Mood enhancing superfoods.

Generally speaking, if you follow a good healthy balanced diet, drink plenty of water and take regular exercise,  then that should keep you in tip top condition, but sometimes the stresses and strains of modern day living can take its toll on the body and mind, causing all kinds of problems, from sleep disturbance, hormone imbalance and weight gain/loss, and anxiety.


When this happens, it's time to give our bodies some extra love in the form of supplements and superfoods, and having been suffering from anxiety of late that has left my hormones a little haywire I've been checking out what's available, and here is what I have been stocking up on.

Maca Powder: Made from the root of the Maca plant that originates in the Peruvian Andes,  Maca is a superfood said to have  many benefits, including improving mood, balancing, hormones in both men and women, boosting fertility, sex drive,  energy levels, and is even said to help create a curvaceous bottom when combined with exercise!

Dried Maca root contains 1 protein,  19 essential amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and D, minerals iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, several glucosinolates, 20 free fatty acids, and a whole host of other nutrients. Add it to smoothies, or use in pancakes, and other cooking,  it's got a bit of an acquired taste, which takes some getting used to, but also comes in tablet form. 

Omega 3's, An oldy but a goodie, Classed as a good fat, it helps the body in a number of ways, ranging from cardiovascular, development and functioning of the brain, strengthening bones, and supporting the reproductive system and much more.

The best source of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, comes from fish. Top choices are salmon, (my personal favourite, not too many bones) mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, anchovies, and tuna, but can also be found in these superfoods, walnuts, broccoli, edamame beans, chia seeds, and flaxseed oil.

Cacao powder,  good chocolate, in its raw state, taken from the bean before the nutrients are lost due to the heating process, is packed with magnesium, and said to be one of the most complex food substances on Earth, A guilt free treat!

use to Sprinkle over porridge, muesli, granola or other cereals, Blend into smoothiesUse in place of commercial cocoa powders to make a healthy drink. And who doesn't feel in a better mood after consuming chocolate!

What superfood do you turn to in times of need.

Healthy oats pancakes with a little naughty topping...

I'm a big fan of these porridge oat mix pancakes, but after working so hard on our table makeover yesterday, I decided to have a bit of a naughty topping on my healthy pancakes, a sprinkling of icing sugar and golden syrup....

 

A Date with Crazy Jack.

Hello, folks, yes I'm back from my holiday in Cornwall, (I shared a few pics on Instagram)  and slowly getting  myself back into the swing of things, and back into healthy eating, have you ever tried cream from Cornwall? it's so rich that it literally forms a skin in the top, not sure if it's disgusting or yummy. 

Anyway thanks to the fab PR people from the Crazy Jack Organic Brand, who  kindly sent me soft Dates, Desiccated Coconut, and Ground Almonds in the post, I'm snacking on something a little bit healthier now, and using the ingredients to make these Date Energy snack bites. 

The original method provided by Crazy Jack called for making them into balls, but I thought with the school summer holidays just around the corner, it would be great to get the little ones involved by letting them use shape cutters to create some fun snacks.  I only had heart shapes....

Ingredients

1 Cup Crazy Jack Soft Dates

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1/2 Cup Crazy Jack Desiccated Coconut

1/3 cocoa Powder

1 tbsp coconut oil 

1/3 Cup Crazy Jack Ground Almonds or

1/3 Cup Goji Berries

Method

1. Put Dates into Food  Processor and pulse until well mixed

2. Add remaining ingredients, and mix until smooth

3. Spoon out mixture and either roll into balls

or press out flat with hand.

4. Use cutter to cut out shapes

5. Coat in desiccated Coconut

6. Place on a parchment paper and baking sheet

and place in fridge

7. Once set Enjoy!

The great thing about these is that they are so versatile, I left out the Cocoa powder because I didn't have any, and added seeds and raisins instead,  or you could add some vanilla essence if you fancy, and cut back on the coconut oil, it's up to you. Just be sure to use good ingredients. 

.

Styling and photography Samantha Stansbridge

Ingredients provided by Fuelrefuel.com 

Breakfast in a Jar.

Styling and photography Samantha Stansbridge

When we were in France at the beginning of the month my Husband bought a jar of Bonne Maman strawberry jam, to spread on our croissants for breakfast, and I can tell you that  it was lovely, now the jam is all gone, I'm left with this nice little glass pot, too nice to just throw away, so last night I used it to make up some overnight porridge using wheat free oats, part milk part coconut water, a few raisins, and some vanilla natural yoghurt.  (my dentist tells me I should eat natural yoghurt regularly because it supports the lining of the month, as I suffered nerve damage when I had my wisdom teeth out a few years back)  put all the ingredients in the jar, shake up and leave in the fridge overnight.  Then enjoy a stress-free breakfast in the morning!   

Can't Beat a Club Sandwich.

Photography and styling Samantha Stansbridge

Let me introduce you to the Style Space and Stuff Club Sandwich, for no particular  reason other than I Missed breakfast this morning because we had to take the cat to the vet, and it's now a rather  slow Saturday, so I'm playing with my food in the kitchen and trying to think of something interesting for lunch.  We have brown seeded bread, bacon, a few leftover salad leaves, some sweet cherry tomatoes, and some rather ripe avocado, sounds like the making of a rather good sandwich.....  What's your perfect club sandwich combination?