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joyfalzoneall fat is not created equal
No CommentsRead moreWe need three types of macronutrients to live – carbohydrates, protein and fat. However not all fat is created equal. I think most of us know that saturated fat from meat (red meat, white meat, dairy, eggs and fish) creates plaque in our bodies and increases risk of heart disease and stroke and that trans-fats (partially hydrogenated oils) are even worse still. But what is considered healthy fat? It’s best to stick with whole food forms of fat, and limit oil consumption. Although I do use small amounts of olive and coconut oil for dressings, cooking and baking, it is not what I would consider a health food. Comparatively, it is high in calories and low in nutrients and for the majority of our food, we should stick with foods low in calories and high in nutrients. Dr. Fuhrman, who I received my Certificate in Nutritarian Studies from, says H=N/C (health = nutrients/calories), in other words, the more nutrients per calorie, the better for our health. Below are the fats that give you the best bang for your calorie buck.
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joyfalzoneprotein power balls
2 CommentsRead moreThese snack balls are perfect for a pre work out snack, post work out recovery, lunch box treat, or in my case “need calories for breastfeeding” snack. They are packed with protein (4-5 grams per ball), good fats and minimal natural sugar from the dates which you can certainly omit if you don’t want any sugar. I’ve made these with sunbutter so that they are allergy friendly but you can use whatever nut butter you have on hand (peanut, cashew, almond, etc).
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joyfalzonehealthy snacking: kale chips
No CommentsRead moreI often forget how easy and delicious kale chips are! The big kale chip hype was probably ten years ago but they never get old. They only take about 5 minutes prep and 15 minutes oven time! Also, for those of you who have never had homemade kale chips, don’t knock them until you’ve tried them! They are perfectly airy, crispy and salty and I bet you won’t be able to stop eating them. You can add whatever flavors you choose like Za’Atar seasoning, lemon, tamari or even a cashew “dressing”. The options are endless.
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joyfalzonezucchini crudo with summer herbs
No CommentsRead moreEvery year since my husband and I have had a garden, I harvest our very first summer squash and turn it into thinly sliced crudo. I think eating zucchini raw is the best way to enjoy it. The recipe I’m sharing today along with this one from the archives, are my favorites! Simply slice the zucchini with a mandolin or ceramic slicer and top with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and handfuls of fresh summer herbs! It is a light, refreshing appetizer or snack perfect for this humid weather.
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joyfalzonelactation cookies (breakfast bars)
No CommentsRead moreI have two exciting things to share today, one, our second baby decided to join us last weekend at home under the care of my amazing midwives, the Midwives of New Jersey, and two, I am finally sharing what is probably the most used recipe in our house! These aren’t just “lactation cookies” but also a great breakfast for everyone. They are basically a protein-packed oatmeal cookie (and who doesn’t want a cookie for breakfast?)! My husband and toddler love these too.
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joyfalzonewatermelon currant popsicles
No CommentsRead moreHappy first day of summer! Today I’m sharing a super simple, four ingredient, guilt-free ice pop recipe with no added sugar (approved by my 20 month old)! I have a Zoku quick pop maker at home which I absolutely love! It makes ice pops in less than ten minutes! This isn’t a sponsored post, I just think this product is great! You can use any pop maker of course, but sometimes you just don’t want to wait five hours for an ice pop!
Watermelon is a great source of antioxidant lycopene which has been shown to fight cancer. As I’ve mentioned before, berries (including raspberries) also have cancer-fighting antioxidants as well as loads of vitamin C. Currants and limes add even more vitamin C to the mix as well as lots of other nutrients! So you can feel really good about eating one (or two) of these!
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joyfalzonehibiscus berry smoothie bowl
No CommentsRead moreI love smoothies! It is such an easy way to have a nutritious breakfast or snack in minutes with basically no work on your part besides throwing ingredients in the blender! This berry smoothie has been one of my go-tos especially during early pregnancy when green smoothies nauseated me. The berries pack cancer-fighting antioxidants and more than 100% of your daily value of vitamin C as well as lots of other vitamins and minerals. Berries have a low glycemic index compared to most other fruit and have been linked to improved regulation of blood sugar as well as lowering risk for cardiovascular disease. In one study, participants who consumed at last 3 servings of low-GI fruits per day (including blueberries) saw significant improvement in their regulation of blood sugar over a three-month period of time. (Their blood levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, or HgA1C were used as the standard of measurement in this study.) Oats and almond butter make this smoothie filling enough for breakfast. The fat in the almond butter also helps your body digest slower which also helps regulate blood sugar.
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joyfalzonechia pudding three ways
No CommentsRead moreHave you ever tried chia pudding? I never used to like it until I made this recipe from Amy Chaplin’s cookbook. Puddings I’ve tried in the past have had a weird texture and just tasted blah. The homemade nut milk, dates, and vanilla make all the difference in this recipe and it only takes minutes to make in the blender! My husband and I usually eat it for breakfast but it would also make a nice dessert. Chia seeds are a concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as dietary fiber. They are nutrient rich and contain a significant amount of vitamins and minerals compared to their size. The word “chia” is actually the Mayan word for “strength” which is fitting since chia seeds are a complete protein (meaning they contains all the essential amino-acids we need as humans). If you’re unfamiliar with chia seeds, they become gelatinous when soaked. In herbalism they are known as a demulcent which is cooling and soothing for those with compromised digestion.
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joyfalzonesarah britton’s sorrel hummus
No CommentsRead moreHummus is one of those things that’s super easy to make but I think most people just tend to buy it instead. It takes about 5 minutes to blend up a nice batch of hummus and there are so many options for variety! The hummus recipe I’m sharing today is made with chickpeas but you can also use any type of bean or legume like mung beans, white beans or lentils. Adding vegetables or different spices can completely change the flavor as well so you won’t get bored of dipping your vegetables in the same old stuff.
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joyfalzonetropical green smoothie
No CommentsRead moreAloha! I just got back on the mainland after two amazing weeks in Hawaii. Before leaving for Hawaii, I dreamed of the freshest and cheapest pineapples imaginable. Come to find out, pineapples are even more expensive in Hawaii than here on the east coast! I grabbed what I thought was a .99 cent Dole pineapple at a local grocery store on Oahu but my husband later pointed out to me it was actually .99 cents per pound! We did however score lots of free papayas and avocados which are basically considered weeds over there. Since I’m still in an island state of mind, I’d like to share one of my all time favorite tropical green smoothies with you which if you haven’t guessed, contains pineapple!
snacks
hello wholefoods > snacks