A Healthy Way to Sweeten Your Superfood Recipes

– by Jessie Sandoval

A Healthy Way to Sweeten Your Superfood Recipes

This week we welcome the Founder of JS Wellness LLC, Jessie Sandoval to the blog! In this post she shares a healthy way to sweeten up your superfood recipes.

Superfoods are super powerful. As research continues to highlight “food as medicine,” critical masses of consumers are starting to shift their purchasing power towards whole foods, raw and living food products and superfoods. What we put in our bodies does have the ability to heal and transform but where should the average person start? What are superfoods and why they are important to include in your diet?

Superfoods include foods that have a dozen or more unique properties. For example, the goji berry is a source of complete protein, immune-stimulating polysaccharides, liver-cleaning betaine, anti-aging properties, antioxidants, over twenty trace minerals…just to name a few.

Superfoods have elements of both food and medicine. They are in a class of the most potent, super-concentrated, and nutrient-rich foods on the planet. Basically, superfoods allow us to get more nutrition with less eating. More importantly, superfoods are immune boosters. They work actively to improve the fighting power of our cells.

One way to make superfood recipes as tasty as possible? Find the perfect compliment.

One of my favorite foods to cook with, and one you might not suspect, is honey. Honey is a natural and sugar alternative that has a long shelf life. It was one of the most precious commodities during ancient times and was once used as a currency. Honey is used to treat various health conditions and boost overall health. It possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties – making it one of the most beneficial foods to consume. Here are some ways honey can boost your overall health plan when used with superfoods!

  • A teaspoon of honey with lemon water and a teaspoon of wheat grass juice powder on an empty stomach kicks up the metabolic rate
  • Add a tablespoon into homemade salad dressing to top your greens and veggies.
  • Used topically with vinegar, it can help relieve pain and inflammation in arthritic joints
  • Mix into mushroom tea for a relaxing evening ritual
  • Make elderberry syrup for a natural healer when you're feeling sick
  • A dap of honey on a cut can work better than any antibiotic cream from the supermarket
  • Works as a natural and gentle laxative, aids constipation
  • Provides instant energy without the insulin surge caused by white sugar. Try in a green smoothie to balance the bitterness, add a tablespoon to your favorite granola recipe or spread over toast topped with chia seeds.
  • Helps balance your blood sugar because it contains a wide array of trace minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese and selenium, which are critical for healthy cellular insulin sensitivity.
    • Of course, one of the best ways to consume honey is when it is used as a sugar substitute in baking. I might be a little bias as a “want-to-be” professional baker, but this recipe for honey banana bread is amazing! Adapted from my grandmother’s recipe, it might become your next book club treat to share


    Healthy Honey Banana Bread Recipe

    Ingredients:

    • 1/4 cup butter
    • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (Greek works the best)
    • 1 cup honey
    • 2 eggs , beaten
    • 3 very ripe bananas mashed
    • 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1/2 cup walnuts (try roasting them first, it brings out their flavor)

    Directions

    Combine dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a

    separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: butter, yogurt, honey, bananas, eggs and vanilla.

    Set walnuts aside. Beat the wet ingredients thoroughly before adding to the dry ingredients.

    Then, mix everything together. Fold in walnuts. Pour batter into greased and floured loaf pan.

    Bake for 60 minutes at 350 degrees.

    About the Author

    Through genuine and careful listening, Jessie Sandoval helps her coaching clients identify appropriate resources, develop goals and execute a plan to fit their unique challenges. Jessie shares a passion and motivation for living a balance lifestyle with companies, organizations and individuals. You can learn more at www.jswellnessllc.org, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

    Are you a health or wellness professional interested in writing a guest blog post for Sunburst Superfoods? Click here!

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