Green Apples with Almond Butter
One of the hallmarks of green apples is their minimal effect on blood sugar. They are loaded with fiber and phytochemicals that act as a blessing to the digestive tract, liver and skin. However, they are also one of the highest sources of D-glucaric acid. D-glucaric acid can help reduce cancer risk by inhibiting an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme when overactive can cause significant disruption in hormone metabolism.
Almonds pair quite nicely with green apples. They have anti-inflammatory fatty acids, provide a great source of vitamin E and magnesium, and add an extra dose of fiber. I find this combo to be amazingly satisfying and satiating.
Apples and Almonds give us a great balance of insoluble and soluble fiber, both to bind toxins in the gut and to remove them.
Broccoli with Olive Oil
Broccoli is loaded with friendly, hormone-balancing phytochemicals like indole-3-carbinole and sulforaphane. It’s also a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C and chromium. This combination of phytochemicals is also amazing at promoting blood sugar stability and sensitizing insulin receptors. If you really want to take it up a notch, grow your own broccoli sprouts. A handful of broccoli sprouts can have 10 times the nutritional density as matured broccoli.
The addition of olive oil after cooking is essential so that we can extract all the fat soluble vitamins and phytonutrients from broccoli. Olive oil of course is loaded with anti-inflammatory fatty acids that support the heart and brain. It’s also loaded with Vitamin E which is often lacking in many diets. Low vitamin E intake leaves us vulnerable to excess free radical damage, which means our skin, heart, brain, and eyes will age much faster than they should.
Alaskan Salmon with Rosemary
This combo is a game changer for anyone wanting to maximize their brain power. Studies have shown that Rosemary can boost blood flow to the brain and improve concentration. Rosemary is very anti-inflammatory and can help reduce acrylamide, a carcinogen linked to breast cancer that is formed through the cooking process. Add it to your salmon or any other foods that brown with heating.
Look for Rosemary that is a deep sage green color and free of yellow or dark spots. Or better yet, grow your own to maximize potency.
When it comes to salmon, it is crucial to get wild-caught rather than farmed (Atlantic) salmon. PCBs and mercury levels have been shown to be much higher in farmed salmon. These chemicals destroy human physiology and create massive hormone imbalance, essentially negating the amazing potential benefits of eating salmon.
Wild salmon is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids to build strong cell membranes. It also has lots of selenium to help with glutathione formation, the most potent antioxidant and detoxifier our cells create.
Eggs with Avocado
Eggs with a healthy side of avocado is my go-to breakfast. They are both loaded with life-giving, ultra-satisfying fats. They are a great way to start the day without spiking your blood sugar and create an opportunity for your brain to be sharp all day long.
Don’t skimp on the yoke as that is where the choline and B vitamins reside. I always add Redmond Real Salt or Herbamare and Turmeric to my eggs and avocado. We need a perfect balance of sodium and potassium to maximize cell to cell communication.
Avocadoes have phytochemicals that promote great vision and heart health, but also have anti-bacterial activity, especially against Escherichia coli.
Blueberries with Cinnamon
I eat blueberries fresh in season and frozen in the off season – in other words, all-year round! Blueberries sprinkled with cinnamon are an easy go-to snack to help curb my sweet tooth. I also add them to my smoothies or to top off my wife’s homemade granola.
When getting blueberries at the store, be sure to get ones that are refrigerated to maximize their antioxidant density, as blueberries contain many heat-sensitive nutrients.
Blueberries are easily one of the most widely available and easily cultivated nutritional powerhouses. Your blood vessels, taste buds and waistline, will thank you for making blueberries a major player in your dietary strategy.
Cinnamon can be a spicy powerhouse as well, promoting antioxidant activity along with anti-microbial and ant-inflammatory activity and helping maintain healthy blood sugar. It is best to try to find Ceylon cinnamon to truly experience all of its health conferring benefits.
