The question I am asked the most is "are you vegan?" My answer mostly is that I do not label myself anything. I am me, and the diet that I follow is one that is mindful and nourishing to my body. I have never been a skinny chick. Most of my life consisted of wishing for a tinier frame, a smaller waistline, not so broad shoulders, etc etc, but that is not me. There are times I eat dairy because that is what my body is asking for, but most times it is not what it prefers. I have issues with the dairy industry so there are many restrictions that I do consider prior to eating dairy (please see my egg post for that subject). For the most part, however, I eat mindfully, for me, and for the animals that may be providing me with the food. What I can ask you is to do the same. I promise, what it does for your mind and your body far outweighs what any fad diet will give you. This is a lifestyle, not something that will change you overnight.
Life really changed for me when I began to view food differently. Food to me is incredibly special, for without it we cannot live. I love learning about what different foods can do for my body and my health. I love cooking a meal, offering it spiritually as a gift, and then enjoying it with other people. Food makes me happy and gives me life.
With people asking me for suggestions, I thought it would be helpful to give you some recipes of things I eat throughout the day. I try and post one photo a day of a meal I am eating, but I know you all want recipes. Working on that :)
So let's start with breakfast!!
Tip #1: Do not skip breakfast, no matter what.
Tip #2: Eat carbs and fats early, so your body receives them and they can help you function throughout the day.
Tip #3: Plan, otherwise mornings get crazy and we either grab something unhealthy or not at all
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Smoothies!
1 cup milk choice
1/2 banana
1/2 cup organic frozen berries
1 cup spinach or kale
Choice of Protein Powder
**I use Nutiva Hemp Seed Protein or Aloha Protein, please make sure your protein powders are made from pure and healthy ingredients. Protein Powders easy hide nasty ingredients. It is important we know what is going into our bodies. I follow the rule that if I cannot pronounce something, I do not eat it. You can check my blog on this as well here.
Add ins for smoothies--these are ingredients that I use as I feel I need them. The benefits that I use them for are listed.
Maca Powder: Maca Root has a great affect for those with hormone imbalances. As I breast fed, and after our transition without, my body needed some resetting so Maca Powder was beneficial. It also is an immune booster as it a natural antioxidant. Some other benefits are increased energy, mood, and memory.
Cacao Powder: Cacao nibs, different from Cocoa, has incredible benefits, and it tastes great too! I add this into all of my smoothies. I use it as an iron and immune booster. Cacao has 40 times the antioxidants that blueberries have! It is also really high in calcium which is great for your bone health.
Flax Seeds: are a high fiber super food! They help with digestive issues, which I've always had, and gut health. They are high in Omega 3's and antioxidants
Brazil Nuts: I eat two a day, whether thrown in my smoothie or in my mouth while making a smoothie. Brazil Nuts are very high in selenium, which helps with inflammation and mood! Also, it helps with fighting free radical damage.
Nut Butter: benefits include happiness and happiness, and a little more happiness. Who doesn't love all kinds of nut butters.
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Avocado Toast
Another option for breakfast when I do not have a smoothie is Avocado Toast. I could eat this every day for every meal I love it so much. It is so versatile. Avocado's have such great health benefits. Avocados have more potassium than bananas, are loaded with fiber, and very high in protein. I know, crazy right, vegetables do have protein too!
One of the greatest thing about Avocados is they are high in what's called Oleic Acid. Oleic Acid
(a monounsaturated fat) helps the brain function and improves memory. Learn more about avocados and oleic acid in Dr. Axe's article.
For the toast
Bread of choice, I use either Dave's Killer Bread or a Bagel of Choice.
**Tip for bread: when buying bread try squeezing the loaf together. If it smushes easily, try and find something with more strength to it. Your bread should be full of great nutrients that don't smush easily. Also, your bread should go bad within a week or so. If it is not, that should be telling you something.
Smash Avocado and spread right on that bread
Toppings:
Ghee: I use ghee under the avocado for more benefits of a healthy digestive system. I have a sensitivity to lactose, so ghee rids of that. Also, if your body struggles with absorbing Vitamin A, like those with a gluten allergy, ghee helps to absorb Vitamin A. Also, has a lot of Vitamin E for those that try and stay out of the sun like me :)
Trader Joes Everything Seasoning: this seasoning is, well, EVERYTHING!
Mustard: might sound weird, and it is, but it is soooo good
Hot Sauce
Peanut Butter: because of happiness
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Oatmeal
You either like it or you don't. But if you don't I challenge you to try it with some different stuff in it. I always boil it with cashew milk, because I don't like it with just water. Also, buy plain oats, and not the packaged oatmeal, which has a ton of added sugar.
Add Ins
Ghee--I use the Vanilla Ghee for this one :)
Vanilla
Fruit
Nuts
Cinnamon
Coconut Oil
Coconut
Please comment if you have any questions!
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