Eat + Enjoy + Restore
In my Green Chia Pudding recipe, Iâve written about copper before, and weâve talked about it in my Free Facebook Group, The Nourished Life: Nutrition and Wellness (along with other essential micronutrients like Vitamin K2, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Magnesium.) To recap, Copper (along […]
Health Benefits of Pumpkin If youâve read my last post, youâve probably realized that I have been on a pumpkin kick lately. I just canât help it during the fall. I LOVE pumpkins â whether they be the real thing, ceramic or plastic. Besides being one […]
Ok, so you all know I love me some chocolate chips. In our house, we keep a bag of Enjoy Life brand chips in the fridge to easily grab a few we anyone needs a bit of a chocolate fix. Adding the chocolate to these nutrient-dense muffins was just what they needed to become even more delicious.
I love pumpkin in ALL my recipes this time of year â yes, I even head to Starbucks once in a while and get the PSL (pumpkin spice latte). On November 1st, I always end up having a ton of mini pumpkins leftover from Halloween, and I like to come up with creative ways to use them in my meals. My two favorites have been my pumpkin stuffing (recipe post coming soon) and these muffins. If you donât know how to roast a pumpkin, check out my post here, or use the canned kind â I seem to hoard this a lot too this time of year. đ
I should also note that I usually make my own gluten-free/corn-free flour mixes, but recently I stumbled across this gem at none other than Target. This versatile flour blend is very close to the blend I make at home and is really easy to work with. Find it here. Â
Traveling may look a lot different nowadays, but as we all start to branch out our own socially distanced way, itâs important to not only remember to wash our hands but also to fuel our bodies with foods that we enjoy and that will nourish […]
This recipe tastes as good as a candy bar, and will still make your body feel good after. It can be tailored to fit almost any food sensitivity need â as long as dates are tolerated and are one of my favorite snacks to take […]
What makes this pudding the beautiful green color, you may ask? Well TBH, itâs cyanobacteria. Yeah, thatâs right, Spirulina, to be exact. This cyanobacterium is a type of algae that has been used throughout history for its health properties. One tablespoon is an excellent source of protein, vitamins like B1, B2, B3, and minerals like copper and iron.
Spirulina can be used as an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis (inflammation in your nasal passageways) and can help reduce the symptoms of nasal discharge, congestion, and sneezing.
The antitoxic properties of Spirulina can help in counteracting common pollutants in the body like â arsenic, fluoride, iron, lead, and mercury.
It has also been shown to support cardiovascular health by improving your blood pressure and âbadâ LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as boasts anti-cancer properties.
It may also help improve your gut health. Animal studies indicate Spirulina can help support a healthy gut microbiome as you age. And with the added fiber with from the Chia Seeds, itâs safe to say this is a pro-gut health dessert!
It is crucial to purchase a high-quality, organic version of Spirulina for maximum health benefits and to research the company that produces the Spirulina to make sure there arenât any contaminants.
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Chia seeds are high in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats and mild in flavor, which makes them a great ingredient to use for pudding. You can use them blenderized or in natural form for this recipe. It will only change the smoothness and texture, but they will still solidify and make a pudding-like consistency. Itâs amazing how versatile this little seed is.
Copper is a very OVERLOOKED mineral -in my opinion, and just 17g of spirulina (or 1 TBS) can meet your daily RDA need. Here are just a FEW of the things that copper helps your body do:
1. Copper helps your body eliminate excess histamine: Histamine intolerance can be mistakenly diagnosed and is more common than you think. Histamine intolerance has been linked to symptoms like acid reflux, poor digestion, and anxiety. Copper helps your body eliminate histamine and could help prevent or treat its harmful symptoms.
2. Copper Helps strengthen collagen: Collagen is essential for bone and skin health. Copper works with Vitamin C to help strengthen bones and improve your skin. Copper and Vitamin C also work together to promote thyroid and adrenal health.
3. Copper helps us make platelets (vital for blood clotting and immune health) and allows our bodies to use iron efficiently.
4. Copper can help with mental health by helping our bodies regulate serotonin and help us produce dopamine.
Given all the health properties and benefits of this pudding â and that it also tastes delicious â this recipe is worth a try!
Let me know what you think?!
1Â tsp of organic Spirulina powder
3 1/2 TBS Chia Seeds
1 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 TBS Maple Syrup
12 oz Dairy-Free Milk (my favorite brand here)
Optional toppings: white or dark chocolate chips (my favorite brand here)
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Source: Chris Masterjohn, PHD: Vitamins & Minerals 101
