Spirit as Healer, Lifestyle as Medicine
Apples contain fibers and polyphenols that help regulate the breakdown of carbohydrate and slow the absorption of sugar from the digestive tract. They are also rich in prebiotic fibers which act as food for our healthy native strains of gut bacterial. Proof that ‘super foods’ don’t have to be super fancy!
Cashews, often deemed indulgent, are a rich dietary source of monounsaturated fat and copper which is essential in energy production, antioxidant functioning and bone formation. Enjoyed in moderation, they contribute to increasing our overall intake of nuts which studies have confirmed can lower our risk of heart disease, lower the risk of developing gallstones, and lower our risk of gaining weight! Participants in a study that consumed nuts 2x per week were 31% less likely to gain weight than those that never ate nuts. Enjoy (in moderation)!
This recipe is great with either canned salmon or left-over salmon from the night before. What is unique to canned salmon is the cost savings and convenience to use when preparing mid-day meals like lunch. Canned salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids and also has a high calcium contents if bought with the bones and skin (sounds much more ‘advanced’ than it really is, you can’t tell at all once mixed).
Legume-based pasta (like garbanzo, black bean, and soy) is an incredible way to continue enjoying pasta while getting much more nutrition than just carbohydrates provided by flour-based varieties. This recipe pairs legume-based pasta with our Faux Alfredo Sauce (white bean sauce) to make a plant-based protein-rich, fiber-rich (which equals FILLING) meal. Enjoy with endless varieties of leafy and tender veggies!
This salad is as pretty as it is nutritious. Pomegranates have various bioactive compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against cancer cells. The arils are also a wonderful source of vitamin C and potassium needed to regulate blood pressure. The prebiotic and soluble fibers also help regulate the native strains of gut bacteria. This is a lot of health activity from something we just call “lunch”!
Try roasting a medley of roots and fruits first, then blending them to velvety soup. Any roasted root vegetables can be made into smooth soup, including carrot, beet, potato, or a mix of parsnip, apple, and red onion. Parsnips look like ivory carrots, and when roasted, they are ethereally sweet, nutty, soft, and perfect for soup. They’re also just as good simply roasted and eaten that way. For a balanced plate, pair with an easy green salad dressed in lemon and garlic and your choice of an extra lean piece of protein.
One morning while at a coffee shop, when I ordered one of those paper cups of muesli to which the barista just added water to, I realized my Flax Almond Fiber Mix could be used in the same way – with lower cost and even more nutrition! The fiber and balance of these bowls make them incredibly satiating and effective at keeping blood sugar regulated (equals feeling full and comfortable in-between meals!). They work great for fast breakfasts, on-the-go lunches, or dry staples for camping or keeping at your desk at work. I hope you find them as convenient as I have!
This nutrient and fiber-rich topper is incredible on yogurt or smoothies. A single serving of this mix provides: fiber (6 grams), vitamin E (6 grams), heart healthy mono-unsaturated fat (4 grams) and omega-3 fatty acids, calcium (48 mg), iron (3 mg), magnesium(123 mg), potassium (311 mg), selenium (18 mg), zinc (3 mg), and lutein/zeaxanthin for eye health!
A CARE member brought a copy of this recipe to me after her family just fell in love with it. It is remarkable how a staple like peanut butter, or other nut butter, can be blended into soup stock transforming it from “the usual” to absolutely unexpected. I added tofu for additional protein compared to the original recipe. This makes this vegan soup an unexpectedly rich source of calcium. Adapted and balanced from Robin Asbell’s recipe in the Star Tribune which she adapted from “The Moosewood Cookbook”.
Roasted chickpeas were made for us “salty snackers”. Replace the afternoon pretzels with this high-fiber, high-protein yet salty and crunchy- alternative. Chickpeas are a rich pre-biotic food (from our CARE Bonus Step: Strengthening Digestion). Pair with an herbal digestive tea, like ginger or mint, for a therapeutic mid-day break that actually support your intestinal cells vs stress them (like high caffeine, high sugar afternoon snacks). PLUS, this is a great portable snack that keeps in desk drawers and bags making sure adhering to meal timing is not a problem!