Saturday 18 July 2015

Secret Ancient Ingredients With Healing Properties to Include in Your Meals



Planning a meal can seem like a hassle during a busy schedule, which is likely why many people just opt for quick options and why fast food industries have managed to skyrocket in profit despite all of us knowing they’re not the best option. But we can’t ignore that convenience comes with a huge price, and that price has become our health and the health of our food industry. The more convenient foods become available at a cheap cost, the sicker we become and the more unhealthy options that continue to appear.
But what if we could look at food differently?
Green Tacos and Green Taco Salad [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

What if we could see food as not just a way to satisfy our stomachs in a quick jiffy, but instead, the magic bullet towards being healthy for life? 
Real foods are the perfect medicine for the body and many are actually healing ingredients that have been used for years due to their health benefits. These are easy enough for anyone to add to a meal and don’t require a lot of time or gourmet preparation. With as little as five minutes, all of these can be used and implemented into meals to provide the body with multitudes of benefits that a double cheeseburger just won’t do.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ancient healing ingredients to include in your meals … life is about to get really good!

1. Turmeric

Cauliflower With Purple Sweet Potatoes – Ranga Alu Diye Phulkopi [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

An ancient spice used for inflammation, digestion, and cardiovascular health, turmeric is a root just like ginger that provides many different forms of relief in the body. It’s the star ingredient in mustard aside from mustard seeds that gives the condiment its yellow hue and why mustard is a classic remedy for joint pain. Turmeric root is also the star orange spice in curry powder that makes it so easy and excellent to use. So, how do you use it to make a quick meal?
Grab a skillet,  some coconut oil and grease your pan. Then add in some veggies of your choosing, sprinkle on some turmeric and cook up a huge batch of these to add to your choice of protein for dinner. This takes all of five minutes to make and will satisfy you, make your body feel amazing, and can be made in large batches for lunch the next day.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

How to Make Your Own Apple Cider Vinegar-

This fermented beverage has been used for years as a cleaning agent, a body tonic, and a quick food seasoning agent that takes meals to the next level. Consider all the condiments you use. What do you think they all have in common that makes them “sing” in flavor? Vinegar, friends, that’s the magic ingredient that gives them that special touch. But instead of distilled vinegar that is actually inflammatory to the body and has no real benefits, try using apple cider vinegar to flavor your foods. It has prebiotics and probiotics to nourish good bacteria, no sugar or calories, and is a fantastic source of vitamin C, potassium, and B vitamins plus enzymes. This nourishes the cells, gut lining, and relieves inflammation and digestive upset. Apple cider vinegar has also been linked to better blood sugar control either taken before, during, or after a meal. You can season your foods with it by drizzling it onto salads, onto cooked veggies, and even using it as a marinade instead of sugary sauces. Or, take it as a morning tonic before you down that java as an extra precaution!

3. Mushrooms

 Mushrooms-with-Green-Peas (1)

Mushrooms have been around as long as time; a fungus that grows from the ground and sounds a little scary, mushrooms are actually a fantastic source of vitamin D, fiber, are low in calories but very high in nutrition. They take any meal from good to great and can even be used in place of meat during your meals. Try using mushrooms either cooked or raw in your next meal (We have lots of recipes to choose from!). Just be sure that you don’t eat just any mushrooms out of your backyard, which may be toxic. Stick to the store-bought option just to be safe!

4. Pomegranates

Kale Salad With Chili Lime Roasted Butternut Squash and Garlic Sriracha Vinaigrette [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Seen as a treasured fruit throughout time, pomegranates hold a wealth of nutrition within their hard shells. The little gems known as pomegranate seeds that are found inside may be a doozy to get out, but once you do, their amazing benefits are available in a variety of ways. Sprinkled pomegranate seeds over salads, porridge, bake with them, add them to veggies for a sweet touch, use them in smoothies or just snack on them — the possibilities are endless! These seeds contain high amounts of antioxidants that have been shown to relieve inflammation, heart disease, and they benefit the brain and support overall neurological health. 

5. Walnuts

Raw German Chocolate Chia Porridge [Vegan, Gluten-Free]

Walnuts have been used throughout history, even dating as far back as biblical times for their incredible anti-inflammatory benefits. Walnuts are the only nut to have measurable amounts of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and have been shown to reduce inflammation, aid in relieving depression, and can help satisfy your cravings to lower blood sugar quickly. Use walnuts in place of processed dressings high in refined and man made fats (like soybean oil) and use walnut butter or walnuts instead of sugary peanut butters on your next sandwich or in porridge. Or, simply snack on walnuts instead of chips and fries as a snack; add some berries to take things up a notch even more. 
Real food can change your body, your brain, and your life. And some of the best options we have available to us are remedies that have been used for longer than we can imagine. Which one of these ancient foods will you add to your next meal?
Lead image source: Portobello Florentine With Lemony Hollandaise Sauce 
This content provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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