Recipe Alert: A Day Of Superfood Recipes

We all know that there are certain foods (called 'superfoods') that are exceptional in their own way! They are nutritionally dense foods that offer us tremendous dietary and healing potential. Superfoods are often incredible sources of protein, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids.  Each superfood has unique nutritional qualities offering us a powerful way to improve our diet, optimising our health and vitality.  I have a series of blog posts entitled 'A-Z of Superfoods' - so please see further information there but today's post provides a whole day of simple superfood recipes.  Easy to prepare and delicious to eat!  Enjoy....


SuperFood Smoothie 
6oz Coconut Milk (or Amasai)
1 cup Blueberries or Raspberries
1 cup Kale or Spinach
2 tsp Flax or Chia seeds
Half tsp Cinnamon
Optional:  Stevia to taste

Superfood Salad 
1 cup Spinach
½ cup blueberries and strawberries
4 oz Salmon or Chicken
¼ sliced cucumber
 ¼ cup sliced almonds
¼ cup sliced orange/yellow/red peppers

Lemon Tahini Dressing
½ cup lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup tahini
2 tbsp honey
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper


Green-Fed Stir-Fry
5 Tbsp coconut Vinegar
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger root
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 lb. grass-fed beef round steak (cut into thin strips) or Salmon steak if preferred
8 oz. chopped broccoli
1 red bell pepper, sliced
4 oz. mushrooms

First add coconut oil to pan, let heat for 1 minute
Then add in all ingredients
Heat for 8-10 minutes
Serve over brown rice


Chocolate Avocado Mousse
1/2 cup medjool dates, (soak in cold water, 2-3 hours)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups mashed avocado (about 3 avocados)
3/4 cup organic cocoa or carob powder
1/2 cup water

Recipe Source -  Dr. Josh Axe

The Surprising Health Benefits of Massage Therapy Revealed

It's Mother's Day in the UK today. So for all those people floundering for last minute gift ideas (you know, you should have thought about this earlier!)....why not book mum a massage.  Therapies (particularly massage) are one of my favourite types of gift to receive. The benefits are multi-fold!  Relaxing, me-time, that kneads (or soothes, depending on how firm you like the pressure) away tensions and knots.  Definitely a favourite so do consider calling a local (recommended) therapist or health-room if you need to get a last-minute something sorted out!  💝  Read on for more benefits....

They can do more than help you relax.....here are six healthy reasons to book an appointment. 

It Counteracts All That Sitting You Do

“Most individuals are dealing with some kind of postural stress,” says Aaron Tanason, registered massage therapist, kinesiologist and owner at Paleolife Massage Therapy in Toronto. “More often than not [that stress] tends to manifest in the shoulders and neck.”

Desk workers, beware. More advanced forms of postural stress “show up as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteals caused by prolonged periods of sitting.”


Luckily, massage can counteract the imbalance caused from sitting, which means you can keep your desk job-as long as you schedule a regular massage.

It Eases Muscle Pain


Got sore muscles? Massage therapy can help. “Massage increases and improves circulation, in much the same way rubbing your elbow when you knock it on a table helps to relieve the pain,” says Tanason.


A 2011 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that massage therapy is as effective as other methods of treatment for chronic back pain.

It Soothes Anxiety and Depression

“Human touch, in a context that is safe, friendly and professional, can be incredibly therapeutic and relaxing,” says Tanason.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer who received massage therapy three times a week reported being less depressed and less angry, according to a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience.

And, a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, found that patients who were depressed and anxious were much more relaxed and happy, and had reduced stress levels after massage.


It Improves Sleep

Not only can massage encourage a restful sleep-it also helps those who can’t otherwise comfortably rest.

“Massage promotes relaxation and sleep in those undergoing chemo or radiation therapy,” says Lisa Marie de Miranda, registered massage therapist and kinesiologist at Paleolife Massage Therapy.

Also, if you’re a new parent, you’ll be happy to know it can help infants sleep more, cry less and be less stressed, according to research from the University of Warwick.


“Most RMTs can do infant massage,” says de Miranda.  And if parents want to do it themselves, it comes naturally. “There’s not really a particular technique. Whatever parents normally do to soothe their baby will be effective.”

It Boosts Immunity

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that massage boosts patients’ white blood cell count (which plays a large role in defending the body from disease).


It also “improves immune function for individuals with HIV,” says de Miranda.

It Relieves Headaches

Next time a headache hits, try booking a last-minute massage. “Massage decreases frequency and severity of tension headaches,” says de Miranda.


Research from Granada University in Spain found that a single session of massage therapy has an immediate effect on perceived pain in patients with chronic tension headaches.


Article Source and Images

Alphabetic Guide to SUPERFOODS - Chia Seeds

Despite their small size, chia seeds are full of important nutrients. They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to raise HDL cholesterol. 


HDL is the "good" cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke.  Chia seeds are also rich in antioxidants, and they provide fibre, iron, and calcium.

Health Benefits of Chia Seed
The chia seed is very healthy, and it is quickly becoming a very popular health food. What makes this seed such a healthy addition to the daily diet? Could the Chia Seed by healthier than the Flax Seed? With the popularity of Flax Seed Oil, and the sales of all Flax products soaring in health food stores, the flax market has some new competition. Look out flax! There is a new seed in town . . . Chia seed.

Plant-based foods have long been associated with a reduced risk of many adverse health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and overall mortality.

Plant-based foods have been shown to support a healthy complexion, increased energy, and overall lower weight.

Chia and the Power of Fibre
The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Institute of Medicine suggest that men under the age of 50 years should consume 38 grams of fibre per day and women under the age of 50 years should consume 25 grams per day.
For adults over 50 years of age, the recommendation for men is 30 grams per day, and for women, it is 21 grams per day. Most people consume less than half of that recommendation.
The easiest way to increase fibre intake is to eat more plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and unprocessed grains. Just one ounce of chia seeds provides 10 grams of fibre, almost half the daily recommendation for a woman over 50 years.


Weight Loss
Foods that are high in fibre help people to feel full for longer, and they are usually lower in calories. Increased fiber intake and a high fibre diet have been shown to help with weight loss.
Aside from chia seeds' fibre content, their high levels of omega-3-fatty acids and alpha-linoleic acid may be useful for weight loss.
However, evidence is scant. A review, published in the Journal of Obesity, concludes that "there is limited data to suggest the use of chia seeds for weight loss."
Another study, published in Nutrition Research, concludes that, in overweight adults, chia seeds have "no influence on body mass or composition, or various disease risk factor.

Treating Diverticulosis
High-fibre diets have been shown to decrease the prevalence in flare-ups of diverticulitis by absorbing water in the colon and making bowel movements easier to pass.
Eating a healthful, fibre-filled diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables can reduce pressure and inflammation in the colon.
The exact causes of diverticular disease are not known, but the condition has repeatedly been associated with a low fibre diet.

Cardiovascular Disease and Cholesterol
Increased fibre intake has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A review of 67 separate controlled trials found that even a modest 10-gram per day increase in fibre intake reduced LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, as well as total cholesterol.
Recent studies have shown that dietary fibre may play a role in regulating the immune system and inflammation. In this way, it may decrease the risk of inflammation-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

Diabetes
High-fibre diets are associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes. Eating high-fibre meals helps to keep blood sugar stable.
Based on a review of findings from several large studies, The National Institute of Medicine found that diets with 14 grams of fibre for every 1,000 calories were associated with significant reductions in the risk of both coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Digestion and Detox
A diet with adequate fibre prevents constipation and promotes regularity for a healthy digestive tract. Regular bowel movements are crucial for the daily excretion of toxins through the bile and stool.

Omega-3s to Fight Heart Disease
Research suggests that omega-3s can decrease the risk for thrombosis and arrhythmias, disorders that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.
Omega-3s may also decrease LDL, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce atherosclerotic plaque, improve endothelial function, and slightly lower blood pressure.
The richest sources of plant-based omega-3s are chia seeds, flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, hempseeds, hempseed oil, and walnuts.

How to Incorporate More Chia Seeds Into Your Diet

Chia seeds are relatively easy to find in any major grocery store. They are black in color and they have a mild, nutty flavor.
Raw, they can be sprinkled on cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies. They can also be eaten cooked, added to baked goods like bread and muffins.
In vegan baking, they can replace eggs. To use them as an egg substitute in baking, try mixing 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water, then let them sit for a few minutes. A gel will form that can be used instead of eggs in baking.


Article Source (and Images)

Exactly When You Should Eat Each Meal If You're Trying To Lose Weight

Consider this the ultimate science-backed meal schedule.

At this point, you know that eating healthy, balanced meals and snacks all day, every day is clutch for losing weight. But if your eating schedule is kind of screwy, dropping pounds can still be a struggle. And that's frustrating AF.

A recent study from Harvard University suggests that, no matter how healthy you eat, if your mealtimes don’t jive with your circadian rhythms your blood sugar levels can jump 18 percent higher than normal—which can ramp up levels of the fat-storing hormone insulin. No bueno.

So when should you eat each meal and snack if you're trying to lose weight? We combed through the research to give you a meal-by-meal rundown of how to pencil in your eats.

Here's your plan of attack.

While the research on whether eating breakfast spurs weight loss is mixed, data from the National Weight Control Registry makes a pretty strong case for the first meal of the day. According to the database, nearly 80 percent of people who have successfully lost 30 pounds or more and kept it off reported eating breakfast every single day like clockwork.

In terms of timing the all-important morning meal, a 2015 Obesity study found that consuming a high-protein breakfast between 6:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. was linked to a reduced the risk of body fat gain and less hunger throughout the day, compared to those who waited to eat until after 10 a.m.

“I always suggest eating a healthy breakfast within one hour upon waking,” says Jim White, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. After all, the longer you put off your morning meal, the longer you go without the hunger-squashing effects of protein, fat, and fiber. (Start working towards your weight loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)

Plus, since you wake up in the morning in a fasted state, topping off your glycogen stores with healthy carbs like unsweetened oatmeal will energize you, says White. That way, you'll be more active during the first half of the day, he says.

While a morning snack is certainly not mandatory, especially if your breakfast is really heavy or you don't eat until 9:45 a.m., it’s important to remember that your body takes between two and four hours to digest and absorb the food you eat, White says. After that, you’re fasting.

Sticking to that window of time between breakfast and your snack will help you keep your energy levels topped off and prevent a dip in your blood sugar, he says. And that will keep your from going HAM at lunch. If you're looking for healthy snack options, research presented at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists annual meeting found that dieters who ate a handful of almonds for a mid-morning snack wound up eating fewer calories over the course of the day.

Still, it’s important to only eat a mid-morning snack when you’re legit hungry, says registered dietitian Betsy Opyt. Otherwise, you could wind up overdoing your calorie intake.

A 2016 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed roughly 1,300 dieters over the course of 28 weeks and found that people who ate earlier lunches had more success dropping pounds. While this was only the case in people with a specific genotype (and most of us aren’t getting tested for it), the finding’s in line with a previous study, published in the International Journal of Obesity. In that study, dieters lost about 25 percent less weight if they ate the bulk of their calories after 3 p.m.

Like your mid-morning snack, an afternoon snack two to four hours after lunch keeps your blood sugar levels stable and prevents overeating at dinnertime, says White.
Also, in one University of Illinois at Chicago study of overweight women, those who snacked in the afternoon tended to eat significantly more fruits and vegetables throughout the course of the day compared to non-afternoon snackers. And that bodes well for your weight-loss efforts, as 2015 research out of Harvard Medical School shows that increased fruits and veggie intake is tightly linked with healthier weights.

In one Brigham Young University study, researchers asked 29 men to cut themselves off from the kitchen at 7 p.m. for two weeks and then eat whenever they wanted to for another two weeks. The study authors found that the guys ended up eating 244 fewer calories each day when they stopped eating after the cutoff. White says these results are probably caused by the fact that people often snack after dinner, not because the guys ate dinner any earlier.

Another recent study found that when people who usually ate a third of their calories between 6 p.m. and midnight switched to a schedule where they stopped eating between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., they lost weight and slept better. Again, it's not so much the time they ate dinner that mattered as much as eliminating post-dinner snacking. (So if you have to eat at 8 p.m., don't freak, just make sure you're not still making trips to the fridge after.)

The bottom line: This timeline might help make your weight-loss journey easier, but if you don't hit these deadlines every day, you're not doomed. "The most important thing is that you are eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other whole, nutrient-rich foods—and that you're listening to your hunger cues," White says. "You should be eating when you are hungry, but not ravenous, and you should be stopping when you are satisfied, but not completely full or still hungry."


Article & Images Source