Tag: antiinflammatory foods

Posted on

Golden Sweet Potato Muffins

We all lead busy lives, whether we are a full time stay-at-home mother or father, a family juggling work, kids and their additional sporting, schooling and friendship commitments or business people. It is easy to push our nutritional needs to the wayside when our life seems to be in chaos. Unfortunately the repercussion of poor nutritional intake often means we crave sweet, salty and carbohydrate dense foods to give us an instant but short lived boost of energy to get us by.

Not with these beautifully golden muffins! They concur both your sweet and savoury cravings as well as provide sustained energy with balanced carbohydrates. They are also a quick and easy option to run to the car with.

What else have these babies got going for them?

  • They contain turmeric, praised for its anti-inflammatory abilities
  • They boast an enormous his of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
  • They are flour and dairy free
  • They are low GI

Golden Sweet Potato Muffins

Serves: 12 muffins

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 60 minutes or until cooked through

Ingredients

  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled, cubed
  • 2 free-range eggs
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
  • 2 green onions, chopped or ½ brown onion
  • 2 cups oat flour (2 cups regular oats blended down into flour)
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 170°C (fan-forced) and line muffin tray with cases
  2. Steam sweet potato until completely soft
  3. Mash sweet potato with a folk or place into blender.
  4. Using an electric beater, beat the mashed sweet potato, eggs, olive oil and salt together in a large mixing bowl until combined.
  5. Stir through chopped spring onion, garlic and turmeric.
  6. Add oat flour and baking powder and fold it into mixture until combined.
  7. Using a large dessert spoon, spoon mix into muffin cases and bake in the oven for 35 minutes-1 hour or until lightly browned and cooked through. Allow to cool in the tray.

You may store muffins in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze them. Re-heat them in the oven or microwave before serving.

Posted on

Homemade Oven Dried Tomatoes (AKA Sundried)

Sundried tomatoes are a tasty addition to any salad, antipasto plate or smashed avocado. Store bought sundried tomatoes however, often come with some nasty additives and unhealthy oils. Making them at home can be a sure fire way of ensuring they are as healthy and clean as possible but still absolutely delish!

Not only are they yummy, cooked tomatoes are higher in lycopene than their raw, fresh counterparts. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant which has been praised for improving male prostate health, cardiovascular health and to protect against sun damage.

Homemade Oven Dried Tomatoes

  • 1kg Roma tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • Himalayan salt and pepper to taste

Method

Preheat oven to 100 degrees Celsius fan forced. Line a medium to large baking tray (or use two smaller trays) with baking paper or parchment paper.

Cut each tomato in half length ways. Lay out skin side down on the baking tray, leaving some space between them.

Drizzle olive oil lightly over each. Season with salt and pepper.

Place in the oven for 7-10 hours or until fluid has evaporated and tomatoes have flattened and shrivelled.

Store in a glass jar in the fridge with a 1/4 of the jar filled with olive oil.

Enjoy over salads, with antipasto platters or on your brekky avo on toast!

Posted on

Tuna – Salmons Greatest Rival

Tuna

 

Salmon seems to receive all of the accolades when it comes to health benefits.

But the humble tuna puts up a pretty good fight for nutritional profile.

Let’s see why it measures up!

Heart Healthy Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing good cholesterol (HDL). This reduces the negative impact cholesterol has on the arteries and allows the heart to do its job, pumping blood around the body.

Reduces Pain and Inflammation

The healthy fats found in Tuna have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation, particularly muscular, joint and arthritic pain but can also include headaches and migraines.

Helps to Lower Blood Pressure

Tuna contains beneficial levels of potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte which supports healthy blood pressure. Teamed up with anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids and blood can flow freely and without resistance around the body.

Supports a Healthy Immune System

Zinc and Vitamin C are important antioxidant nutrients in a healthy immune system.

Weight Management

The reduction and management of inflammation, along with the clean protein found in tuna sets the body up for a healthy metabolism. Tuna is low in saturated fats and is therefore a healthy option over red meats, which are rich in saturated fat.

Bone Health

Rich in B vitamins, Tuna is a great supporter of bone health, making the bones stronger, more durable and less likely to break or fracture.

Sexy Skin

The mix of protein, omega-3, B vitamins, zinc and Vitamin C is the perfect recipe for glowing, radiant skin. Free of acne, dry patches and wrinkles.

Enhanced Energy Production

Protein and B Vitamins provide sustained energy to support you throughout the day, stress and all.

Posted on

Natural Relief of Joint Pain

Joint Pain

 Joint Pain

Joint pain can be a real stifler to the aging persons quality of life. Although joint pain is often associated with aging, any person of any age can experience joint pain. Inflammation is one of the driving factors that cause joint pain and is characterised by swelling, redness, sometimes heat, stiffness and tendinous to touch.

Can you relate?

Pain and inflammation can go as far as making you feel physically ill and irritable.

Not nice!

Sometimes, there can be an element of arthritis of osteo or rheumatoid nature that can worsen these symptoms and you quality of life.

Many people are turning to natural medicines to deal with their pain and arthritic ailments. This is because people are becoming more and more aware of the benefits natural medicines have in reducing pain, inflammation and removing toxins from the body. A process that can only benefit the body as a whole.

Some herbs stimulate our detoxing organs to rid the body of toxic metabolic waste, such as those that target the liver, skin, kidneys, lymphatic system and intestines. Toxic waste that is left to its own avail is allowed to run ramped around the body, entering tissues and amping up inflammation. This reduces the body’s resources for addressing the joint inflammation that is presenting elsewhere.

Let’s look at some easy access herbs that have shown absolute promise in reducing pain, inflammation and toxic waste.

Ginger

One of the easiest herbs to access and one of the most versatile. Often use to ease cold and flu symptoms or nausea when travelling, ginger is also an effective anti-inflammatory herb. Research has demonstrated its ability to target similar pathways to anti-inflammatory medications, reducing the internally made chemicals that increase the symptoms of inflammation. This in turn reduces pain and swelling.

It is important if you are on anti-coagulant medication that you seek advice from a health professional before utilising ginger.

Turmeric

The herb that has received much hype in recent years, but it is not unwarranted. The deeply orangey-yellow culinary herb is a beneficial addition for any inflammatory condition that exists in the body. It is high in antioxidant content and has been shown to have a similar effect to NSAIDS drugs. The herb increases circulatory efficacy, allowing blood to enter the tissues and spaces that it is need for the reduction of inflammation and repair processes.

Turmeric also possesses anti-coagulant properties and should therefore be taken under the guidance of a health professional if you are on anti-coagulant medications (or blood thinners).

Flaxseeds

High in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds are the perfect addition to any anti-inflammatory diet. They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids for vegans and vegetarians and are active in supporting a healthy immune system. It is important that you first crush or grind the seeds and soak them for ease of digestion. Smoothies or uncooked oats are an effective way to utilise flaxseeds as they should not be heated. Heating will reduce their omega-3 content and damage the beneficial anti-inflammatory properties of the seeds.

Olive oil

Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, olive oil has long been used in the Mediterranean diet, promoting good health and longevity. The healthy fats and antioxidants that are contained within good quality olive oil have demonstrated anti-inflammatory benefits that have withstood the test of time in efficacy and criticism.

Just by adding these wonder herbs and oils into your diet and improving your diet overall, you can, overtime reduce the damage inflammation can cause and say goodbye to pain!

Posted on

Breakfast: Oat, Chia, Hemp and Nut Protein Pudding

Breakfast

Why is breakfast so important?

Breakfast is an important part of our health. It prepares us physically and mentally for the day and sets the tone for how our metabolism will respond for the day ahead.

This is why, the foods we choose to put in or not to put in our mouth in some people’s case, really does have an effect on how we live for that day.

Consequences of no breakfast or the wrong breakfast may include:

  • Poor concentration
  • Poor memory and retention of information
  • Brain fog
  • Irritability
  • Headaches
  • Low productivity
  • Poor brain function
  • Low energy
  • Low libido
  • Excessive hunger later in the day
  • Bing eating
  • Poor sleep
  • Higher levels of stress or a poor stress response
  • Slow metabolism

 

Longer term implications may include:

  • Weight gain/weight loss
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Blood sugar complications
  • Muscle wasting
  • Elevations in cholesterol and blood pressure

A well-balanced breakfast should include a balance of protein, healthy fats and a small amount of complex carbohydrates.

This Oat, Chia, Hemp and Nut Protein Pudding will have any feeling energised and ready to take on your day.

 

Oat, Chia, Hemp and Nut Protein Breakfast Pudding

 

Ingredients

1 tbsp. chia seeds

30g oats

½ cup water

Combine in a bowl and soak overnight.

 

1 tsp cacao powder

1 tbsp cacao nibs

1 heaped tsp almond butter (or any pure nut butter)

1 tsp cinnamon powder

10g vegan protein, flavour of choice

Another ½ cup water

1 dash almond milk

Toppings

10g Mixed nuts and seeds

10g hemp seeds

Method

Add pre-soaked chia/oat mix to a small pot.

Turn heat to low-medium.

Gently warm and add the remaining water, stir.

Once stirred through add the rest of the ingredients besides the toppings and stir until combine.

Remove from heat into bowl.

Top with mixed nuts, seeds and hemp seeds.

The pictured pudding also has dragon fruit chips for decoration, but you may like to add some fresh fruit such as passionfruit or berries.

You can enjoy this pudding cold or warm so it is a fantastic breakfast all year round!

Posted on

Healthy Kheema Curry Recipe

Kheema Curry

Did you know turkey is healthy, high in lean protein and is leaner than most other meats?

It is also high in tryptophan which is an amino acid responsible for the production of our feel good hormone serotonin.

Choose whole turkey breast meat and mince over processed deli turkey meat for a healthy boost to your recipes.

Healthy Kheema Curry

Cook time 25 minutes

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp good quality olive oil
3 cloves
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
¼ tsp red chili powder or 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 can organic crushed tomatoes
1 ½ tsp Celtic/Himalayan salt
500g turkey mince

1 tsp cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 ½ tbsp. ginger, grated
1 tsp ground cumin
½ cup water
1 tsp garam masala
½ cup frozen peas
½ large lemon juice

METHOD

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium to high heat.
Add the cumin seeds, cloves and cinnamon stick.
Continuously stir spiced until fragrant (about ½ minute).
Add the onion, ginger, garlic and salt.
Cook until onion is soft (about 5 minutes)
Add turkey mince and stir and cook until the meat is browned and cooked through.
Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, tomatoes and water.
Turn the stove to high and bring the mixture to the boil, cover and reduce heat to low.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the garam masala, peas and the lemon juice.
Cook until peas are just thawed (don’t overcook them as you want some texture).
Remove cloves and cinnamon stick before serving.
Top with coriander leaves for decoration and serve with a side of unsweetened kefir or place into airtight containers and refrigerate for lunches for the week.

Enjoy this healthy and delightful herb and spice rich dish hot or cold.

 

 

Loading...