Posts Tagged ‘antioxidants’

There are a lot of SuperFoods out there these days. I have tried numerous ones, but my staple is Spirulina which is blue-green algae. Spirulina is a full spectrum, non-toxic, is easy to digest and 50-70% protein. It contains all eight essential amino acids making it a complete protein. It is superior to the isolated protein powders, especially those from animal origins. Animal proteins are high uric acid forming and this contributes significantly to ostoporosis and kidney stress. Spirulina’s protein is gentle on your kidneys and it has been shown to actually help protect against kidney failure. Spirulina is also easier to digest than animal protein.

I add it to my cat and dog’s food everyday.

Spirulina provides high levels of chlorophyll and also contains iron, vitamin A, a full spectrum of carotenoids, B-1, B-2, B-6, E and K. It provides a vast array of minerals, trace elements, phytonutrients and enzymes. Spirulina offers beneficial fatty acids DHA, GLA and others which have been shown to possess anti-viral activity.

Spirulina is a whole food source of concentrated nutrients. I use it in a smoothie or added to juice everyday, usually twice a day. In the morning and when I get home from work.

Spirulina is great if you want to lose weight you can create a nutrition packed drink that supports your bodies needs and boosts your energy. Use the powder powder in a nutrient packed drink before meals and your body will feel more satisfied. If you find your challenge is between meal snacking than use it as a snack substitute to satisfy your cravings.  This should be only one aspect of your weight loss plan.  A healthy body needs great nutrition and exercise.  You also want to explore your emotional relationship to your body.

This is how I consumed my Spirulina this morning:

1-1/2 cups organic berry juice or any juice you like. Apple cider is another favorite.
1 Tablespoon Spirulina
Opti-MSM Flake-the amount varies, if you never took you start with a small amount and build
Stevia – natural no calorie sweetner
8 +/- frozen strawberries
a couple ice cubes

Blend and enjoy.

Sunfood Nutrition is my favorite source for food related nutrition.  I use their products in my daily smoothies like MSM powder, Spirulina, Earth, Mangosteen powder and Maca.  They are advocates for raw diets so the products they offer are raw and minimally processed

This is a great weekend to try something new or restock.  Everything is on sale. I love it.  Check them out on the link below.

“>

This is my favorite black bean recipe.  I’ve discovered I prefer using dried black beans and cooking them in a pressure cooker.  Pressure cookers are a worth while investment.  I use mine for dried beans, brown rice, squash, and potatoes.  It cuts the cooking time down and the flavors are great.

I enjoy black beans and brown rice.  It doesn’t matter which you cook first they both keep and reheat well.  Together they are a great virtually fat free high quality protein.

I recommend organic as much as possible.

Black Beans:

Ingredients:  2 cups dry black beans                1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons sea salt                       1-1/2 teaspoons fennel seed

Directions:

1.  Place beans into a pressure cooker and fill with enough water to cover the beans by 1 inch.  Bring to a boil without the lid and boil about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat, drain and cool about 1 hour.

2.  Add water to the beans again enough to cover the beans by 1/2 inch.  Add sea salt, fennel seed, cayenne pepper.  Put the lid on and set the pressure cooker on high or 15 pounds, depending on your indicator.  Bring to a boil and cook for 35 minutes.  Release the pressure according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your cooker before opening the pot.

Serve hot with brown rice.

Optional:  sprinkle with grated Colby Jack cheese and salsa.

Here’s great info I found on the health benefits of black beans.

Mandy and I have been using MSM twice a day since about the end of May.  The amount of mucus in her eyes from allergies has been reduced by about 75% I would say.  She hasn’t stopped scratching, but that has improved.  I am giving her 1 tsp twice a day mixed in with her food along with 1/2 tsp of mangosteen powder.

The MSM works better in relation with vitamin C.

I have been adding the MSM in a smoothie or juice once or twice a day along with 1 tsp of Mangosteen powder, 1 tbl of Spirulina and 1 tbl of a raw herbal and plant blend called Earth.  I had been having an intense toothache which is 98% gone.  I figured I would get rid of what I’m sure was an infection before I see the dentist, ugh.

In the short period of time I have noticed an improvement in my nails and skin.

Check it out for yourself.  MSM is great for joint health, reducing allergies, helps the body produce insulin, assists in metabolizing carbs.  It helps the body absorb more nutrients so it’s great to take in conjunction with other nutrients, especially vitamin C.

These are all products I get from Sunfood Nutrition.  I believe they are one of the best sources for food based nutrition that I’ve found.

This is a nice twist on your summer beverage, healthy and tasty. Yerba Mate is one of my favorite tea’s. A bit of a stimulant due to the vitamins, minerals and a tad bit of caffeine. It’s not a late night tea for me.  No jitters if you are caffeine sensitive. This weekend when I was making my pot of tea I added fresh pineapple mint from my garden. Pineapple mint has a subtle flavor. It added a nice twist, plus the wonderful digestive benefits of mint. Get additional health benefits by sweetening with stevia. No calories, no effect on blood sugar. It takes a fraction of the amount to sweeten compared to sugar.

Growing mint is easy. It’s a hardy plant but can be invasive. I recommend keeping it in a pot.  It is an attractive plant and will look good among your other plants or on your patio.  When brewing it in with my tea I cut it up to help the oil release.

I like using loose leaf tea at home because I drink several cups a day and it’s less expensive and environmentally friendly.  A French press pot allows maximum contact between the water and herbs.  You can allow the herbs to steep for longer periods of time.  Brewing herbal teas longer is more beneficial to allow the vitamins, minerals  and all the good stuff to seep into the water.

In Joy.

This morning I didn’t take the time to make my smoothie.  This is probably the first time since I started them.  I ate a yogurt, but noticed I started snacking on the junk food that was handy.  Ugh.  I realized I had been having an easier time walking past the junk food because of my morning smoothie made with 2 tsp of nutrient packed Sun Is Shining and 1 tsp of Maca.  It’s a quick and easy breakfast which I’m usually drinking on the run.

You can start with a variety of bases like Kefir, yogurt, any of the non-dairy milks like soy, hemp or almond.  Add your Sun Is Shining and Maca.  I also like to add a bit of Stevia for no calorie sweetening, some fresh or frozen fruit and a couple cubes of ice.  Blend away.  It’s quick, yummy and satisfying.

I’m excited to be puttering around my yard.  It’s one of my forms of meditation.  I get more grounded, calm and peaceful wandering around the yard with no intense agenda.  My plants have no pressing needs right now.  I do a little weeding, feed the fish and water where needed.

I connect to myself and the earth.  I fall into rhythm with her breath.  I feel nurtured here.  I almost don’t want to leave sometimes.

My deck becomes an extension of my living space.  I generally leave the sliding door open.  My animals are happy with that arrangement.  That reminds me of a Sunday last year when I had opened the door in the morning so Mandy could venture out.  I went upstairs for a minute and when I came down a chipmunk had boldly come into the living room.  He turned tail and bolted out.  I had the door closed more after that.  That didn’t last too long.  The door is slid open again.

I’m sitting on my deck with one of my favorite teas, Tulsi or also known as Holy Basil.  It’s not related to the herb Basil.  It comes from India and has a mild, pleasant taste.  I like my tea sweetened with Stevia so I’m not adding calories and it has no effect on the blood sugar like sugar does.  I found Stevia years ago when I discovered I had some Candida issues.  Stevia helped me avoid feeding the candida but still have a bit of sweetness.  I think it enhances the flavor of my tea.

Besides the great taste of Tulsi the other reason I drink it on a regular basis is all the positive attributes it has.

Tulsi Benefits:  Reduces stress, supports the immune system, abundant in antioxidants, builds stamina, aids digestion, supports adrenal and lymph health, powerful adaptogen, helps to balance the metabolism.

Cheers to a peaceful evening even though I’ll be working on my taxes next.  Hmmm, I’ll put on another pot of Tulsi first.

Maca and Spirulina can taste a bit “strong” in a smoothie.  This recipe works well and is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein.

1-1/2 Cups Chocolate soy milk

1 tsp Spirulina

1 tsp Maca powder

1/16 tsp pure stevia powder

1 banana

1 tsp Sunflower butter

1 tsp Hemp oil

6 ice cubes

Everything goes in the blender till smooth.  Enjoy.

An Asian superfood worth adding to your diet because they improve liver function, strengthens eyesight, boosts the immune system, improves circulation, increases alkalinity, improves fertility, high in antioxidants, contains proteins, essential fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, more beta carotene than carrots, and increase stamina and energy.

Whew, that’s a lot. They are easy to add to your diet. They are tasty so you can munch on the dried berries by the handful. Try adding them to some trail mix. You can toss them in a salad. They add a nice variety in your diet.

For additional information and to order check them out in the Nutrition page.