Lizzy's Top 15 Healthy Foods

Whatever your lifestyle is, it's not difficult to make small changes.

I don't know about you but I had more sugar in the last couple of months than I've had in the last few years.

For the last four years, I've been eating pretty healthy and for some reason I went off a few months ago. Not good. It's not good because I don't 'feel' good. I went from juicing DAILY to juicing a couple of times a week in the last couple of months. I know how amazing I felt before I fell off so it's time to get back!

I started my week on Sunday with no sugar. I had a coffee this morning and added some natural brown sugar but I'll let myself off the hook this time....The last two days have been great. I know two days isn't much but what a difference I already feel just in two days. Despite still going to the gym at least a few times a week, diet is everything!

So here are my TOP healthy foods that I went and stocked up on yesterday for eating and juicing!

Apples: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, beta-carotene, pectin

Avocados: Potassium, tryptophan (an amino acid), vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin B5, vitamin K, high in vitamin E

Bananas: Potassium, vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin B6

KEFIR: kefir is made by fermenting milk with 10 to 20 different types of bacteria and yeasts, where yogurt is usually just fermented with a handful of types; this leads to a higher probiotic count in the final product. Kefir is a source of several B vitamins, which are essential for our good health and functioning. It has B12, which is important for your blood and nervous system, and B1, (otherwise is known as thiamine) which is important for helping you withstand stress. Kefir also contains biotin, which is a B vitamin that helps your body use other B vitamins.

Grapefruit: Calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C

Lemons: Potassium, vitamin C

Tomatoes: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C

Beets: Calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese, folic acid, vitamin C

Carrots: Calcium, magnesium, potassium, beta-carotene

Fennel: Calcium, magnesium, sodium, folic acid, vitamin C, potassium, rich in phyto-oestrogens

Spirulina: Potassium, sodium, vitamin B3, gamma-linoleic acid, beta-carotene, It's a nutrient rich algae available as a dry powder

Squash: Calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C

Ginger: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium

Molasses: Calcium, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins

Quinoa: Iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B3

I've obviously got more like salmon, flaxseeds, bee pollen, tuna, lentils, chick peas etc but for now there's a short list. By making good health your goal, you will have a better understanding of food and of the factors affecting health issues.

Even if you made poor choice this year, make 2016 a year of transformation. You deserve it!

I am Hooked! 42 Reasons Why!

Do you know anything about Coconut Oil? Ohhh my goodness, I tell you I am totally hooked on this stuff. I eat it (by the spoon). I cook with it. I use it as my hair oil for my scalp and curls. I apply it to my skin every night alllll over my face and neck and I even apply it to my cuticles and lips.

Organic Coconut Oil is a heart-healthy food that can be used for many health benefits. You've got to get on this stuff.

Here is an interesting article I woke up to this morning- found on Young and Raw and if you haven't subscribed to their posts and newsletter, make sure you do so...

There are many populations around the world (such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.) who have thrived for multiple generations by eating large amounts of coconut.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which kills harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi. Breast milk is the only other natural source that contains such a high concentration of lauric acid, which could explain the drastic decrease of infections in breast-fed babies.
This tropical oil is also made up of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolized differently than other short-chain and long-chain fatty acids. They are not absorbed by the body as fat, instead they are converted for the use of energy.
Cooking with coconut oil is great since it has such a high smoke point, or burning point. This means that you can cook at higher temperatures without burning the oil and damaging it’s properties. (Consuming burned oils is very bad for your health which is why you also shouldn’t be cooking at high temps with extra virgin olive oil.) Note – cooking with coconut oil doesn’t make your food taste like coconut, it actually has a nice, butter-like appeal.
Here are just some of the many amazing benefits and uses of this miraculous super-food:

1. Lower cholesterol through regular consumption of coconut oil.
2. Improve immune function and the body’s resistance to both viruses and bacteria with regular consumption of coconut oil.
3. Can be used in cooking since it has a high smoke point and will not burn like other cooking oils such as olive oil or butter. Great for sautéing, baking and stir-frys.
4. Can help with weight loss if taken daily, since it isn’t stored as fat and may boost your metabolism. (Results have been seen with 1-3 tablespoons a day.)
5. Add to smoothies for a whole host of nutritional benefits. Try this one!
6. Can be used as a healthy creamer substitute for coffee.
7. Can boost metabolism so you burn more calories naturally.
8. Can be used on the skin as a moisturizer.
9. Can be used on the hair as a deep conditioner.
10. Apply to your nails as a cuticle softener.
11. Apply to skin as a natural sunscreen. (Only an SPF 4 though!)
12. Soothe a sunburn or any other type of burn.
13. Hydrate dry, cracked feet by coating the feet in oil and sleeping overnight with socks on.
14. Can be used as a soothing eye make-up remover.
15. Soothes psoriasis and eczema skin conditions.
16. Take orally to kill intestinal parasites and yeast overgrowth.
17. To replace butter in baking recipes.
18. Can be used for minor scrapes and skin rashes as a natural antibacterial ointment.
19. Can soothe bug bites and reduce the itch.
20. Supports healthy thyroid function.
21. Can be used as a scalp treatment for dandruff.
22. Can stimulate hair growth.
23. Can smooth frizzy hair.
24. Mix with Epsom salts for a detoxifying body scrub.
25. Mix with baking soda for a whitening toothpaste.
26. Can improve digestion if taken before meals.
27. Can be used as a natural baby lotion and diaper rash cream.
28. Fight signs of aging as a natural facial moisturizer.
29. Heals cold sores naturally when applied topically.
30. When taken daily, can help with allergies.
31. When taken daily, can improve sleep and mood.
32. Can improve insulin levels for diabetics.
33. Can remove bacteria and plaque from the mouth with oil pulling.
34. Use as a tropical massage oil.
35. May help you to shed “difficult to lose” abdominal fat by taking daily doses of 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil.
36. Can be therapeutic for brain disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.
37. Reduce appetite with regular consumption.
38. Reduce hot flashes through coconut oil’s ability to regulate hormones.
39. Absorb fat-soluble vitamins better (like vitamins A, D, E & K).
40. Can be used for shaving. It doesn’t wash off and it will moisturize your skin as you shave!
41. Can be made into a homemade deodorant.
42. Rub on a pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks.

Now, what are you waiting for? This is life-changing stuff. Get your hands on some coconut oil right now! Make sure you choose organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil for the most benefits.

Tip:
Every morning, boil a small amount of water and pour it into a cup with a teaspoon of coconut oil, mix it around and drink!

Now here is an extra treat with more benefits to this amazing product: