5 springtime detox foods that can also get you in shape for summer!

With summer right around the corner it's time to knock those eating habits into healthy ones, make sure to stock up on these 5 vitamin filled detoxing foods to help shed any unwanted weight.

1) kale

For a green, kale is unusually high in fiber. This helps create the bulk you need to fill you up and to keep you full for a good amount of time. Kale is also an excellent source of nutrients, especially vitamin A and calcium. With a combination of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, kale is a dieter's dream food.

2) blueberries

 

Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse with a small calorie footprint. For example, blueberries contain Vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Blueberries also contain fiber that assists your digestive system. They contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium. Finally, a half-cup of blueberries has only 40 calories. This potent combination makes the fruits a healthy and nutritious option for any weight-loss program.

3.) cabbage

 

Cabbage offers a major payoff -- the fewest calories and least fat of any vegetable. This powerful veggie is a must for dieters trying to lose weight.

From green cabbage you'll enjoy a fiber boost and a respectable amount of vitamin C. Two types of cabbage, savoy and bok choy, provide beta-carotene - an antioxidant that battles cancer and heart disease. For those who don't eat dairy products, bok choy is an important source of calcium, which may help prevent osteoporosis and aid in controlling blood pressure.

4.) broccoli

 

As broccoli helps you lose weight, it also provides health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, boosting your heart health and lowering your risk of cancer. Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins C, K and A, as well as folate and dietary fiber.

5) onions

Onions are full of fiber and flavor, eating fiber helps you stay full longer, which helps control your weight. It also helps control your blood sugar levels, which may help reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Until next time!

-Emily

Spring Cleansing: Detoxifying Bath

 Spring is here and it marks a time of ridding the body of toxins. A lot of us think of doing juice cleanses and fasts as a means of detoxing, but there are many options. One of my favorite cleansing rituals is a detoxifying bath. One of the most simple and easy baths you can do in the comfort of your own home is a Himalayan Pink Sea Salt Bath.

 It’s this easy: Fill your bath tub with desired warm-hot water temperature. Put a tablespoon of Himalayan Pink Sea Salt in tub as bath is filling. Add some essential oil, such as lavender, which has relaxation properties, if you wish.  

Pink Himalayan Crystal Sea Salt has several health benefits:

-it controls the body water levels

-it helps balances the pH in your cells

-it balances blood sugar levels

-it reverses signs of aging

-it helps the body absorb vitamins & minerals

-helps prevent sinus problems

-increases bone strength

-creates a healthy libido

-promotes healthy sleep patterns

-helps the functioning of the respiratory and vascular systems

 Turn down the lights in your bathroom. Light some candles. Perhaps play some soothing music. Make this detoxifying bath a relaxing experience. Relaxation exercises decrease cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in the body, which aids in weight loss. And, you can take as many baths as you want!

I am here to help you live the healthiest life possible in any way that I can. Contact me anytime & check out my website at www.emilyspowerfoodsliving.com

Until next time, 

-Emily

Farm to Table dining is Here!

If you have not been and you like healthy clean food, you must go to FEED Body & Soul on Abbot Kinney in Venice. It has been open for about a month now; I went for dinner about a week after it opened and I look forward to going back.

When you walk into Feed you know you are in for a healthy dining experience.  The atmosphere is fun, casual, and city-like. 

When you walk in you will see their wild salmon roasting. At dinner you can order everything from a smoothie to an Acai Bowl to grass fed steak or stuffed organic chicken.

I personally loved the grass-fed beef, the wild salmon, and the vegan coconut cake. They also have a full bar with organic wine.

For health foodies like myself, the menu will knock your socks off, and for those who do not eat really healthy, I do not think you will know the difference! 

I love that Abbot Kinney with all of its stores, restaurants, and bars are right outside so you can make a fun night around your dinner out. FEED is also open for lunch. The beach is also a few blocks away if you want to meander to that way.

I can see FEED as a place for family dining, taking out groups of friends, parties, or even a romantic night for two! 

Love this spot! 

Until next time!

-Emily

Delicious Dandelions!

 Did you know Dandelion's were used for more then just beauty and pollen for the bees?

 Dandelion is used for loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, muscle aches, eczema, and bruises. Dandelion is also used to increase urine production and as a laxative to increase bowel movements. It is also used as skintoner, blood tonic, and digestive tonic.

Some people use dandelion to treat infection, especially viral infections, and cancer.

In foods, dandelion is used as salad greens, and in soups, wine, and teas. The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute.

How does it work?

Dandelion contains chemicals that may increase urine production and decrease swelling (inflammation).

Grab youtself a cup of Dandelion tea, its a simple way to enhance your diet, support your insides and live healthy! Check Whole Foods or your local health market for both loose leaf or pre bagged tea! 

Dandelion tea works great to purify the blood and cleanse the system.

Dandelion tea enhances detoxification, by stimulating urination and, in addition, by replacing the potassium lost in that process.

Dandelion tea is one of the most effective herbs for getting the bloat out and helping relieve water retention.

Dandelion tea has specific action in reducing inflammation, of the gall bladder and of the bile duct, and for rheumatism and arthritis

Dandelion tea improves the function of and maintains optimum liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and gall bladder functions

Dandelion tea helps in treating chronic hepatitis and jaundice disorders, and encourages healing of damaged tissues caused by alcohol liver disease

Dandelion tea contains antioxidants that help your body fight off toxic bacteria and viruses.

To healthy living!

-Emily

Emily’s Healthy Vegetable Soup

It’s chilly outside and I was craving some vegetable soup, so I decided to come up with my own recipe. My Mom gave me some tips and I took it from there. I hope you enjoy this recipe for vegetable soup with your loved ones as I do!

 

Wash & Chop your vegetables. You can use whatever vegetables you like. I like carrots, kale, broccoli, celery, onions, garlic and zucchini. Use what is in season, looks fresh, and buy organic whenever possible.

Start by sauteing your onions and garlic in a pot on the stove at a low heat. Add your carrots and celery once onions and garlic are reasonably cooked; after about 5-10 minutes. Also add about ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth. Allow to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

Next, add your remaining chicken broth and 1 cup of water followed by the chopped kale and broccoli. Now all of your vegetables (or at least mine on this day) are in the pot cooking. Keep at a low heat.

 

Add pepper and herbs of your choice. I like adding thyme. Sometimes I will add a herb blend. This is a very healthy soup and can be bland if you do not add the herbs. Add your favorite herbs, taste the soup, and if you need to add more, do so! Cover the soup with a lid and allow to cook on a low to medium heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

Taste the soup occasionally to make sure you are not over or under cooking it. Cooking really is EASY! Remember that once you turn the heat off, the soup will continue to cook a little in the pot.

 

 

Make this soup when you have an afternoon to relax and enjoy the cooking process. Enjoy the aroma of your kitchen.   

 

Happy Cooking!!  And Healthy Days!!

-Emily

5 Tips on How to Relax in the Remainder of the Winter Months

In the midst of work, family, and friends sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves, so look through some tips that I have listed for great ways to thank your body for taking care of you~

1.)  Treat yourself to a massage.

2.) Take a bath with essential oils

3.) Read a good book in front of the fire.

4.) Play relaxing music.

   

5.) Enjoy hot herbal teas with raw honey & lemon.

Until Next time!

-Emily

Food Focus: Oils & Fats

 

Not all oils and fats are created equal! Heavily processed, hydrogenated, “trans” fats and oils that are used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. 

These are the fats in fast food. However, fats and oils from whole foods and other high-quality sources can steady our metabolism, keep hormone levels even, nourish our skin, hair and nails and provide lubrication to keep the body functioning fluidly. Our bodies also need fat for insulation and to protect and keep our organs in place.

 

A healthy percentage of high-quality fat in a meal satisfies and leaves feelings of energy, fulfillment and warmth. When there are excess fats and oils in the diet, especially heavily processed fats, symptoms can include weight gain, skin breakouts, high blood pressure, liver strain and an overall feeling of mental and emotional heaviness. Signs of insufficient high-quality fats are brittle hair and nails, dry skin, hunger after meals and feeling cold.

 

There are many sources of healthy fats and oils:

• For sautéing and baking, try butter, ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil because they do not break down when used at high temperatures.

• When sautéing foods at moderate temperatures, try organic extra virgin olive oil.
• Oils like flaxseed, sesame seed, toasted sesame, walnut and pumpkin seed are best used unheated in sauces or dressings on top of salads, veggies or grains.

• Other healthy fats are found in whole nuts and seeds and in their butters like almond butter or tahini.

• Whole foods such as avocados, olives, and coconuts are great sources of healthy fat, along with wild salmon and omega-3 and omega-6 organic eggs.

 

Experiment with these healthy fat sources and see which work best for you and leave you satisfied.

 

When selecting oils, buy the highest quality organic products you can afford, since cooking oils are the backbone of so many dishes. Good words to look for on the label are organic, first-pressed, cold-pressed, extra-virgin, and unrefined. Words to avoid are expeller pressed, refined, and solvent extracted. 

Until next time!

-Emily