Spring is here!
Are you starting to have a hankering for cooler foods on warmer days? If that is the case, it's not only normal, it's an invitation and message from your body inviting in cooler foods, as well as foods higher in water and antioxidants, These foods protect our skin in the summer months from the sun and excessive heat.
Our bodies are incredibly intelligent and when we are dialed into our physiological cravings (not the emotional ones), our bodies begin to favor and crave foods that will prepare us for the warmer months. Spring vegetables and summer fruits have a purpose and a function inside our bodies.
For example, the best foods for cleansing and supporting the Liver-Gallbladder systems are dark leafy greens, such as kale, Swiss chard, collards, dandelion, spinach and escarole. These foods help cleanse us from the long winter months.
Fruits with dark pigments such as cherries, acai berries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are RICH in antioxidants.
Antioxidants are phytochemicals, vitamins and other nutrients that protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants help prevent the free radical damage that is associated with cancer and heart disease to name a few.
Free radical-generating substances can be found in the food we eat, the drugs and medicines we take, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. These substances include fried foods, alcohol, tobacco smoke, pesticides, air pollutants, junk food, GMO's and many more.
Free radicals can cause damage to parts of cells such as proteins, DNA, and cell membranes by stealing their electrons through a process called oxidation. (This is why free radical damage is also called “oxidative damage.”) When free radicals oxidize important components of the cell, those components lose their ability to function normally, and the accumulation of such damage may cause the cell to die. Numerous studies indicate that increased production of free radicals causes or accelerates nerve cell injury and leads to disease. Stanford.edu
Our Only Line Of Defense
I'm not going to beat around the bush here. The only line of defense that can protect you from oxidative damage is eating foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables and LOTS of them. There is no other way around ironclad health and immunity, its just that simple. If your health is suffering or you are suffering from a debilitating disease or can't seem to lose weight, it all boils down to how many nutrients you are putting into your body, as well as other lifestyle behaviors that you are doing or not doing daily;-) It's no coincidence that I didn't sick this season-I'm not lucky:-) I eat so many fruits and vegetables and take supplements that are concentrated forms of anti-oxidants that sickness doesn't have a fighting chance in my body, even when I'm under a great deal of stress.
Yes, fruits and veggies are groovy and should be 70% of your daily diet.
Here is one of my favorite Spring smoothie bowls that is loaded with antioxidants that will help protect you from everything to sunburns to heart disease-did I mention that it helps with cravings during your cycle too? Yes, it is also rich in magnesium, a common mineral deficiency that triggers sugar cravings! So let's dig into this beauty boosting breakfast bowl that you can enjoy anytime of the day! Can we say hooray for breakfast for dinner!
Chocolate Covered Cherry Age Defying Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Super-fruit SUGAR FREE Acai packet (can substitute 1/2 frozen banana)
- 1 cup frozen organic sweet cherries
- 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut butter or almond butter (I LOVE the coconut butter)
- 1/2 tablespoon raw cacao powder (rich in iron and magnesium)
- UNSWEETENED chocolate almond milk about 1/4 c-1/2 cup
- Optional toppings: sliced berries AND 1/4 Cup Qi'a Cocoa Coconut Super-Flakes for texture!
Method
In a blender, start with 1/4 c of almond milk and add in the rest of the ingredients. Blend until thick and creamy (so a spoon could stand up in it). You don't want to add to much liquid, or it will turn into a smoothie-that is ok though, it still tastes great!! You want it thick enough to eat from a bowl and so your topping don't sink! Top with berries and 1/4 cup of the Qia cereal and heaven is served!
Your friend and coach,
Christine xo
