From Flowers to Fungus (5 Superfoods for Healthy Aging)
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Looking to add some powerful superfoods to your diet? Rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and/or helpful for blood-sugar regulation, these five foods are excellent choices to add to your kitchen! From flowers to fungus, let's explore some fun culinary additions!
~Butterfly Pea Flower š®
~Cinnamon š“
~Bell Peppers š«
~Hemp Heart Seeds š±
~Mushrooms š
Butterfly Pea Flower
Iām excited to share this one because itās a fairly recent discovery for me! One of my sisters šš»āāļø introduced me to it. She uses it as a dried flower tea that turns into a beautiful rich blue š¦ color. If you add a few drops of lemon juice it changes to purple! MAGIC šŖ ! (ok, science, but you know what I meanā¦). My personal favorite is the powdered version that I use just like my matcha green tea powder. In fact, the one I use is actually CALLED Butterfly š¦ Pea Matcha! Itās been around for centuries in Asia but is only just gaining exposure in the western world. This is perhaps the prettiest option in this compilation of 5 powerful foods for healthy aging!
Ways To Enjoy
Use the powder just like matcha green tea powder and make a morning latte, steep the flowers š® as a tea or add some to a smoothie for a gorgeous blue drink! Throw in some blueberries for a bigger blue šµ antioxidant kick!
Health Benefits
Use of butterfly pea flower may:
~aid digestion š
~decrease blood pressure ā¬ļø
~promote healthy hair and skin š©š»āš¦°
~reduce inflammation ā¤µļø
~improve mood š
~promote brain health š§
Source:Ā https://foodtolive.com/healthy-blog/butterfly-pea-powder-nutrition-health-benefits-and-uses/
Try some for yourself and let us know how you used it! https://amzn.to/4cAJCiE
Cinnamon
Nothing suggests āwarm and cozyā quite like the scent of cinnamon! Warm, spicy and slightly sweet, cinnamon is a pantry must-have. Native to southcentral Asia š, this now-ubiquitous spice found its way around the world and into peopleās cooking through the international spice trade. And Iām so glad it did!! Aren't you?!
Ways To Enjoy
Sprinkle some on your oatmeal š„£ or brew with your coffee āļø, add to baked goods or experiment with adding a touch to savory dishes as well. The results can be surprising!
Health Benefits
Adding a dash of cinnamon to your daily diet may:
~improve immune function šŖš½
~support digestive health š½
~manage blood sugar š
~inhibit brain deterioration š§
~lower blood pressure ā¬ļø
Source:Ā https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-cinnamon
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers š« just look like summer to me. Light, fresh, crisp with a variety of colors, they just scream to be added to summer-fresh recipes! Loaded with vitamin C, water š¦, fiber and a slew of other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, eating bell peppers on a regular basis is a MUST for healthy aging!
Red š“, orange š , yellow š”, green š¢ā¦they make up the first four colors of the rainbow and thatās one easy way to āeat the rainbowā. Or at least part of it! Just be sure to add some blueberries š« and eggplant š and youāve got the entire rainbow covered!
Ways To Enjoy
Cut strips of raw bell peppers and dip into hummus, sautĆ© a variety in olive oil with onions š§ and protein of choice for fajitas or dice and freeze them to have on hand for future use!
Health Benefits
Eating bell peppers regularly may:
~support eye health š
~strengthen immunity šŖš½
~aid in healthy digestion š
~reduce inflammation ā¬ļø
~rejuvenate the skin š¤©
~support heart health ā¤ļø
~maintain lung health š«
Source:Ā https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-health-benefits-bell-peppers/
Hemp Heart Seeds
Another relatively new discovery for me šµš¼ I stumbled across these little nuggets while researching how to include more vegan recipes into my diet. Full of vitamins D & E, omega fatty acids and protein along with a host of minerals such as zinc and magnesium, these little soft seeds are a perfect way to add some extra nutrition to your day!
Ways To Enjoy
Sprinkle some in a salad š„, add to yogurt parfaits or throw a couple tablespoons into baked goods š„ for a healthy boost of nutrients and protein. Sprinkling some here and there is an easy way to incorporate this superfood into your daily diet!
I made some old-fashioned no-bake cookies šŖ the other day and added a couple tablespoons š„ of hemp seeds for additional health benefits. Iām always sneaking good stuff into my kidsā diets this way!
Health Benefits
Including hemp seeds in your diet on a regular basis may:
~support gut health āļø
~improve skin health š¤©
~reduce inflammation ā¤µļø
~support heart health ā¤ļø
Try my favorite brand here: https://amzn.to/3XUuGYd
Source:Ā https://naturallivingfamily.com/hemp-seed-benefits/#:~:text=5%20Key%20Hemp%20Seed%20Benefits%201%20Digestive%20Health.,ā¦%203%20Heart%20Health.%20ā¦%20More%20itemsā¦%20
Mushrooms
Not everyoneās favorite, I knowā¦butā¦.mushrooms š are gaining popularity as more is discovered about their nutritional content. And with veganism on the rise, people are looking for meat-like substitutes. Mushrooms are an obvious choice! With such a large variety, the options abound!
Ways To Enjoy
SautĆ© with some butter š§ (vegan butter, perhaps?), add to salads š„ and omelets or stuff them with cheese š§ and broil for a pizza-like treat! Dried mushrooms have wildly increased in popularity lately as well and can be found in everything from supplements to protein powders to coffee substitutes!
Health Benefits
Adding mushrooms to your diet may:
~reduce/prevent signs of aging š
~deter brain deterioration š§
~improve mood š
~enhance memory š§©
~support heart health ā¤ļø
~prevent osteoporosis š¦“
Source:Ā https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a27633487/mushroom-health-benefits/
Don't care for mushrooms but want the amazing benefits? Try a powder blend to add to smoothies, acai bowls and more!
Fully Stocked
You should be fully stocked with fresh ideas for your kitchen š§š½āš³ and pantry to easily incorporate these 5 powerful superfoods for healthy aging into your daily diet! Feel free to share your favorite healthy aging foods and how you prepare them!
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