יום רביעי, 4 בדצמבר 2013

Why Eat Strawberries, and Why Take a Break



Wow! It’s the last month of 2013 – hard to believe! The year just flew by, with 2014 right around the corner…

I haven’t written a newsletter in quite a few months. 
Looking back, for me 2013 was a great but not an easy year: becoming a mother to beautiful Oraya who just turned 1 year old, and at my age of 42 motherhood does take some adapting to; finishing my book “The Power Of Food” and having it published in Israel; doing continuous work at our Irish company Superl!fe which just got rebranded; and living life in general…  

Over the past two months I decided I needed to slow down and do a bit less for a while.
That isn’t my nature, but it is very important in life to know when to take a break and not push yourself beyond your limits (which I used to often do), otherwise life will force us to take a break … either by becoming sick or by something else happening that will make us STOP!

When have you last taken a break – a real break? Do you feel you need one?
Even if it is only one day of no phones, no computer, no work…
We often don’t even take the weekend off, not really… 


And regarding the strawberries….

I used to eat lots of fruit, mostly apples. But since I went organic a few good years ago and the organic fruit is so expensive, I find myself eating less fruit. Though I still love my smoothies with fruit!
A few weeks ago after doing a yoga class in the Tel-Aviv port I went to the little Friday market located there. Few stands are organic stands but one of the conventional stands was selling 100% organic strawberries. It was Oraya’s Birthday and I decided to buy them.


I was so happy that she loved them. A great baby food, as she loves holding onto her food.
Since then I have been buying them every Friday.
I put them on everything: for breakfast, in smoothies, salads and even in sandwiches… they are delicious!!!

Here are a few insights just why strawberries are so healthy: 



- All berries are very high in antioxidants, neutralizing the free radicals that cause oxidation and that have negative effects on our cells.
- Excellent source of Vitamin C, which is an unbelievable antioxidant with many benefits. Just to name a few: boosts our immune system, is an amazing healer, can help prevent cancer, promotes a healthy heart, important for the production of collagen (that makes our skin elastic and young looking) and more…
- Source of fiber, natural sugars, low in calories so are a great additive to any food, a great snack and delicious in smoothies!

Buckwheat Strawberry Breakfast


When I met Diarmuid, now my husband, he would not begin the day without his oat porridge. 

He was totally hooked on it. But when we arrived back in Israel a few months ago during the heat of September, he went off oats.
This is his new most loved breakfast. Even if you think you don’t like buckwheat – you have to try this recipe.


Ingredients:
½ cup unroasted buckwheat (soak overnight)
almond milk – so easy to make your own (see recipe below)
superfoods (cacao nibs, chia seeds, goji berries…)
cinnamon
optional: nuts, raisins, healthy granola
strawberries

Method:
Soak buckwheat over night (use the green unroasted - very high in protein, gluten free and mild in taste)
Rinse and cook in twice the amount of water for 10-15 minutes., till soft but still crunchy
Strain off excess water and place in bowl
Add nuts, raisins, superfoods, cinnamon
Add almond milk
Slice strawberries on top

Easy Almond Milk
Soak a handful of almonds over night
In the morning drain and blend with a half cup of water
Strain
Voila – you have almond milk!!
Or you can just blend water with almond paste



Wishing us all a StawVerry Healthy and Happy 2014 Year