Five New Kitchen Staples for Healthy Living

If you’re looking for a few healthy staples to add to your diet, try incorporating these unique foods! With varied health properties and with various uses, these 5 ingredients will transform your kitchen and health!

-Coconut Oil

Coconut oil in particular is one of the single most nutritious superfoods you can put in (and on!) your body. Eating coconut oil on a regular basis has numerous health benefits such as healthier skin and hair, lower cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased levels of immunity, proper digestion and metabolism. It has been shown to provide relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and other viruses.

The reason it is so effective and healthy is because of high levels of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid. The presence of these acids contributes to coconuts antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral and general body nourishing properties. These fatty acids are referred to as short term medium-chain saturated fatty acids, which is a “healthy” form saturated fat compared to trans fats. Our body metabolizes these fats in the liver, immediately converting this into energy in the form of fuel for the brain and muscle function, rather than it being stored as fat.

Try using coconut oil in salad dressings and in raw desserts. It is a great oil to cook with and has a rich coco-nutty flavour. It can also be used on your skin too!

 -Almonds

 Almonds are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber and are an excellent source of plant-based protein. They have been shown to lower cholesterol and reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Almonds offer plenty of good fats and anti-oxidants that help fuel your body and assist the immune system and metabolism.

Almonds do have a protective ingredient in them called phytic acid which acts as a mineral blocker and makes digestion hard work. For this reason it is most important to soak your nuts before eating them!

Almonds are incredibly versatile- try using them to make  almond milk,  add to salads, baking, raw desserts, curries or as a simple healthy snack.

 -Cacao

Cacao is one of the richest sources of anti oxidants and is the highest source of magnesium on earth. It is also high in fiber, B Vitamins, calcium and Vitamins A, C and D. Cacao improves cardio vascular health, lowers cholesterol, relaxes muscles, strengths bones and supports mental functioning.

The natural opiates in cacao have been proven to dull pain and increase energy, stamina and a sense of well being, giving you a natural lift or euphoric high.

Try using raw cacao powder in smoothies and desserts- try making your own batch of healthy chocolate that you can enjoy anytime you need an energy boost!

–Chia Seeds-

Chia seeds are the highest known plant source of Omega 3 with 8 times more than salmon! Omega 3’s enhance cognitive performance and reduce high cholesterol, they also reduce inflammation and are important for healthy skin, hair and nails.

Unlike other sources of this important Essential Fatty Acid such as flax or fish oil, it is in a highly stable form in chia seeds due to their powerful, naturally occurring antioxidants. Chia seeds contain more antioxidants than blueberries! These high levels of antioxidants also help protect the body from free radicals, ageing and cancer.

Chia is also well known for the fact that it is gluten free and also very high in dietary fiber, making it great for digestion and healing digestive issues. It is also suitable for diabetics as it has a positive impact on balancing blood glucose levels. Chia seeds can reduce insulin resistance and decrease abnormally high levels of insulin in the blood.

Chia seed pudding is one of the simplest ways to experiment with chia. The basic guide with chia pudding is always: 3 tablespoons of chia seeds to one cup of liquid. You can use any liquid of your choice such as rice milk, coconut milk or almond milk.

 –Turmeric-

Turmeric has been shown to ward off Alzheimer’s disease, help to prevent cancer, reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, combat inflammatory diseases, fight colds and flu, help indigestion and weight loss, assist diabetes sufferers and more.

Cancer, malaria, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV are just a few of the ailments which turmeric is believed to help heal. It has antitumour, antioxidant, antiarthritic, antiamyloid, and anti-inflammatory properties.It is good for the skin, prevents stomach ailments, protects the liver, and heals pains and wounds. Turmeric has the potential to reduce osteoarthritis pain, help lower cholesterol, help reduce the severity of bacterial and viral infections, improve digestion and assist weight loss.

Tumeric has also been linked to treating depression due to its natural ability to increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in the regulation of mood, sleep, memory, learning and sexual behavior. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that affects important brain processes that control movement and emotional responses. Recently, dopamine has become the target of many antidepressant drugs. In addition to this specific research, people undergoing turmeric treatment for other ailments often find a decrease in their depressive episodes which demonstrates the potentiality of turmeric as an anti-depressant, and shows that it is not just a placebo.

Try adding turmeric to your curries and soups or even salad dressings.  Try having it as a hot tea with ginger, lemon and honey or even adding it to bread and crackers when baking.