Let's Talk About: PINEAPPLES

* Pineapple boosts immunity and improves blood circulations.

* Can help treat arthritis! Pineapple contains a relatively rare enzyme called bromelain that helps with the complex breakdown of proteins and has major anti-inflammatory effects! Hence helping to  reduce inflammation of joints and muscles

* Aids with digestion - being rich in dietary fibre, pineapple is like a helping hand to which keep you regular and your intestines healthy.

* Helps heal wounds and protect against infection.

* Reduces risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Why not add pineapple to your next smoothie or with yogurt to add a extra tang!

King Kale

If you are still yet to try Kale, now may be the perfect time! This nutritional powerhouse supports healthy skin, hair, and bones. With more nutritional value than spinach, Kale should definitely make its way onto your weekly shopping list if its not there already!!

Kales nutrients can help boost wellbeing and prevent a range of health problems. It contains fibre, antioxidants, calcium and vitamin K. As well as a good source of vitamin C and iron. Kale will not only add nutritional value but colour to salads and side dishes!

Kale Fast Facts!

- Kale is high in fibre and contains zero fat
- Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.
- Kale is a great cardiovascular support
- Great detox food: the fibre and sulphur in kale helps to detoxify the body, keeping your liver healthy!

Kale’s versatility allows you to easily add to any of your meals throughout the day! You can enjoy it raw in salads or on sandwiches or wraps, steamed, baked, sautéed or added to soups and casseroles.

In salads: When using kale raw in salads, massage the leaves with coconut oil or olive oil. Then add your favourite spices or herbs to give them a boost of This begins the breakdown of the cellulose in the leaves and helps release the nutrients for easier absorption.

As a side dish: Sauté fresh garlic and onions in extra-virgin olive oil until soft. Add kale and continue to sauté until desired tenderness. Alternatively, steam for 5 minutes, then drain and stir in a dash of Tamara and tahini.

Kale chips: Massage kale with extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil and sprinkle with a combination of cumin, curry powder or chilli flakes. Bake at 275 degrees for 15 to 30 minutes to desired crispness.

Smoothies: Add a handful of kale to your favourite smoothie. It will add nutrients without changing the flavour very much so you will hardly notice it :)

Keep your eyes peeled for next weeks Superfood Series Post! I would love to hear what your favourite superfoods are! Comment below or leave me a message on facebook! ENJOY!

Chia Seeds

Chia Seeds provide a wide variety of nutrients and are an excellent source of plant protein. In addition they are also high in magnesium, calcium, omega 3, linoleic acid, fibre and antioxidants. Because of this combination of nutrients, chia seeds are highly beneficial for the skin, bones, hair and digestive system. And did you know that they have been found to boost the metabolism and energy levels. Plus the high levels of fibre in chia seeds act as a prebiotic, meaning they feed the good bacteria in the gut. I could go on all day about how amazing chia seeds are but instead I thought it would be handy to give you a few tips on how to include them into your diet and of course a delicious recipe!

 

Chia Tips

• Add them to your smoothie - next time you are making a smoothie, add in some chia seeds into the mix. By adding chia seeds will simply bump up the nutritional value of your smoothie!

• Add Chia Seeds To Pancakes, Cakes, Muffins & Other Baked Goods - While you shouldn’t eat baked goods every day, there is a place for them in a healthy diet. You just need to know how to "healthify" your recipes. Toss in a spoonful of chia seeds for extra nutrients. Just simply add the chia seeds to your batter and bake as normal.  

• Use Chia Seeds as An Egg Replacement - If you avoid eggs in your diet because you are allergic to them or simply don’t like them then baking anything from pancakes to birthday cakes can become very difficult. Here is where Chia seeds come into play! As a general rule of thumb, 1 egg is equivalent to soaking 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in 3 tablespoons of water.

• Use as a topping - Sprinkle them on top of smoothie bowls, Greek yogurt or your morning bowl of oatmeal. You can also sprinkle them on top of a salad to enhance the nutritional value and offer a nice crunch!

Chia Seed Pudding - 3 Ways

Chia Puddings are not only easy to make but an incredible nourishing breakfast. With the recipes below, if you are wanting to add a little more protein add a scoop of your protein powder of choice!  

Cheeky Monkey Chia Pudding (Serves 2)

1 1/4 cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
1/4 cup chia seeds
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
Pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt
1 tablespoon organic maple syrup or raw honey (you may want more depending on how sweet you want it)
1 thinly sliced banana
Optional toppings: Goji berries, nuts, coconut

PB & J Chia Pudding (Serves 2)

1 ¼  cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
¼  cup chia seeds
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
3 tablespoons of organic jam (watch out for hidden added sugar!)
Optional toppings: Fresh berries, walnuts, unsalted peanuts

Vanilla Chia Pudding (Serves 2)

1 ¼  cups unsweetened non-dairy milk
¼  cup chia seeds
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon organic maple syrup or raw honey (you may want more depending on how sweet you want it)
Optional toppings: berries, figs, almonds

METHOD
Add all of the ingredients to either 1 large glass jar or two small jars with a lid, give it a quick stir, then put the lid on. Give it a good shake to mix all the ingredients up! Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight, shaking or stirring occasionally. Serve the pudding chilled with your favourite toppings. ENJOY!!

Calories - The Basics

Before I leave you to delve into this blog I’d like add that I am not here to tell you or condone calorie counting, as it can become very destructive and turn into a obsession rather than listening to your body! I am providing you with a brief understanding on what a calorie is and how tracking your intake can make a impact on your health, both positively and negatively.

To lose weight, you need to eat fewer calories than you burn. In theory, this sounds simple. However learning and understanding how to manage your intake of food can prove to be a tricky task! As we are constantly bombarded with information whether it be from friends, TV, magazines or social networks about calories it can makes it hard to know what’s right and what’s wrong!

Firstly, what is a calorie?
A calorie is a measure of energy. In science, it's defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius. We use calories that we eat and drink for essential functions such as breathing and thinking, as well as day-to-day activities such as walking, talking and eating! Excess intake of calories causes what you eat to be stored as fat therefore consistently eating more than you burn will cause weight gain overtime.

The United States government states that the average man needs 2,700 kcal per day and the average woman needs 2,200 kcal per day.

Keep in mind not everybody needs the same number of calories each day! People have different metabolisms that burn energy at different rates, and some people have more active lifestyles than others.

The recommended intake of calories per day depends on several factors, including:
• overall general health
• physical activity demands
• sex
• weight
• height
• body shape

Your body needs calories to survive! Without energy the cells within your body would begin to die, the function of your heart and lungs would stop and your organs would not be able to carry out the basic processes needed for living!

Now, not all calories are equal! The number of calories in food tell us how much potential energy the contain but not only calories that are important, the substance from which the calories is taken from is vital! These so called “empty” calories are those that provide energy but very little nutritional value. The elements of food that provide empty calories contain next to no dietary fiber, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals or vitamins! Empty calories can be made up of solid fats and added sugars. Solid fats are either naturally found in foods or can be added when foods are processed. Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added then food or beverages are processed!

• Cakes, cookies, pastries, and donuts (contain both solid fat and added sugars)
• Sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit drinks (contain added sugars)
• Cheese (contains solid fat)
• Pizza (contains solid fat)
• Ice cream (contains both solid fat and added sugars)
• Sausages, hot dogs, bacon, and ribs (contain solid fat)

The foods and beverages above are the main sources of empty calories but many can be found in no solid fat or added sugar products such as low-fat yogurt, no fat cheese or sugar free soft drink.

Choosing unsweetened applesauce or extra lean ground beef, can help keep your intake of added sugars and solid fats low but remember a small amount of empty calories is okay and won’t kill you! It is important to limit empty calories to the amount that fits your calorie and nutrient needs.

The main thing I would like you to take away from this blog is to ensure your diet is filled with whole, nutrient dense foods which will help you limit your intake of empty calorie foods!

Ditch counting calories and ....
• Opt for nutrient-dense options that our great-grandparents would recognise as food
• Go for a wide variety of in-season produce and ingredients
• Cook, which really is the key to it all
• Cut out processed foods
• Focus on regaining our natural appetite and cutting the cravings

Nothing but avocados!

Nothing beats a perfectly ripe avocado with a squeeze of lemon, pinch of chilli flakes and a touch of Himalayan salt! Avocados are a true super hero! Not only are they are great source of vitamins C, E, K and B-6 but they are also full of healthy fats that help in keeping you full and satisfied so you don’t crave sugary foods! Eating healthy fats supports skin health, enhances the absorption of vitamins and minerals! This is way it is so important to include healthy fats into your diet! If you want to learn more about healthy fats check out my blog post HERE!

Need an ENERGY BOOST

As the Christmas & end of year period is fast approaching, this is definitely a time when we need as much energy as we can get! If you are finding yourself feeling lethargic mid-afternoon, struggling to stay alert throughout the day or just straight out exhausted, you are not alone! Luckily, there are some really easy ways to boost your energy levels which often only requires you to make some small changes to your routine!

1. FOCUS ON NUTRITION
You would be surprised how much the food you eat affects your energy levels! Not only do you need to ensure that you are fuelling your body with the right balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat but pre and post workout nutrition is exceptionally important as it can help your performance during your workout and assist in recovery! Here are a few healthy energy boosting foods!

• Fresh Fruit - Fruits with peels, like bananas or apples, are good choices to take to work or when you're on the go.
• Nuts - In particular Cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts which are high in magnesium, that plays a key role in converting sugar to energy.
• Hard boiled Eggs - rich in amino acid tyrosine which helps improve alertness and perk you up!
• Lemon & Water - Adding lemon to water transforms regular H20 into a natural energy drink that is packed with electrolytes, which are critical for cells to produce energy.

2. STAY HYDRATED
Did you know that one of the first signs of dehydration is feeling tired or exhausted? Not drinking enough water can be why your energy levels are low and you feel exhausted. Don’t just drink water when you are thirsty! Make an effort to sip on water continuously throughout the day, with more around training times.

3. MOVE YOUR BODY EVERY DAY
Incorporating regular exercise into your routine will actually boost energy levels. When engaging in physical activity it sends oxygen and nutrients to the cells of your body, which helps your heart and lungs to work more efficiently and boosts energy levels. You don’t need to be a gym junkie or run a marathon to get the benefits — moderate levels of activity will help with increasing energy levels and reducing stress and tension. Try adding “incidental” exercise into your day, such as taking the stairs, go for a 10-20min walk at lunchtime or walk around whilst on the phone. The little things really do add up!

4. ADD SUPPLEMENTS TO YOUR REGIME
The benefits of supplements are so underestimated!! By adding supplements to your daily routine it can help with optimising your energy production and improving your nutrition and overall health! When I discovered and introduced Juice Plus+ supplements  into my daily routine I have only reap all the amazing benefits! Juice Plus+ Capsules literally contain only vine ripened, freeze dried fruit and veggies! If you want more info on Juice Plus+ or to purchase some click here.

5. MAKE SURE YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Sleep is the most factor for recovery and energy production. Ensuring that you get an adequate amount of sleep will assist mental health, hormonal balance, and muscular recovery. Aim to get between 7-10 hours per night.

6. DON’T LET STRESS CONTROL YOU
We often feel like there is nothing we can do about stress, but we have a lot more control than you might think. Taking charge of your stress will allow you to tackle problems and clear up any cloudiness around your thoughts and emotions! There is always a way to relieve pressure and relax. If you are looking for tips on how to chill out, check out last weeks blog on Meditation here!

7. SEE YOUR DOCTOR
If you have actively tried all the tips above and you are still struggling with constant fatigue, there may be an underlying medical condition such as anemia, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction or hormonal problems! Make an appointment with your doctor who will be able to help you get on the right track!

Carbs, Protein and Fats = ESSENTIAL

Life is all about Balance!

Let’s talk about Protein, carbs and Fats!

Protein is essential for the growth of muscle, hair, skin and bones. Whilst carbs provide your body with energy to fuel your brain and muscles. Fat is also incredibly important for insulation, brain health and the production of hormones. When protein, carbohydrates and fats work together they keep your body healthy and functioning. The carbs you eat give you energy while the protein builds muscles. Fats and proteins are essential in order to stabilize the blood sugar levels in your body and are best eaten together! To put it simply without carbs your body would not have the energy  it needs to workout and train  hard and without protein and fats you would not be able to build muscle or grow skin and hair and regulate your hormones and mood as effectvely. Demonstrating that these elements are equally essential for your diet!

This doesn’t mean you can go out and order a crispy chicken burger to ensure you include this essential relationship is in your diet. Instead you need to choose with care and be smart about it! The best protein choices are lean meats, eggs and tofu. The best carbs are whole grains, fruits and vegetables which offer more health benefits that refined grains! The best fats are monounsaturated olive oil and avocado as well as almond butter!!! Coconut oil has been shown to have a myriad of other health benefits also.

Some examples of nutritious protein and carb combinations that you can include in your daily diet include brown rice and broccoli with legumes, tofu or grilled chicken, grilled salmon with steamed asparagus and quinoa, low-fat cottage cheese with fruit or oatmeal and nuts! These food combos will take longer for your body to absorb therefore there will be a slower release into your body and a steadier energy source to keep you going!

Source: Muscle & Fit