AFRICAN HERBS FOR WINNING WIMBLEDON!

Yes, Wimbledon fever is here again- ok, more like a mild temperature amidst the chilled strawberries and champagne- but it’s here again anyway. No Henman, no WILLIAMS SISTERS  and now NO FEDERER (we really are in the ‘last days’). But there are some interesting contenders…whose names send my spell 

checker into a frenzy, so let’s just stick to the ‘big, pronounceable names’ –Nadal, Murray…ok.

Thrill to the seismic force of the serves; gulp and gasp as rapid-fire balls find remote pinpoints barely caught by the naked eye; surge forward in unrestrained roars of sheer delight, and share in a moment of collective live- telecast ecstasy: no Murray hasn’t won it yet, but that last rally was awesome.

It’s great to admire, to even feel some shock and awe at all that brilliance. But what we ordinary folk need to know is: how do they do it? Is it really all just training, practice, $10,000 sports shoes, and hand-made $30,000 fibre-glass rackets? There’s got to be something more, something they might be taking even…?

Without suggesting for one minute that their achievements are chemically assisted, (they just look super-human from here) it might still be fair to say that they are adding to what nature gave them. And what better way to do this than by trying a few African herbs.

For a start, like::

• 1.    Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that’s right. This 'oxymoronically' well-loved but grossly abused ancient African herb is indigenous to Ethiopia, and is fantastic for improving your physical performance. When you drink a small amount of coffee WITHOUT SUGAR before exercise, your body releases fat into the bloodstream which is then used to fuel your exertions, making you burn up fat, conserve carbohydrates and endure longer. Great for those 5 setters at Wimbledon!
• 2.      Kola nut. This under-rated stimulant, native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, but now found in almost any market place across Africa, has similar effects to caffeine, but mega-dosed! Use this if you don’t plan on an early night.  Chew the pink/white bitter nut, swallow the juice, then spit out the balance, if you need to keep your concentration and physical endurance levels high for that early match, first out on Centre Court... Preferably, all spitting should be in private and over with before you get on court.
• 3.      Aloe vera. This is believed to have originated in the Sudan and has justifiably attained ‘wonderplant’ status. The shockingly bitter and deceptively clear gel that comes from the centre of the leaf quickens the healing process, which is essential for the successful, intensely competitive sportsperson. What ‘No number 1’ wants to be ‘out injured’ while their rivals’ success knocks them off their throne? Or worse still, while a herd of unpronounceably-named newcomers rush the party…in last year’s fashions?
• 4.      Devil's claw, originating from the Kalahari and the Savannah desert, helps the champions push through the pain to yet another record-breaking victory, and heals inflammation (as well as arthritis).
• 5.      Myrrh, of North African origin, is a good natural herbal remedy for inflammation, and can help the No.1 keep fighting to the glorious end.

So, there we have it! Don’t just sit and wonder about how those Tennis stars reach and keep those stunning levels of skill and endurance. You too can go out, get some African herbs and gain an added edge over the competition.
And you won’t even get ‘done’ for it.

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www.legassigardens.com

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Pursuing the ultimate 'Ital' vegetarian lifestyle!

Welcome to our blog!

The 'Ital' vegetarian lifestyle in Ghana is a real challenge! We love to eat meat here, all kinds of meat: turkey bottoms, gall bladders, not to mention the usual offal such as livers and kidneys. Meat is associated with wealth and well being here. So bucking the trend puts you out on a limb at times. But we are ok with that- as long as it's a whole-wheat 'kale bone' limb!

Basically, we think of 'Ital' as natural, herbal and seasonal!

• Natural- means that we use only foods in their natural states, not tinned or frozen

• Herbal- means that we use natural herbs to flavour and enrich our foods, herbs with medicinal or healing benefits, such a thyme, bay leaf, basil. We do not use any monosodium glutamate in the preparation of our food. 

• Seasonal- this is the crucial point, that foods are eaten only in season! Obvious right! But it's amazing that people still want to go to the supermarket for foods imported, or force riped, just to satisfy their taste buds, and without a thought for their well-being. For African women especially it is vital that foods are eaten in season, ripened naturally, as this is the richest natural source of  progesterone: essential for regulating hormones. So many of our African women suffer from fibroids due to the over production of estrogen and the lack of adequate levels of progesterone to balance that hormone.

So choose the 'Ital' vegetarian lifestyle and let us eat well for long life, look after our bodies, and look great!
Blessed love, every time!