The Food Blog
Top Summer Foods For Skin Glow (0 Comments)
Summer is quickly approaching us and this is the ultimate time when your body needs more foods that contain high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
One of the main reasons we may age prematurely is due to oxidative stress. Not only is this dangerous for the skin, but also to the tissues in the body. When the skin is depleted of certain nutrients like vitamin C our skin looks older than it should. But there are many ways to promote more of a healthy glow to the skin. Here is a guide to go by for the top best foods for skin health.
TOMATOES:
These guys are filled with antioxidants, vitamin C and phyto-chemicals such as lycopene which contribute to chronic diseases especially cancer. Excellent for the skin as a natural sunscreen.
BERRIES:
Not only are they tasty, but high in antioxidants especially around the summertime to balance out heavy free readical load we may get from the outdoor elements. Berries are hydrating and keep the skin young. Have more of these powerful bites!
PEPPERS:
I love peppers! Peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C and helps to restore collagen that may have been decreased in the body.
BASIL:
I use basil in just about everything! Love incorporating them into smoothies, sauces and other dishes. It’s such a wonderful anti-inflammatory and antioxidants that help to protect and regenerate the skin.
GARLIC:
One of my favorites to utilize and it’s a powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant. A true beauty food with the lovely health benefits it provides for well-being.
SPINACH:
Such a wonderful food item rich in anti-oxidants and helps to protect the skin from damaging rays and more.L
LEMONS:
High in vitamin C which help to boost immune functions and anti-aging properties. An excellent potent detoxifier while alkalizing the body.
AVOCADOS:
The amazing avocado is rich in fiber, healthy fats and vitamins to boot like A, C, E, and K plus some B vitamins too.
PINEAPPLES:
Besides being super tasty, they are high in fiber, vitamin A, C, K and potassium. It’s quite an anti-inflammatory and helps with wound healing due to the bromelain.
PLUMS:
These have the richest source of anti-oxidants in the whole world and promotes against UV light for overall well-being. Also help with bone health, reduce inflammation and better memory.
AND always the best way is too drink your food too such as:
Celery
Coconut water
Pomogranate
Cucumber
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Lettuce
Apples
Zucchini
Cherries
Grapes
Here are some other ways in promoting more of a youthful glow to your regime:
Important to get some good sleep which reduces cravings throughout the day
Workout regularly to increase those “feel good ” chemicals in the brain and skin color
Stay close to the Earth meaning incorporating more plant based foods for clear skin, energy and more
Eat the colors of the rainbow for overall well-being
Less stress – less wrinkles find ways that help reduce those emotions
Don’t get discouraged if you do not see immediate results. Think of it more as a lifestyle. Be mindful, be patient and be consistent with your actions. Remember you will get there. Besides including these amazing food items, it’s best to limit yourself of highly processed foods, refined sugars and cigarette smoking.
Homemade Overnight Chia Pudding (0 Comments)
Today i am sharing with you a super tasty and guilt free pudding dessert made with these tiny, but powerful seeds. This super food seed is quite popular in the health and wellness space. Chia is known for it’s versatility, nutritional profile and so easily digestible especially for those who are allergen sensitive.
Chia seeds are originally grown in Mexico and packs a punch in energizing one’s well-being. In Mayan language, chia means “strength” and known as a ‘runners’ food due to warriors and athletes using them as fuel for long distance and during battle. Not only is it known for sustaining energy levels, but numerous health benefits such as:
Promotes healthy skin
Reduces the signs of aging
Support heart and digestive systems
Stronger bones and muscles
Helps treat diabetes
Weightloss
Fights breast and cervical cancers
Dental health
Being so rich in key nutrients, studies have proven that consuming these little guys on a daily basis can vastly improve your health in all areas such as stated below.
SKIN AND AGING:
Researchers from Mexico have uncovered that chia seeds are highly concentrated with phenolic (antioxidants) nearly 2x higher than previously reported, the activity present has shown to stop 70% of the free radicals activity in the body. Taking chia seeds can ultimately repair systems and prevent further damage.
DIGESTIVE HEALTH:
This seed is extremely high in fiber content, providing nearly 11g per ounce. Seeds like chia and flax seeds can naturally balance blood sugar levels in the body.
Due to being high in fiber, chia helps to promote regularity and a healthy stool. Plus helps you feel much full in the long run due to considerable amounts of water and immediate expansion in the stomach when consumed. These seeds create a gelatin-like substance in the stomach. This is due to the soluble fiber in the seeds, which works as a pre-biotic in the gut.
HEART HEALTH:
Helps to reverse inflammation in the body, regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure levels too. Chia seeds are quite high in healthy fats, boasting more omega 3’s to help protect the heart by reducing inflammation. To boost your overall wellness consume more chia seeds to protect your heart.
HELPS TREAT DIABETES:
Because chia seeds are rich in linolenic acid and fiber it can help with metabolic disorders. Studies have proven these powerful seeds can reverse the whole process in certain diseases.
BOOST ENERGY AND METABOLISM:
Just one serving of these seeds can help boost metabolism and burn more belly fat as well. This also enhanced exercise performance for workouts lasting longer than 90 minutes in the same way sugar laden sports drinks, but without the unhealthy excess sugars and additives.
STRONGER BONES:
With only one ounce of chia seeds it contains about 18% of the recommended calcium which helps to maintain healthy bone mass and strength. Chia consists of an essential nutrient containing, Boron, which helps to stimulate metabolism, calcium, manganese and phosphorus for healthy bone and muscle growth.
BUILD MUSCLE AND WEIGHT LOSS:
Chia seeds are packed with a powerful punch of antioxidants in helping to replace some of the nutrients lost when exercising. Chia seeds are so unique that they can absorb 10x their own body weight in water. This also slows down the digestion and keeps you full and craving less in the process. They are high in zinc which increases leptin to regulate appetite and energy levels.
FIGHTS BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCERS:
Chia are rich in omega 3 fatty acids in which limit the growth of cancer cells in these parts of the body. Researchers have found that it caused cell death of cancer cells without harming the healthy cells in the body. Another amazing way these tiny seeds are so incredible.
DENTAL HEALTH:
With the healthy amount of calcium and zinc, it helps to prevent tartar on your teeth and has an antibacterial effect that keeps bad breath away.
If you’ve never tried chia seeds before, they have a mild, nutty taste and can be easily incorporated into many dishes and smoothies. Now, the best way to retain their nutrients is by either grinding or soaking them in liquid to release the “enzyme inhibitors” that are used to protect the seed.
HOW TO SOAK:
It’s best to simply mix them in a 1:10 ratio to water, which is about 1.5 tbsp of chia to 1 cup of liquid. Then let it sit for at least 30 minutes to two hours.
Another option is to pulverize in a blender or coffee grinder and can be utilized in cakes, brownies, muffins, pancakes and pastas. Best to store them in a glass container in the refrigerator. Chia seeds can also be sprinkled on cereal, in your oatmeal, jams and mixed into granola.
Occasionally, some people may experience side affects by consuming these seeds with stomach discomfort due to large amounts of fiber content. As with most foods, eat in moderation and always drink plenty of water. Below here i listed some great combination flavors to try out. You can create it like a parfait with lovely layers of flavors. So darn good. I would love to hear about your creation with this type of pudding! Do tell. Curious foodies want to know.
FLAVOR COMBINATIONS:
Peanut butter & banana
Pineapple and coconut
Banana and strawberry
Matcha and coconut
So now that we know about how to utilize these precious seeds and the health benefits, let’s scroll down to the recipe shall we……………………
SERVES: about 4
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups almond milk, or preferred style
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 tbsp maple, or raw honey
dash, sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
1/4 tsp allspice
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients together and mix well until thoroughly incorporated. Cover with a lid; place in the refrigerator for overnight. In between the chilling process just stir a few times.
When the chilling process is complete, serve in a decorative bowl or mason jar as is or add some flair with fresh fruit, nuts or herbs. For freshness, this will keep for at least 5 days in the refrigerator.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories per serving 292; total fat 28g; sodium 77g; total carbohydrates 10.6g; dietary fiber 3g; sugars 7g; protein 2.8g calcium 2% ; iron 12% and potassium 7%.
Dark Chocolate Crunch Bars (0 Comments)
Oh yes…..dark chocolate LOVE right here! These chocolatey and crunchy bars are a great anytime snack made with real-food ingredients and not to mention so tasty.
Why buy store bought when you can make these beauties in your own kitchen? Super simple, no fuss and fun to make for the whole family. Most store brands are chock full of chemicals, added sugars and other additives in keeping it fresh on those shelves. But you can easily empower yourself in choosing better options by either reading those labels very carefully or just creating your own at home. The best part is that it does not involve the oven. this recipe is a base in customizing your own signature snack. You may either replace or add in other ingredients such as nut-butters, dried fruits, extracts or even essential oils for flair. It’s all up to you in how you would like to create your tasty treat. Just have fun and get creative in the kitchen. A great snack for a party or your family.
High quality dark chocolate and coconut oil have many health benefits for the mind and body for proper fuel such as it’s anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds plus it tastes great too. When buying chocolate make sure it is over 70% cocoa for benefits and with coconut oil it’s best when purchasing unrefined and non-GMO products.
I hope enjoy this recipe treat. If you give this a go, please i would love to hear what you came up with.
May we scroll down to the recipe now?!
SERVES: about 12-15
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
2 tsp coconut oil, unrefined
3/4 cup crunch, either nuts or crisp rice cereals
dash, sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and coconut oil. Melt either over the stove or microwave at 15-20 second intervals. When just melted, add in your crunch or added items; stir until combined. Place chocolate mixture into a baking pan 8×8 with parchment for easy clean and release. Make sure it’s evenly distributed. Cover and place the pan in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, or until set.
When set, either keep it in the refrigerator for firmness or on counter to bring up to room temperature for softer texture if needed. That’s it. Enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories 136; total fat 9g; cholesterol 4mg; sodium 90mg; total carbohydrates 11.7g; dietary fiber 1.2g; sugars 9g; protein 2.5g; calcium 3%; iron 4% and potassium 2%.
5 Simple Solutions for a Healthy Gut (0 Comments)
YOUR GUT, YOUR SECOND BRAIN
There are a multitude of things that wreck havoc on our digestive systems these days and may seem nearly impossible to try to get back in balance and restore yourself to good health. Not only is this just about digestive issues, but gastrointestinal health may be the root cause for many health issues today including brain and mental health.
But with a bit of planning and time, it’s possible to restore yourself back to full health with your gastrointestinal system – which can play a huge role on your entire body, your mood, memory and more. Being able to heal your gut allows the body to build a stronger immune system and promote the right kind of bacteria for your body and brain that it makes you okay to feel good again. This is extremely important for your overall well-being. It’s responsible for critical functioning of the capability of affecting the body’s vitamins and mineral absorption, regulating hormones, digestive immune responses and the ability to eliminate toxins plus the overall ones mental health.
Being able to enhance the healthy gut can lead to improvement of many disorders such as immune function, brain function, symptoms of sadness, anger and depression, obesity, allergies and I.B.S. just to name a few. The many signs you may experience will be chronic constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, fatigue, headaches, mood swings, skin problems and a bad taste in food. Below here are some simple solutions in improving and maintaining better gut health naturally.
“All disease begins in the gut”. – Hippocrates
The importance of gut health for overall health helps us to digest food, absorb nutrients, breaks down some medications and kills some of the bad bacteria that may lead to infections in the body. Below are some simple solutions in healing your friendly flora.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS PROMOTING GUT HEALTH:
TRY INTERMITTENT FASTING:
Researchers are finding out more about the importance of when you eat can have just as much of an impact on your gut bacteria as what you eat, and carving out a chunk of non-feeding time for yourself everyday can both increase diversity of your gut bacteria and stop inflammation in it’s tracks.
Daily fasting allows your hardworking gut to take a break and clean out fully. This gives your body a chance to reset with friendly flora bacteria while focusing on tasks other than digestion.
Fasting can also in result in preventing a leaky gut barrier. In recent studies daily fasting strengthens that gut barrier against harmful bacteria, preventing the bad guys from escaping into the bloodstream to trigger an immune response or inflammation.
LIMIT TOXINS:
Harmful toxins can deplete healthy microbes and excessive hygiene habits. From GMO’s, refined sugars and chemicals in food to antibacterial cleaners and antibiotics/medicine play a huge role on your gut bacteria. Unhealthy chemicals from medicine to our food supply such as antacids, birth control and other medications can be detrimental to friendly flora that’s working hard on your behalf in helping you digest. All antibacterial products from cleaners to personal care are designed to wipe out all bacteria even the good kind.
Steer clear of overusing or unnecessary medications, antimicrobial products, toxic chemicals and cleaner sources of food and water as much as possible.
MINDFUL EATING:
Unfortunately the western diet packs a punch of the opposite of nutritious foods like overly processed foods, fried foods, refined sugars, extra salt and artificial ingredients. This will eventually in time wreck havoc on your gut by weakening and possibly destroying good bacteria for overall well-being. The good news is that you can take your health back by consuming more whole and plant based foods that are packed with real nutrition in the way nature intended. By nourishing your body and mind with good food, within a few hours of eating, you can alter your gut bacteria.
CONSUME PROBIOTICS:
Not only do probiotics break down food in smaller components in which your body can absorb, but they produce enzymes that can increase healthy digestion and absorption. So do your best in fortifying your body with the good guys as much as possible for overall wellness. You can benefit naturally with taking either supplements or foods like kimchi, kombucha, kifer, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, etc.
DO THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD:
The state of your body’s nervous system determines how well we digest food. Is your body in “fight or flight” mode? Be mindful of chronic stress in which directly affects your digestion. By encouraging your body to spend more time “resting and digesting” make a commitment to yourself to relax more and do feel good activities in reducing stress levels that aren’t good for you. There are so many healthy activities from getting into nature, meditation, yoga, laughter, massages, gardening, epsom salt baths and many more. And getting a more restful sleep will do wonders for your overall mind and body.
By working towards in enhancing your gut healthy lifestyle by choosing whole food nutrient-dense rich diet, you will find a vast improvement and feel like your happy healthy and vibrant self! Remember to nourish your mind, body and soul for overall well-being.
Simple Solutions to Detoxify the Body of Impurities Naturally (0 Comments)
Overtime our bodies can become quite toxic due to environmental factors which may include water (flouride and other chemicals), air ( pollution, chemical trails and other toxins), food ( pesticides, chemicals, preservatives, GMO’s, preservatives, additives, etc), pharmaceuticals and other drugs. Detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients. This helps to protect from disease and renew your body’s ability to maintain optimal health through a range of methods such as yoga, meditation and so much more.
Do you feel like you need to detox? Here are some signs you may need to cleanse your body from impurities.
Fatigue
Constipation
Headaches
Irritibility
Skin breakouts
Food cravings
Congestion/constant colds
Trouble sleeping
Being able to truly heal along with an effective detox requires both the body and the mind. Below is a guideline of the many ways to naturally rid of impurities in one’s body in every day toxins. It’s important to get to the root cause, not just slap a band-aid over it. Listen to how your body is feeling. Sometimes it isn’t always about what you eat, but how you think or feel as well.
1. HYDRATION is one key factor!
A great way to start your morning rituals is a glass of filtered water with a splash of fresh lemon juice. This simply helps to flush out any unwanted impurities in the body and improves alkalinity levels. For myself, i add a pinch of apple cider vinegar to the cocktail. Apple cider vinegar is a powerful cleansing and healing elixir which helps to fight germs and bacteria in the body. Remind yourself to drink more water throughout the day!
2. DRINK MORE TEA!
Green tea, roobios, matcha and herbal teas such as dandelion or nettles help to rid the body of toxins.
3. TRY ACUPUNCTURE.
This is one of the great ways to cleanse and balance the body naturally with your biggest health problems.
4. SAUNA sessions help to rid of the body of both heavy metals and xenobiotics foreign compound like plastics and petrochemicals.
Sweating removes lead, cadium, arsenic and mercury. It helps to eliminate hormone disrupting B.P.A. which accumulates in the fat cells. So important to keep hydrated due to sweating pulls out electrolytes and trace minerals from your body and plenty of salt ( good kind like Himalayan sea salt and mineral rich salt).
5. Intense MASSAGE
like a Swedish or sports massage is a great way to detoxify the body of toxins too. Although with most it may seem like just a luxury, but excellent for gaining maximum health results.
5. EXERCISE
is another way to flush out toxins from your body. This helps to increase lypolysis releasing toxins stored in your fat tissue. Exercise increases circulation, promote more oxygen to your liver and kidneys so they can better filter out toxins.
6. ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
has been around for thousands of years in emergency rooms to treat poisons. Charcoal (negative) binds chemicals whose molecules have positive charges including aflatoxin and other mycotoxins, common pesticides. Once attached to charcoal you can pass them normally. Now charcoal can bind to the good stuff, so take another supplement after an hour or so. You may take charcoal pills along with exercise or a sauna session. Charcoal should absorb many of the toxins you release into your gut and GI tract.
7. GLUTATHIONE
is a powerful antioxidant that protects you from exposure of heavy metals. This helps support enzymes that breakdown mold toxins and heavy metals.
8. FASTING/KETOSIS
is one way to induce lipolysis, particularly if you are fasting. When in ketosis and you haven’t eaten recently, your body breaks down your fat stores into fatty acids in which convert into ketones for fuel. Meaning you should be able to supercharge your fat loss by dropping into nutritional ketosis.
OTHER NATURAL METHODS INCLUDE :
Adding fiber rich foods
Meditation
Getting into nature
Walking
Yoga
Rid your body of alcohol, caffeine and sugar
Reduce your consumption of acid forming foods like soda, dairy, pork, shellfish, beef, peanuts and vinegar
Deep diaphramic breathing
Laughter
Smiling
Helping others
Burdock root and Echinacea tea (purify and detox the blood)
And lastly, find the positive in the everyday and move your body more. This will be helpful in reducing stress levels and chemicals in the body.
Below are the TOP 11 DETOXIFYING FOODS to choose from. I don’t know about you, but for myself i enjoy them all except grapefruit.
Which are your favorite from the list?
Green tea (rids body of free radicals)
Garlic ( helps liver)
Onions (helps liver)
Ginger (helps liver & digestive health)
Beets (helps liver & rids of free radicals)
Asparagus (helps liver)
Lemons (digestive health)
Apples (helps liver)
Grapefruit (helps liver & prevents kidney stones)
Pineapple (cleanses the gut)
Kale ( detoxes & flushes out kidneys)
My best advice is to figure out what works for you. This is NOT a one size fits all due to everyone is uniquely different in their journey. Slowly try out a new method for naturally cleansing a little bit more at a time. Learning to be in control and truly take care of yourself is the best step in the right direction for better health. You may find in the process that once ailed you may no longer be present or notice as much. Just take that first step. And i hope you will let me know what is working for you in your wellness journey?!
Mexican Quinoa and Veggie Stuffed Bell Peppers (0 Comments)
Bell pepper LOVE right here! This is one of my all time go-to dishes to create in the kitchen. I have made these beauties in a variety of ways from different flavors, with meat and no meat like this style right here. This vegetarian style is packed full of nutrients, full of flavor and will keep you satisfied. This filling is so darn delicious with the lovely quinoa, spice blend, beans and veggies mix in along with the creamy cashew cream. It is quite delectable once stuffed in the sweet and colorful peppers roasted to perfection. The great part about these guys are that it is super simple to make, with light preparation, so filling and very versatile in making your own custom blend. If you happen to give this a try, i would love to hear what you came up with!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUINOA:
Quinoa isn’t just a hippie food, it’s actually amazingly nutritional and versatile. It’s a grain that’s grown and the seeds are eaten. It’s not quite a grass or cereal, but more related to other healthy vegetables like spinach or beetroot.
No reason why herbivores and carnivores alike can’t enjoy this food item. It is so versatile in many dishes to incorporate in meals and desserts. Below are some of the many reasons why you may want to incorporate quinoa in your life.
An amazing nutrient that it is a COMPLETE PROTEIN. Just one cup it offers 5g of fiber and protein plus a wide range of minerals and vitamins.
A LOW CALORIE food item. If you are either maintaining or losing weight, this your guy right here. It only has 222 calories per cup and 4g of fat.
Quinoa is so VERSATILE whether it’s in a salad, snack, side or main dish or incorporated in desserts too. Because it contains protein it is excellent for weightlifting or body building.
It contains more FIBER than many other grains out there. A simple switch for one grain to quinoa can significantly improve your health with little effort.
Full of ANTIOXIDANTS!
A LOW GLYCEMIC index which helps to maintain blood sugar levels.
It’s completely GLUTEN FREE. If you have any sensitivities at all this is for you.
Since we know the amazing benefits, let’s scroll down to the recipe.
SERVES: about 3-4
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup quinoa, prepared and cooked
2 cups stock, vegetable or chicken, organic and low sodium
4 medium bell peppers (any color you prefer) halved and seeds removed
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups mushrooms, chopped
any remaining bell pepper tops, chopped
1 cup corn, frozen or fresh
1/2 cup chickpeas, or black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jalapeno, sliced, seeded and chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 1/4 chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup cashew cream
CASHEW CREAM: (quick soak method)
2 cups cashews, raw and unsalted
water, filtered
dash, sea salt
In a saucepan, combine the two and bring up to a boil. Then once boiled; turn off the heat and cover. Let sit for about an hour before using. Drain and pulse until smooth in a blender or food processor. Sea salt, to taste. Set aside until ready to use.
GARNISHES:
salsa, or preferred sauce
avocados
fresh cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a saucepan, add quinoa and stock together; bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low; let cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Let simmer about 20 minutes or as instructed on the package.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place halved peppers in a baking dish 9×13 or smaller is fine and set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat the oil in the pan. Add the onions and let cook for a few minutes until soft. Add in the fresh garlic and let cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant. Add in the remaining ingredients of mushrooms, veggies, corn, beans and the seasonings; let cook for another 5-7 minutes or until combined and fragrant.Lastly, add in the cashew cream and blend. Let the flavors marry well and remove from heat.
You are ready to place the stuffing mixture into the bell pepper vessels generously and then cover with foil. Place the baking dish in the oven; let cook for about 35-45 minutes, or until peppers are soft and so fragrant.
When cooked, remove from the oven and let cool before serving. Serve with desired toppings. These beauties are great the next days and for at least 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories 514; total fat 17.3g; sodium 35mg; total carbohydrates 75g; dietary fiber 15g; sugars 12g; protein 19.6g; vitamin D 8%; iron 46%; calcium 8% and potassium 24%.