We all know how important it is to eat our fruits and vegetables. At an early age we are constantly told that we cannot leave the table, until they are gone. Aside from conditioning us to equate fruits and vegetables to healthy food choices, no one ever stopped to explain why. What is it that these foods have that makes them healthier for us then say a piece of candy? How does our body identify it as healthy versus unhealthy? Is there some hidden binary code? Well get your secret decoder rings out and we will lay it all out.
Unlocking the Code
The sad truth is that most individuals do not know which foods are healthy and which are filled with harmful artificial junk expertly designed to trick our minds. These tricky treats have been ravaging our bodies and laying waste to our waistlines. They may be packed with chemicals masked as mood and addictive chemical doubles. But our bodies know better. When our body breaks down nutrients it takes each piece of food and takes it to the smallest chemical compound it can. Kind of like giving a child a pre-assembled house of legos only to come back into the room and find all the blocks are separated and scattered on the floor.
The Best Offense
Our body conducts something very similar. However, when faced with an unknown substance (for example an artificial substance) our bodies are unable to identify this substance. Any substance that cannot be identified is then encased in a layer of fat for protection and safe keeping. This would be fine every now and again, but when you add in the addictive nature of these chemicals we start to stockpile these chemicals (think of the worst case of hoarders but the inside addition). Now I know what you are thinking “What’s a little extra padding”? Our bodies are designed to take a beating, however, everything has a limit. When we saturate our bodies with artificial chemicals it becomes unable to keep up with the workload and we begin to see system failures resulting in illness and disease.
There is Hope
Like we said earlier our bodies are designed to take a beating and have the ability to bounce back. Go back to the child with the legos if we supply the child with an assortment of building blocks and tell them to construct a house they could create a number of different options for us to choose from. By choosing healthy natural foods that our bodies can identify and process we are providing it with the proper building supplies. Here is my absolute favorite thing about nutrition you can predesign what type of house you want your body to make. Take raspberries for example they are an amazing building block that you might want to add to your pile.
Rad Berries
Raspberries are high in anthocyanin and polyphenols which acts as an anti-inflammatory. Which makes them great for heart health, improves blood flow, menstrual cycle regulation, and pain management. Raspberries also contain rheosmin which helps increase metabolism to promote weight loss. They are high in antioxidants making them ideal for anti-aging. Raspberries are high in vitamin C which helps boost the immune system and improve skin, hair and eye health. They are high in fiber which aids in digestion and as an added bonus they also contain phytonutrients that protect against bacterial infections.
Small But Mighty
Raspberries contain ellagic acid and anthocyanin which has been shown to prevent and reduce tumor growth. They are also great for fertility and can increase milk production. Raspberries are also great for bone health and detoxing the body. It is true raspberries are rad and there are tons of things they can do for you. Don’t want to give up your candy? Well who said you had to here is a recipe that proves there is such a thing as nature’s candy.
Chocolate Coconut Raspberry Cups
Gluten Free Vegan Makes 12
- ¼ Cup Frozen Raspberries
- ½ Cup Freeze Dried Raspberries
- ¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
- ½ Tablespoon Chia Seeds
- 2 teaspoons Coconut Oil
- ½ Cup Coconut Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Full Fat Coconut Milk
- 9 oz Dark Chocolate
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt Flakes
- 3 Tablespoons Shredded Coconut
Directions:
In a microwave safe dish add frozen raspberries and lemon juice. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in chia seeds well and set aside to cool. In a large bowl combine coconut butter, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, shredded coconut and raspberry jam mixture. Mix well. Using a double boiler (glass or metal bowl over a pot with boiling water) melt chocolate with remaining syrup and coconut oil. Once melted and combined, set aside to cool. While waiting, prep muffin pan (I use cupcake wrappers) with non stick preventative (you could also do the silicone pans they are amazing). Add coconut milk to the cooled chocolate, mix well.
Almost There
Pour a layer of chocolate in each cup (about ⅓ of the way) let sit for 3-5 minutes. Next pour the filling mixture into a cup on top of chocolate, let sit for another 3-5 minutes. Pour remaining chocolate over cup. Add salt and freeze dried raspberries on top. Place in the freezer for 1-2 hours or let sit at room temperature for 4-6 hours or until set. I love to eat them cold on a hot day as a sweet treat!
Need a Helping Hand?
A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!