5 Reasons to Drink Beet Root Juice..like the Aussies!

I was first introduced to the incredible health benefits of beets while living in Australia. They enjoy putting beets on everything! It is a common food that is added to so many of their dishes! Over here in North America we don’t tend to explore with beets as much as the aussies! The Australians know what’s up when it comes to beets, so here it goes… 5 reasons to drink beet root juice like the aussies!

[Photo Credit: Anna Verdina]

  1. Antioxidant Protection – Many foods contain antioxidant protection. However, what is unique about beets is the unusual type of antioxidants it contains! The colour of beets comes from the antioxidant called betalain, an antioxidant not commonly heard of. It also contains other antioxidants such as manganese and vitamin C. Research is only in the beginning stages to determine the effects of these antioxidants on eye health and nerve tissue health. 
  1. Detoxification – This same unique antioxidant called betalain supports the body in its Phase 2 detoxification process. What does that mean? Well, this is the step that our cells use to attach unwanted toxins to small nutrient groups. This link is critical as it neutralizes the toxins and allows them to pass through our urine, being excreted from the body safely instead of remaining in the body. An important link in Phase 2 is the role of glutathione (another super antioxidant). Beets trigger production of  glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme  which hooks toxins in the body to glutathione for removal from the body. As you can see, Beets lovingly help support the bodies natural detox process!
  1. Anti-inflammatory – Betalains, along with other phytonutrients in beets such as isobetanin and vulgaxanthin (yes, those are a mouthful!) contain many amazing anti-inflammatory properties. These anti-inflammatory benefits aid in the prevention of conditions that are associated with chronic inflammation, such as eczema, diabetes, heart disease, irritable bowel disease and anything ending in “itis,” (ie. Colitis, arthritis, etc). 
  1. Anti-cancer – The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in beets makes this food a probable option for decreasing the risk of several forms of cancer. Lab studies have even proved this on human tumor cells for colon, stomach, nerve, lung, breast, prostate and testicular cancers!
  1. Fiber – Beet fiber and carrot fiber are two food types of fiber that provide unique health benefits that contributes to the health of our digestive tract, colon health and cardiovascular system. 

 Those are merely some of the top health benefits of beets. Beets are a true nutritional powerhouse and definitely worth adding to your diet!

Try our Sweet Beets & Greens Recipe or our Morning Zinger Fresh Beet & Veggie Juice! 

Stephanie xo

 

Source: www.worldshealthiestfoods.com, The World’s Healthiest Foods

 

 

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Chocolatey Black Bean Brownies

Image 2Simple, easy, and mess free!

These brownies are so easy to make. Pile all your ingredients into a food processor and viola! You’ve got delicious brownie batter made from BLACK BEANS!

Yes…ya heard right! These brownies are made with heart healthy, fibrous black beans. I was shocked at how moist they were! They are absolutely delicious and will become a new dessert staple of mine 🙂

I’m prepping for a Women’s Seminar next week and need to introduce them to easy and simple ways to prepare gluten free goodies, minus all the expensive gluten free flours out there. Let’s face it, almond flour, coconut flour; as much as these are staples in my baking, they can be quite costly.

So if you need a chocolate fix that won’t break the bank, make these brownies!

Black beans are packed with protein and fiber, two key macronutrients that help to keep you fuller for longer. This is also beneficial for balancing blood sugar levels.

“One cup of black beans provides over 4 grams of soluble fiber, and this is precisely the type of fiber that researchers have found especially helpful in lowering blood cholesterol levels. Decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarct (MI, or heart attack) have both been associated with increased intake of soluble fiber from food” – WHF.

In just 1 cup of black beans, you’ll get a super dose of magnesium, B1, folate and iron. All nutrients essential for your health. Not to mention the extra magnesium and antioxidant boost you’ll get from the added cacao powder!

Now let’s get backing!

Gluten Free Chocolatey Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients:

1 14oz. can black beans (I use Eden Organic)
3 organic eggs
½ cup of cacao powder
½ cup coconut oil, softened (room temp)
½ cup coconut sugar
½ cup of dark chocolate chips
1 tsp ground vanilla bean or vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon of baking soda
½ cup roughly chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350F
and grease a brownie pan with coconut oil.
2. Add all ingredients except walnuts to a food processor and puree to create your batter.
3. Add batter to brownie pan and gently stir in walnuts.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

 

Other ingredient options:

– Add 1/3 cup dried cherries for extra sweetness

– Try using ½ cup maple syrup instead of coconut sugar

– Butter works well instead of coconut oil

– High quality cocoa powder can substituted for cacao

– Top with toasted coconut flakes

 

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Perfectly Pear Smoothie

I’ll be the first to admit it….

When it’s this cold outside (-10!), it’s difficult for me to reach into the fridge and grab some greens!

I do it anyways…as eating my greens is super important for feeling incredibly vibrant, but I definitely need to talk myself into whipping up a large salad, or a cold smoothie.

Smoothies and salads are great during the summer months to keep us cool and fuelled!

During the winter, you just need to get a little creative with your greens.

As you know, I’m an avid smoothie drinker and like to think of myself as the Queen of smoothies.

So here’s a simple smoothie recipe that is perfect for the cold winter months.

It contains a mix of ‘warming’ spices that help to heat your internal body temperature while still offering you a whopping dose of minerals and antioxidants from ‘cold’ greens!

Ginger and cinnamon are amazing spices to add to your smoothies as they help to fire up your digestive juices, plus they offer a ton of antioxidants and help to support the health of your liver!

Here’s the recipe…

Ingredients:

2 cups spring water 
1 cup coconut water
half a pear
half a banana
half a kiwi
juice of half a lemon

large handful of spinach
2 tsp spirulina (Giddy Yoyo makes a great one!)
1 tsp ground or fresh ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp chia seeds
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional, but great to add if this is for breakfast to help keep you full)

Blend all ingredients together in a high speed blender. 

Drink  & Enjoy!

To Your Health & Abundance,
Samantha 🙂

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Happy Halloween! Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Happy Halloween!

How more fitting to celebrate this super fun day then to make recipes full of pumpkins!

I absolutely LOVE pumpkins! From pie, to smoothies, to pancakes and even lattes…..I’ve been whipping up pumpkin recipes like no tomorrow!

I think I may have to stock pile cans of organic pumpkin puree just so I can continue to make delicious recipes this season!

This smoothie recipe have become a staple in my morning routine. Delicious, easy to make and nourishing!

Pumpkin is incredibly rich in beta carotene – a super nutrient that converts to vitamin A. This incredible vitamin helps boost your immune system, is heart protective and is essential for eye health.

In just 1 cup of pureed pumpkin (organic of course!), you get a whooping 7 grams of fibre and 3 grams of protein. Plus, its really low cal (if you’re into that whole calorie counting thing….me…not so much!). This makes it a perfect addition to your morning smoothies! Protein + fibre = a happy and full tummy!

I’ve added some extra key ingredients to my pumpkin smoothie, such as additional protein for the extra fullness factor, immune support and beautiful lean muscle building benefits. Can’t go wrong with a little extra protein! 🙂

Some extra fruit and blood sugar balancing cinnamon gave this smoothie the perfect sweetness!

 

Image 6

Also, take a look at the pumpkins we carved this year! Every year my boyfriend and I get together with his sisters and we have a pumpkin carving contest! I won this year! Yay! I carved BANE (villain from Batman) and it was a winner! Thought he would make the perfect Halloween Villain!

Image 3

Happy Carving!

Health & Abundance,
Samantha

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