Foods That Heal

Blog#32

Foods that heal – Is it that simple?

Eating provides nourishment to the body, and depending on the foods you eat, a nutritious diet will yield healthy results. Some foods go above and beyond their nutrition duty, providing healing properties to the body as well. Whether you're fighting an illness or want to prevent one, eating foods that heal the body can provide surprising benefits. Although eating healing foods is no substitute for a trip to the doctor, they can help turn your health in the right direction.

“If a diet is wrong, medicine is of no use and when a diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”

Here are some of the foods that I introduced to my kitchen. They are radically transforming my body and healing my ailments as well as helping me to succeed at taking my health happiness journey and losing weight!

“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food!”

Here is a list of the most beneficial healing foods you can nourish your body with:

Yogurt - Eating yogurt every day is beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract, although not all yogurt is beneficial. Yogurt must contain pro-biotics in order to be effective, and although all yogurt has active cultures added to assist in the fermentation process, the cultures are sometimes removed before they are sold. Purchase yogurt that clearly states it contains "active cultures" on the label to gain pro-biotic benefits.

Salmon - Contains a variety of healing properties, including omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers cholesterol as well as lower the risk of heart disease. Salmon is also high in calcium, which increases bone density. Salmon that is purchased in a grocery store will usually have a label distinguishing whether it is farm-raised or wild. Purchase wild salmon for the best heart-healthy benefits without added toxins.

Beans- A diet with plenty of lean protein, consisting of 50 percent protein derived from plants, will help lower low-density lipo-protein, or bad cholesterol. Substituting beans for high-fat proteins like beef and lamb will aid in weight loss and prevent heart disease.

Fresh, green vegetables - Focus your diet around plant foods, especially fresh green vegetables, which are high in micro-nutrients. Choose bitter greens, such as mustard greens, collard greens, broccoli, arugula, spinach and kale. (And opt for organic wherever possible.)

Organic Protein - As you begin to heal and build your strength, you need to turn your attention to stabilizing your blood sugars and energy levels. Protein-rich foods can help!

Try organic meat, organic chicken, wild salmon, fresh local fish, organic Greek yogurt, and organic eggs. For vegetarian options, try quinoa, peas, beans, lentils, almonds, almond butter, seaweed, micro-algae, E3 Live, Warrior protein powder, hemp products, low-processed organic soy and chia seeds.

Extra-virgin cold-pressed oils - Fresh, organic oils are very tasty, beautifully rich in aroma and fragrance. It's important to know that all oils should have a "best-before" date, so always use fresh oils well before this date. You can use organic, extra-virgin coconut oil for making sweet treats. Unlike other oils, when placed in the fridge or freezer, coconut oil will go hard and set.

Seeds- Sesame, sunflower, chia, pumpkin seeds… There are such a wide variety of delicious seeds available. Each kind of seed has its own distinct flavor and can be used to add variety to your cooking. Sprinkle them on salads or add to breakfast smoothies and cereal.

Honey - (or unrefined sugar substitute). Sweets are an important part of the 4 tastes of the palate: sweet, salty, savory and bitter. Always look for unrefined sugar. Organic honey in its natural form is delicious as a natural sweetener. Other sweetener alternatives are Stevia, coconut sugar, maple syrup or coconut nectar. Best to opt for organic brands to minimize the processing. Avoid highly refined processed sugar and zero-calorie sugar substitutes like aspartame, equal and NutraSweet as these are toxic for your body.

Lemons - Fresh lemons are so versatile. I like to drink lemon water mixed with a healthy sweetener every day. I try to drink at least 64 ounces every day. I make up (4) 32oz. drink containers that last every two days! (One lemon, 32 oz. water and 2 T sweetener)

Sea Salt - Real sea salt is unrefined salt which has been taken directly from the sea and dehydrated by the sun, forming a beautiful crystalline structure. It's ultra-rich in micro-nutrients and totally delicious.

Herbs - Using either fresh or dried herbs can transform your cooking as they add new taste sensations to your food. They can take your cooking from every day food to something quite gourmet. Buy your herbs straight from a greengrocers or local food market. Try growing your own! My favorites that I simply grow in a deck box container every year are fresh rosemary, basil, dill, chives, sage and oregano. When cooking – I pop out to my deck clip my herbs and add them fresh to my dishes right then! Fresh and flavorful and yummy!

Apple Cider Vinegar - If you want to quickly improve your digestive health, then try apple cider vinegar. I highly recommend using Organic Apple Cider vinegar. Use it daily in combination with (or as a substitute for) lemon juice as an alkalizing drink. Or use it to make a tasty salad dressing by blending it with some olive oil, herbs, and a sprinkle of sea-salt.

Give yourself the gift of health happiness today by stocking up on these healthy-kitchen must haves. When your kitchen is stocked with foods that are healthy, you will be more inclined to create healthy snacks and meals for yourself.

Remember - A Healthy Kitchen = A Healthy You!