I have been interested in health and super foods for quite some time, although I am not claiming to be an expert by any means. I have introduced a few super foods and alternatives to my family’s meals as economically as possible, much to my husband’s non impressed eyebrow raise! Its all about balance and slow introductions!
My mother and I have tried different super foods and health products. I tend to go through phases of different health foods and nurtient packed ingredients such as Kale; Spinach; Chia seeds; Goji berries; Berries; Quinoa; Coconut; Cacao and Avocado. These phases will usually last a week or two and then I’ll move intensely to the next super food as my grocery budget just wont allow me to have them all at once.
There is a downside to super foods- they can be expensive! Yet the upside is that you dont need large quanities to retain their goodness. Take chia seeds for instance, I sprinkle a few over my breaky cereal, smoothie or salad once a day and the expensive $25 packet goes a long way! Cacao is similar in this regard as I only use a little. Did you know that cacao lowers insulin resistance, reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and reduces risk of stroke? So the GOVITA magazine tells me (August 2014).
Bev and the girls at GoVita Batemans Bay are jam packed full of information about super foods and know all about their benefits. I just love walking into their shop! And yes, my husband does just think they are trying to sell my mother and I products yet I am more convinced that they are women with passions for health and wish to share these amazing facts about our food.
Goji berries are jam packed with vitamins C, E and are great antioxidants (August, 2014). I recently have taken a liking to Goji berries covered with dark chocolate (70% Cacoa) hmmm…. This is just a delightable treat I give myself at the end of an exhausting day! It recently seems though, that every day is exhausting! Whoops!
Chia seeds though, would have to be my all time favourite! They contain omega 3 ALA, fibre, vitamins and minerals (GOVITA, 2014). I just am crazy about them!
When using super foods and more nutritious foods for my family I usually sneak them into recipes, such as muffins; pastas and stirfries. I try to eat organic foods, although these too can get expensive. GoVita (2014) write that eating organic foods can mean you avoid eating up to 2kg of food additives per year. On both sides of my sons family there are people with food allergies. It will be hard for him to escape it! Although I do feel a challenge to try my best when giving him foods to avoid any irritation or advancement of these food allergies. This means research! The GoVita booklet suggests that food additives have been linked with allergic reactions, rashes, asthma and headaches (2014). Need any more reason to be aware of what you and your family are consuming?
Although organic or healthy options may seem expensive you have to look at the long term benefits too. And look out for the specials too! Like buying a tub of cherry tomatoes with carrot for morning tea or do you choose a box of museli bars which are packed with sugar and additives branded with a ‘healthy’ advertisement packaging! What do you choose? I am beginning to look more long term. Food is essential for overall health… as they say ‘we are what we eat’. My husband and I are young at the moment but we should be looking after our health now for the future and for our growing family.
It is my focus at the moment to re-evaluate the products I purchase and ingredients I use. Although at present we will not be able to purchase EVERYTHING organic, super foods or fresh, I will try to be more aware of what I am actually buying. For instance the dried dates I usually buy from the health section of woolies contain palm oil! Maybe by adding one new ingredient a fortnight or swapping that so called healthy breaky cereal for an extra dozen eggs may help introduce a healthier diet into our family. It’s all about balance, planning, commitment and slow introductions for me. Also being aware of campaigns such as the ‘Swap it’ program encouraging people to swap unhealthy foods to healthier alternatives, ie- hot chips SWAP for mash potato is also a great start. This sometimes means that cooking and preparing foods may take longer, but if I carefully plan or cook in bulk it can’t be too much more difficult!
I am certainly no expert on the subject of health, I do enjoy looking at the benefits and finding out new products and alternatives that would be safer and less harmful for my family.
Here is a recipe I would love to share, its quick and easy from the GoVita August “Healthy Happy Bubs” (2014) booklet:
– 2 tbs Chia Seeds (black or white)
– 6 tbs water
Leave water and seeds to soak overnight in fridge.
– 100ml Coconut Milk
– 1/4 tsp vanilla
– 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Mix Vanilla; Cinnamon and coconut milk together.
Add mixture to Chia seeds!
I make a variation of this and have seen others online which include berries and cacoa and bananas.
Good luck!
Source:
GoVITA Batemans Bay Booklet, 2014, “Healthy Happy Bubs!”.
Originally posted 2014-10-21 22:25:00.