Eat Power Foods For A Super-Charged Life
Come on, be honest . . . are you truly giving your body the nutrients it needs to take care of itself? If you are lacking energy, feeling stressed out, suffering from aches and pains, battling skin problems, digestive problems, weight problems or any number of other health-related issues . . . it's time to take a good hard look at what you've been consuming . You may discover that the choices you've been making in the name of convenience, saving time or satisfying a craving are actually detrimental to our overall health.
So stop the madness of accepting sub-standard health as a way of life. Begin, right now, to look for ways to cut the junk out of your daily eating and replace it with members of the power foods group. By nourishing your body with these nutrient-dense foods, your body, mind and spirit will rejoice!
Here are just a few of the many power foods you can begin to incorporate into your life TODAY!
Power Foods At-A-Glance:
- Beans . . . For Healthy Low-Fat Protein
- Berries . . . For Immune System Boost
- Flax Seeds . . . For Disease Fighting Support
- Garlic . . . For Lowering Cholesterol
- Oatmeal . . . For Fiber
- Peppers . . . For Reducing Inflammatory Ailments
- Wild Salmon . . . For Reducing The Risk of Heart Deisease
- You Can Power-Up Healthy Living With These Other Related Lenses
Beans . . . For Healthy Low-Fat Protein
Power Foods Group: Legumes
Photo courtesy of: avlxyz, on Flickr
Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, Northern) are high in healthy protein. This is plant protein so it contains very little fat, carbs and calories.
If fiber is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy portion of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthy. If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them. Soaking them first can help.
Need Bean Recipes?
100+ Bean Dishes You Can Make
Berries . . . For Immune System Boost
Power Foods Group: Fresh Fruit
Photo courtesy of: love janine, on Flickr
Berries, especially blueberries have the highest amount of antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radical damage in the body and reduce the risk of cancer.
A special mention goes to the acai berry which has been touted in the news. Acai berries are rich in antioxidants and increases energy. In other words, you can get more done and look better while doing it. You can get Acai juice and supplements online or in your local health food store.
Needless to say, fresh fruit in general, is good for you. The antioxidants in fruit boost the immune system to fight the effects of aging in the body. Just make it a habit of choosing a variety of "colors" for maximum health.
Can't Get Fresh Blueberries?
You Can Still Get An Immune System Boost With Dried Blueberries!
Traverse Bay Dried Blueberries, 4 lbs
Nobody know blueberries like Traverse Bay Fruit Co. Cultivated blueberries are picked and dried to retain all their natural goodness, without the use of preservatives or sulfites. Baked goods get a boost with dried blueberries; Combine with mixed nuts for a berry trail mix; Add fruit flavor to granola or hot cereal; Delightful in salads or sauces.
Flax Seeds . . . For Disease Fighting Support
Power Foods Group: Nuts & Seeds
Flax Seed Crackers -- Photo courtesy of: papertygre, on Flickr
Flax Seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds also contain omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. You get a lot of power to fight high cholesterol, diabetes and even heart disease with flax seeds.
Ground flax seed can be added to fruit smoothies, sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added to pancake mix.
Generaly speaking, raw nuts like almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios are all providers of "good" fats and protein and help to lower cholesterol.
Try . . . Flax Seed Powder
The Quick & Easy Way To Add Disease Fighting Support To Your Diet
Omega Nutrition Cold Milled Flax Seeds, 15-Ounces
Omega Nutrition Nutri-Flax Powder is high-quality, certified-organic, finely ground, low-fat flax seed fiber which is processed and packaged without the damaging effects of light and oxygen.
Garlic . . . For Lowering Cholesterol
Power Foods Group: Allium Foods
Heirloom Garlic -- Photo courtesy of: iLoveButter, on Flickr
Garlic, a member of the allium food group, has long been used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments. Packed with protein, potassium, calcium, zinc, and vitamins A, B and C, studies have shown that garlic is instrumental in lowering cholesterol. Additionally, it's great at fighting infections and helping to guard the body against the risk of cancer.
Garlic and other members of this food group (leeks, onions, shallots, scallions) also help lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots. Of course, eating these particular power foods in their natural state increases their health benefits.
Garlic, Garlic, Garlic . . . Recipes and More!
Maximize The Benefits of Garlic In Your Everyday Food Prep
Garlic, Garlic, Garlic: More than 200 Exceptional Recipes for the World's Most Indispensable Ingredient
Shunned for centuries even in France and Italy because of its strong flavor and odor, garlic was considered a low-class seasoning, only winning wide acceptance in cooking outside working-class kitchens after World War II. Garlic, Garlic, Garlic provides detailed guidance for buying, storing, and preparing garlic, and explains the pros and cons of using a garlic press. There are also 200-plus recipes, many for ethnic dishes rich in garlic.
And Don't Forget A Good Garlic Press!
No Kitchen Should Be Without One
Trudeau Garlic Press
For an infusion of fresh garlic, this popular garlic press is chrome-plated, self-cleaning and dishwasher safe.
Don't Like The Taste of Garlic?
Or, Worried About Garlic Breath?
Garlic Oil 1500 mg Eq 500 Sgels
Reviewer comment: "Swanson's Garlic Oil capsules contain the recommended daily dose in just one capsule to help control high blood pressure. They are easy on the stomach as well, timed release, and do not cause bad breath if swallowed whole." -- Sonya Finkey (Keaau, HI)
Oatmeal . . . For Fiber
Power Foods Group: Whole Grains
Photo courtesy of: nate steiner, on Flickr
Oatmeal is made from oats, a grain that supplies your body with much needed fiber, helps lower blood cholesterol and keep your blood sugar constant. Oats are also a good source of seveal nutrients, including Vitamin E, selenium and zinc.
It's best to make an oatmeal dish yourself with rolled oats . . . but if you are really, really in a hurry, the plain (not sugared) instant kind can provide some benefit.
Oatmeal . . . At It's Best
Don't Settle For Overly-Processed Convenience Oatmeal Products
McCANN'S Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal, 28-Ounce Tins (Pack of 4)
Made from 100% natural whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut using steel discs High in B-Vitamins, calcium, protein, and fiber.
Peppers . . . For Reducing Inflammatory Ailments
Power Foods Group: Fresh Vegetables
Photo courtesy of: John Winkelman, on Flickr
Peppers of all kinds contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Peppers come in a variety of colors and range from mild and sweet to fiery hot. In addition, all peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. Capsaicin has the properties of an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever, lowers cancer risk and heart disease.
Try them . . . sliced in salads, cut up in salsa and all sorts of dishes.
How Many Ways Can You Prepare Peppers?
Many, Many Ways . . .
The Peppers Cookbook: 200 Recipes from the Pepper Lady's Kitchen (Great American Cooking)
"Baked, smoked, broiled, stuffed, pureed, or ground into powder, peppers (or capsicums) are rich in vitamins and flavor. Andrews, the author of two previous books on the subject, knows their every variety. She introduces and differentiates among 18 here, identifying their characteristics and giving some background context in thorough preliminary chapters that whet the appetite for the 200 recipes that follow..." - Excerpt of Review by Stephanie Zvirin - Copyright - American Library Association. All rights reserved
Wild Salmon . . . For Reducing The Risk of Heart Deisease
Power Foods Group: Omega-3 Rich Foods
Photo courtesy of: jhpope, on Flickr
Wild Salmon is a fish rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids which has a reputation for reducing the risk of heart disease and other conditions (like atherosclerosis, a condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result of a build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol).
Try seasoned wild salmon . . . grilled, baked or broiled for brunch, lunch or supper.
Ever Had Salmon Jerky?
A Quick, Wholesome Snack
SnackMasters All Natural Gourmet Salmon Jerky, 2-Ounce Packages (Pack of 8)
Packed with flavor, chewy SnackMasters Salmon Jerky is a healthy treat for the whole family. Sliced from a solid fillet of wild Alaskan salmon, each piece of jerky offers a rich source of protein that is more than 95% fat free and low in cholesterol. Minimal processing and a secret family recipe seal in the goodness of the sea without the use of preservatives, nitrates, or MSG. An all-natural treat flavored with hickory smoke.
There's No Excuse
not to incorporate some of these power foods into your daily eating.
Go ahead . . . super-charge
your health,
you only have one life to live!
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- Ladydove62 Ladydove62 Jul 29, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
- This is a great lens Dee! Really nicely done and the information is excellent.
by nDee
The kids are grown . . . my husband is still a cool dude and . . . I get to share my interests, expertise and curiosities right here on Squidoo! For a...
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