Superfoods!

I have been rewatching all of my favorite health dvds lately.  One of my favorites is Food Matters.  Its on Netflix.  They also have an awesome website you can go to for a lot of health advice.  Ok I sort of splurged on a couple items the past couple of days at sprouts and whole foods.  To me one of the most important thing I can possibly spend my money on is the food I eat and feed my family.  I know it will pay off in the long run.  Here are some awesome superfoods that I decided to get.

Organic raw cacao powder

Health benefits: It is extremely high in magnesium, they are an appetite suppressor.  One small 28 gram serving of raw cacao gives 314% of the recommended daily allowance of iron.  They also have a very high antioxidant score. 
How I use it: I add a teaspoon or two of this to my smoothies or I add some to things I am baking.

Aloe Vera Juice







Health benefits:  Aloe vera has seventy five healing compounds which include a natural steroid, antibiotic agent, amino acids, minerals and enzymes.  It alkalizes the digestive tract and prevents over-acidity.
How I use it:  I bought this to drink to help with my acid reflux from being pregnant.  When I got home from the store I read online that you probably shouldn't drink it while pregnant.  I guess I will have to force Jordan to drink this!

Goji Berries

Health benefits: They have 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges.  They are an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E.  They have a full complement of protein with 18 amino acids and 21 trace minerals. 

How I use it: I just eat these plain or with nuts/yogurt, they take a while to get used to.

 

Hemp hearts, raw shelled hemp seeds





Health Benefits: They help with weight loss and help increase your energy.  They help you recover from disease or injuries, they lower blood pressure and cholesterol.  They have a good balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins, and enzymes.
How I use it: I add 2 tablespoons to my smoothie each morning.

Coconut Water

Health benefits: coconuts are the highest source of electrolytes in nature.  Drinking this is like giving your body an instant blood transfusion since the molecular structure of coconut water is identical to human blood plasma.
How I use it: I add this to my smoothies or I mix half coconut water with half of any kind of juice.  Its hard for me to drink this plain.

Organic Wheat Grass

Health benefits: It is super alkalizing and is good for promoting healthy blood.  It also normalizes the thyroid gland to stimulate your metabolism and aids in digestion and promoting weight loss because of its high enzyme content.
How I use it: I add this to my morning smoothies

Maca Powder

Health benefits: Maca is used to increase energy and enhance immune system function. 
How I use it:  I add a small amount to my morning smoothie

Bee Pollen

 

Health Benefits: Been pollen is one of the most complete foods found in nature and has 5-7 times more protein than beef.  It is especially a benefit for people who are athletes or people recovering from an illness.  Research has shown that bee pollen counteracts the signs of aging.
How I use it: I add a spoonful to my cereal or yogurt.

All of these items can be pretty pricey if you buy them at once.  I buy almost all of my stuff at sprouts.  Honestly you just have to decide what your priorities are.  Do you want to eat the healthiest foods you can possibly eat and have a really healthy family or do you want to spend money so you can have an iphone, new car, new clothes.  Personally I care so much more about my health and my family's health.  For some people its just not a priority.  I will probably never get to a point in my life where I think that I can't afford to spend money on health foods.  I can't afford NOT TO!  You can have your chances of disease and health problems be extremely low if you invest the money on fresh organic whole foods.  I have been eating a plant based whole foods diet for about a year now.  It is the best change I have ever made.  After watching Food Inc, food matters, and forks over knives I have never wanted to turn back to my old ways. I think its funny how the things I used to think of as healthy I don't even consider  healthy anymore.  chicken with cream of chicken and potatoes with cheese (definitely not very healthy and full of fat).  I say that I eat a plant based whole foods diet because I don't like the word vegetarian or vegan.  I don't like to exclude certain foods completely.  I rarely have dairy and try to eat meat only once a week, I don't think I will ever be a full blown vegan.  It just doesn't seem right.  Anyways, that's my lecture for the day.  Go to the food matters website to read about more superfoods!