Fruit is a great cleanser of the liver and blood and provides many essential nutrients, such as Vitamin C, which is required on a daily basis. Fresh or home-juiced fruit will aid in weight loss and improve metabolism and the immune system. Juicing one lemon and consuming the juice throughout the day in teas, on fish and salads and in drinks will give the system an enormous cleansing boost. Berries are also highly nutritious. Cherries are anti-inflammatory so can provide pain relief.

Most fruits are diuretic and have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties so can relieve many ailments. They will also clean the blood, kidneys and liver, protect the heart, lungs and eyes, and clear the skin. Tangerines and raspberries possess properties which metabolise fat so can help with losing weight. Pineapple rehydrates the system so is good to consume after sweating or during fever. Try to eat at least three fruits of different colours every day.

Dried Fruit

This is an important part of the diet as it provides a concentrated form of fresh fruit’s nutrient and mineral content. Dried fruit can help avert cancerous tumours and aid digestion. One tablespoon of powdered maqui berry, from a reliable source, per day can help protect against cancer as it is very high in antioxidants. All dried fruits replenish energy and should be added to breakfasts, meals or eaten as snacks throughout the day instead of unhealthy, processed, sugary food bars. Making flapjacks with oats, honey, coconut, nuts, seeds and dried fruit can provide a way to stop hunger and revitalise the body instantly during the day. Consume a small handful of different dried fruits or a mix of them once or twice a day.

Healthy Heart Flapjacks

Flapjacks are a great way to gain the fibre and nutrients required throughout the day and this version also helps lower cholesterol, improve the digestive and immune system and nourishes and protects the bones, brain, eyes and heart. Because flapjacks take time to be digested, they will also stop hunger for a long time after consumption. They make a great breakfast, mid-morning or evening snack. Ingredients do not need to be measured exactly. Experiment and mix and match fruit, nuts and seed ingredients for personal taste and availability.

Ingredients

• 500g porridge oats (other grains can also be added if required)
• One table spoon of honey
• One tablespoon of rapeseed oil
• Juice of half a lemon
• Quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon
• Quarter of a teaspoon of nutmeg
• One tablespoon of maqui berry powder
• Pinch of ground unrefined sea salt
• Five stoned and chopped dates
• One handful dried chopped apricots
• One medium peeled mashed banana
• One small handful of raisins
• One tablespoon of dried goji berries
• One small handful of chopped nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts etc.)
• One small handful of mixed seeds (flaxseeds, hempseeds, poppy, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and watermelon)
• One tablespoon desiccated coconut

Any or all of the following but add more oats to the mixture so it is not too wet

• One handful of stoned cherries
• One handful of raspberries
• One handful of cranberries or blueberries

Method

• Preheat the oven to 350°F 180°C/160°C fan, Gas 4
• Place all ingredients (except berries and cherries) into a food processor and mix to a very stiff paste-like consistency
• If too dry add a little water and mix further
• If too wet add more oats
• Then add the cherries and berries gently folding them into the mixture
• Press the mixture into a non-stick (rapeseed oil greased) shallow baking tin or tray
• Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until set with a brown crispy top. Use a skewer to test the middle. It may take longer if fresh fruit has been added
• Take out of the oven and cool slightly before cutting into portion sizes then leave to get cold in the tray. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Nutrients and Benefits of The Flapjack Ingredients

• Apricots (protects the heart and eyes)
• Bananas (adds fibre and potassium)
• Cherries (adds anti-inflammatory pain relief especially sour cherries)
• Coconuts (adds lots more fibre and has antimicrobial, antifungal, antivirus and rehydrating properties)
• Cranberries and blueberries (protects the eyes, liver and the whole body against arthritis, cancer and urinary tract infection)
• Dates (protects against heart and eye diseases)
• Lemon (adds vitamin C, cleanses the liver, pancreas and intestines and helps with weight loss)
• Raisins (protects against heart disease and arthritis)
• Raspberries (increases metabolism of fats)

This recipe and blog is taken from Nature Cures: The A to Z of Ailments and Natural Foods by Nat H Hawes. For more natural nutrition and home remedies from Nat visit Nature Cures.