What Is Moringa, and Is It Really Good For Me?
Q: What is moringa, and does it have major health benefits? A: Like many of the superfoods that take a turn in the spotlight (acai! matcha!), you may have heard that moringa is about to cure everything that ails you. After all, the plant is often referred to as “the miracle tree.” But while it does have a pretty impressive nutrient profile, adding it to your smoothies won’t magically guarantee good health. Here’s what you need to know. What is moringa? The moringa tree is native to South Asia and grows crazy fast in tough climate conditions. It produces “drumstick” pods, which are seeds that can be eaten like peas or pressed into oil. Its small, round leaves can also be eaten fresh, or dried and powdered. Most people in the U.S. ingest the leaves as a powder added to smoothies. Practitioners of Ayurveda, India’s ancient system of medicine, believe the plant can help to prevent or alleviate symptoms in 300 diseases, which brings us to … What are moringa’s actual benefits? Western medicine definitely hasn’t come close to verifying moringa’s ability to prevent all those diseases (there are, in fact, very few top-notch clinical studies on the plant), but moringa does have a lot going for it nutritionally. It delivers high doses of iron, vitamin C, potassium, and calcium. Some studies have shown it may fight inflammation and it also contains lots of powerful antioxidants. Research has also shown it may reduce some risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, and it has many other promising potential medicinal uses. The takeaway? Moringa is certainly good for you, but it’s no magic bullet and isn’t easy to find. If you want to buy a green powder that lists it as an ingredient and boost your smoothie with it, go for it. But if you’re eating lots of dark, leafy greens and antioxidant-rich berries, you’ll also be fine without it. Remember that supplementing your diet with the most nutrient-rich foods is just one small component of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. RELATED: If You Want to Lose Weight and Be Healthier and Happier, Nutrition Is Just the Beginning (Image: Shutterstock)
Are You Suffering From a Vitamin B12 Deficiency Without Realizing It?
Do you have feelings of anxiety, fatigue or dizziness? Do you have bouts of depression, memory loss or tingling in your hands or feet? If so, you may be suffering from a vitamin B12 deficiency. According to the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, most Americans don’t get enough B12 in their diet. Approximately 1.5 to 15 percent of the population is deficient in this nutrient. B12, also known as cobalamin because of its blue mineral cobalt, is an essential water-soluble vitamin. It’s excreted through your urine and these losses need to be replenished and acquired through diet on a daily basis. Plants like sea vegetables and brewer’s yeast contain B12, however, the best sources come from animal foods like grass fed meats and organ meats, fish, eggs, and pasture-raised dairy. Vegans and vegetarians who don’t eat eggs are at high risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 promotes immune and brain function, heart and reproductive health, along with good digestion and absorption. It also helps creates white blood cells, red blood cells, DNA, and helps iron move through the bloodstream. 4 Symptoms of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency When the body doesn’t get enough B12, bad things can happen. First, there are fewer red and white blood cells being produced. White blood cells help with immunity, so the lower amount of these in your body the higher your risk for getting sick. Red blood cells help to move iron through the body. A reduction in red blood cells results in a reduction in the amount of iron in the blood, which can leave you feeling weak, sad, and tired and may cause anemia. Second, your energy levels will diminish if you don’t have sufficient B12. Third, your circulation could be compromised and you’re left with tingling in your hands or feet. Fourth, ever feel like you are forgetting things or unable to comprehend information? It could be due to not getting enough B12. So you’re eating grass-fed beef, you’re gobbling up eggs for breakfast, and you’re getting in fish regularly. You should be fine on the B12 front, right? Not necessarily. Despite a high intake of B12 foods, your body may not be absorbing the nutrient. Anyone suffering from digestive problems, ulcers, Crohn’s Disease, or pancreatic issues, someone who takes antacids other medications, or anyone who’s gone through weight loss surgery may not have enough stomach acid to properly break down those foods and absorb the nutrients from them. Age is also a factor in B12 absorption. As we get older, the stomach doesn’t produce as much acid which can also result in a decline in the amount of B12 absorbed. Unlike other water-soluble vitamins, B12 is stored in the liver until the body is ready to use the vitamin. This means that once someone stops getting enough B12 it can be months or years before their vitamin stores are depleted. This may sound like a good thing, but if your body cannot absorb the nutrient you may still be suffering from a vitamin B12 deficiency and will be susceptible to the deficiency symptoms. How to Test for a Vitamin B12 Deficiency It’s important to check your B12 levels when you get your annual bloodwork done. If you or someone you know is at risk for a B12 deficiency, get a test to know for sure. A complete test includes a blood test checking B12, urinary methylmaloic acid (MMA), and homocysteine levels. B12 levels less than 450 picogram/mL are indicative of a deficiency. Testing MMA and homocysteine is helpful because often a normal B12 level does not always mean you have a sufficient amount of B12 in your body. If your test has a B12 level above 450 picogram/mL with an elevated MMA (above 0.4 micromoles/Liter) and homocysteine (above 6 micromoles/Liter) it indicates a deficiency. As mentioned, the best way to get B12 is from diet, however, if you have a malabsorption issue, supplementation may be the answer. Be sure you’re getting a supplement that will go directly into your bloodstream. This includes those injected into the muscle, drops taken by mouth, or tablets that dissolve under the tongue. You want to make sure you’re getting the best active form of B12, which includes those that are made of adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalalmin, or hydroxycobalamin. This will put B12 right into your bloodstream ensuring absorption and health improvement. About Jeanette: Jeanette Kimszal is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University and has experience working in the media side of advertising. During that time she became health conscious and interested in nutrition and what started out as a hobby turned into a new career. She was accepted to Montclair State University and two years later obtained a certification in Nutrition, and then completed her dietetic internship with the ARAMARK Distance Learning Internship. She has experience working in the clinical, community, and management setting and has counseled both in- and out-patients. She currently resides in NJ and her passions include nutrition, health, wellness, writing, and music. She has a love for helping women attain healthy lifestyles through positive behavioral changes and teaching people how to add more nutrients into their diet through consumption of whole foods.
4 Superfoods You Should Definitely Be Eating
When you hear the word superfoods, your mind probably goes right to kale and blueberries, right? Well it’s time for some other “new” superfoods to make it to your Instagram feed. I recently shared four of my faves with Rachael Ray, and you may want to add them to your repertoire of nutritional superheros in place of your old worn out go-tos. Because let’s face it, you can never have enough superfoods on your plate! 4 Superfoods You Should Definitely Be Eating Matcha: Use this bright green powder to replace your morning coffee. Matcha is made from whole tea leaves that are ground into powder form. Since you’re consuming the whole tea leaf (versus steeping and dumping a tea bag) matcha provides you with a super dose of antioxidants – 10 times the amount of traditional green tea. The high levels of both ECGC (a type of catechin) and polyphenols will provide you with anti inflammatory benefits, may improve your blood pressure and play a role in cardiovascular health. Matcha contains caffeine as well the amino acid known as l-theanine. This combination will help to improve your mental alertness and help you focus without the 3:00 p.m. crash you usually get from downing your daily dose of java. Add this powder to warm almond milk to replace your morning latte, blend with Greek yogurt, add to smoothies or even sprinkle on popcorn. Ghee: Use this to replace traditional butter. Ghee is a type of clarified butter that you’re definitely going to want to add to your grocery list. This creamy spread has more short and medium chain fatty acids than traditional butter. What does this mean for your bod? The calories from these fats are burned faster so the energy the ghee provides is more quickly utilized. These healthy fats also benefit your gastrointestinal health and ghee also has more vitamin A, D, and E than the traditional stuff, meaning it can help repair damaged skin, improve your vision, and even help balance your hormones. Use ghee anywhere you would typically use butter. Swipe a teaspoon on a slice of Ezekial toast in the morning, or drizzle a tablespoon over veggies before roasting. The higher smoke point makes it safe to cook at high temps, too. Black Rice: Toss the white stuff, and go for this instead. Slightly lower in calories and higher in protein, white rice pales in nutritional value (and color) compared to its darker rice counterpart. It’s packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins (this is what gives it the dark color) that have been shown to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and can improve cognitive function and mental decline. Use black rice to replace white or brown rice. Top a cup of black rice with beans, diced tomatoes, roasted corn, avocado, and grilled peppers to make a super fast and nutrient-packed burrito bowl. Chickpea Flour: This flour could be the new whole wheat. Made of nothing more than simply ground chickpeas, this flour is versatile, wheat free, gluten-free, high in protein, and a wallet friendly option compared to other gluten free flours (I’m looking at you, almond flour). So you can try chickpea flour if gluten makes your stomach turn, or even simply to keep you fuller longer after meals, thanks to its high protein content. Commonly known as ‘socca,’ this chickpea flour crepe recipe is simple, healthy and delicious and the perfect vehicle to be topped with veggies and enjoyed (or try it sweet by adding a little vanilla and cinnamon to your batter).
3 Foods That Fight A Bloated Belly
We all want to look (and feel!) our best, and having a bloated belly pretty much crushes both of those dreams. Whether you have an event coming up, a big night out, or you just could use to let go of a little extra puffiness around your midsection, we’ve all had those moments where debloating is at the top of our priorities. Even when you’re eating a healthy diet, it’s very common to still feel a little puffy and have a bloated belly from time to time. You can blame this on your favorite healthy foods like beans, dairy products, and even cruciferous vegetables such as brussel sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli. However, there are also lots of other causes of this gas and rebellious digestion causing you all of the discomfort. Bloating can be caused by overeating, eating too fast, drinking from a straw, consuming artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, and even drinking carbonated beverages. But here’s the good news! I’m sharing with you my 3 go-to favorite foods for depuffing your bloated belly just in time to wear that new dress you’ve been waiting to rock.
Do You Suffer From Disordered Eating?
Do you think about the consequence of a meal far after it’s over? Do you weigh yourself at least once a day, thrown off by the slightest change in the number? Do you restrict foods or entire food groups that limit the amount of food you consume? Do you skip meals, use laxatives, or attempt to fast? If any of this sounds familiar, you may be suffering from what’s known as disordered eating. Disordered eating includes a wide range of thoughts and behaviors that, according to the DSM-IV (a fancy diagnostic classification tool used by the medical community) don’t warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder, like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. However, it should in no way be minimized or thought of as less destructive or mentally invasive. Both eating disorders and disordered eating carry harmful consequences. Because disordered eating is less “extreme” than anorexia or bulimia in terms of endangerment to life, many people, including those suffering, don’t realize the impact it has on their mental and physical health. People may begin to socially withdraw, often saying no to dinners/dates. Sometimes the suffering can manifest itself in anxiety or depression. Often, constant denial that there’s anything wrong exists. The symptoms are harder to detect than a traditional eating disorder. Because this condition is more “silent” than a traditional eating disorder, it’s less likely to picked up by family and friends. Many people suffer for far too long before realizing that the inner pain and conflict they feel isn’t “normal”. Others consider their feelings of guilt and shame to be completely normal, and live their entire lives without getting the help that is available. The Signs and Symptoms of Disordered Eating Rigidity around food and exercise regimen Feelings of guilt and shame when making what’s considered to be “poor” eating decisions Emotionally driven eating Preoccupation with food, body, and working that causes stress and negatively impacts other areas of life Dieting Misusing laxatives/diuretics/colon cleansers Denial of physical hunger and satiety, usually for the sake of losing weight How Did Disordered Eating Happen? In my opinion, disordered eating is the result of the messages we see and hear in magazines, commercials, and television that have left men and women suffering. 1200 calorie diets have been drilled into our head for years. Home economics, health class, and the science courses have failed to fully teach the science of food and relay the importance of individualized needs. We live in an “Eat this food, don’t eat that food” society, which frequently contradicts itself. Ever been told avocados are healthy, but then told they make you fat? We make 200-300 food choices per day. Without a clear understanding of what a food will do to our bodies, our perplexity intensifies. How to Recover From Disordered Eating First, you must identify that you’re living in pain, and that the pain isn’t normal. Whether that be negative self worth, obsession with food, binging, or a refusal to eat in restaurants or outside of your home. Second, accept that you’re not to blame. This is 100% not your fault. These feelings are so abundant that they can pass as the norm for many people. Social media has become a part of our routine, and with millions of messages flooding our brains daily, we’ve become more susceptible to eating disorders and disordered eating. Third, understand that it’s possible for you to improve your relationship with food and your body. If you want to get out of the messed up relationship you have with food, the power is yours. Fourth, seek help. Whether from a psychologist or a Registered Dietitian, make a plan with a health professional who can steer you in the right direction. The process of recovery may take anywhere from a month to a few years. Be patient with yourself and the process and know that you’ll soon be able to focus on the important things in life. About Lisa: Lisa Hayim, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian and Mindful Eating Expert in New York. She holds her Master’s in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. She works in private practice, helping clients and patients learn to eat real food and make choices mindfully. Lisa believes that healthy is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well being. When we nourish our bodies with whole foods and learn to be mindful, we are not only preventing and combating disease, but effortlessly learning to appreciate our bodies. Follow Lisa on Instagram @TheWellNecessities, or head to TheWellNecessities.com or plant based recipes that are 5 or less ingredients!
The Formula for Healthy Smoothie Recipes
People are always asking me for healthy smoothie recipes. And of course, there are MILLIONS of combinations you can throw together with whatever you have in your kitchen at the time, and there are so many delicious recipes out there to try! But I have a go to formula that is perfect for adjusting to your liking. It’s simple, quick, and satisfying. Perfect to sit and enjoy with your morning coffee, to sip on your way to work, or even to enjoy post workout to refuel after a good sweat sesh. Test it out and see what works best for you! Prefer almond milk over hemp? A lover of green veggies? Or are you a more of the banana berry smoothie type? This formula is completely customizable, and in no time everyone will be going to YOU for healthy smoothie recipes! The Formula for Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Meal Prepping Made Easy in 4 Simple Steps
By Christine Anenberg, NLC Meal prepping is one of those things you keep saying you should do, but then you never seem to actually make it happen, right? It can be challenging and stressful (another thing on the to-do list) to plan out and then find the time and motivation to cook REAL CLEAN FOODS during the workweek. But, if you’re guilty of often saying, “Oh crap, what am I going to have for dinner?!” then you need to listen up. These 4 steps could change your life. Meal prepping is all about time management and organization, so I’m gonna help you with both right now. By prepping your individual meals ahead of time, you’re less likely to eat junk, overeat, and stress about your next meal. Meal Prepping Made Easy in 4 Simple Steps: Pick a day that works for you. Sunday Funday might take on a whole new meaning. The most important thing is figuring out when you can devote a couple of hours to meal prep. For some, Sunday is key. For others, Monday nights are the only viable option. Once you get the hang of it, 2 hours start to finish (including cleanup!) is about all you’ll need to set aside. Some of you may even be speedier. Get your tools ready. Choose containers that are BPA-free and come in various sizes, and organize your fridge before you get prepping so you’ll have room for a week’s worth of grub. Yes, that includes ditching lasts weeks leftovers that are beginning to grow mold. And while you’re shopping for those pretty new glass containers, add a food processor to your kitchen arsenal. Chopping is so much easier and faster when you have a little machine to help you do it. Trust me, it’s worth investing in an electric sous chef when you don’t have a real one. Create your meal plan and get shopping. Meal prep is all about cooking in bulk and eating leftovers. I recommend preparing up to 5 days worth of food at a time; 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners and 5 snacks. Your meals should consist of a protein, healthy starch, healthy fat and tons of veggies. Having a manageable meal plan and grocery list keeps you focused and on task at the grocery store and prevents you from overloading your grocery cart with junk. Get comfy in your kitchen and get to work. You’ve laid the groundwork, now it’s time to get cooking. Breakfast: Keep breakfast simple by getting creative with overnight oatmeal mason jars. Fill 5 jars each with ½ rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon protein powder and enough almond milk to cover your mixture. If you’re the pop into the coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte morning type, curb that craving by adding 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree and cinnamon to your oats. Lunch: One of my go to lunches is a ground turkey taco bowl. Saute 2 lbs of organic ground turkey, add in low sodium taco seasoning (or make your own), and roast peppers and onions while the turkey is sauteeing. Take out your five containers and add in each ¼ cup black beans, ½ cup prepared ground turkey, salsa, roasted peppers and onions. One huge mistake people make while meal prepping is not using their time wisely or multitasking. This leads to prolonged cooking time, sweat and (sometimes) tears. Dinner: For dinners, I like to marinate my protein all at once since nobody wants to eat plain chicken breasts all week long. One of my faves: Mix together 1 tablespoon Dijon, ¼ cup balsamic, ¼ cup olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, garlic and a hint of sea salt into a bowl. Place 5 organic chicken breasts in a glass pan and coat them with the mixture. Marinate for 1 hour then bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees. Save even more time by cutting up sweet potatoes and baking the chicken right on top of them. Snacks: Don’t forget about your grab and go snacks and remember they don’t have to come in a wrapper. Bag up ready to blend smoothie ingredients like ½ banana, ½ cup blueberries, 1 cup chopped kale, 1 teaspoon each of flaxseed, hemp seed and chia seeds. Freeze them up in individual bags since they don’t keep well in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy your smoothie, add 1 ½ cups liquid of your choice (I love using coconut water) to the frozen mixture and blend. Homemade hummus (this is where the food processor comes in handy!) and cut-up raw veggies are great to store in individual snack containers, too. Nuts portioned in individual bags are another great snack you can stash in your bag. Some meal prepping rules you’ll want to follow: Stay clear from pre made salads to avoid soggy lettuce or add in lettuce just before eating so it’s fresh. If you don’t have access to a microwave at work, stick to something like a Mediterranean quinoa salad with diced chicken, sun dried tomato, kalamata olive, marinated artichoke, cucumber and lemon. Be sure to let everything cool in the containers before adding lids and stacking in the fridge. Otherwise, you’ll get soggy food and you’ll raise the temperature of your fridge. Now that I have your attention, it’s time to put some prep in your step! Whether you’re trying to save time and money or achieve fitness goals, meal prepping will make your life simpler and less stressful. Find a routine that works for you and your lifestyle, and remember to have fun! Cooking is a fantastic way to express yourself. So throw on your best apron and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty! About Christine: Christine has worked with tons of families and single folks all around Orange County for the past 4 years. She grew up in the kitchen alongside her Italian mother who loved finding ways to incorporate a healthy twist to her Italian meals. Her goal
Is Ghee Healthy?
Q: Is ghee healthy? A: Ghee is actually healthy? Say, it is so? Everyone wants to slab a little butter on their morning toast and doing so in the name of health is just so. much. butter, I mean better. As a little refresher, butter is a dairy product made from churning milk until the buttermilk (liquids) separates from the butterfat (solids). It’s this solid part that’s known as butter, the creamy yellow product that pretty much makes anything and everything taste better. “Ghee”, is a form of clarified butter and is different from traditional butter in that it’s made by boiling butter until the water in the butter has evaporated. What you’re left with is three layers—whey protein, liquid fat, and casein particles. After skimming off the top protein layer, you’re able to pour off and separate the liquid fat layer. This liquid fat is what’s known as clarified butter, a more pure version of traditional butter. Ghee is a form of clarified butter and only slightly different in that it’s prepared by simmering longer at a lower heat (versus simply boiling) until the butter is caramelized and then strained again. Thanks to this lower heat preparation, ghee retains more nutrients than other forms of clarified butter. While ghee may now be popping up in grocery store aisles across the globe, this rich, golden clarified butter has been used for thousands of years in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. It even plays a key role in Ayurveda medicine for its proposed anti-inflammatory, digestive, and healing attributes. Ayurveda recommends roasting cooking spices in ghee to boost their flavor and nutrition. So, should we all start spreading, melting and drizzling clarified butter or ghee on all of our fave dishes? Let’s discuss. Ghee vs Butter One tablespoon of traditional butter offers about 100 calories and 11 grams of fat (7 of which are saturated fat). Ghee has 123 calories and 14 grams of fat (8 of which are saturated fat). Not that big of a difference, right? But, we all know that just like actions speak louder than words, ghee’s health benefits count more than calories. The traditional yellow butter you know and love might be on par in terms of calories, but ghee is richer in vitamins A, D, and E, which can help repair damaged skin, improve vision, help balance your hormones, and regulate your metabolism. Ghee also contains 25 percent medium and short chain fatty acids compared to normal butter which contains only 12 to 15 percent. Unlike long-chain fatty acids, medium chain triglycerides are rapidly broken down and go straight to the liver where they can be used as an instant energy source and are less likely to be stored as fat. Butyric acid, one of the short chain fatty acids found in ghee has been linked to better gastrointestinal health, anti-inflammatory properties as well as helping the body use it for fuel more efficiently. Recent science has even shown that people who consumed higher amounts of ghee had a lower occurrence of coronary heart disease, lower LDL cholesterol, improvements in psoriasis, and enhancement of memory. It may even have a positive effect on wound healing. Ghee is also a better choice if you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. Because ghee separates milk from the fat, you won’t find any lactose or milk proteins in this butter alternative. When it comes to cooking, ghee has a higher smoke point compared to its traditional butter counterpart. This means that next time you’re whipping up that asian stir fry, you’re less likely to inhale smoke or consume any carcinogenic byproduct that’s produced by drizzling your cooking oil into a searing pan. So, if you’re planning on frying, sauteing, or grilling, ghee might be a better choice. It will also add a sweet, nutty flavor and richness to any of your dishes. You can try melting it into your mashed potatoes, drizzling it on top of your veggies, or even tossing your popcorn with it. The only exception is with baked goods. If you love that classic buttery flavor in your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, then it might be best to stick with traditional butter. Now, back to the fat issue. Even though ghee is high in saturated fat, studies have shown that the old school thought of of all saturated fat is ‘bad’ for you might be a grand oversimplification. The relationship between the dietary intake of fats and health is complicated. Fats overall, even including some saturated fats, are important for our health and wellness. Like just about all foods, there’s of course a spectrum of crummy fats (think processed, refined, and hydrogenated) and then there’s nutrient powerhouse fats like those found in ghee and avocado. But this all comes along with a balanced mindset. A diet overabundant in anything (including good healthy fats) can still be harmful to your health. Ghee is often marketed as a “health food” but even the healthiest of foods can be overdone. After all, it’s still a form of butter, and butter is a ‘use in proper portion’ kind of fat. A little healthy fat goes a long way, but too much can work against you in attaining or maintaining your health and weight goals. I’m a big fan of a little bit (think a teaspoon or two) of real nutrient dense fats at every meal. Add ghee to the list next to avocado, coconut or almonds as a fat food that can play a healthy role in your diet. Just don’t eat with a spoon out of a jar no matter how tempting it may taste and how many health benefits you can rattle off.
3 Asian Spices You Need In Your Pantry
Bored of basil, garlic and thyme? I just know you’ve got some Asian spices in your pantry somewhere that are dying to be dusted off and put into action. There’s the Chinese Five Spice for that one recipe you saw in a magazine and it’s been there (minus one half teaspoon) since Easter. You’ve got a pouch of miso paste on your refrigerator shelf from your one semi-successful attempt at udon soup last month, and your sesame oil may date back a ways (New Years?), but you’re sure it’s still good. Starting today, stop giving all your love to the dried basil and oregano and give your long overlooked Asian spices a fair shake (ha!). 3 Asian Spices You Need In Your Pantry Chinese Five Spice. For that Chinese Five Spice, which is a flavor wonderland made up of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise and szechuan peppercorns, the potential is endless. My favorite version is to rub it into a pork tenderloin or shake it over chicken and grill it to perfection. If you’re feeling really adventurous, use it in a sorbet for dessert. It’s that whole sweet and spicy thing that works. Miso Paste. Pull that container of miso paste out and miso glaze your veggies before tossing them on the grill. A kinda perfect change from all that olive oil and sea salt you’ve been grilling with. It can also be used as a marinade on salmon or cod for a little earthy, in a good way, flavor. Sesame Oil. You only need a hint of sesame oil to bring on some crazy flavor. In the winter, sesame oil is my go to for a veggie stir fry. During the summer, I use it to make poke, which is kind of like a Hawaiian version of ceviche or tartar. You marinate raw fish in sesame oil, soy sauce, onions and toasted sesame seeds for the most ridiculously intense flavor. You can eat it on salad, wrapped in seaweed, or on top of radicchio leaves. So, no need to order in next time you’re craving something with Asian spices. And no need to neglect those poor containers of flavor that keep playing second fiddle to your go-tos. Share the love and pass the chopsticks please!
The Fastest Way to Lose Weight This Week
You’re searching high and low for the fastest way to lose weight this week. You’re stressing. You’re kicking yourself for eating pizza over the weekend and missing your Sunday morning hot yoga class because you were hungover. Whether it’s for a date with the hot new guy at the office (our lips are sealed), that tropical vacation you’ve been waiting on for months, or as a jumpstart to your weight loss plan, you need to drop a few pounds stat. We’ve all been there. If you want to look amazing in your LBD but the zipper is way tight and you can’t quite sit down in your favorite jeans at the moment, read on for the fastest way to lose weight in a jiffy. And no, starving yourself is not the answer. The Fastest Way to Lose Weight This Week 1. Eat Empowered Eat real food. Often. Stop worrying about what extreme diet you need to start. Stop counting calories and start thinking about the real food you’re going to eat. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner—and at least one snack a day (no skipping meals!)—consisting of whole, real foods. I’m talking loads of veggies, lean protein such as grass-fed steak, chicken, fish and eggs, and healthy fats as in cashews, pecans, olives, avocado and coconut. Ditch the packaged and processed foods—especially anything that includes added sugar. If you need an exact plan, I’ve got you covered here. Begin your day with breakfast and eat every few hours or when you feel slightly hungry and stop when you feel slightly satisfied. Not sure what that feels like? Check out this hack . Eating real food combined with listening to your body is your new winning combo. Fact: Eating real food makes you feel better and that alone can make you look better. If you’re skimping on nutrients or need a way to boost your protein, check out our Nutritious Life-developed Life’s Abundance Greens Blend and Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein. It’s the fastest way to up your nutrition game. RELATED: Sugar Cravings: 4 Reasons They Happen and How to Stop Them 2. Sweat Often Get 45 minutes of movement in—every day this week. I’m a fan of mixing up exercise. This might mean getting in HIIT workouts one day, long bouts of cardio or a hike on another, and pilates and yoga on other days. But, most of all, I’m a fan of being consistent with exercising and moving, in whatever way, shape or form makes you feel your best. The fastest way to lose weight means sticking with whatever movement makes you feel good. When you feel good, you’re more likely to be consistent. Also, when you feel you good, you eat well and you sleep well which, guess what … helps you eat well again. This intertwined cycle is what a Nutritious Life is all about. This week, I want you to focus on being consistent with your exercise and doing it daily. You don’t even need to hit a gym to get it in. Here’s a quickie workout I do just about anywhere. Five-mile run sound good? Do it. Spin class right up your alley? Get that in. Hike in the hills all you want to do? Go for it. Fact: Yes, you’ll shed pounds by burning calories when you exercise, but exercising also increases blood flow. This helps with circulation and gives your skin a healthy glow. Exercise can also help reduce stress, which will help you sleep better. Both exercise and sleep are needed to calm your nerves. RELATED: Quick 5-Minute Full-Body Workout You Can Do Anywhere 3. Sleep Deep Aim for 8 hours of sleep a night, settle for no less than 7. For some reason, sleep is still one of those things that we give up in order to fit everything else into our busy schedules. Many of us still feel like we should get a gold star when we triumphantly go without sleep to log more hours at a bar chatting it up with friends or burning the midnight oil at our desk. Unfortunately, no medals awarded here. Sleep should be a top priority. It’s right up there with what we put into our bodies, especially when we want to be looking and feeling our best. This week, practice good sleep hygiene by picking a bedtime and sticking to it. Allow yourself 15 minutes of winding down time before your head hits the pillow. Fact: They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing. While we sleep, our body’s natural antioxidant and sleep hormone, melatonin, fights off free radical invaders. If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, you’re reducing the amount of time that melatonin gets to fight off wrinkles, and those bags under your eyes will only get worse. By getting enough sleep at night, you not only look and feel well-rested, but your immune system will be strengthened. RELATED: Sleep Procrastination: What It Is and How to Stop Doing It, Pronto! 4. Drink Up Drink eight glasses of water and two cups of green tea a day. For two days before your special occasion, drink one cup of dandelion root tea as well. Trust me, this one is important. Being properly hydrated is linked to metabolism, energy and skin health. Fact: It might sound counterintuitive, but drinking water throughout the day, helps you to reduce bloating, flush out toxins, hydrate your skin to achieve a healthy glow, and keep your digestive organs in good working order. On top of that, green tea has been shown to boost metabolism and dandelion tea will help flush you out, further reducing toxins and any bloating. RELATED: Do I Really Need to Be Drinking Water to Lose Weight? 5. Nurture Yourself No time or money to book that expensive facial? Have no fear, your DIY cleansers are here. Give these easy homemade facial cleanser and mask a try. You’ll almost be able to feel the antioxidants and nutrients seep into your skin making it soft, smooth
No Fail Ways to Become a Green Juice Pro
So many people assume green juice is not for them. They claim they don’t like vegetables. They fear it won’t be yummy. The color is off-putting. Sipping something you normally use a fork for is just…weird. And die hard green juicers seem nutritionally elite, right? Willing to compromise their taste buds in the name of super fuel, they’re like the Ironmen of healthy eating, and casual joggers feel, well, inadequate. But here’s the real deal. You don’t need to be an Ironman. You can simply have a cute pair of running shoes in your closet that you break out for a slow walk on a sunny day, and the nutrition community will love you all the same. So yes, while there is definitely a continuum of green—from beginner to advanced—there is a place for you on the spectrum. No Fail Ways to Become a Green Juice Pro 1. You do need a juicer to make a green juice, but you do not need to buy the fanciest one out there. A blender can work for some recipes, but cannot separate the pulp from the juice, making it thick and less juicy and technically a smoothie. 2. Even if you don’t care for cooked broccoli, kale, collards or cucumbers, for example, you may like them in a raw juice—many times the flavors are more mild raw and combined with other ingredients. 3. Choose produce that is fresh and healthy in appearance. 4. Try to juice immediately prior to drinking. Once the juice is made, it starts losing its nutritional powers. Green juices are sensitive to time (how long from when they are made until consumed), temperature (heat can diminish some of the vitamin potency) and storage (air and clear glass containers can also make the juice less potent). 5. You can find commercially prepared juices in stores nationwide. But beware: to preserve their integrity on the shelf, there is often added sugar, usually in the form of juice, so choose selectively. The key here is to find a bottle with greens in it—not a green bottle with sugar in it. 6. A juice can be a great break from salad boredom but shouldn’t replace chewing your veggies. Try one in place of a snack with a handful of nuts. Or, if you’re not much of a breakfast person, a green juice and an ounce of cheese can be a great start to the day. 3 Green Juice Recipes Beginner Green Juice ½ head of romaine lettuce ½ cucumber 6 spinach leaves 1 green apple Clean all produce well. Toss in the juicer in order and drink immediately. Intermediate Green Juice (while the ingredients may seem intimidating, the flavor is mild) 2 celery stalks 1 cup kale or spinach ½ cucumber 1 cup wheat grass ½ lemon, peeled Clean all produce well. Toss in the juicer in order and drink immediately. Advanced Green Juice ½ cup broccoli 3 celery stalks 1 handful fresh parsley 1 handful fresh spinach ½ cucumber ½ inch fresh peeled ginger 1 teaspoon spirulina 1 lemon, peeled Clean all produce well. Toss in the juicer in order and drink immediately.
What is Aquafaba?
Q: What is aquafaba? A: Aquafaba may be a new word for you, but it’s definitely not a new food for you. In fact, you’ve probably poured it down the drain as you prepped what you were actually planning on eating for dinner. Yep, aquafaba is the lovely name given to the liquid that legumes are cooked in (usually chickpeas or white beans). You know, that gooey stuff you usually rinse off your beans after popping open a (hopefully bpa free) can or boiling them in water. Who knew the goo was good for you?! Though aquafaba has existed since the beginning of cooking white bean and chickpea time, actually using it is a little more novel. It contains protein, good carbs, and other plant compounds that have moved from the beans into the liquid during the cooking process. You know, like bone broth. The consistency of aquafaba mimics the feel of egg whites and can be used for thickening, emulsifying, and binding. You can use it to create pretty much anything that calls for egg whites. Zucchini muffins, anyone? Perfectly peaked egg-free meringues? Healthy vegan mayo for your next bread spread? So while it may look like yucky bean remains at first glance, aquafaba is anything but yucky. The next time you begin to pour it down the drain, recognize that you’re saying buh-bye to a whole lot of health and a potentially delicious vegan creation. As if you needed one more reason to love a garbanzo.
