We all know that in order to
lead a healthy life we need to eat nutritious, wholesome food. So If you
pledged to make healthier eating choices in your resolutions for the new year,
picking up a few superfoods can make achieving your goals easy!
The term ‘superfood’ has
become a popular buzzword in the language of food and health, but what are
superfoods? Well it seems that there’s no official scientific definition of a
superfood, but it’s generally accepted that superfoods contain high levels of
much-needed vitamins and minerals. They can also be a source of antioxidants;
substances that shield
our bodies from cell damage and help prevent disease.
While there are a great number of common foods that provide these nutrients,
there is also an array of more exotic and less mainstream superfoods that are worth
getting to know if you are feeling a little adventurous. Wheatgrass or barley grass is
definitely one of them. If you believe the hype, wheatgrass has a higher
nutritional content than any other vegetable, protects against inflammation,
builds red blood cells and improves circulation. Wheatgrass also contains
chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, calcium and magnesium. The
juice has also been used to heal wounds, shrink tumours, increase haemoglobin
levels and used to treat skin conditions, although I believe none of this has
ever actually been scientifically proved.
Another interesting
ingredient that also claims to be a superfood is Spirulina –It’s a fresh water
seaweed that helps you stay focused, nourished and energised! It’s rich in
protein and helps weight loss by curbing cravings and preventing overeating.
With its deep green colour, spirulina is often used as a natural colorant and
it can be delicious stirred into risottos and smoothies.
It might be just about
impossible that you have not heard about the benefits of Aloe Vera. Apparently
it heals skin, sprained ligaments and also contains anti-bacterial properties
and anti-inflammatory properties. Meaning "shining bitter substance"
in Arabic, the Aloe plant has been consumed and applied topically for thousands
of years but have you ever cooked with it?
The inner flesh of the leaf
is where you will find the medicinal aloe that has a jelly-like consistency and
is somewhat translucent in appearance. The juice has an astringent flavor that
is mildly bitter with a refreshing aftertaste. Most of the bitterness can be
removed by cooking the gel very slowly over a gentle flame. I have created many
dishes with aloe vera combining it in deserts with wild strawberries and kefir
and paring it with salt cod in one of my signature dishes with peas and
lemongrass.
Other so called superfoods
you might also like to try include Chia seeds that help release starch slowly,
balancing blood sugar levels and Goji berries. Popular among celebs
such as Madonna, goji have been used in Chinese medicine
for more than 6,000 years.
These shrivelled red
berries are alleged to boost the immune system and brain activity and
protect against heart disease, cancer, and improve life expectancy. It’s time to kick start the New Year
with some delicious smoothies and stay healthy in 2017!
PEAR, WATERCRESS & SPIRULINA SMOOTHIE
WITH KIWI & LIME
Ingredients
2 pears, cored
2 kiwis, peeled
125g watercress
1tsp spirulina powder
100g natural yoghurt
Juice of one lime
Place the pears, kiwis,
watercress, spirulina powder, lime juice and yoghurt in a blender and blend
until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve
ALOE VERA, APPLE & CELERY SMOOTHIE
WITH KALE
Ingredients
200ml aloe vera juice
1 green apple, cored &
diced
2 celery sticks, peeled
& diced
200g green kale leaves,
chopped
Juice of one lime
Place the aloe vera juice,
apple, celery, kale and the lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth.
Add a little cold mineral
water, a little at a time, to achieve a smooth consistency and blend again.
Pass through a fine sieve and pour into glasses and serve
STRAWBERRY, RASPBERRY & POMEGRANATE SMOOTHIE WITH
GOJI BERRIES
Ingredients
2 tablespoons dried goji
berries
150g strawberries,
de-stalked
100g frozen raspberries
200g fat-free natural
yoghurt
200ml pomegranate juice
In a small bowl mix the goji
berries and 1 tablespoon of water, allow to set for 15 minutes to make the
berries softer. Place the frozen raspberries, goji berries, strawberries,
pomegranate juice and yoghurt in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into
glasses and serve
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