Superfoods

I wanted to write a post about some of the super foods that I like I to take everyday that really help me feel better. So here are some of them and their health benefits:


Flax seeds

Some call it one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. There’s some evidence it can help reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer particularly breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer, stroke, and diabetes. That’s quite a tall order for a tiny seed!
Although flaxseed contains all sorts of healthy components, it owes its healthy reputation primarily to three ingredients:
Omega-3 essential fatty acids, "good" fats that have been shown to have heart-healthy effects. Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
Lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities. Flaxseed contains 75- 800 times more lignans than other plant foods
Fiber. Flaxseed contains both the soluble and insoluble types. Some other nuts and seeds to think about: Walnuts, Cashews, Filberts, Pumpkin seed, and Hemp seed.
(webMD)


I take 5 tablespoons of flaxseeds every morning mixed with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Getting a little personal here:)... it really helps in the poop department. I have never been very regular but eating these flax seeds really helps me be regular. When I was telling my friend about it she was worried that it would be more like the feel of diarrhea and you can't control the need to go. But it is not like this at all. You can control the urge. It really attaches to the wall of the intestine and sucks out the toxens, cholestrol, and other harmful things that like to hang out in there. When I keep up on it I really feel less bloated and lighter through out the day.

Green Tea

More than a decade's worth of research about green tea's health benefits -- particularly its potential to fight cancer and heart disease -- has been more than intriguing, as have limited studies about green tea's role in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, preventing diabetes and stroke, and staving off dementia.
Green tea has important antioxidants and compounds that help in maintaining good health. Green tea and its extract have been shown to fight obesity and lower LDL "bad" cholesterol -- two risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. The best way to get the most out of green tea -- even if your main goal is losing weight -- is to drink it.

I drink 4 1/2 cups of green tea every morning. I have a problem with Acne on my face and when I drink green tea I really notice a difference in my skin. When I get really bad under ground brake outs I heat up a green tea bag in some water and put it on my face and it really clams my skin. I also feel that I have more energy throughout the day. (I take the decaf green tea)

Red Clover Extract Red clover is considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens and are found in many plants). It is used for hot flashes/flushes, PMS, lowering cholesterol, breast health, improving urine production and improving circulation of the blood. It is also used to help prevent osteoporosis, reduce the possibility of blood clots and arterial plaques and limiting the development of benign prostate hyperplasia.
Red clover is a source of many valuable nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.

I of course do not use this to help with menopause because I am not there in my life yet. But I have a friend that was receiving some hormonal therapy that was sweet enough to get some information for me about my acne. The doctor told her to tell me to try Red Clover Extract. I have been using every day for a week straight. And I have seen a big difference in my skin. I also bought some red clover tea bags to mix in with my green tea to get as much help as I can. The Extract calls for you to take 30-40 drops a day. I mix it in with my green tea every day. It also adds a little sweetness to the tea:)

Eggs
Dig into eggs, yolks and all: They won't harm your heart, but they can help you trim inches. Women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg lost twice as many pounds as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs. Egg protein is filling, so you eat less later in the day.
(AOLhealth)

I try to have 3 boiled eggs every day. I really try to eat them in the morning because when I do I have noticed that I am less likely to be hungry and eat more later on in the day. I boil an entire container of eggs, then it is easy to just grab and go for those mornings that you don't have time to cook

Avacado

Don't let the fat content of an avocado (29 grams) scare you -- that's what makes it a top weight-loss food. (AOLhealth)

I like to make soup with 2 avacados, 1 cucumber, some garlic, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Mix it up in a food processor or blender. Eat it cold or warm. It really gives me an energy boost and tastes great:)


As i continue getting healthier I am sure that this list will grow. But here is a start of how we can all add things in our every day diets that can give us a boost!