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Best tips for getting in those leafies

You’ve heard that leafy greens are good for you but how do you get them onto your family’s plate?

Leafy greens are a staple at my house now but it wasn’t always the case.

Here are my top five tips for getting the leafy greens in:

1. Fermented foods; fermented foods are probiotic and enzyme-rich and are so beneficial that they’re also on my list of foods that I try to get in everyday. I love adding leafy greens to my ferments and a little goes a long way.

Here is one of my jars of fermented veggies featuring kale from my garden.

Find all the details for my upcoming online fermentation workshop

 

2. Soups; with the cooler weather here soups will be making a comeback. Add finely chopped leafy greens (such as spinach, parsley, Swiss chard, beet greens, collard greens…) generously to soups at the very end of cooking. The leafy greens won’t affect the flavour but will definitely boost the nutrient content.

Check out my delicious Hearty minestrone with a silky sweet potato base recipe

 

3. Meat loaf; meat loaf can handle a lot of greens and even the fussiest eaters won’t balk at the greens once they taste this flavour-packed recipe. Try it as a meatloaf as described in the recipe or use the seasoned meat for stuffed tomatoes, zucchinis or peppers.

Sexy meatloaf recipe

 

4. Pesto; you may have heard me talk about pesto before but it’s such a delicious way to get the greens in as well as a great way to conserve them, that it deserves another mention.

Check out my easy seven minute pesto demonstration video

 

5. Smoothies; smoothies are an easy way to get greens into your day. If you’re used to all-fruit smoothies, start slow and replace a small part of your fruit by a mild-tasting leafy such as romaine lettuce, mache greens, organic spinach, parsley or baby bok choy . As you get used to the colour and the flavour you’ll gradually be able to increase the amount of greens you add in. Having the greens washed and ready to go increases the likelihood of this happening.

I hope this inspires you to use up those greens before they wilt.

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An apple a day

In most developed countries, cardiovascular disease and cancer are ranked as the top killers. Research clearly shows that these conditions are very strongly linked to lifestyle choices.

What does that mean? It means that we are not simply victims of our genetics or the luck of the draw; we actually have way more power over our health than previously believed.

It has been estimated that 30% of all cancers could be prevented through diet. Another large study showed that folks who ate the highest amounts of fruits and vegetables had a 20% lower risk of heart disease as well as a variety of other illnesses such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, asthma and even cataracts.

Wise diet and lifestyle choices are like money in the bank for safeguarding the quality of our tomorrows.

Allow me to showcase one single fruit; the mighty apple to give you an idea of how powerful whole foods can be for overall health.

Cancer: Apple consumption is linked to a reduced rate of lung cancer in several large studies.

Cardiovascular disease: Apple consumption is directly associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers attribute this to the high flavonoid content of apples.

Asthma and pulmonary function: Specific antioxidants and flavonoids in the apple appear to have a positive impact on asthma and pulmonary function.

Diabetes: Apple consumption has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. This could be due to the quercetin content; a component found in the peel of the apple.

Weight loss: Higher apple intake is associated with improved weight loss according to a study of overweight women in Brazil.

Cholesterol: Apples lower cholesterol and the main benefits seem to come from the fiber. Again, eating the whole fruit is best.

Detoxification: Apples are one of the best sources of glucaric acid, a compound of calcium D- glucarate.  Calcium D-glucarate is a powerful detoxifier of estrogen and has been linked to preventing breast, prostate and colon cancer as well as removing carcinogens and toxins from the body.

Skin and energy: Apples are one of the best sources of malic acid. Malic acid is commonly used in skin care products and for energy complaints such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Apples are available worldwide. They pack well, and their nutrient content remains largely unchanged after months of storage. Selecting organically grown apples is beneficial for the environment and for your health since growers must rely on more natural methods. Best of all they are delicious.

I’ve highlighted the apple but almost every natural whole food has its own reason to shine when it comes to giving your body what it needs to function optimally. Food is powerful.

Call me to learn more about how the Metabolic Balance method can help you manage your weight, regain your vitality, reduce inflammation, balance hormones and prevent health problems naturally using only delicious whole foods – including an apple a day.

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