Pinktutus, Lil bunnies, & sassy hair: Tuesday Roots with Pineapple

Dad visited us over the past few weeks and was feeling a little sick. So hosting and aiding him back to health was much of the weeks tasks. I am glad that he was looking and feeling better before we saw him off yesterday. Early flights can throw your sleep off especially 5 in the AM and 3 appointment after.

Growing up in the islands there was always visits and functions to host or attend. At first I it was all new to me and scary, especially moments where you were asked to deliver a traditional greeting or farewell gifts and mats. Which usually required being around a group or crowd of observers. Let me tell you, you were corrected in front of everyone. So I quickly came out of my shell of shyness. Good thing I was always around other family members who would walking and guide my every step. Especially because I was still trying to get the hang of it all. Just for the record I was such a clumpy one back then... still am though, hehehe!!

I do admit my favorite part about it all was when my cousins and family would seat down to relax with a late tea. And if you were lucky there were yummy desserts left over or dad's hush-puppy pancake also know as pani keke. Glad I got the recipe from dad, looking forward to try it out. I'm going to try out his bananas recipe and pineapples recipe of the pani keke. It's simply mashing the fruit then adding it to the batter. Can't wait to try the pineapple hush-puppies. Can't you smell it... Yummy!!!

Alright enough about that lets take a better look at the pineapple and all it's health benefits. Now pineapples was not see much of on our land. If there was a pineapple growing there was only one and I only seen it because it was growing in the back on the side of the road. Pineapple are rich in vitamin C which has anti-allergenic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and the ability to heal and improve wounds. Pineapples are also a great source of Iron. Also good for general skin health.

Now the plant it self has enzyme bromelain which has been much studied for its potential healing powers. Its been used therapeutically for arthritis which is great for inflammation. The enzyme also helps to break down protein in the body, thereby aiding digestion. Also good to know when you have a little one who maybe dealing constipation.

Now migraines are severe headaches that occur on a regular basis and usually suffer with the incapacity to do anything for several hours or in some cases, days.Migraine is classed as an allergic condition so for this reason be sure to establish whether it is triggered by any food or combination of foods. Even more so eating foods containing nutrients that prevent this from happening.

A list of foods for headaches and migraines

almond
arugula
blackcurrant
broccoli
brown rice
camomile
carrot
cashew nut
cherry
chili pepper
extra virgin olive oil
fennel
flaxseed
garlic
ginger root (click here for a ginger root recipe)
honey
kale

So here is a smoothie recipe that would be great to add to your notes of remedies.Which is also good for treating headaches and migraines. Headaches in children may have several different causes. For instance they often occur simply because dehydration. So encouraging your child to drink water regularly will pervent this from happening. We have made it a routine to drink lots, 3 cups, of water with our breakfast. O loves her water in the morning and to tell you the truth I'm so use to it that I really feel sluggish thru the morning if I miss it.

Tropical Smoothie (via of page 35, Superfoods for healthy kids by Lucy Burney)