Ever since I started running and becoming more into wellness 12 years ago, I became a big believer in using foods to heal. Prior to that time, I used to bruise very easily. I couldn’t figure out how to heal it, so I did some research and found the power of bananas. I found that bananas, rich in potassium, when included in my morning smoothie everyday, completely healed my daily bruising. I also have Anemia, a condition that is deficient of iron and red blood cells, resulting in constant fatigue, brittle nails, and shortness of breath. Over the years, I looked into foods I could incorporate into my daily routine to alleviate the symptoms of this condition and foods that just make me feel better.
Here are my top ‘superfoods’, spices and other supplements that help nourish my body & mind.
Turmeric:
- Turmeric is a spice that comes from a tumeric plant.
- Fighter of inflammation, which is a top culprit of disease, turmeric can be an essential part of daily health. I take Turmeric supplements as I don’t cook with this daily. It can definitely work wonders on skin, from reducing redness to calming blemishes, it prevents bacteria from spreading.
- Using Turmeric topically for skin health is also very popular. When I use products like Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Masque, it made my skin feel calm and super soft.
Coconut Oil:
- Coconut Oil is mostly made up of fatty acids and also has antimicrobial benefits to ward off certain bacteria
- When ingested via supplements, or used for cooking, it can have benefits like weight loss (when at least 2-3 tablespoons are consumed a day), and raises good HDL cholesterol, and can prevent heart disease.
- Other benefits include: reducing inflammation, increase energy and stamina, improving digestion and reducing ulcers.
- Virgin vs. Refined Coconut Oil: virgin is the least refined and most beneficial while refined can go through a heating process that may kill its antioxidant properties.
- When used topically, it has vitamins and fatty acids that can help induce hair growth, and strengthen the hair follicle. It can also be used on skin to help with eczema, burns and psoriasis.
Kale:
- Kale, known as a leafy green ‘superfood’ and comes from the cabbage family. It contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamins C, K, iron, and a wide variety of other nutrients that can help fight conditions such as Anemia and other conditions.
- Fact: a cup of Kale provides more iron per ounce than meat.
- When the quarantine first started, I felt so tired. I couldn’t make it through the day. I knew what I was feeling because I know the symptoms of Anemia and how low iron was making me feel. When I stocked up on groceries, I bought 2 bags of fresh kale. Instead of eating potato chips, I make Kale Chips and that’s how I get my daily dose of iron. I feel so much better. It really is a ‘superfood’ for me.
If you don’t have access to fresh produce, I recommend the following:
The bottom line is that there are so many foods that heal. I always know when I haven’t stayed on top of something because my body can feel it. Listen to what your body is telling you and find a food to remedy that. Also, try to incorporate a Probiotic into your daily routine. Gut health is top priority when it comes to balance of microorganisms in your digestive tract. If your gut is off balance, then this can lead to mental and physicals deficiencies like sleep disturbances, food intolerances, and auto immune conditions.
Other resources I use and highly recommend:
Follow me on Instagram for more Style, Wellness & Lifestyle:
https://instagram.com/theserenestylist