organic cucumbers as they are on the “dirty dozen list”. Do not wash these before storing but make sure to wash thoroughly or peel before consuming. Avoid cucumbers with ends that are shriveled or withered.

Try to consume the cucumber as soon as you can after cutting as the Vitamin C content starts to quickly degrade.

Cucumbers are best when consumed raw and make a great addition to any salad or sandwich.

Avocado 

Avocados are considered a “Super Food” and one of my FAVORITES

Health benefits

• Aids in digestion
• Prevents bad breath
• Skin and hair care
• Avocados are very good at reducing liver damage.
• They contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to protect your eyes against cataracts.
• Maintains the balance of minerals and fluids in those who suffer from chronic kidney disorders.
• Avocados contain carotenoids and monounsaturated fat, which both contribute to the significant reduction of cancer.

Nutritional facts 

Avocados contain the following nutrients, vitamins, and minerals:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Copper
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Zinc
• Vitamins C, B6, B-12, A, D, K & E
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Niacin

FAT is our friend as long as it is the right kind. Avocados provide us with the monounsaturated fats that have been noted to reduce the risk of heart disease

Tips

Fresh, ripe avocados with no dark spots should be chosen. Do not refrigerate avocados unless they are ripe. If a portion of the fruit has been used, store the remainder in the refrigerator for future use. Store the leftover portion of the avocado with the seed in order to prevent the avocado from browning. Unripe avocados can be stored at room temperature.

Avocados may be consumed in a salad and smoothies. They can garnish soups or can be consumed directly.

RECIPE

(taken from the Juicing Bible)

Avocado Gazpacho

serves 4

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

1 lemon, juiced

1 tsp white wine vinegar

2 cups vegetable pulp

2 celery stalks, cut into chunks

2 cloves garlic

4 sprigs fresh basil

1 ripe avocado cut into chunks

1 tbsp chopped dulse

4 sprigs fresh basil or parsley

In Vitamix, food processor or blender, combine stock, lemon juice, pulp, celery, cucumber, garlic, basil, and avocado. Process on high until smooth. Chill and serve garnished with dulse and fresh basil.

Caution: Parsley should be avoided with preganancy and in cases of kidney inflammation.

ENJOY!!!!!