First of all, Happy 2014!
I had grand intentions to start the year with lots of energy and even, a blog post. Unfortunately, I caught a cold and have been trying to fight it as best I can. The most difficult part of being sick, besides the obvious, is having to rest. It's so hard to simply be still. The new year rolled around and I was all ready to tackle my goals and make moves but it didn't happen the way I planned. Fortunately, I was able to rest and spend time reflecting on what I want to make happen this year.
A new year means a fresh start. I know I'm not alone in aiming to make my health a priority and in general, make healthier decisions. Crazily, my body seems to know exactly what I need and I have actually been craving nutritious foods regularly. Pretty awesome, right? Here are five foods I've been digging lately and of which, I can't seem to get enough.
1 | (everything) citrus
Citrus fruits have been my main squeeze all winter, including grapefruit, oranges, and my most recent discovery, satsumas. Until a month ago, I had never tried a satsuma. I passed by them many times in the grocery and wondered how these silly sounding fruits could possibly taste that much better than a clementine. After all, the only difference I noticed was that satsumas still have leaves attached and clementines don't. It turns out, satsumas are a variety of the mandarin orange and they are exceptionally scrumptious. We have purchased bags of them, week after week. In case you haven't had a chance to try this seasonal fruit, keep your eyes peeled for this juicy, Vitamin C fix next November.
2 | green tea + honey
Initially, I started drinking tea with honey to help heal my sore throat and the more I drank, the more I wanted to drink. For Christmas, we received a fresh jar of honey from my uncle, who makes it himself. Well, with help from the bees, of course.
As you probably know, green tea is loaded with antioxidants and has many other health benefits as well.
3 | pomegranates
I tried my first pomegranate a couple of weeks ago. They were on sale and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to try something new. Clueless about how exactly to eat a pomegranate, I decided to slice it in half and began to dig in with a fork. Quickly, I realized that pomegranate seeds stain pretty badly and that eating it with a fork may not be the most fruitful approach. Who knew there was a correct way to open a pomegranate? Not me. After watching a couple of YouTube videos, I attempted a new approach with the second pomegranate and was able to get the seeds out much more easily.
Not only are pomegranates beautiful, but they are also super rich in antioxidants and contain a significant portion of your daily Vitamin C and K values.
4 | brussel sprouts
Before you turn up your nose quite yet, have you tried brussel sprouts recently? I can't get enough of them. Lately I've been baking or sauteing our sprouts with sunflower oil and finishing them off with a little salt, pepper and a pinch of parmesan. When grilling season rolls around, I want to try out this recipe.
Their fibrous composition helps lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation. They also offer Vitamins A, C and K and antioxidants too. Honestly, the health benefits of this nutrient-dense food are pretty impressive. Check it out.
5 | kale
Kale is the new craze. It's everywhere. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Kale Yeah", haven't you? Jokes aside, this superfood has been incredibly popular in our house lately. We saute it, put it in smoothies and even serve it raw in salads. Soon I'll share one of my favorite kale salad recipes, in the event that you're feeling bold enough to try it. And if you're already a kale aficionado, then this recipe will be right up your alley.
Kale is great for people like me who only get their calcium intake through cheese and lattes. In addition to the usual vitamin offerings, Kale contains phytonutrients that help combat inflammation and it is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Cheers to craving foods that make us feel good!
What new foods have you tried recently?