Showing posts with label Mood boosting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mood boosting. Show all posts

2015/05/16

Superfood mood-boosting vegan cookies

As you know, yesterday USA celebrated the  National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (probably one of the best national food holidays, maybe except of National Whipped Cream Day and Ice Cream For Breakfast Day). Due to this how so important event, we connect with our American fellows by preparing those little black beauties - maybe not EXACTLY choco chip cookies, yet I believe a really nice (and healthy) variation of them. Vegan, gluten-, sugar- and guilty-free. Moreover, they contain the whole range of superfoods, which benefits are summarised below: 

COCOA
One of its most appreciated values is the antidepressant effect, which is due to the presence of phenethylamine - a mood-boosting neurotransmitter. Cocoa is also the source of magnesium, essential for proper functioning of muscles and nerves). It is also rich in dietary fiber, improving digestion and, hence, beneficial in terms of weight loss.


GOJI BERRIES
They contain all of the essential amino acids, contain 15 times more iron than spinach and are loaded with vitamin C and dietary fiber. Moreover, goji berries have the highest protein concentration of all fruits - and these are only a few of their numerous health benefits! They really are superfoods, aren't they?


BANANAS
They contain tryptophan - amino acid which is turned into serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for good mood and happiness. They are also a source of vitamins and minerals: vit. B6, vit. C, magnesium, potassium and dietary fiber. Due to the presence of natural sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) they are perfect energy-boosters.

WALNUTS
Apparently, even though containing pretty large amount of kcal / 100g, walnuts aid in weight loss, as their consumption results in satiety. This is due to large amounts of fats, proteins and fiber they contain. They are also a great source of antioxidants, which prevent heart diseases, as well as of omega-3 fatty acids, which help in stress reduction and brain functioning. Eating walnuts also aids proper sleep, as they increase the amount of melatonin in your organism .

COCONUT OIL
The benefits of coconut oil surely need a separate post to fit in, but these are some of the most important (and interesting) ones: it helps fat burn (YES, we couldn't believe that either at first), prevents infections, reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, increasing the level of HDL (good) cholesterol at the same. 

If you are looking for more recipes which can positively affect your health and naturally elevate your spirits, check out our smoothie of happiness as well.


2014/12/04

Mood boosting smoothie / Koktajl poprawiający humor


Yum
Ingredients


2 big bananas (or 3 small)
0.5 cup plant milk (I used rice one)
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder


Preparation

1. Peel off and chop the bananas.
2. Put all of the ingredients into a blender and mix until receiving an even mass.
3. Pour into a glass and...


...enjoy!




Kakao jest nazywane "pokarmem bogów" nie bez powodu - poza bogactwem składników mineralnych takich jak potas, wapń czy fosfor, zawiera również anandamid - endorfinę wytwarzaną naturalnie podczas wysiłku fizycznego. Ponadto wpływa na produkcję serotoniny, będącej hormonem szczęścia, a także uzupełnia niedobory magnezu, niezbędnego w walce ze stresem. Banany z kolei zawierają tryptofan - aminokwas także uwalniający serotoninę. Nie jest więc niespodzianką, że mieszanka tych dwóch produktów wpływa zbawiennie nie tylko na wygląd, ale również samopoczucie.


Składniki

2 duże banany (lub 3 mniejsze)
0.5 szklanki mleka roślinnego (ja użyłam ryżowego)
1 łyżka niesłodzonego kakao

Przygotowanie

1. Obierz i pokrój banany.
2. Włóż wszystkie składniki do blendera i miksuj aż do uzyskania gładkiej masy.
3. Przelej do szklanki i...

...smacznego!