NutriBullet!!!

As it relates to my health, one of my most favored purchases this year has been my NutriBullet. I mentioned in a previous post Green For Life, that I indulge in a green smoothie every morning for breakfast. Well, the NutriBullet is not just a blender, nor a juicer, it's an extractor! According to their website, its extraction process "makes extremely beneficial vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients BIOAVAILABILE, which means they are broken down for optimal absorption into the bloodstream."

Sipped w/a straw!

I love my NutriBullet because it is extremely powerful and affordable - $99 at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond stores. The price alone, saved me from buying a much more expensive blender, with about the same watts!

See mine in action (photo on the right)! I switch up recipes every day, pending on my mood. In this particular photo, I used spinach, bananas (bananas are a staple ingredient for me), blueberries, pineapples, ground flaxseeds, honey, goji berries, raw oats and Vega One supplement powder.

Cheers!

Goji Berries

Goji's in my Green Smoothie

Goji Berries are berries that are mostly grown in Tibet or China. They are full of antioxidants and are known to naturally boost your energy levels and provide you with an overall greater sense of well-being.

To me, Goji Berries taste awful if you're eating them alone. However, I like to add them to my smoothies to jump start my day! They can be found here on Vitacost. I've also found them in my local health food store for a higher price.

Cheers!

Have you tried Goji Berries? What do you think?

Pantry Organization

A major factor for me in eating healthy is having fun with it! I allow for my OCD traits to take over when bringing home groceries! I find it so pleasurable to open up my pantry and be able to put my hands on exactly what it is that I am searching for. It always makes re-stocking less time-consuming, because you already know where it goes! Also, you know when you are out of something in order to add it to your grocery list.

If interested in having me organize your pantry or go over specific ideas, there is a special package included along with the Grocery Store Tour!

Email me at jennifer@food-mood.org to find out more!!

Bananas!

A sweeter banana to try
are Baby Bananas.

I talk a lot about adding bananas to my smoothies, but I haven't told you why. I enjoy them because they are sweet and I prefer the creamy texture in my smoothies, but this lovely fruit has much more to offer!

Bananas are full of amino acid tryptophan, which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, insomnia and premenstrual syndrome. They also contain serotonin, which naturally helps to overcome depression.

Bananas are filled with dynamic antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin C, which helps to boost your immune system and protects you from heart disease and cancer. Vitamin B6, which is also in bananas, helps to regulate your nervous system and promote healthy skin.

Grocery Shopping = FUN!

I have a secret to tell...some years ago, I used to hate going grocery shopping! Truthfully, the more I grew accustomed to eating healthier, the more I loved running to the store to pick up my weekly fruits and veggies.

Let's look at 5 ways I made grocery shopping more like a hobby:

1. I make small lists that cover the essential food groups, but also explore every aisle. I do this because there is always something new that I find, that I would not have normally found by sticking only to the list.
2. Go on a day when there's not many shoppers. I've learned that if I go grocery shopping during the week, I run into less buggies. This allows for more exploration.
3. Sample foods! Well, my favorite grocery store is called H-E-B (Here Everything is Better -- & it is!) and there's someone giving out food samples around almost every corner.
4. Find a new recipe in your favorite cookbook (or online, like I do) and search for ingredients. You'll be surprised at how many different foods you'll find when you're shopping for things you've never cooked before.
5. HAVE FUN!! Try not to look at it as a chore. Your Health = Your Wealth!

Power of Garlic!

Garlic Bulbs

I am an avid garlic user, and when I say "avid", I mean I use it in just about any meal I am cooking! I love the smell of garlic oozing out of my pores! Many may not be aware of the benefits of eating garlic and the affects it has on your moods. Garlic is one of many herbs that can be eaten raw or cooked in dishes. According to the Ayurvedic Cure website, researchers have shown that those who eat garlic raw, experienced lifts in their mood and had increased feelings of well-being. The site also goes on to list how garlic can lower feelings of anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and agitation (all common symptoms associated with depression).