Even if you don't know much about each specific
type of vegetable or fruit-
we usually consider them to have vitamins
that are good for us and are healthy for our bodies.
Have you ever noticed that there are a lot of
lotions and creams with cucumber fragrances
or extracts? Spas will often slice cucumbers
and have them infused in water as well.
Well!, there is a reason for this.
The most common cucumbers that we are familiar with are
the regular American cucumbers,
the long (usually individually wrapped) English cucumbers
that have less seeds in them
(often used in sushi because it can be used as one long piece)
and the shorter, plump cucumbers that are called Kirby cucumbers
that are often made for cucumber kimchi in Korean cuisine
and then there are also pickle cucumbers that are pickled
to make pickles. There are these round cucumbers also that
are not as common and have a thinner skin and therefore
not as flavorful and crisp like most cucumbers are.
And now on to the benefits of cucumbers!
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you
need on a daily allowance. One cucumber contains
vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium,
Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Although it might not be the norm-
eating a cucumber mid-day can provide a great pick-me up
that can last hours in a healthy way rather than grabbing
a soda or another cup of coffee.
3. Have you ever notice when you take a hot shower-
the mirrors fog up? Well, try rubbing a few slices
of cucumber along the mirror and it will help eliminate the
fogging along with providing a spa like fragrance! Win, Win!
4. Do you have some unwanted in your garden?
Take a few cucumber slices and add it to an aluminum pan or foil.
The natural chemicals in the cucumber react to the aluminum
that garden pests don't like while we as humans can't detect.
5. Especially since it's summer and pool and beach season-
do you have some cellulite that you don't care to show?
Rub a few cucumber slices in the problem area and the
phytochemicals in the cucumber will help the skin (collagen)
to tighten while you are at the pool/beach for the afternoon.
6. Eating a cucumber before going to bed will help avoid a
hangover or a terrible headache the next day.
7. Cucumber slices will also do things like polish your shoes
(a greener way to clean) or if you don't have shoe polish on hand.
It also helps repel water off your shoes.
8. When you are out of WD 40 and need a quick fix for the
squeaky hinge- you can rub it along the problematic area.
9. Are you about to have a business meeting or about to
meet someone and you don't have any gum or mint?
It's not that you would have slices of cucumber in
your purse or pocket but for informational purposes-
placing a slice or 2 of cucumbers on the roof of your mouth
for about 30 seconds or so- the phytochemicals will
kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath.
10. If you are looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets,
sinks and stainless steel- take a slice or 2 of cucumber and
rub it on the desired surface- not only will it help bring
back shine and not leave streaks but it will be good on
your hands and fingernails while you clean as well.
Who said you don't learn something new everyday,
Let's Cultivate Food
