Diet fads, new exercise regimens, exotic health supplements — every single day, people are flooded with headlines about health trends. Out of chaos and confusion, a new wellness movement that arguably makes more sense is gaining traction: holistic living.
Taking a holistic health approach means looking at your overall health from a big picture perspective. It means you take wise steps to improve your mental and physical health while doing the things that make you happy.
Health expert and culinary nutritionist Katie Cavuto adheres to a holistic lifestyle and believes that the best path to health is to see each person’s journey through a broad lens. In honor of Almond Day 2016, she’s offering her top 10 tips to help anyone start living a healthier life by prioritizing the benefits of mind, body, and the earth.
Enjoy every bite.
Take time to enjoy the dining experience. Doing so helps you feel more contented with smaller portions of your favourite foods. Slow all the way down to notice the taste, texture and changes as you chew each bit.
Embrace conscious snacking.
Focusing the mind is almost impossible when hunger strikes. Almonds are the perfect portable snack to stave off hunger pangs. Forget bland snacking by trying a new almond flavor to energise your taste buds.
Change your intentions around food.
Instead of focusing on diet and willpower, focus your energies on creating nutritious, nutrient-dense plates of whole foods, and find joy in your intention to take care of yourself.
Try a new nutrient-dense ingredient.
From almond butter to almond milk to almond flour to whole almonds, there are various ways to incorporate almonds into your daily snacks and meals to make sure you’re consuming enough amounts of this essential nutrient. Get easy ideas for healthy meals and snacks at www.almonds.com.
Snacks for heart health.
Scientific evidence suggests, but doesn’t prove, that eating 1.5 ounces of nuts per day, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of almonds (28g) contains 13g of unsaturated fat and only 1g of saturated fat.
Eat with gratitude.
The practice of gratitude can bring happiness. The same can be said for creating an enjoyable dining experience. A meal with loved ones can be uplifting and provide a positive boost to any day.
Create practical meals.
Resist the temptation of unhealthy vending machines by preparing delicious healthy meals. For example, just one serving of almonds contains 6 grams of protein. Keep a portion in your car, gym bag, purse, or office so you all the time have a crunchy, craving-worthy snack on hand.
Grow something.
Growing your own food is healthy and beneficial. Indoor container gardens are easy to look after all year round. Plus, the presence of plants in the house can improve air quality while reducing stress and anxiety.
Prepare breakfast.
Make sure you have time for this important meal by preparing breakfast foods in advance. Make a smoothie packet and store it in the freezer, or mix the smoothie the night before. Add a spoonful of almond butter for a more satisfying meal.
Embrace Meatless Mondays
Be part of the “Meat-Free Mondays” movement and incorporate plant-based proteins, such as almonds, into your diet. Plant proteins often contain good unsaturated fats which offer many health benefits.
Try these recipes to kick-start your holistic living endeavors with a refreshing burst of flavour:
Cucumber Salad with Lemon Almond Dressing
Portions 4-6
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of almond butter
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup olive oil
Red pepper flakes (optional)
1-2 tablespoons of water
Salt and pepper
Direction:
In a blender, combine all the ingredients for the sauce.
In a bowl, toss the cucumbers with ¼ cup of the dressing. Garnish with almonds.
Article Submitted by BPT
