When the chips and salsas are out, it’s hard to leave them alone. You can call this intuition or an immense desire to enjoy a salty snack. Salsa tends to reign supreme in the dip category, but only if it tastes great. Terrible salsa is not only an insult to your palate, but also your overall health. A jar of salsa doesn’t offer any nutritional value and can be overly sweet or salty, depending on the variety. That’s why it is always better to make your own, especially since it is very easy.

Some people do not label a dip as a salsa unless it is blended or smooth. For example, a salsa verde or roja is a true salsa, whereas pico de gallo may not be viewed that way to some salsa purists. We are not here to judge or change your opinion on what a salsa is, but this recipe, be it a salsa or not, is an insanely tasty dip. It is sweet, spicy, zesty, refreshing, and highly addictive. Additionally, the salsa offers a wide range of nutrients, given that it contains a mix of colorful fruits and vegetables. If you need antioxidants and vitamin C, this is the salsa for you!

This salsa offers two sweet components: strawberries and mangos. Don’t think that this is just an overwhelming bowl of sweetness, though. The red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice create a balanced flavor profile that makes each bite more enjoyable than the last. As a final note, don’t worry if the mango isn’t the sweetest, most tropical mango you’ve ever tasted. It is perfectly fine if the mangos are slightly underripe.

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Star fruit is not something you see in the average grocery store. Native to Southeast Asia and other tropical areas, star fruit gets its name for the star-like shape, which is particularly evident when you cut the fruit into slices. It exhibits a sweet and slightly tart flavor profile that goes great in a fruit salad. 

Both the skin and flesh are edible and it can be sweet or sour, depending on how ripe the fruit is. If the fruit is greener in color, it will taste more sour, while a yellow fruit will taste sweeter. Just watch out for the seeds that are in the center of the fruit! 

Star Fruit Nutrition

According to research studies, star fruit offers a lot of vitamin C and fiber. For a single, medium-sized star fruit (about 91 grams), the nutrient content is as follows:

• Fiber: 3 grams (g)
• Protein: 1 g
• Folate: 3% of the daily value (DV)
• Vitamin C: 52% of the DV
• Copper: 6% of the DV
• Vitamin B5: 4% of the DV
• Potassium: 3% of the DV
• Magnesium: 2% of the DV

Based on the above information, the nutrient content for a star fruit seems relatively low. Keep in mind, though, that this serving only has 28 calories and six grams of carbohydrates. Calorie for calorie, star fruit is highly nutritious. Continue reading to learn more about star fruit’s health benefits.

Vitamin C Superstar

As a powerful micronutrient with antioxidant properties, vitamin C helps to protect against cellular damage. A 2022 umbrella review included 57 meta-analyses and concluded that vitamin C consumption reduced the risk of multiple cancers, including breast, esophageal, lung, pancreatic, bladder, and gastric cancer. Researchers noted that vitamin C works to protect against cancers by reducing oxidative damage to cells and protecting tissues from carcinogens. Currently, the recommended DV of vitamin C for men is 90 milligrams (mg) and 75 mg for women. That said, those numbers only help people avoid vitamin C deficiency. Based on current findings, people should take at least 200 mg per day to promote overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Beneficial For The Heart And Digestive Health

The average medium star fruit contains three grams of fiber, which benefits both heart and digestive health. Regarding digestion, fiber add bulk to stool and helps regulate bowel movements. It also acts as food for the healthy bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract. That promotes a healthy intestinal lining and microbiome. Additionally, adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet can help protect against certain digestive disorders, including colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. 

Eating fiber-rich foods is also beneficial for maintaining a healthy heart. Fiber works to lower blood lipids, blood pressure, and may regulate blood sugar, all of which help lower your risk of heart disease. The vitamin C in star fruit may also offer protection from heart disease. Some studies show that increasing your intake of antioxidants and flavonoids, such as those that exist in star fruit, may help lower the risk of coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease in America. 

Safety And Side Effects

Because star fruit has a high oxalate content, it may cause adverse effects in certain groups. People with kidney problems should avoid star fruit and its juice, or at least consult a healthcare professional prior to consuming it. Eating star fruit may lead to kidney damage or star fruit toxicity, which may cause neurological problems like seizures. If you take prescription medication or drugs, proceed with caution. Just like grapefruit, star fruit can alter the way certain drugs are broken down and used by the body.

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As spring approaches, it’s time to welcome bright and refreshing flavors. The warmer weather makes you want flavors that represent the warmth. That usually means more tropical fruits and less hearty ingredients. For this reason, we concocted a smoothie that contains apples, mangos, carrots, and chia seeds. To avoid having a completely fruit-forward smoothie, we added the carrot, which provides extra vitamin A and carotenoids.

Even though this smoothie contains chia seeds, it doesn’t turn into chia pudding, primarily because it doesn’t have the proper chia seed to liquid ratio. Plus, even if the ratio was exact, the mixture would need time to set. You will drink this smoothie right away, so you don’t have to worry about taking a spoon to this smoothie. This smoothie is on the thicker side, though, but you can always add a little more homemade almond milk if you want a smoothie that isn’t as thick.

The key to this smoothie is to cube the mango ahead of time and freeze the cubes overnight. The frozen mango chunks will provide that creaminess that would otherwise come from a banana, which this smoothie does not have. The homemade almond milk also makes this smoothie a bit creamier, almost giving it a creamsicle- or milkshake-like texture. Let us know if it brightens your day and delights your taste buds by dropping a comment below.

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Escaping your day-to-day life by traveling to one of the Wonders of the World or a tropical paradise is truly a gift. Jet lag just happens to be something that often accompanies a long-haul journey of this caliber. It can be quite annoying when the body crosses time zones and bypasses normal sleep patterns. Although some global travelers have their own hacks, this article aims to highlight a few helpful tips to help get over jet lag.

What Is Jet Lag?

Yes, jet lag is a real thing, but you usually don’t feel it if the time change is small (a couple hours for example). Jet lag is essentially the disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm, which occurs when you travel across three or more time zones. The symptoms often include impaired cognition, general malaise, sleeping troubles, daytime drowsiness, and gastrointestinal issues. Depending on how far you travel, jet lag can last a couple days to a couple weeks.

Researchers suggest that it takes people about one day to adjust for each one to 1.5 hours of time change. That one-hour-per-day rule isn’t concrete, though, and eastward travel tends to create more jet lag than traveling west does, but everyone experiences it differently. Trip itinerary and biological factors can also affect the severity of jet lag. The key to getting over jet lag is getting your body’s circadian rhythm back on track with the sunrise and sunset of your destination. You may find the following tips helpful. 

Adapt To Your Time Zone

Some will agree that this is easier said than done, but do your best to forget your old time zone once you land in your new one. If you continue to eat and sleep according to your old time zone, then you’ll experience great trouble. Eat meals and go to bed according to your destination’s time. If you land in the morning, don’t go to sleep right away, despite your desire to do so. 

Realign Your Circadian Rhythm

Jet lag disrupts your body’s internal clock, which you have to synchronize with the 24-hour day at your destination. This happens whether you travel east or west, although more people have a harder time traveling east. Because there are so many variables, such as flight arrival time, length of the trip, number of time zones crossed, etc., there is no single remedy to realign your circadian rhythm. Proper timing is essential to adjust your circadian rhythm, though, with proper daylight and dark exposure to quickly get over jet lag. Even with a well-oiled plan, you may still need a few days to over a week to adjust your circadian rhythm. Do your best not to overindulge with caffeine and sleep at night at your destination. 

Drink Water

During long-haul flights, most people don’t drink enough water. In fact, people tend to avoid drinking a lot of liquids to ensure fewer bathroom breaks. Proper hydration may help you manage fatigue and other jet lag symptoms. Opt for water instead of soda, sugary juices, or coffee during in-flight service. Carry a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up at your departure airport so that it is full for the flight. You may also ask the flight attendants to fill your water bottle if you run out during the flight. They may or may not say yes, though.

Manage Sleep Time

It can be tempting to sleep whenever you feel tired in your destination. If your flight arrives during the morning or daytime, try to avoid the urge to nap or sleep for a long time. That can make sleep much more difficult once nighttime arrives at your destination. A few things that can help you rest include eye masks, earplugs, comfortable blankets and pillows, portable white noise machine, and noise-canceling headphones. Do your best to get some sleep during your flight if you are in the air during your destination’s nighttime. 

Experiment With Melatonin

The body makes melatonin on its own to trigger sleepiness, but it comes as a supplement as well. Melatonin may be a valuable supplement to consider to help your body get sleepy once you arrive at your destination, depending on the time of arrival. If your body isn’t ready for bed at night, you may benefit from taking some. Just be careful to not consume too much melatonin if you want to avoid the unwanted side effects. Don’t take more than five milligrams at a time. 

Don’t Over-Schedule Your First 

Because you will most likely experience some degree of jet lag upon your arrival, don’t overbook yourself at your vacation destination the first couple days. If returning home, try to leave a day or so of rest before you resume work. Budget enough time for sleep and keep tabs on how you feel to avoid getting sick.

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Sip your way into a world of vibrance with our blood orange sherbet smoothie that bursts with tropical, sweet, and tart flavors. This delightful smoothie contains three simple ingredients: fresh raspberries, papaya, and freshly squeezed blood orange juice. You will need about five blood oranges to get the right amount of juice for this smoothie. The blood orange juice offers a wonderful tartness with a sweet undertone that makes you feel like you’re sipping a tropical beverage on a tranquil beach.

Although you won’t eat the blood oranges, take a second to appreciate their beauty before you juice them. Their flesh resembles a tie dye tapestry of oranges and reds. It is truly a beautiful fruit that tastes just as good as it looks. Blood oranges exhibit an exquisite tanginess that goes hand in hand with the fresh raspberries. Needless to say, this smoothie is replete with antioxidant compounds and lots of vitamin C.

Sure, the raspberries and blood orange juice provide lots of vitamin C, but let’s not forget about the mighty papaya. This fruit is naturally rich in fiber, vitamin A, and papain, a digestive enzyme that helps break down the protein you eat. Make sure to cube your papaya, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze overnight the day before you make this smoothie. Frozen papaya will give this smoothie a creaminess that you wouldn’t get if you used fresh fruit and ice. Trust us when we tell you that this is the way to go!

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Okay, folks, picture this: you are sitting in front of a bowl of a tangy and refreshing mango radish salsa. Will it make your taste buds jump for joy? There is only one way to find out how delectable this vibrant concoction of ingredients is, and that is to dig in! This salsa combines the sweet tropical flavor of mangoes with the crisp, pepperiness of the watermelon radish. Add in sweetly tart cherry tomatoes, refreshing cilantro and cucumber, and the zesty lime juice and you’re guaranteed to have a flavor explosion in every bite.

Not only does this salsa exhibit refreshing flavors, but it also brings some impressive health benefits to the table. You’ll notice that this salsa is more like a pico de gallo, but this recipe excludes jalapeño. If you crave that spice, feel free to finely dice a pepper and fold it into the mix!

The Benefits

• Mangos are tropical fruits that contain lots of vitamins C and A, both of which encourage healthy immune function and healthier skin. Plus, mangos offer lots of dietary fiber, aiding digestion and helping you feel fuller for longer.
• Watermelon radishes are mesmerizing to look at. Although these humble root veggies are small, they pack a serious nutritional punch. Radishes are a great source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium, and research shows that their compounds support the liver and regulate blood pressure.
• Cucumbers are refreshing and full of beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, & K, potassium, and calcium. Studies suggest that cucumber consumption can help you achieve your daily hydration requirements, given their impressive water content.
• Cilantro can actually help rid the body of heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, lead, and mercury. Cilantro can bind to these toxic metals, loosen them from tissues, and help eliminate them from the body.
• Cherry tomatoes, like other types of tomatoes, are naturally rich in lycopene, which is an antioxidant compound that may reduce inflammation. Several compounds in cherry tomatoes have also been associated with lower risk of multiple diseases, including some forms of cancer, but more research is necessary.

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We want to introduce you to the Tropical Tango Smoothie, or the pineapple lime and mint smoothie. Doesn’t matter what you call it because it always goes down smoothly. Drink it in, people, because this smoothie is a revelation! It is a delightful concoction that combines the zesty zing of pineapple, the tang of lime, and the refreshing kick of mint. Did someone say fruity fiesta in a glass?

When you take your first sip of this vibrant elixir, your taste buds will embark on a flavorful adventure. The tanginess of pineapple is at the forefront, unleashing a wave of tropical sweetness that makes you feel as if you are lounging on a beach. As you begin to settle into this tropical paradise, the lime’s zesty essence dances on your palate, awakening your senses with a citrusy explosion. The tanginess pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the pineapple.

The true star of this smoothie, though, is the mint. It sweeps across the tongue like a cool breeze that rejuvenates your senses. It’s almost as if you can taste the crisp, luscious coolness of mint in every sip. The mint adds a delightful twist that elevates your smoothie from a D to an A+++. As a bonus, this smoothie is rich in digestive enzymes, powerful vitamin C, B-vitamins, and loads of antioxidants that work to fight off free radicals.

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Picture this: you are lounging on the sand underneath a palm tree. The gentle waves roll up the beach and roll out, creating a peaceful sound. Someone from your hotel comes up and says, “Excuse me, I believe you ordered this.” And that person presents you with a refreshing piña colada. You accept it graciously and continue to enjoy your beach day.

While this recipe isn’t a sugary alcoholic beverage, it does provide you that same beachy feeling because of how tropical it is. This ice cream is creamy, rich, and will have you dreaming of your next vacation. The only difference is that you can make this whenever you want and the only thing you need to leave the house for is a few ingredients. We don’t want to discourage you from traveling, though. Traveling can humble you, helping you realize that there is so much more out there, and so much for you to learn and experience. One of the best thing to experience while you travel is food!

In honor of all the people who love to travel, we present you with a dairy-free piña colada ice cream. The great thing about this recipe is that it comes together very easily. Blend the ingredients together in a blender and refrigerate for an hour or so to cool. Pour that mixture into a simple ice cream maker and let the magic happen. It should take about 20 min for it to reach a luxurious, creamy consistency. We hope you love it!

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A creamy, fruity pudding that is filled with fiber, protein, and healthy fats is an excellent breakfast item for anyone, regardless of dietary status. Vegan pudding, especially raw vegan pudding, can be tricky. Fortunately, you can easily whip up a batch of chia pudding, which exhibits a similar texture to tapioca pudding. Chia seeds bloom in liquid to create a tapioca-like consistency. Plus, eating homemade chia pudding is way healthier than opening up a sugary yogurt or pudding from the store.

How does chia pudding really come to be? Well, chia seeds have an outer coating that turns gel-like after being activated by moisture. Because of that cool feature, you can make chia pudding or jam. All you need to do is refrigerate the pudding for about one hour after blending everything together. The blending process actually accelerates the transition from liquid to pudding. It’s just better to enjoy it cold!

Unlike regular chia pudding, which is just liquid, chia seeds, and sweetener, this recipe blends the mango with the pudding. That creates a tropical feel and adds an element of fruity sweetness to the pudding. Because you’re using fresh fruit in the pudding, you want to consume it within two days of making it. Ideally, consume it the same day or the following day. The homemade almond milk also has a limited shelf-life, so make sure to enjoy this pudding quickly. You don’t want to put it in the fridge to set, grab it three days later, and have it taste spoiled!

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Is this the best smoothie you’ll drink all summer? That is ultimately for you to decide, but we strongly endorse this smoothie for your summer smoothie rotation. It utilizes fresh cherries, which are in peak season during summer months. Buy them in bulk while they are affordable, remove the pits, and freeze them in a large freezer bag, so that you can continue making this smoothie all summer long.

This smoothie is creamy, refreshing, and full of flavor, and an excellent way to start your day. We suggest that you choose dark sweet cherries because of their rich sweetness during summer. Rainier cherries are also available, but they aren’t as sweet. You can use them if you prefer their flavor, but the color will differ from the color of the smoothie in the recipe picture. The banana and homemade almond milk work together to make this summer smoothie as creamy as possible. If you prefer the taste of homemade cashew milk, you can use that in place of the homemade almond milk.

Pineapple seems like the odd man out on this ingredient list, but the sweet and tart tropical flavor works so well to complement the cherries. It’s also worth noting that the pineapple is fresh, not frozen overnight like the banana and cherries. The reason for that is because fresh pineapple cubes are very juicy, making this smoothie a little easier to blend. If you give this recipe a try, let us know by leaving a comment below or tagging @dherbs on Instagram.

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