Valentines Day Treats for Your Sweetheart

Valentines Day treats do not need to be unhealthy.

Avoid the unnecessary sugars, unhealthy fats, and poor quality chocolate (cacao is the way to go!) and make your valentine something sweet in your own kitchen!

I love this recipe (adapted from Doug McNish Eat Raw Eat Well cookbook). It’s loaded with heart healthy fats (bonus…February is heart health month!), tons of minerals from rich cacao powder, and lots of antioxidants from sweet raspberries.

It’s simple to prepare and chances are they won’t last long!

Raspberry Cacao Hemp Heartsraspberry

Ingredients:

1.5 cups shelled hemp seeds (soak for 30 minutes, discard water)
2 cups organic raspberries (I used frozen)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup filtered water
1/4 cup melted coconut oil (melt over low heat till liquid)

Directions:
In a blender or food processor, combine hemp seeds, raspberries, cacao powder and maple syrup. Blend until smooth. Add water and coconut oil and continuing blending until smooth. Spread into a baking dish and freeze for 1-2 hours. Remove from freezer and let sit for 10 minutes to bring to room temperature. Cut into squares or hearts using a cookie cutter.

Looking for other Valentines Day recipe inspirations?

I’ve got you covered!

Check out my:

Chocolate Lover’s Massage Butter

Dark Chocolate Goji Bark

Almond Butter Cups

Enjoy!

 

Happy Valentines Day 🙂
Samantha xoxo

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Top 3 Supplements YOU need to take!

Happy Wednesday!

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine! Today, I wanted to share with you my top 3 supplement recommendations. It can difficult to decide what supplements you need to take and where to start. Hope these suggestions can help you start on the right regime to optimal health and wellness!

Have questions or feedback? Leave your comments below!

Thanks! 🙂

 

 

 

Health & Abundance,
Samantha 🙂

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The Miracle Mineral- MAGNESIUM!

Are you getting enough magnesium?

This incredible mineral is typically the one mineral most people are deficient in; and if you’re not eating enough green veggies, chances are you need Magnesium! Let’s take a look at what this miracle mineral is all about, and what it can do for you!

Magnesium is an essential macro mineral. More than half the magnesium in our bodies, approximately 67%, is found in our bones and teeth, 31% is found intracellularly in soft tissues, and about 1% of magnesium is in our bodily fluids. It is an essential mineral in our body, essential in human metabolism and is required for over several hundred enzyme reactions.

This essential mineral is also necessary for calcium and vitamin C metabolism, as well as potassium, phosphorus, and sodium. It is best to take magnesium between meals or at bedtime, as it requires an acidic stomach for best absorption. Some people may find loose stools when taking too much magnesium. I suggest you start at a low dose, approx. 100mg, and work your way up. I typically take magnesium before bed (around 400mg) to help with muscle relaxation and sleep.

Magnesium levels in the body are primarily controlled by the kidneys. The kidneys will excrete or conserve magnesium according to our bodies needs. How brilliant is that!

Important Functions of Magnesium for Physical and Mental Health:

Magnesium has been known to:

« Help with stress – it relaxes the skeletal muscles

« Helpful in relieving coronary artery spasms – which can lead to a severe heart attack. Magnesium has a great influence on the heart!

« Can prevent high blood pressure – adequate levels of magnesium help lessen calcium flow to vascular cells (which leads to tighter vessels/high blood pressure)

« Important for converting blood sugar into energy – ie. helps to burn fat!

« Essential for effective nerve and muscle functioning

« Keeps teeth healthy and strong

« Aids in fighting depression

« Helps prevent muscle spasms

« Helps prevent calcium deposits and kidney and gallstones

« Helps relieve menstrual cramps

« Supports daily detoxification

Best Natural Sources of Magnesium Are:

* DARK LEAFY GREENS – kale, spinach, rapini, swiss chard

* BEANS – green beans, black beans, pinto beans

* SEEDS – flaxseeds, mustard seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds

* VEGETABLES – summer squash, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets

* GRAINS – quinoa, buckwheat

* FISH – mainly salmon

* CACAO – yup! real, unprocessed raw cacao powder contains LOTS of magnesium. Try my Raw Chocolate Coconut Brownies or my Chocolate Matcha Amaze-balls to get a healthful dose of magnesium. 

As for supplements, I would look for Magnesium Bisglycinate. This type of magnesium is bound to an amino acid for better absorption and utilization by your body.

But, be sure your supplement DOES NOT replace eating whole foods rich in magnesium! Get an array of fruits and veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds and you’ll be feeling the benefits of magnesium in no time!

*As a note, Magnesium Bisglycinate does not typically loosen stools the way Magnesium Citrate does. If you are using Magnesium to help with constipation and bowel movements, look for Magnesium Citrate, not Bisglycinate. 

 

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Chocolate Greens Shake with Amazing Grass Greens Superfood!

A greens powder isn’t very appealing to most people….but if you add chocolate in the mix, then I’m sure you’ll be a little more intrigued!! I’m lovin’ the chocolate greens from amazing grass! Not only do I get a yummy chocolate boost, but I get the amazing benefits of wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, broccoli, acai, maca, acerola cherry…..and the list goes on and on!! This product is definitely a great way get an antioxidant and mineral boost for the day. I made a delicious chocolate smoothie the other day with this product, so I just had to share the recipe with you…..

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk (vanilla or natural)

1 tsp-1tbsp Almond Butter

1 scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate Greens Superfood

1 banana

Blend and Enjoy!

* You can even add a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder for an extra boost!

 

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