So here they are
Extra Virgin Coconut oil
I buy Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut oil. This is my go to oil for everything! I use it to make stir fries, in baking, and even melted on air popped popcorn. I put this &*^% on EVERYTHING! When I say everything I mean it. Check out my beauty and well being page for more ways to use this. Anything that calls for oil, or butter I usually substitute extra virgin coconut oil for. This oil is solid at room temperature and has a nice coconut-y scent.
There has been a lot of controversy about this oil; however if the fats are broken down, it is high in saturated fats, but the fats in this particular oil contain lauric acid. Lauric acid has anti bacterial and anti viral properties. This oil is known to aid in weight loss, to kill off bacteria in the digestive tract, and to strengthen the immune system.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I use extra virgin olive oil on salads, and to drizzle on food items that have already been cooked. I really enjoy drizzling this oil on a baked sweet potato with a pinch of sea salt. It is best and healthiest to add extra virgin olive oil to foods after cooking to retain the vitamins, and health benefits in the oil. When extra virgin olive oil is heated past its smoke point, it turns toxic like most oils that are found on our grocery store shelves. Once the oil turns toxic, the toxins deposit in our fat cells in our bodies.
When choosing a cooking oil, it is important to choose unrefined, organic, and cold pressed oils, and to add them to our foods after cooking.
Pepitas
Pepitas are shelled pumpkin seeds. They are one of my favourite things to snack on, I add them to veggie and fruit salads, and sprinkle on top of pancakes or oatmeal. The health benefits of pepitas are almost endless. These seeds contain vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin B, riboflavin, thiamin, iron, healthy fat, protein, omega 3 and omega 6. I love pepitas! I always keep these in my purse or car so that if hunger pangs hit, I have these healthy seeds to snack on.
Raw Almonds
I love almonds! I also keep these in my purse or car for easy snacking. Almonds are packed with vitamin E, fibre, protein, folic acid, riboflavin, and monounsaturated fats. I eat these with apples all the time as a quick and easy snack.
Almond Butter
I always have almond butter on hand. I buy MaraNatha Raw Almond Butter. This is all natural and only contains 1 ingredient, almonds of course. This has the same health benefits as raw almonds obviously, but makes me feel like i'm indulging! I put almond butter on healthy pancakes, on apple slices, bananas, into oatmeal, banana lettuce wraps. The possibilities are endless.
Sprouted Chia and Flax Seeds
It contains omega 3, omega 6, fibre, and healthy fats. I add this super food to my smoothies, oatmeal, pancakes, sprinkled on top of berries and into pureed soups for added nutrition. Sprouting helps the absorption of nutrients and aids digestion.
Remember what we eat directly effects our health! I hope you try out some of these healthy staples!
-Alexandra
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