This past Mother’s Day, my Mom gifted me this basket of herbs. Over the past month it has really flourished, particularly the basil. Basil is my all-time favorite herb. I use it in sandwiches, sprinkled over pasta, and to make pesto. Basil is packed vitamins A and K, manganese, copper, and folate. In addition, it’s teeming with disease-fighting antioxidants and flavonoids. Last week I stumbled onto a green smoothie recipe that uses avocados, spinach, cucumbers and basil. I tweaked the recipe a bit and it was GLORIOUS!
This green smoothie recipe is packed with antioxidants and makes a great post workout recovery meal, especially if you add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil
• 1 small cucumber, chopped
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 banana, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 cups plain almond milk (or any milk you prefer)
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp hemp hearts
• 2 tsp honey Continue reading “Breakfast Today: Green Smoothie With Basil”
Once the weather gets warmer, I start turning away from soups and stews and love eating salads, especially ones with interesting flavors and lots of color. This salad has plenty of flavor and color!
The next time you are at the grocery store, you may want to think twice before you pass on blemished or misshapen fruits and vegetables. Not only does cosmetic imperfection cause tons of food waste, but it is now believed that “ugly” fruits and vegetables may be more nutritious for you. Many people even say that they taste better, too. Researchers believe that blemishes could actually cause the produce to have higher antioxidant levels. Stress such as weather and pests cause fruits and vegetables to ramp up their defenses, resulting in higher health-promoting nutrients.
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating form of dementia that affects thinking, memory and behavior. A new study by Dr. Robert Krikorian and his team of colleagues from the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center has found that eating blueberries can help fight Alzheimer’s.
Stuffed peppers are delicious, but if you want to try something different, stuffed sweet potatoes may become your new favorite. This recipe combines three superfoods – lentils, sweet potatoes and kale – to make this hearty and heart-healthy dish, loaded with fiber and all sorts of nutrients.
