Cocoa Bites

Ingredients: 

Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Organic Coconut Oil (I like Dr. Bronner's)
Dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar broken into pieces
Hemp seeds

Combine ingredients for a super healthy-fat snack!! Tastes like an Almond Joy candy bar! 

Health Benefits:

Coconut Oil- hundreds of uses and benefits! 

Dark Chocolate- Helps prevent heart disease: Like tea, dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are compounds that act as antioxidants. Flavonoids protect cells from harmful molecules—called free radicals—that are produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to sunlight or smoke. Free radicals can cause cell damage that leads to heart disease. Flavonoids can also lower blood pressure and reduce LDL cholesterol (i.e., the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.
Improve your mood: Stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that bring on feelings of pleasure. It also contains the chemical serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant.
Protect your skin: German researchers found that the flavonoids in dark chocolate absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, and improve skin’s hydration and complexion.


Hemp seeds-Hemp seeds are a high quality complete protein and rich in the vitamin E and essential fatty acids: Omega 3, 6, and 9!!! They are very versitile and can be used on salads, in smoothies, as a crust for fish, in yogurt, and are one of the most nutrient dense of all other nuts and seeds!! 

www.naturalnews.com



Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

www.optimumwellnessmn.com

Olive Oil (Extra Virgin is Best)


It seems fitting to write about olive oil since I have been promoting it in the grocery stores!! Extra virgin olive oil is not processed with chemical or solvents like regular olive oil.  Be sure to check the bottle you have in your cupboard! 


Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is generally the best oil for most recipes. It has many benefits, and has a unique flavor. Olive oil is made from the fruit of the olive tree. There are several types of olive oil and the type, in part, determines how the oil was made and what it should be used for in cooking or other genres.Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats; these healthy fats can help lower cholesterol, improve your immune system, and lower blood pressure. This healthy oil decreases inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and has been shown to help improve bone health. 

Please note, olive oil cannot withstand high temperatures. It has a very low smoke point, and when it gets too hot some of its benefits are lost. Be sure to not let olive oil smoke. If you need oil for high temperature cooking, coconut oil is an excellent choice! Purchase extra virgin olive oil in a dark glass bottle because once exposed to light and air it can go rancid.
  

www.mercola.com

Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

www.optimumwellnessmn.com





Fearless Friday

The Journey- No matter where you are in your life right now remember to NEVER give up!! We are all meant to succeed in our own way. Actually LIVING is tough. We are all continually afraid to venture out and take risks. But why? There is always a solution to everything! If things do not work out get up and try again! I have this photo as the desktop on my laptop and read it every day. I am in charge of my life and the only way to make my dreams come true is to work hard EVERY day!! Cheers to a fearless Friday!!


Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

www.optimumwellnessmn.com



Best Foods for Detoxing



Detox! There are many ways to detox whether a full-body cleanse, getting rid of "toxic" friends, relationships, jobs, personal care items and etc. We are surrounded by toxins, in the things we eat and drink, even in the air we breathe. Some toxins are by-products of industrialization, others occur naturally. Here are some of the best detoxifying foods! Be sure to add these to your shopping cart this month! 

Lemons

Stimulates the release of enzymes and helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted from the body. Drinking lemon water, which is alkaline-forming, first thing in the morning will help to balance out the acidity of foods we've consumed. Don't forget to add your ground flaxseeds to enhance toxin removal.

Artichoke

Artichokes are not only a very tasty food, they're also incredibly healthy. Artichokes have been shown to increase bile production and purify/protect the liver. They also have a mild diuretic effect on the kidneys, ensuring proper removal of toxins once the liver breaks them down.

Tumeric

Curcumin is the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, which gives it its yellow color. The rate at which your detox pathways function depends on your genes, your age, lifestyle and a good supply of nutrients involved in the detox process. Curcumin is used a lot in Ayurvedic Medicine to treat liver and digestive disorders.

Flaxseed

One of the "superfoods," flaxseeds serve many purposes. When detoxifying your body, it's essential to ensure toxins are eliminated properly. Ground flaxseeds provide a wonderful source of fiber that helps to bind and flush toxins from the intestinal tract. They're also a great source of health promoting omega 3 oils. Try consuming two tablespoons of ground flaxseeds in lemon water every morning.

Garlic

No detox plan should be without some garlic: It's a powerful antiviral, antiseptic and antibiotic. Ridding your body of these pathogenic microbes can reduce endogenous (made by your body) toxins. The vital sulphuric compounds garlic contains makes it an essential detoxifier.

Beets

You can't beat beets! Beets are full of vitamins B3, B6, C and beta-carotene. They're also a valuable source of iron, magnesium, zinc and calcium -- promote optimal detoxification and elimination. Also support gallbladder and liver health -- organs that are paramount for breaking down and removing toxins. The high amount of fiber in beets improves digestion and helps eliminate bodily waste.


Dandelions

Dandelions are considered a powerhouse food full of nutrients that are essential for anyone regularly eating the "Standard American Diet" (SAD). They're a rich source of minerals and provide a variety of phytonutrients, support cleansing of the digestive tract and offer great liver support. Try adding dandelion leaves to your salad.

Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli is part of the powerhouse brassica family of vegetables. Broccoli contains important phytochemicals that are released when they're chopped, chewed, fermented, cooked or digested.  Broccoli sprouts can actually provide more benefit than regular broccoli as they contain 20 times more sulfurophane. Add these to your salads and get creative with them in your meals.


Sea Vegetables

Often known as seaweeds, these amazing foods house powerful antioxidants that help to alkalize the blood and strengthen the digestive tract. The algin in seaweeds absorb toxins from the digestive tract in much the same way a water softener removes the hardness from tap water. Sea vegetables offer the broadest range of minerals of any food, containing virtually all the minerals found in the ocean -- the same minerals that are found in human blood. Dulse is my personal favorite!

Detox Services Offered:


Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

www.optimumwellnessmn.com






Chai Green Tea Recipe


Winters in Minnesota seem to be the most difficult months for me!! I’m not a huge fan of being cold but it’s easier to handle when I have herbal tea!! Today is a perfect day to cuddle up, watch movies or read a book while sipping on a hot tasty beverage!! I wanted to share this Chai Green Tea recipe with you that I love!! Green tea is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, supports the liver and increases detoxifying enzymes.  It also contains calming L-theanine (great for mood and anxiety) and alkalizing properties!!

Chai Green Tea
(makes about 2 cups)

1 ½ cups filtered water
4-6 organic green tea bags
½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond or coconut milk
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Stevia or honey to taste


1.  In a medium saucepan, combine water and tea bags.  Bring to a near boil and remove from burner.  Steep for 5 minutes or longer to desired strength.

2. Meanwhile, in a small pan, warm the milk, spices, vanilla extract, and sweetener over low heat.  Stir constantly until warm. 

3. Remove teabags from pan.  Slowly add milk mixture and stir. 

Copyright, 2013, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.

www.optimumwellnessmn.com