So today I had my new usual, eggs and a juice smoothie. Oh man they are just delicious and healthy. One motivation for me is finding out what makes them healthy. If I can eat a fruit and think of all the benefits while chewing then I feel even better about eating it. Also, food is like medicine or poison to our bodies. If I'm struggling with a sickness or symptom of something then I can reach for a food I know will help the problem and know what to avoid.
Here's a new favorite smoothie of mine. I want to look at the health benefits and feel inspired on this Monday to reach my goals! Hopefully this will motivate you, as well :)
Pineapple Almond (this is just what I'm naming it)
1/2 cup Pineapple
1/2 cup Spinach
3-4 Strawberries
1/2 Apple
1 tbsp Flaxseed
1/4-1/2 cup Almond Milk
Pineapple- holy cow there are so many benefits. How to pick a ripe one? Well, they stop ripening as soon as they're picked, there's nothing you can do to ripen it more, so pick one that smells fruity and "tropical."
To name a few benefits, it is high in manganese which aids in bone development. Your body cannot absorb calcium if it doesn't have good levels of manganese and magnesium. This is why we live in the country with the highest amounts of bone loss, we consume the most calcium of any other country but the least of the foods that promote bone growth. Eating too much calcium actually causes bone loss. Who would have thought?
Ok, back to benefits. One cup provides 75% of manganese needs for the day! It's also a digestive aid and helps your body use protein efficiently. It's an anti-inflammatory which helps with osteoporosis and arthritis, just a half cup helps with that. It is high in vitamin C and reduces mucus in the throat. So if you have a cold, eat or drink fresh pineapple! This is where knowing these things come in handy. When you have a sinus infection don't drink milk because it produces more mucus and eat pineapple to reduce it! It also helps reduce blood clots and discourages plaque growth in the mouth. If that's not motivating, I don't know what is! It tastes yummy and has so many benefits that could help prevent or aid in things people take medication for everyday (I'm not saying it eliminate meds altogether but it certainly will prevent getting there).
Spinach- this helps a host of things such as different cancers, etc. Read more in another post I did HERE.
Strawberries- there are loads of benefits....The phenols in strawberries also fight against many inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis, by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) in the same way that the drugs aspirin and ibuprofen do. Strawberries, however, do not carry unwanted side effects like stomach and intestinal bleeding.
They also aid in preventing cancer, help eye health, lower blood pressure, and contain lots of vitamin C. Read more HERE
Apple- helps reduce bacteria in your mouth, giving you healthier teeth. It helps prevent Alzheimer's disease, protects against Parkinson's disease, reduces your risk of getting Pancreatic cancer by 23%, reduces gallstones, digestive problems, and reduces cholesterol. There are more benefits so read the rest HERE
Flaxseed- helps reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. It is high in fiber and helps with weight loss as well. Read more benefits HERE
Almond Milk- it has high amounts of Vitamin A, E, D which are fat-soluble vitamins our bodies need. It is also high in Calcium which helps with bone growth and strength. Almond milk is an excellent replacement of cow's milk because it contains no dairy and our bodies can digest it properly unlike cow's milk. If you'd like to read more then go HERE.
So I'm motivated! Think about all those benefits in just one smoothie!! This is the kind of stuff I like to read about. Not only is it low in calories which helps with weight but it has so many benefits that not having it actually harms my health! Usually we only look at foods that we really shouldn't eat and try to find an excuse to have "just a slice" or a bite, but there's no worries with this!
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