Happy Friday!

Today starts another fabulous long holiday weekend… complete with rain, rain and more rain. I’m home working for the day, so hopefully I can squeeze in some cooking to get you guys some delicious recipes.

One thing I wanted to share, though. I love healthy food, but I didn’t always love it. Growing up, my mom was an excellent cook, but I still hated vegetables. My parents ate them so I don’t know if I was just being stubborn. I didn’t like to eat steamed vegetables and I certainly didn’t know how to cook for myself until the last few years so I was sadly deprived of a lot of delicious ways to eat and cook vegetables. Then Amazon came to the rescue and now I feel like I need to share all the fun things I found recently to you and your loved ones/picky eaters if they aren’t into trying new things (though I think my recipes are delicious…).

8Greens Effervescent Super Greens Dietary Supplement – $14

Link: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0792HYX21/ref=twister_B07DPWSPSF?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This stuff is liquid gold. My favorite local cosmetics store, Houpette, started carrying this when they moved to their new location, and I am DELIGHTED. It has a nice citrus-y taste, isn’t sludgy, and gets you the Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Zinc and other minerals you need if you don’t plan on eating your broccoli. It’s vegan, gluten free, sugar free, salt free and preservative free.

TerraSoul SuperFoods Gelatinized Maca Powder – $13

Link: https://smile.amazon.com/Terrasoul-Superfoods-Organic-Gelatinized-Powder/dp/B00EHQQ1A6/ref=lp_6944339011_1_11_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1535718486&sr=1-11&th=1

Don’t let this one’s name fool you – it’s vegan, certified, organic, non-GMO and also gluten free. Maca is a root native to Peru – it’s balanced in carbs and protein, and also contains vitamin C, copper, iron, potassium, fiber, manganese, along with others. Studies have suggested it increases libido and fertility in men, and it has been suggested that maca root also alleviates unfavorable symptoms of menopause. As with everything – always pay attention to your body, as anything that influences your hormones can impact things such as your thyroid, or general hormonal wellness… however, the state that you will likely buy your maca root powder carries little adverse side effects compared to its natural state (raw, uncooked). When taken properly, this can do wonders, but always consult your doctor if you have concerns!

Greenbow Organic Bee Pollen – $11.99

Link: https://smile.amazon.com/GREENBOW-Organic-Bee-Pollen-Certified/dp/B019HI4CRC/ref=lp_6944339011_1_1_sspa?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1535718486&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1

Though I’m a firm believer in buying this particular one locally (the bees are pollinating your local flowers – it couldn’t hurt to ingest local pollen for allergy reasons!), if that isn’t available to you, this is a great choice. Bee pollen contains amino acids, Vitamin B and other minerals to support a healthy immune system. I am particularly fond of this brand because they donate 1% of their proceeds to the Planet Bee Foundation, which helps to repopulate the bees and promote awareness of dangers to the bee ecosystem. Word to the wise – without bees, we all die…. If we’re being transparent, here. **side note: if you are allergic to bee venom, or anything bee related, it is recommended that you consult your doctor prior to any consumption of a bee byproduct.

Navitas Organics Goji Berries – $15

Link: https://smile.amazon.com/Navitas-Organics-Goji-Berries-oz/dp/B000FFLHSY/ref=sr_1_21_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1535719220&sr=1-21&refinements=p_n_feature_nine_browse-bin%3A6997074011%7C6997076011&th=1

This one is fun in that… it’s kind of fun to say. They’re like a dried cherry cranberry raisin type thing, and I add them to my smoothies or overnight oatmeal. Chinese folklore says these are nicknamed “Happy Berries” – as the monks were jolly, happy and cheerful, and attributed this to their consumption of goji berries. They are high in antioxidants and vitamin A, and they taste pretty darned good, too. If chewing on these things freaks you out, Navitas also sells, powder form, available here.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides – $25 (30 servings)

Link: https://smile.amazon.com/Vital-Proteins-Pasture-Raised-Grass-Fed-Collagen/dp/B00NLR1PX0/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1535719464&sr=1-4&keywords=vital+proteins+collagen+peptides

I love this stuff. While I am fortunate enough to have what some would consider “good skin”, there’s no sense in letting it go to waste! I add this to my coffee every morning… it’s taste-free, smell-free, and doesn’t change my coffee at all. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and makes up a good part of all the connective tissues in our body. It maintains skin’s elasticity and regeneration of cells, your hair, tendon, cartilage, bones and joints. Collagen is a protein made up of amino-acids: glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine. In laymen’s terms… if you’d like to help slow the process of saggy boom-booms or crepe-y skin, this is a great product to give you a head-start.

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These are just a few of my favorites that I’ve found over the years. If you aren’t interested in buying at Amazon, most local health food stores, as well as Whole Foods and Wegmans, carry these products. Much of the evidence provided around these products is from my own research, so always be sure to educate yourself on what the best superfood regimen may be for you. I’m always here for questions too!

What’s your favorite superfood or healthy product you’ve found? Share yours!

-S