We all know about those FDA daily requirements for a healthy intake of vitamins and minerals. But did you know that 85% of us aren’t getting them? And probably an even higher percentage are missing out on all the micronutrient miracles that happen when our bodies get their fill of superfoods, like leafy greens, fresh berries, adaptogenic herbs, hemp seeds, chia seeds, healthy fats like the ones in avocados and coho salmon, and collagen-rich bone broth.
So, let’s be the different ones. Let’s give ourselves all those nourishing things, prepared so deliciously that every bite we take makes us feel so good, and helps our bodies perform so well, maybe it even makes us happier people.
And as we give it a try, here are a few tips to help along the way.
Check your water level.
Dehydration can sap your energy, zap you with a headache, and just make you feel like you’re dragging. You probably know about drinking your eight glasses of water a day, so we won’t re-hash that. But for optimum hydration, pack your diet with water-rich raw fruits and vegetables, too. (Bonus: they also deliver vitamins, minerals, and fiber that can improve your health, support your immune system, strengthen your muscles and boost your athletic performance.) And don’t forget, a nice bowl of soup makes a warm, hydrating meal on a cold day. We love ours with a healthy helping of Seattle’s own Wan Hua Noodles.
Give fats their chance.
For decades, fats have been wrongly accused of causing things like obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol. But current science shows that fatty acids like those in avocados, cold-pressed olive oil, nuts and seeds, and fresh, sustainable salmon improve the functions of every part of your body—including its fattiest organ—the brain!
Eat your colors.
Multi-colored meals are the key to the super-healthy Mediterranean diet because they deliver a full array of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients.
Reds, like those in tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit give you lycopene to protect your heart and lungs. Blues and purples have anthocyanins that fend off blood clots, strokes, and all kinds of chronic diseases. Orange and yellow foods like carrots, oranges, sweet potatoes, and pineapple supply beta cryptothanxin, which keeps your nervous system on the job. Greens tackle cholesterol and bring a plethora of other benefits.
When you eat the full spectrum, you give your body the rainbow-colored safety net it needs to perform beautifully on every level.
More good things about greens.
You may not think of veggies as protein powerhouses. But the truth is, calorie for calorie, greens have more protein, more iron, and a hundred times more calcium than meat. Plus, they encourage beneficial bacteria, help control inflammation, improve gut function, boost your energy, help you manage your weight, and just generally get you glowing from the inside out. Like your mom always said, greens are the most important thing on your plate, whether they’re steamed, sautéed, stir-fried, boiled, roasted, or just plain raw. Need some fresh ideas for fixing them? Check out the recipes below:
FEED HAPPINESS.
Every body runs better on better fuel.
Turn eating into your superpower.