STAY WARM....STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY Keeping the winter blues at bay

  Its not often that I submit to the idea of winter, each day dressing as if the sun was going to come out, and as illogical that is, it get's me through the colder months...because the truth is that the sun is on it's way...it always is.  The colder months give us an opportunity to go within and close the doors on the past year, just like on the farm its from the darkness that the new seeds grow.  Winter serves us, it enables us to stop and focus, to re-seed, to start again... So use this time to look after you...don't give in to the winter colds and flu's, or the winter blues.

  

Get outside and get moving

 Make a commitment to your self to spend some time outside everyday, get fresh air circulating through your lungs, absorb some vitamin D, and move your body. Sweat. Breathe deeply.

Breathe through your nose

A large majority of people have a tendency to breathe through their mouth, this bad habit contributes to many associated respiratory problems, reduced CO2 content in alveoli of the lungs, and pathological effects due to suppressed nitric oxide utilisation including bacterial infections, depression and many other ailments. When we breathe through our nose, we utilise out own nitric oxide that is generated in the sinuses. Nitric oxide functions to destruct 

viruses, parasitic organisms, and malignant cells in the airways and lungs

 by inactivating their respiratory chain enzymes.

Eat whole

Trytophan is an essential amino acid that regulates serotonin in the brain, meaning that this mighty amino acid has the ability to make you feel good and keep the winter blues at bay.  Try foods like quinoa, raw pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds. 

GO GREEN

Its only natural in winter to crave warmer heavier foods, these foods warm from the inside, they also have a tendency to make people tired because alot of energy is diverted to  the digestive tract for digestion. Despite the need for warm foods be sure to include raw greens everyday. A green smoothie or a green juice will leave you feeling light and full of energy as well as nourishing you with vitamins and minerals. Try it for a week and see how you feel....the difference is amazing!

 This week we are all about green, check out our new recipes this week for green foods and enjoy better health.

  

Thank you all for your amazing support, helping to build a better food system,  

Angela

organic empire, local organic food, organic fruit, fresh organic vegetables,

  

Spring cleaning and becoming earthed.

Spring is just about sprung and it is just about time to start peeling off the layers. As we let go of the old and make way for the new, the coming cycle brings with it a feeling of ascension and new growth. The freshness and cleansing that comes from the active burst of greenery in these new beginnings places emphasis the need to include more raw and fresh foods into our daily living. Spring is the season of revitalisation and is of many simplistic beauties. 

Seasonal foods to enjoy and why…

Seasonal food…	Healthful benefits…
Cauliflower	Rich in antioxidants called Indoles which are helpful to protect against hormonally-related cancers, as well as assisting with the detoxification of chemical substances from the body. Cauliflowers go well in mild curries and with rice dishes and can be sliced thinly into salads.  Be cautious with too much raw cauliflower if you have an underactive thyroid.
Carrots	Rich in natural B-carotene which is important for maintaining healthy vision and for liver cell protection against alcohol and other damaging environmental chemicals. Eat carrots raw as a snack, grated into sandwiches and lightly steamed at dinner. Be cautious with too much carrot juice as it is quite high in sugar causing a blood-sugar spike.
Cabbage	Rich in glutamine, vitamin C and potent antioxidant glutathione, good for keeping skin youthful and beautiful. Can be helpful for hormonal balance when eaten regularly. Cabbage is an excellent source of glutamine and can assist with the healing of stomach ulcers.
Broccoli	An excellent booster of vitamin C and folic acid for the health blood cells and immune system. Only have organic broccoli, as it tends to be one of the most heavily laden with pesticides.
Kiwi fruits	Rich in enzymes and antioxidants, enhancing digestion to improve the breakdown of food into nutrients. Kiwi fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and fibre making it is great for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Strawberries	Cleansing and strengthening for the elastic collagen structures of the skin, artery and tendons. Traditionally strawberries have been used to heal problems with the gums, including for the removal of tartar build up and gum diseases.
Oranges	Vitamin C increases the absorption of minerals like iron and calcium from plant based food, this can be beneficial for vegetarians and those choosing to eat a more naturally-based diet. The white fleshy part is rich in bioflavonoids which is potent healers for hemorrhoids.
Apples	Contain antioxidant quercetin which is naturally antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and is healing for the immune system.  Apple seeds contain a substance which converts to the toxin cyanide in the body, for safety avoid having large amounts of apple seeds or remove before use.
Leafy green vegetables	Rich in important magnesium and chlorophyll which are both essential for preventing arthritis and bone and joint problems. Eat 2 cups or more daily for optimal results.

A great way to ‘get your greens in’, is to start off the day with a Green smoothie. A basic recipe is as follows (serves 2):

Blend for 1 minute- 1 ½ medium banana, 1 cup berries, 2 cups cos lettuce, 1 ½ cups fresh filtered water. YUM!

After the long and cold winter, that refreshing sense of revitalisation, rejuvenation and renewal, is just the most beautiful motivator to get us out of the house and into the great outdoors. Oxygenating the body is a major key to good health; and this can be done through exercise and through food. Choose an abundance of brightly coloured seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables and opt for less packaged and processed foods, which lack vital force.

Start to become more ‘earthed’ and spring into action by taking these simple lifestyle measures: 

• Rise early with the sun and take a brisk walk to get the blood flowing 
• Take small breaks during the day, outdoors
• Breathe deeply whilst stretching in the sun
• Take a walk on your lunch break in the local park
• Drink plenty of fresh filtered water
• Spend weekend afternoons in the garden with the family pet
• Eat some fresh raw foods with every meal
• Pick fresh herbs from your garden and sprinkle them on meals
• Make a delicious green smoothie

In this current day and age of technology, we can sometimes forget to reconnect with nature and be thankful for our food source. Ultimately, our connection to, and understanding of food should bring us closer to nature. 

“Our food is in our nature, and our nature is in our food” 

By becoming more aware of the impact our food choices have on the environment, and by choosing to eat organically, we are choosing to take a more holistic approach to foods. 

“Love your foods, love your body, heal-thy world”

For a more personally tailored approach to Natural Nutrition Therapy for Optimal Spring Health Cleansing and Detoxification, contact Know Foods Australia. Nutrition Therapist Jessica St Clair Rogers practices at clinics in Middle park and Brighton. Treat yourself and your health to a Personalised Eating Plan at Know Foods Australia TODAY!! 

Contact Jessica on 0431 039 277 or Visit www.knowfoods.com.au