Words to live well by – David Wolfe

Here at Leafy Greens, we’re inspired by the rhythm of the seasons, the amazing organic produce on the farm - and the rain. Especially the rain that we have had – we’re loving the new life it is bringing to all the fruit and vegetables. 

We’re also inspired by the wisdom and knowledge of some of the world’s leading thinkers on nutrition and superfoods, and living better through eating better. We really enjoy sharing what we’ve learnt on this blog. One of the most influential thought-leaders working in this field at the moment is the American David Wolfe. 

David empowers and inspires people to take charge of their health, even up against all the modern-day demands of bills, technology, environmental pollution, commuting, and inflation. By making simple, informed decisions, he demonstrates how we can all enjoy quality time for ourselves and with our family, because, as he maintains, health is wealth! 

He’s acquired the nickname David ‘Avocado’ Wolfe for his advocacy of this fantastic fruit, and the logo on his website even includes half an avo in the middle of his name. So we thought we’d start with a few of his thoughts on this wonderful pear… 

Trying to choose the perfect avocado? Pick one that has more weight for its size than most. Once you’ve got your avo’s home, don’t put them in the fridge as they will take longer to ripen. Rather keep them next to bananas in your fruit bowl – as the bananas ripen, they naturally release ethylene gas which causes the avo’s to ripen too. Try it! 

And to save half an avocado, keep the pit in it, and add a few drops of lemon juice before wrapping it tightly in plastic film and keeping it in the fridge for a day at most. 

As long as avo's are in season, you will find them on our lunch buffet - smooth guacamole or mango, avo and tomato salad (the best salad in the book!)

David’s curiosity about the world around us is really inspiring. It’s not just nutrition that he writes about – we really enjoyed one recent blog post where he mused on why we always seem to have our best ideas in the shower. Apparently it’s because showering is such a regular task that we don’t need to give it any thought. Which means that our brains can wander, and when we daydream, our brain relaxes and switches on its ‘default mode network’ freeing up neural pathways so that we can be more creative.

Exactly the kind of free-thinking – combined with first rate nutritional advice – that we enjoy at Leafy Greens… For more of David Wolfe’s eclectic and brilliant thoughts on health, nutrition, raw foods and more, check out his website: www.davidwolfe.com 

#eatwelldogood #eatclean #eatraw @antoniadeluca 

Too good to be true?

Easter is just a few weeks away now and already the supermarket shelves are full to bursting with chocolate eggs, bunnies and teddy bears. These present a veritable minefield of refined sugar and dairy, and yet many people might find it difficult not to over indulge.

You may have seen articles claiming that chocolate is good for you, and that it can be included in the best category of all: superfoods. However, these articles can often be misleading. The problem with most chocolate available in shops and supermarkets is that it is usually heated to temperatures exceeding 150˚C, destroying all the valuable enzymes and anti-oxidants found in chocolate. In addition to this, it is usually  loaded with refined sugar which poses a number of health risks.

The trick is to get your hands on raw cacao, and preferably the organic variety.  

The benefits of raw cacao have been understood for centuries. Archaeologists have found evidence that it was used by the Olmec and Aztec peoples to make beverages up to a thousand years ago. They might not have understood the science behind what makes cacao so good for us, but they instinctively knew that this plant was something special. 

Cacao is choc-full of disease-busting compounds like flavonoids and theobromine - which translates as ‘food of the gods’ – and although it’s an ‘ancient’ food, these compounds can help with some very modern health problems. 

Flavonoids can control insulin sensitivity, helping prevent the onset of diabetes. They have been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and also to promote a feeling of satiety – the sense that you have eaten enough. This helps with portion size control and weight management.  

Cacao flavonoids have also been shown to boost the skin’s natural defences against sunburn, and even to boost performance in intelligence tests. Of course these benefits would be offset by all the sugar in mass-produced chocolate, so it’s important to stick to chocolate that is high in organic cacao and low in refined sugar.

One sure fire way to get all the goodness of cacao and none of the harmful sugars is to pop in to Leafy Greens and enjoy our Chocolate Bliss smoothie. 

It contains maca, another superfood that has amazing effects when combined with cacao, and is sweetened using bananas and dates – perfectly healthy! 

http://lgcafe.blogspot.co.za/2016/02/chocolate-bliss-yes-you-read-right-this.html 

So there you have it – a superfood that’s also a smart food which can be included in some really delicious but guilt-free recipes. 

One less thing to stress about – oh yes, flavonoids lower stress, too! 

HAPPY EASTER!

#antoniasfoodblog #eatwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

A good night's sleep

Doctors are still trying to understand the science of sleep, but it is known that sleep is the time during which our bodies heal, rejuvenate, and restore. Sleep is also the time the brain uses to process all the information received during the day, forming new memories and ideas. It is undeniable that of the most important components of good health and vitality is that of a good quality, deep sleep.

It’s ironic, then, that one of the most common complaints revolve around sleep. Whether it’s not sleeping long enough, or not sleeping well enough, almost everyone struggles to get the sleep they need We all know we should get eight hours of sleep a night, but very few of us seem to manage to get to bed on time and, when we do, we often find we have so much on our minds that we simply can’t nod off.

These simple tips will help you sleep longer and better, and feel like a new person in the morning:

Skip the coffee

While we all love an almond milk cappuccino, too much caffeine can very easily lead to a poor sleeping pattern – improper sleep at night leads to the need for more caffeine during the day, which again leads to improper sleep that night. It’s a vicious cycle, but it can be broken. Cutting out caffeine, especially after 2pm, will help you get feel far more relaxed come bedtime.  

Eat with the sun

When you eat a meal late in the evening, your stomach is still digesting it well into the early hours of the morning. Digestion requires energy, and this means that your body cannot rest the way it needs to. A good rule of thumb is to only eat during daylight, and limit yourself to liquids after sunset.

Hello darkness my old friend

The body needs darkness to sleep deeply. As the sky gets darker, our brains are programmed to release melanin, the sleepy hormone, but extra lights from TV’s, computers and cellphones disrupts this process and leads to sleeplessness. A good practice is to completely ban any electronic devices in the bedroom and to avoid using them before bed.

#antoniasfoodblog #sleepwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

SUPERFOODS

Modern life, despite all its creature comforts, brings with it a number of harmful effects. Toxins present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and in processed foods contribute to many health problems. 

Could it be that something as simple as food can provide a solution to these issues?

There is no such thing as a miracle food. However, current research is identifying certain fruits and vegetables that excel when it comes to nutritional value and positive effects on your body. These foods have come to be known as superfoods.  

Here at Leafy Greens we know that the health benefits are maximised when food is organic and local, ensuring that no life is drained from the harvest by chemicals and added food miles. A short journey from farm to table guarantees that everything we grow reaches you while it’s still completely fresh and bursting with goodness. 

While there isn’t an official definition of what superfoods are, a good one might be this: foods that make you feel super. 

These are nutrient-dense food powerhouses that work to boost health and immunity. They contain high levels of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients. Superfoods can also help slow down the ageing process, and protect against lifestyle conditions such as cancer and heart problems. 

While we can proudly say that we’ve never met a fruit or vegetable we didn’t love, we wanted to introduce you to a few of our favourite superfoods. Think of them as the superheroes of the food world! 

• Spirulina increases the haemoglobin content of your red blood cells, so that your blood can transport more oxygen, giving your body more fuel.
• Goji berries are one of the top competitors worldwide in terms of anti-oxidant content, and help to recharge your immune system.

GOJI BERRY BARS:

• Raw cacao, also known as the beloved chocolate, is one of nature’s most potent superfoods. With more than 5 times the anti-oxidants of goji berries, cacao is sure to get you feeling radiant.

RAW CACAO TRUFFLES:

• Maca, a root grown in the Peruvian mountains, is reported to have many benefits including hormone stability, mood improvement, and increased energy.

If you’re looking to get your daily dose of super, our Superfood Smoothie delivers all of the above ingredients in one delicious drink!

http://lgcafe.blogspot.co.za/2016/02/superfood-delicious-and-nutritious-this.html 

Superfoods are not, however, a one-stop fix-all wonder cure for bad lifestyle habits. It wouldn’t work to eat processed foods loaded with chemical additives and then expect to fix things with the occasional superfood. The best way to think of superfoods is as key ingredients in a super diet. Including these delicious and nutritious superfoods in your diet will give you the extra boost you need to be your very best self, and be a superhero in your own life. 

And it’s far easier than getting changed into tights in a phone booth! #antoniasfoodblog #eatwelldogood @antoniadeluca 

www.lgcafe.org

A new webpage is up at http://www.lgcafe.org/