OHMYGOSSIP – Based on its strange appearance you’ve probably passed up dragonfruit at the grocery store. But despite its intimidating name and shape, this superfood has many delicious and nutritious benefits.
What is dragonfruit?
Dragonfruit, sometimes called pitaya, flourishes in abundance in tropical and subtropical regions in South America and Asia, though it is commercially grown in Mexico, Texas, Peru, Argentina, Vietnam and Australia. The fruit’s outer skin is cactus-like, which resembles the scales of the mythical dragon. This fruit, with its creamy white flesh spotted with black seeds, contains around 60 calories each.
What are the health benefits?
This fruit is rich in many natural properties such as in vitamin C, B1, B2 and B3, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and phosphorus, which can all give the body’s immune system a boost while also stimulating the activity of other antioxidants. But that’s not all; the fruit helps regulate blood sugar spikes, lower bad cholesterol, and move oxygen through our blood thanks to its iron levels. A 2010 study published in the journal Pharmacognosy Research found that the consumption of dragonfruit may lower the risks of developing heart disease and developing high blood pressure. This exotic fruit is also a good source of monosaturated fats which help to keep the heart in good condition.
What are some of the best ways to eat dragonfruit?
When eaten fresh, Dragonfruit is mildly sweet with its texture similar to kiwifruit. It is also easy to prepare; cut the fruit into quarters or slices, peel off the skin and use as a garnish or in a smoothie. The delicately sweet fruit is crisp and refreshing, and can also be used in fruit salads, marmalades and jellies. Alternatively, dragonfruit can work in savoury salads, and also pairs nicely with seafood or in cocktails. The fruit can also be made into fruit or wine, or the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea.
Featured image: Pitaya (PantherMedia / Zdenek Jilek/ Scanpix)
OHMYGOSSIP — Here are twenty powerful secrets that will help you form meaningful relationships with people:
1. When two people meet, the prize always goes to the one with the most self-insight. He will be calmer, more confident, more at ease with the other.
2. Never permit the behavior of other people to tell you how you feel.
3. Pay little attention to what people say or do. Instead, try to see their innermost motive for speaking and acting.
4. Any friendship requiring the submission of your original nature and dignity to another person is all wrong.
5. Mystically speaking, there is no difference between you and another person. This is why we cannot hurt another without hurting ourselves, nor help another without helping ourselves.
6. When we are free of all unnecessary desires toward other people, we can never be deceived or hurt.
7. You take a giant step toward psychological maturity when you refuse to angrily defend yourself against unjust slander. For one thing, resistance disturbs your own peace of mind.
8. You understand others to the exact degree that you really understand yourself. Work for more self-knowledge.
9. Do not be afraid to fully experience everything that happens to you in your human relations, especially the pains and disappointments. Do this and everything becomes clear at last.
10.The individual who really knows what it means to love has no anxiety when his love is unseen or rejected.
11. If you painfully lose a valuable friend, do not rush out at once for a replacement. Such action prevents you from examining your heartache and breaking free of it.
12. Do not be afraid to be a nobody in a social world. This is a deeper and richer truth than appears on the surface.
13. Every unpleasant experience with another person is an opportunity to see people as they are, not as we mistakenly idealize them. The more unpleasant the other person is, the more he can teach you.
14. You can be so wonderfully free from a sense of injury and injustice that you are surprised when you hear others complain of them.
15. We cannot recognize a virtue in another person that we do not possess in ourselves. It takes a truly loving and patient person to recognize those virtues in another.
16. Do not mistake desire for love. Desire leaves home in a frantic search for one gratification after another. Love is at home with itself.
17. There are parts of you that want the loving life and parts that do not. Place yourself on the side of the positive forces: do all you can to aid and encourage them.
18. You must stop living timidly from fixed fears of what others will think of you and of what you will think of yourself.
19. Do not contrive to be a loving person: work to be a real person. Being real is being loving.
20. The greatest love you could ever offer to another is to so transform your inner life that others are attracted to your genuine example of goodness.
Featured image: PantherMedia/ Fabrice Michaudeau/ Scanpix Source: “Twenty Special Secrets,” from Mystic Path to Cosmic Power, by Vernon Howard
OHMYGOSSIP — Girls, don’t you love to be pampered? Well, so do your guys. The need to make him feel special is important to keep the spark alive in your relationship. The best thing you can do as a girlfriend is to make your boyfriend feel loved and wanted. Here are 9 ways to make your boyfriend feel special!
OHMYGOSSIP — It feels so exciting when you fall in love and start a new relationship! New relationships are about hope, some expectations and fresh feelings. But sometimes a new relationship collapses when they hardly starts.
OHMYGOSSIP — Going out on a date is very important in any relationship. That is why, it is necessary to make it a fun time. Here are 50 fun date ideas to make your dates more spicy and joyous for both of you.
OHMYGOSSIP — Do a Google search on how to get your best body and you’ll be inundated with pages of training tips. For those who want to take that same, proactive approach to creating your best relationship, I have your “exercise regimen” below.
OHMYGOSSIP — A romantic relationship is the most precious gift to mankind. Hence, it is important to nurture a relationship in the right way. Many a times, women assume that men think and feel the same way as they do. This results in tiffs and breakups. In order to prevent such debacles, it is important to understand that men are different from women.
NordenBladet – I am very proud and glad to announce that #OHMYGOSSIP starts collaboration with Moroccan Ministry and Government Tourist Office!
Last year I began cooperation with Israel Ministry of Tourism & Israel Government Tourist Office Nordics! I´ve been one of the Israel´s “media ambassadors” here in the Nordics over a year! This year I am honored to work also with Moroccan National Tourist Board & Moroccan Goverment Tourist Office to promote #VisitMorocco in my OHMYGOSSIP- websites!!!
Moroccan National Tourist Office will organize for me and my team a complimentary personal press trips to Morocco and will show us around. As the guests of Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, we will be provided with flights, hotel accommodation, with breakfasts and dinners in restaurants, with transport and travel guides.
The first trip will take me to Agadir – a very important centre for tourism to Morocco, and the city is the most important fishing port in the country. Agadir is a major city in Morocco, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Sous River flows into the ocean. It is at a distance of 508 km to the south of Casablanca. It is the capital of the Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane Prefecture and of the Souss-Massa economic region. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960; it has been completely rebuilt with mandatory seismic standards. It is now the largest seaside resort in Morocco, where foreign tourists and many residents are attracted by an unusually mild year-round climate. Since 2010 it has been well served by low-cost flights and a motorway from Tangier. The city attracts all walks of life; it has had an annual growth rate of over 6% per year in housing demand while housing production barely exceeds 3.4%.
Agadir is filled with great hotels. We will stay in 5star “Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort” (atlanticpalace.com)! Set in the centre of Agadir, this hotel features an on-site casino as well as a private beach. It features a golf course, a sauna, a beauty centre and a Turkish steam bath. This modern Agadir hotel provides free Wi-Fi and outdoor tennis courts. It includes family-friendly amenities, with room layouts and services for families of any size, as well as a kids pool and a kids club. The peaceful rooms offer garden or pool views, and each is equipped with a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV and a mini bar. They feature wireless internet access, a telephone and heating. Atlantic Palace Agadir features both a restaurant and a bar where guests are able to relax at the end of the day. Room service is provided around the clock, and a wide selection of restaurants and cafés can also be found close by. Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort is ideally located for exploring Agadir with Casino le Mirage within walking distance. Agadir Stadium and Inezgane are only an easy drive from the hotel.
Hotel Atlantic Palace Agadir Golf Thalasso & Casino Resort (Photos: courtesy of AtlanticPalace)
When you start your travel from Scandinavia, one great place to make reservations for your trip to Morocco is: Marokko Eksperten (marokkoeksperten.dk) – Vermundsgade 38, 2. Sal – 2100 København!
I will blog, tweet and review about our trip, so you will also see via OHMYGOSSIP all the great places we will visit and experience and hopefully you´ll get great ideas for your next trip! I´ll be in Morocco soon, already next week (!) and will keep you updated with everything! Love you! Stay cool!
___________________________________________________ Morocco, officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, is a sovereign country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Geographically, Morocco is characterized by a rugged mountainous interior and large portions of desert. It has Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Morocco has a population of over 33.8 million and an area of 446,550 km2 (172,410 sq mi). Its capital is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca. Other major cities include Marrakesh, Tangier, Tetouan, Salé, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Kenitra, and Nador. A historically prominent regional power, Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Its distinct culture is a blend of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European influences.
Morocco claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces. Morocco annexed the territory in 1975, leading to a guerrilla war with indigenous forces until a cease-fire in 1991. Peace processes have thus far failed to break the political deadlock.
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors. The king can issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law. He can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the Prime Minister and the president of the Constitutional court.
Morocco’s predominant religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Tamazight. Moroccan dialect, referred to as Darija, and French are also widely spoken. Morocco is an influential member of the Arab League and a part of the Union for the Mediterranean. It has the fifth largest economy of Africa.
NordenBladet – Bergen is a city on Norway’s southwestern coast. It’s surrounded by mountains and fjords, including Sognefjord, the country’s longest and deepest. Bryggen features colorful wooden houses on the old wharf, once a center of the Hanseatic League’s trading empire. The Fløibanen Funicular goes up Fløyen Mountain for panoramic views and hiking trails. The Edvard Grieg House is where the renowned composer once lived.
Norway is one of the most beautiful but also most expensive countries in Europe. Therefore I’m excited to share some tips of free things to do in Bergen. Bergen is the second largst city of the country and the port counts into the most busiest within Europe. Bergen is surrounded by 7 mountains which offer an amazing outlook to the nearby Fjords!
1) Bryggen
The most important sight of Bergen is called “Bryggen” and is totally for free! These old houses have been warehouses in the era of the german Hanse and are well preserved. Inside you can find cozy bars, art galleries and handcraft shops – Bryggen is a must-see when in Bergen!
2) Stoltzekleiven
What about some sport? You can get up there by using the 801 steps! The locals use the „Stoltzekleiven“ (this is how they call the steps) as their workout spot in the evening no matter if it is raining or not. From the top you will be rewarded with a great view!
3) Bergen from above
The Fløyen is the most visited of the seven mountains that surround the city centre of Bergen. You can get to the top by using the cable car “Fløibanen” for 85 NOK (around 11€) or use the free option: a well marked path which leads up here. At the top you’ll find a viewpoint, a restaurant and a kiosk.
4) Free festivals and concerts
Throughout the year you’ll find various festivals and concerts in Bergen which are free of charge. One of the largest is on May 17th – the Norwegian Constitution Day with parties all over the city.
OHMYGOSSIP – Dining in cuts diabetes risk! New research from the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a 26 year study tracking the health of nearly 100,000 middle-aged men and women. Those who took part were all diabetes free at the start of the study, and were asked questions on their diet and lifestyle.
By the end of the research 9,000 of the participants had developed diabetes. By looking through the data it was determined that the more meals eaten at home, the lower the risk of developing diabetes was. It was found that eating both lunchtime and evening meals at home had huge health benefits, with home cooked suppers five to seven times a week slashing the diabetes risk by 15 per cent, and eating the majority of lunches at home saw a 9 per cent lowered risk.
Findings have been published in PLOS Medicine. Other notable results include the difference in weight gain between those who dine in and those who choose to eat out, with at home eaters putting on less weight and tending to consume more fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Fewer fizzy beverages are drunk by the people eating at home as well.
Differences between men and women who eat at home were also highlighted, with women exercising more and men chowing down on fry ups more regularly.
“Dining out has become increasingly popular in many countries,” authors said. “Meals prepared out of the home are usually high in energy and fat but low in micronutrients such as calcium, vitamin C and iron.
“From a public health perspective, actions are needed to encourage cooking meals at home, and to improve the quality of meals prepared out of the home, to facilitate diabetes prevention.”
Researcher Geng Zong adds that ordering take away counts as a meal out. It wasn’t determined whether the home cooked food was made fresh, or used pre-made goods like pasta sauces.
