Tag: nutrition coach

my Top 4 Favourite Cortisol Lowering Foods

Published on by soreiyaLeave a comment

Hi Everyone!

We are officially almost nine weeks into 2024 and already this year is surprising me in many different ways. I am officially free of a toxic situation that I have been miserably tolerating for the past couple of years, and I was reminded in the most dramatic way that health is wealth and must be prioritized. I studied health coaching and holistic nutrition for a reason, given recent events I am now going back to my roots and I am taking my readers with me!

In life, stress is somewhat inevitable. What is important is how we manage it and support ourselves during both good and trying times. Nutrition is a great way to help support yourself as certain foods can help you to decrease cortisol within your body. Getting your fill of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium (aka the stress lowering mineral) and zinc is important to maintain good health especially during life’s more challenging moments. Here are my top 4 cortisol lowering foods:

Avocados

Filled with heart healthy fats and helpful in balancing blood sugar, avocados are at the top of my list for a reason. Avocados are also source of b vitamins, magnesium and potassium. Including a quarter or half of an avocado into your meals is tasty way to reap the benefits of this delicious food.

Bananas

Admittedly, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with bananas. I love a good banana bread but when it comes to eating a banana on its own, unless it is slightly unripe (aka a little bit green on the edges), I find them a bit too sweet. Bananas are also a source of magnesium and potassium along with soluble fibre which helps to lower inflammation within the body.

Dark Chocolate

My favourite food on this list! Dark chocolate is a source of antioxidants and minerals including magnesium, copper and zinc. Just be sure to watch the sugar content, look for at least 70% dark chocolate to reap the benefits while avoiding spiking your blood sugar.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are often recommended to help heal adrenal fatigue. Rich in magnesium and containing healthy fats and fibre, pumpkin seeds are a great way to support your body nutritionally during challenging times.

As with everything, moderation is key. When including any of the above listed foods in your diet, it is important to exercise portion control in order to maximize the benefits without any potential side effects.

Happy eating and I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Disclaimer: Please note that the above is not intended as medical advice and are to be used at your discretion. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only and it not meant to substitute professional dietary advice or treatment.

Photo credit:

All images used in this post are from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com and http://www.healthifyme.com

3 Beautiful Reasons To Eat Pine Nuts

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My love affair with pine nuts is fairly recent.  Although this beloved seed has been eaten since the ancient times for their nutritional benefits, I only tried it for the first time four years ago.  But since then, pine nuts have become my go to addition when I want to take a simple dish to the next level.  Aside from its delicious nutty taste, pine nuts are a great beauty boosting food.  Here are my top three reasons to reach for the pine nuts:

  1. The majority of the fat in pine nuts is made up of monounsaturated fats, which is the primary fat in the Mediterranean diet.  Monounsaturated fats are helps to keep the cardiovascular system healthy making pine nuts great for heart health.  It is also great for skin health as it keeps the skin healthy and hydrated from the inside out.
  2. Pine nuts are packed with antioxidants such as selenium, Vitamins A, B, C, E & K and lutein.  These antioxidants help the body to combat the signs of aging by fighting free radicals.  They also help to keep the skin supple and young looking with good elasticity
  3. Pine nuts also contain many anti-inflammatory properties which help with a myriad of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne and itching.

And there you have it – 3 beautiful reasons to complement your dishes with pine nuts.  What is your favourite way to include pine nuts in your cooking – let me know in the comments below.

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

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Please Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.  It is not intended to serve as a substitute for a consultation or medical treatment from a qualified physician or healthcare practitioner.

3 Reasons To Start Adding Cardamom to Your Diet

Published on by soreiya1 Comment

I use to hate cardamom.  Growing up it was sporadically used in certain dishes, and for some reason I would always end up biting into a cardamom pod while enjoying my food. The bold flavour of this pod always turned such a minor incident into a traumatizing experience and would always ruin the entire meal for me.  While calling this experience with cardamom pods traumatic may be considered an overreaction for some, when you enjoy food as much as I do anything that ruins a meal gains an automatic spot on my hate list.

For many years I avoided cardamom determined to not experience the trauma I had offered suffered while I was younger.  Then a few years ago, I was trying out a new cake recipe that required ground cardamom and I decided to give this exotic spice a second chance.  Thankfully, the cake turned out delicious and the cardamom enhanced both the flavour and the fragrance of the cake.  This led me to start adding ground cardamom to other dishes, my favourites being my golden milk recipe and warm chia pudding.  The spice that I had hated for so long was suddenly a spice rack staple that I couldn’t live without.

IMG_0758For those of you that are not familiar with cardamom, it is a member of the ginger family  and is well known spice from India.  It is often considered a warming spice with a beautiful fragrance making it an ideal spice to use in desserts, tea and coffee.  There are two types of cardamom – green cardamom and brown cardamom.  Green cardamom is the more superior form of cardamom, is available in both pod or powder form and can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes.  Brown cardamom is only used in savoury dishes, it is an essential ingredient in Garam Masala which is a popular Indian spice mix and it is also known for its medicinal properties.  There are many reasons to include cardamom into your diet but I have narrowed it down to my top three:

  1. It is filled with antioxidants.  Many of the vitamins and minerals in cardamom act as antioxidants within the body.  These antioxidants help to clean up any free radicals and helps to prevent cellular aging.
  2. Bad breath – a great and natural way to freshen your breath is to chew on a couple of pods.  The antibacterial properties in cardomom help to fight germs and may also be helpful when dealing with mouth ulcers and infections.
  3. Alleviates digestive issues – many people reach for cardamom to help with any digestive issues that they may be struggling with.  Used in a warm tonic, cardamom can help when you have over eaten, or are dealing with indigestion and flatulence issues.

Try using cardamom in desserts, tea or coffee to add flavour and to reap the benefits of this wonderful spice.  What’s your favourite way to use cardamom? Let me know in the comments below👇🏼

I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS

Please Note: This blog post is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice.  It is not intended to serve as a substitute for a consultation or medical treatment from a qualified physician or healthcare practitioner.  IMG_0754

5 Reasons to Switch to Raw Honey

Published on by soreiya1 Comment

Growing up I hated honey and would avoid it at all costs.  When I started to clean up my diet a few years ago, I read an article about the benefits of raw honey and decided to try it out in the hopes that I would like it better then the processed stuff that I had hated.  It was love at first taste!  I don’t know if it’s because my tastes have changed as I have gotten older or if it really does taste that much better, but raw honey has become a staple in my pantry.  I really don’t know how I ever lived without it!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with raw honey here is a quick overview:

  • Raw honey is not filtered or pasteurized
  • Raw honey is opaque rather then clear commercial honey
  • It is immediately taken from the cells of the honey comb
  • Raw honey is free from additives

Here are my top 5 reasons to include raw honey in my diet:

  1. Raw honey contains bee pollen  which helps to provide natural allergy relief, boost your immunity and helps to ward off infections.
  2. If you struggle with insomnia then you may want to try having a bit of raw honey before bedtime.  A known sleep promoter, raw honey helps to restock the glycogen in the liver which helps you to stay asleep during the night.  Try stirring it into some golden milk for a comforting bedtime beverage.  Get my recipe here
  3. I always reach for raw honey when I feel a cold coming on.  It is well known as a natural cough syrup and it can also help to reduce mucus secretion
  4. Raw honey is an antioxidant superhero.  It helps to block free radicals in the body which can cause disease
  5. Natural energy source – if you are struggling through a work out, consider having a bit of raw honey to give you a boost.  It’s 80% natural sugar, which will help you to power through that workout with ease

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Raw honey loses it’s beneficial properties as it is heated so it is best used incorporated into dishes and drinks after it has been removed from heat.  It is important to note that raw honey is still a source of sugar so do not go overboard when using it!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

This blog post is for information purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice.  It is not intended to serve as a substitute for a consultation or medical treatment from a qualified physician or healthcare practitioner.

Beat The Heat With Watermelon Mint Limeade

Published on by soreiya8 Comments

When it comes to beverages I am pretty boring – I stick with plenty of water, teas or all kind and the occasional cup of coffee.  Lately though, the temperatures have been soaring and I found myself wanting to mix it up a bit.  The juice options at the store just didn’t sound appealing or the sugar content was way to high for me to justify, so I decided to create a few easy recipes that would help me beat the heat without sending my blood sugar level skyrocketing.

The first recipe that I will be sharing today is actually one of my favourite creations – watermelon mint limeade.  It only requires five ingredients!  It can be enjoyed on it’s own, mixed with sparkling water for a bubbly treat or as a base for a boozy summer cocktail. The watermelon offers extra hydrating benefits, the mint makes it extra refreshing and the limeade offers an enjoyable tartness without being too sour.

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Consider the recipe below just loose directions – I suggest that you modify the quantities to your own specific tastes.

Ingredients

4 cups of chopped watermelon

1 cup of fresh lime juice (aproximately 4 limes) + lime to garnish

3 cups spring water

1 sprig of mint (remove from stem)

2 tablespoon raw honey

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on medium speed until completely blended.

Strain if necessary (I prefer not to)

Serve chilled or over ice

Enjoy!

I hope that you have a beautiful day!  XXS

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