Papaya-The perfect super mom, super food!

This Summer I became completely addicted to papaya.  I’ve been buying it weekly at Trader Joes. The salesperson explained that you need to let it turn completely yellow—wait until it looks like it’s gone completely bad and over ripe and then it will be perfect inside.  (Trust me—I cut open a papaya a little too early this past week—there was still some green on the outside- and inside it was tough and bitter).

Once it’s super ripe and ready to eat, it takes like candy!  Seriously—like candy.  You just want to gobble the whole thing up.  I have to use all my strength to save some for my smoothies.

I first became intrigued by this delicious fruit when I saw an article on the Dr. Oz website describing all the wondrous health benefits of papaya.  The first article I came across was saying how it significantly helps your skin stay young looking and firm.  (Where do I sign up for that?!)   Then I came across more articles ranging from the cancer-fighting benefits to the energy boosting benefits, to the overall health benefits.  Papaya is an amazingly delicious super food that you must start enjoying today!!!

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which helps you retain energy from food, thus eliminating sluggishness (if consumed after large meals) or creating extra energy if consumed in a moderate size meal (ex: smoothie, mixed with cereal, fruit salad snack, etc).  The papain also helps you maintain your levels of glucose throughout the day, which also helps maintain energy.

Papaya is loaded with antioxidants which help prevent cardiovascular diseases, aging, cancer, eye problems, and increase healthy skin.

From Dr. Oz’s website “That faint reddish color in the papaya comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant also found in tomatoes. Papaya has a special carotenoid, too, called beta-cryptoxanthin. Together, these natural compounds knock out free radicals that can cause cancer and can even make cancer cells self-destruct. Researchers are especially zeroing in on papaya’s ability to prevent cervical cancer, and it appears to help against other forms as well.”

 As you can see from the amazing benefits of papaya, it is the perfect Super Mom, Super Food–increasing energy, increasing health, increasing the beauty of our skin.  So enjoy some today!

And don’t forget-kids love it’s sweet taste.  Plus, the unusual seeds allow for nice exploration activities.

Come back tomorrow for a new post featuring my very refreshing Strawberry Papaya Sparkling Spa Elixer.

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HI! I’m a Shana, self-proclaimed Media Mixologist, wife, and mom to two little girls. I love to mix up cocktails of crafts, recipes, wellness, family and business with just the right amount of sparkle to help you shine everyday. So, grab a glass, and let’s celebrate the cocktail of life!