Showing posts with label avocados. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avocados. Show all posts
Sunday, 29 March 2015
Friday, 27 March 2015
chocolate avocado pudding. yep, it’s a thing.
When life hands you avocados… make pudding?
Apparently so.
Though I have to admit that my first choice would be guacamole. However, sometimes life hands you avocados when you already have a large vat of guacamole in your fridge because life is so, so good. In that case, yes… make pudding. After you’ve OD-ed on your fair share of avocado toast.
Obviously.
You may remember last year that I made chocolate avocado pudding and then proceeded to eat it like… every single day of my life. My go-to recipes came from a mesh of Lisa and Jessica’s, then sort of warped into this version that I perfected to my taste buds and have been making ever since. Yeah. Melted chocolate is where it’s at. Very true story: I ate this practically every afternoon for a little snack before yoga for maybe two months? Three months? It’s full of antioxidants! It was the best thing ever. It was also the hugest thing ever, because I get bored super easily. Especially with my food. I haven’t even eaten dinner tonight yet and I’m already bored with it.
Not even joking.
The other thing is that I really always want to eat this for dessert but I have an intense, passionate abhorrence for cleaning my food processor. I loathe it more than I loathe cleaning normal things which is a lot. Especially when the sun goes down and I’m exhausted and watching new-but-terrible-but-still-worth-it 90210 or something. The sun going down is pretty much my gauge for productivity so yeah… daylight savings time can happen right now please.
Anyway, that’s how I satisfying my obsession. Chocolate avocado pudding for an afternoon snack. I think I’m bringing it back.
If you’re an avocado hater, well… I’m not going to tell you that you can’t taste the avocado at all. I mean, sometimes you can’t whatsoever. I believe that it depends on your crazy mental state and the ripeness of your fruit, which will differ each time but can be somewhat managed with sweetener and cocoa or chocolate. I use honey because I can’t get on the agave train and overall, I just find honey to be a bit more versatile for my everyday kitchen. I put it on Greek yogurt and mix it with peanut butter and I’d put it in tea if I drank it, which I never will because that stuff tastes like dirty water. Oh yes it does.
Ack.
If you’re an avocado lover, then you’ll probably adore this pudding, will rarely be able to taste the avocado and will soon become addicted to this little treat that is totally worth dragging out your food processor and cleaning that giant hunk of junk. Ugh. So annoying. Can’t someone create a self-cleaning processor? I think it would make millions.
I think the moral of the story is that everything (especially Monday) is better with chocolate.
And sprinkles.
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Avocado Pasta
The easiest, most unbelievably creamy avocado pasta that everyone will love. And it’ll be on your dinner table in just 20 min!
Avocados. I love them. I could eat them by itself with a little bit of sea salt. I could eat them mashed up in guacamole with an entire bag of chips.
And now, I can eat them in the most glorious, most creamy pasta I’ve ever had. And the best part about this is that there’s no cream or butter in this. All you need is simple, fresh ingredients. That’s it.
So how is this so creamy? Well, all you need are a couple of ripe avocados, fresh basil leaves, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. From there, you can just throw it all into a food processor and give it a whirl! Done and done.
Toss it with your favorite pasta noodles – spaghetti, rotini, macaroni, etc. – along with some fresh veggies. You can really use any veggies you’d like but I loved the sweet corn kernels and crisp cherry tomatoes.
Plus, it’ll be on your dinner table in 20 min from start to finish. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
AVOCADO PASTA
The easiest, most unbelievably creamy avocado pasta that everyone will love. And it'll be on your dinner table in just 20 min!
INGREDIENTS
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 ripe avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained and rinsed
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
- To make the avocado sauce, combine avocados, basil, garlic and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, avocado sauce, cherry tomatoes and corn.
- Serve immediately.
NOTES
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Avocado Pasta
The easiest, most unbelievably creamy avocado pasta that everyone will love. And it’ll be on your dinner table in just 20 min!
Avocados. I love them. I could eat them by itself with a little bit of sea salt. I could eat them mashed up in guacamole with an entire bag of chips.
And now, I can eat them in the most glorious, most creamy pasta I’ve ever had. And the best part about this is that there’s no cream or butter in this. All you need is simple, fresh ingredients. That’s it.
So how is this so creamy? Well, all you need are a couple of ripe avocados, fresh basil leaves, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. From there, you can just throw it all into a food processor and give it a whirl! Done and done.
Toss it with your favorite pasta noodles – spaghetti, rotini, macaroni, etc. – along with some fresh veggies. You can really use any veggies you’d like but I loved the sweet corn kernels and crisp cherry tomatoes.
Plus, it’ll be on your dinner table in 20 min from start to finish. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Avocado Pasta
The easiest, most unbelievably creamy avocado pasta that everyone will love. And it'll be on your dinner table in just 20 min!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 ripe avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
- To make the avocado sauce, combine avocados, basil, garlic and lemon juice in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add olive oil in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, avocado sauce, cherry tomatoes and corn.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Why It’s A Smart Choice
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
Servings Per Container 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 670.7 Calories from Fat 307.8
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34.2g 53%
Saturated Fat 4.9g 25%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 106.2mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 80.7g 27%
Dietary Fiber 10.5g 42%
Sugars 5.2g
Protein 14.3g 29%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Using avocados instead of cream is a great way to get rid of saturated fats in favor of mono-unsaturated fats, which can have a positive effect on blood cholesterol. Additionally, this is a great recipe to serve to guests or take to a potluck since it fits into so many different diet needs: vegan, milk-free, or egg-free!
Nutritional information provided by Jessica Penner, RD at Smart Nutrition.
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
6 Uncommon Edible Aphrodisiacs
You’ve heard of strawberries, chocolate and oysters, but what about other foods that add some fire in the bedroom? Check out some surprising ones that made our list. heard of strawberries, chocolate and oysters, but what about other foods that add some fire in the bedroom? Check out some surprising ones that made our list.
Chili Peppers
If you like it hot in the bedroom, then chili peppers might be your best bet for heating things up. Chilies contain capsaicin, a compound that makes the peppers spicy. Capsaicin will also raise your heartbeat, cause you to perspire, and release endorphins that may trigger feelings similar to those experienced during sexual arousal. Chili peppers are good for you, too — they contain antioxidants, flavonoids and double the amount of vitamin C found in citrus fruits.
If you like it hot in the bedroom, then chili peppers might be your best bet for heating things up. Chilies contain capsaicin, a compound that makes the peppers spicy. Capsaicin will also raise your heartbeat, cause you to perspire, and release endorphins that may trigger feelings similar to those experienced during sexual arousal. Chili peppers are good for you, too — they contain antioxidants, flavonoids and double the amount of vitamin C found in citrus fruits.
Avocados
The avocado has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Its ancient Aztec name, ahuacatl, actually means “testicle,” and the fruit was associated with fertility. Avocados are also considered to be a super food because they are high in antioxidants, fiber and monounsaturated fat. This “good” fat has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. So even if an avocado doesn’t do anything for your sex life, it’ll still be great for your health!
The avocado has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Its ancient Aztec name, ahuacatl, actually means “testicle,” and the fruit was associated with fertility. Avocados are also considered to be a super food because they are high in antioxidants, fiber and monounsaturated fat. This “good” fat has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. So even if an avocado doesn’t do anything for your sex life, it’ll still be great for your health!
Turtle Eggs
Mexican folklore attributes mind-blowing qualities to turtle eggs, believing they can inspire desire, as well as prompt the male member to stand at attention. This aphrodisiac must work: the harvesting of marine turtles eggs in places like Florida is one of the reasons that the animal is on the endangered species list.
Mexican folklore attributes mind-blowing qualities to turtle eggs, believing they can inspire desire, as well as prompt the male member to stand at attention. This aphrodisiac must work: the harvesting of marine turtles eggs in places like Florida is one of the reasons that the animal is on the endangered species list.
Asparagus
Known in the world of erotic foods for its phallic form, asparagus is also rich in vitamins and minerals and high in fiber. There are many ways you can take advantage of this tasty veggie — steam it, grill it, roast it or throw it in some pasta or a stir-fry. Don’t be alarmed, though, if 15 minutes or so after you eat this sexy vegetable your urine develops a strange odor — it’s just a natural chemical reaction that will go away once the asparagus has been fully digested.
Known in the world of erotic foods for its phallic form, asparagus is also rich in vitamins and minerals and high in fiber. There are many ways you can take advantage of this tasty veggie — steam it, grill it, roast it or throw it in some pasta or a stir-fry. Don’t be alarmed, though, if 15 minutes or so after you eat this sexy vegetable your urine develops a strange odor — it’s just a natural chemical reaction that will go away once the asparagus has been fully digested.
Figs
Figs are one of the oldest recorded fruits and were highly prized throughout history. The ancients Greeks associated them with love and fertility. Soft and sweet, they are a real delicacy of a fruit.
Figs are one of the oldest recorded fruits and were highly prized throughout history. The ancients Greeks associated them with love and fertility. Soft and sweet, they are a real delicacy of a fruit.
Basil
You know how just the smell of sweet basil can transport you to a better place? Well, the taste of it is much more powerful. It’s said to produce a general sense of well being — some also say that it boosts a person’s sex drive. Regardless of its scientific effects, a meal with basil is a meal well done. And your partner will thank you for that alone.
You know how just the smell of sweet basil can transport you to a better place? Well, the taste of it is much more powerful. It’s said to produce a general sense of well being — some also say that it boosts a person’s sex drive. Regardless of its scientific effects, a meal with basil is a meal well done. And your partner will thank you for that alone.
Monday, 4 August 2014
Edible Aphrodisiacs
History has woven quite a collection of folklore, mythology and superstition around the sexual nature of food. If you look hard enough, you’ll discover that pretty much every food has been touted as an aphrodisiac at one point or another in history. The connection makes sense on a certain level—eating is a primal need associated with pleasure, somewhat akin to arousal. While most of aphrodisiac mythology stems from foods with symbolic colors or shapes, certain foods do contain properties that stimulate pleasure centers in the brain. Whether or not these foods can actually enhance amorous feelings is up for debate.
I decided to delve into the libidinous culinary lore of aphrodisiacs. I’ve included a recipe with each food item, providing a colorful menu of options for a romantic, sensual meal. Try a few and see if sparks fly for you!
I decided to delve into the libidinous culinary lore of aphrodisiacs. I’ve included a recipe with each food item, providing a colorful menu of options for a romantic, sensual meal. Try a few and see if sparks fly for you!
Pomegranate
Some say the forbidden fruit of the Bible was not an apple, but a pomegranate fruit. The word aphrodisiac originates with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and she is credited in Greek mythology with planting the first pomegranate tree. Because of their many seeds, pomegranates are often associated with fertility and abundance. The pomegranate appears as a romantic symbol in sonnets and literature dating back centuries. More recently in 2011, a small study by Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that drinking pomegranate juice daily lowered cortisol levels, which can correspond with increased testosterone in both men and women. Elevated testosterone can lead to heightened moods and increased sexual desire. That said, the study was funded in part by a brand called Pomegreat, so take the results with a grain of salt.
Recipe Suggestion: Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Asparagus
For centuries, cultures all over the globe have lauded the aphrodisiac qualities of asparagus. The Greeks spoke of it in love poetry, the Kama Sutra advised drinking it as a paste and Chinese literature claimed it as a sexual food. It is said the French once dined on three meals of asparagus the day before their wedding in hopes of increasing their libido for the big night ahead. Aside from its obviously phallic shape, asparagus is also packed with calcium, vitamin E and potassium, which aid in cleansing the kidneys and urinary tract as well as giving a dose of extra energy. The aspartic acid found in asparagus helps to neutralize excess ammonia in our bodies, which can lead to fatigue and sexual disinterest. We certainly wouldn’t want that on a romantic evening, would we?
Recipe Suggestion: Roasted Sesame Asparagus
Beets
Beets have long been considered an aphrodisiac in many cultures. Ancient Romans believed that beets and their juice promoted amorous feelings. Frescoes of beets decorate the walls of the Lupanare brothel in Pompeii. In Greek mythology Aphrodite ate beets to enhance her appeal. This quaint folklore actually has some basis in reality. Beets are a natural source of tryptophan and betaine, both substances that promote a feeling of well-being. They also contain high amounts of boron, a trace mineral that increases the level of sex hormones in the human body.
Recipe Suggestion: Roasted Beets with Tahini and Pine Nuts
Coffee
While coffee doesn’t normally come to mind when we think of aphrodisiacs, its ability to give us extra pep cannot be denied. Who can resist the morning scent of freshly brewed coffee? In fact, the scent was found to be a major turn on for women in a study conducted by Mindlab International Laboratory in Sussex, UK. Coffee’s hefty dose of caffeine boosts heart rate and increases blood flow, while its alkaloids can help to maintain sexual performance while also increasing stamina. In addition to all of this, it makes us happy – and a rewarding rush of dopamine is never a bad thing. Just make sure you stick to regular coffee and espresso for your daily boost. A coffee recently marketed to enhance your sex life may in fact be dangerous to your health.
Recipe Suggestion: Rum and Coffee Brisket
Strawberries
The heart-shaped strawberry was once known as a symbol of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. For a time the ancient Greeks forbade the eating of strawberries and all other red foods, which led many to believe that the mysterious berries held great powers. Though they may not possess any magical secrets, the antioxidants and phytochemicals in strawberries help to reduce joint inflammation. Their beautiful color, sweet flavor and shape make them the perfect treat for sharing with your beloved at a seductive meal. If you come across a double strawberry, be sure to break it in half with someone special… an old legend promises that this will bring true love.
Recipe Suggestion: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Honey
It’s not hard to understand why honey has been considered an aphrodisiac for centuries. The very word “honeymoon” stems from the hope for a sweet marriage. Some say honey’s romantic reputation comes from an ancient custom in which newly married couples drank mead, a fermented beverage made with honey, until the first moon of their new union.Hippocrates prescribed honey for sexual vigor. According to an old French wives’ tale, a bee sting was supposedly like being given a shot of pure aphrodisiac. Honey contains boron, which may regulate hormone levels, and nitric oxide, which is released in the blood during arousal. It’s also a symbol of fertility and procreation in some cultures.
Recipe Suggestion: Challah Bruschetta with Lemon, Ricotta and Honey
Artichokes
Greek mythology holds Zeus responsible for the creation of the artichoke. After being rejected by a beautiful young woman, the god turned his object of affection into a thorny and difficult thistle. Tough on the outside and soft on the inside, artichokes are well versed in the game of hard-to-get, but their history as an aphrodisiac is mostly due to folklore. Catherine de Medici, known for her insatiable appetite for both food and romance, brought artichokes to France when she married Henry II. 17th century French writer and sexologist Dr. Nicolas Venette reported that Swedish women who were feeling neglected in the bedroom would serve their husbands artichokes in an effort to increase their desire and stamina. Whether you believe in the romantic power of the artichoke or not, eating one certainly won’t hurt. They’re packed with healthy antioxidants and they’re delicious too!
Recipe Suggestion: Grilled Artichokes
Avocado
When Montezuma shared avocados with Cortez and his fellow conquistadors, the Aztecs explained that their name, ahucatl (also meaning testicle), came not only from their physical appearance, but also because of their ability to incite sexual passion. The Aztecs believed in the aphrodisiac power of the ahucatl so much that they would not allow virginal women to leave the house while they were being harvested. When Louis XIV found his aging libido in need of reviving, he turned to the exotic avocado for help, nicknaming the fruit la bonne poire(the good pear). The Sun King may have been on to something, as avocados are rich in vitamin E, which boosts the immune system and helps give skin a youthful appearance.
Recipe Suggestion: Roasted Asparagus, Avocado and Arugula Salad
Figs
Figs, whose leaves became clothing in the biblical story of Adam and Eve, are filled with antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber and potassium. They are the ultimate paradox in sensual food; their many seeds represent fertility while their leaves are associated with modesty. Rumored to be Cleopatra’s favorite fruit, the erotically shaped fig has been associated with sexuality in almost every culture. In Ancient Greece, where they were believed to be a symbol of love, the arrival of a new fig crop elicited a copulatory ritual. Try them drizzled with honey for an aphrodisiac flavor sensation.
Recipe Suggestion: Fig and Honey Cocktail
Chocolate
On Valentine’s Day, sweet and decadent chocolate reigns supreme. Throughout history chocolate has played many roles, most notably as a symbolic aphrodisiac. Cacao bean pods, the source of chocolate, grow on Theobroma cacao trees, which translates to “cacao, food of the gods.” The Aztecs and Maya used the beans found within the pods as a form of currency. The Maya were known to exchange a few beans for a night of passion at the brothel, while the Aztec emperor Montezuma is rumored to have consumed 50 cups of chocolate each day in order to satisfy his many, many wives. Even the notorious Italian author Casanova mentions chocolate in his memoirs, frequently discussing his habit of consuming cups of chocolate in order to sustain his lustful exploits. So what are chocolate’s passion-inducing qualities? Scientists have narrowed it down to two key components – phenethylamine and tryptophan. The former is a stimulant that is released in the brain when we fall in love, while the latter helps to produce serotonin, a brain chemical associated with elevated moods and sexual arousal. In addition to all of this, the sweet taste and velvety texture of chocolate make for a very satisfying dessert.
Recipe Suggestion: Dark Chocolate Mint Leaves
Monday, 14 July 2014
Why You Should Eat Avocado Seeds
Why You Should Eat Avocado Seeds
Did you know that avocado seeds are full of great health benefits?
Avocado seeds have more antioxidants than most fruits and veggies and contain polyphenols similar to those found in green tea. They are full of more soluble fiber than most foods, which aids in digestion and circulation. In South America, avocado seeds are used to treat dysentery and other GI tract problems. The seeds contain lots of phenolic compounds that can prevent bacterial and viral diseases as well as gastric ulcers.
Eating the seeds may also aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and strokes. Avocado seed lowered cholesterol levels and may protect against arterial plaque formation, according to a study published in the March 2012 journal Plant Foods in Human Nutrition. Researchers credited the seed’s high content of dietary fiber in lowering cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in the intestinal tract and preventing absorption.
Antioxidant activity of avocado seed might also stop cardiovascular disease by preventing lipid oxidation, a process that leads to arterial plaque formation.
Avocado seeds contain a range of antioxidant phytochemicals, including flavanols and proanthocyanidins. These important antioxidants protect your body from free radicals associated with aging and disease. A 2003 study found that the seed of an avocado is much higher in antioxidants, as much as 70 percent greater, than the fruit itself.
Avocado seeds also have natural antibiotic and anti-fungal benefits. According to one study, avocado seed extracts inhibited an assortment of pathogens, including Candida and the mosquito that carries the tropical disease, yellow fever.
Reap the health benefits of avocado seeds today:
Step 1
Cut the avocado and remove the pit. To do this, slice into the avocado and cut it around the pit to remove the halves cleanly. Then insert the tip of your knife into the pit, twist and remove carefully, removing from the end of the knife. Use the avocado on sandwiches or in dips, remembering to save the pit.
Cut the avocado and remove the pit. To do this, slice into the avocado and cut it around the pit to remove the halves cleanly. Then insert the tip of your knife into the pit, twist and remove carefully, removing from the end of the knife. Use the avocado on sandwiches or in dips, remembering to save the pit.
Step 2
Grind the pit into a find powder using a very powerful food processor. The pit is very dense and hard and can damage a weaker food processor. It should have very sharp blades and be contained completely.
Grind the pit into a find powder using a very powerful food processor. The pit is very dense and hard and can damage a weaker food processor. It should have very sharp blades and be contained completely.
The seeds can also be dried in a plastic bag. Once dried, crush them with a hammer and grind in a heavy duty blender. The seeds can also be sliced and roasted in the oven. Avocado seeds are bitter, so the best way to eat them is to add them to smoothies or juices.
The Horrifying Truth About Avocados
- Beth Buczynski
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-horrifying-truth-about-avocados.html
Avocados are a truly spectacular food. Packed full of good fats, carotenoids, folate, and yes, even cancer-fighting nutrients, some have argued that the avocado could be the world’s most perfect food. Just a single bite of this creamy, earthy fruit (yes, it’s a fruit) and you’ll find it difficult to argue with this superlative.
If it seems too good to be true, you might just be right. I recently learned that like diamonds, avocados have a dark and bloody side that almost no one knows about.
The avocado tree is native to Mexico and Central America, so it comes as no surprise that this region still produces most of the world’s supply. In Western Mexico, “avocado farms occupy vast stretches of land, and the rows of low-growing trees resemble the olive gardens of southern Europe,” writes Jan-Albert Hootsen for Vocativ.com. This idyllic setting indicates nothing of the sinister side of the avocado trade, however.
In Michoacán, a state in western Mexico, the avocado is commonly referred to as oro verde, green gold, because it yields more cash than any other crop—including marijuana. And anytime there’s money to be made, corruption isn’t far behind.
“A drug cartel known as the Caballeros Templarios, the Knights Templar, has infiltrated the avocado sector, and now controls the local trade, from production to distribution,” writes Hootsen. “The cartel derived from an earlier group of drug traffickers known as La Familia Michoacana…Not content to traffic marijuana, cocaine and heroin, La Familia set up a variety of extortion rackets in Michoacán. The avocado business was one of them.” Now, farmers must deal with constant extortion, and the reality that The Templarios could take over their plantations and packing plants whenever they want.
The cartel always gets what it wants, both from the avocado farmers and the government bodies that are supposed to regulate them. Through bribes and the threat of violence, Templarios have gained access to official lists of farmers, how much land they cultivate, and how much they produce. This way, the criminals know exactly how much money to demand from the farmers.
“Every link in the avocado production chain is a cash cow for the cartel, from the quadrilleros, or pickers (whose employment agencies are forced to pay $3.50 per worker per day), to those who buy, develop and sell plantations,” writes Hootsen. “The extortion racket is lucrative. In some municipalities, the estimated proceeds come to $3 million per year.”
The truly horrifying part is that unlike drugs and human trafficking (the other favorite pastimes of the cartel) we are all culpable. More than 80 percent of Michoacán’s avocados are exported to the United States. That means every time we crack open one of these precious green fruits, every time we dip a chip into a bowl of guacamole, we’re helping to fuel the cartel’s violent takeover of the avocado industry in Mexico.
The only way to avoid being part of this vicious cycle is to seek out domestically grown avocados, such as those from California, and to support farmers’ rights around the world.
Thursday, 10 July 2014
How to Power Your Body for Meditation With Plant-Based Foods
By Erin Trauth
While meditation can work any time with anyone in most any state of being, it doesn’t hurt to power your body with plant-based foods that will invoke a feeling of calm over us, especially for for those of us who are a little type-A and have trouble calming ourselves for meditative purposes from time to time (I am looking in the mirror on this one). Consider this list as a duel purpose one — you can think of eating these foods specifically to get your body in a more constant state of calm, or, you can think of this as a primer for those working their way into meditation and need a little boost to calm the body. These foods will help in both respects. Either way you eat it, you’ll be munching your way to a more zenned-out you!
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is not only good for your health, but the scent of it can calm you. Thus, if you add it in to your diet throughout the day or before meditation, you may bring your mind to a calmer state sooner. As reported via Eating Well, “When you’re stressed, the scent of coconut may blunt your natural ‘fight or flight’ response, slowing your heart rate. People who breathed in coconut fragrance in a small pilot study at Columbia University saw their blood pressure recover more quickly after a challenging task. The researchers speculate that inhaling a pleasant scent enhances alertness while soothing our response to stress.” Mix up a smoothie with coconut oil added in the morning, or add a tablespoon of it to your daily tea. Be sure to take a big sniff of it before gulping it up too!
Chocolate
I know this is very sad news for all of us (NOT!), but chocolate can indeed be calming. Livestrong explains: “Eating chocolate can cause the brain to produce natural opiates — a chemical well-known for it’s anti-anxiety effects.” In addition, “chocolate is an excellent source of magnesium, a mineral that can help reduce muscle tension, which is a classic sign of anxiety.” If you’re aiming to stay plant-based, opt for dark chocolate, and do be sure to not eat too much, of course. A little nibble before meditation or on days you need some insta-Zen will do the trick just fine.
Asparagus
Asparagus is high in folate, and folate is essential for keeping your cool shades on. All Women’s Talk notes: “Depression and anxiety have been linked to a folic acid deficiency in the body, and asparagus is one of the top food sources of this nutrient.”
Avocados
Not only are avocados flippin’ delicious, but they also are jam-packed with great nutrients that will help keep your mind calm. Prevention explains: “These creamy fruits stress-proof your body. Rich in glutathione, a substance that specifically blocks intestinal absorption of certain fats that cause oxidative damage, avocados also contain lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and more folate than any other fruit. A single serving (about one-quarter of an avocado) has plenty of B vitamins, too.” How’s that for an overachiever? Load up on avocados any time you feel the stress coming on or the need for meditation to set in!
Cashews
Cashews are not only delicious and versatile, but they also contain a hefty dose of zinc. “Low levels of zinc have been linked to both anxiety and depression,” Prevention explains. “Since our bodies have no way of storing zinc, it’s important to get some every day.” What better way to get this dose than with a handful of satisfying and flavorful cashews?
How do you prep your body for even more Zen? Do those of you who meditate (or make a specific attempt to eat for calm) opt for any of these plant-based snacks, or others? Let us know!
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