Originally published December 11 2009
Conquer Holiday Stress with Foods Packed with Stress Vitamins
by DaNae Johnson, M.H.
(NaturalNews) We find ourselves in the middle of the holidays with stress creeping into our lives. Weaving a vitamin group, known as the stress vitamins, into your daily routine may be an effective way to reduce stress. You should also take into consideration that daily exercise and meditation are other important avenues for stress reduction. Right now we will focus on vitamins from nutrient dense foods that may help relieve stress.
Some of the best stress vitamins are magnesium, calcium, vitamin C and E, folic acid, and B complex. Wholesome foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds naturally contain many of these stress reducing vitamins.
While running to and from all of the holiday events, it is hard to find time and energy to prepare these healthy foods. We may think that rushing through a drive thru for a hamburger and fries might be the easier route. But junk food will only cause more stress and damage on our bodies.
Nutrient Dense Smoothies
This is where smoothies come to save the day! There are so many quick and creative ways to blend up a delicious masterpiece that is full of the naturally grown "stress vitamins."
Spinach, sunflower/sesame seeds, strawberries, and oranges are just a few foods that contain the necessary nutrients for your body to melt away that stress. There are also nutritive additives, such as bee pollen, maca, herbal teas (chamomile, green, white, rooibos, and peppermint), mushrooms, etc.
To make tea for your smoothies, pour one cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of dry herb. Let sit for 3-8 minutes, strain out the herbs, and cool to room temperature. You can make a large batch of tea and store it in the refrigerator for future smoothies.
A green smoothie is by far the most nutrient dense smoothie. It is packed with the best stress vitamins. Nutrient charts show that leafy greens are usually at the top of many vitamins and minerals.
The great thing that you will find with green smoothies is that they don't taste "green." When blended with enough fruit, all you taste is the fruit.
Stress Busting Green Smoothie
1 large banana, ripe
1 1/2 cups strawberries, frozen
1 peeled and seeded orange
3-5 cups fresh spinach
2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds (sprouted is best)
1 1/2 cups rooibos tea
Place the banana and tea closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. May use dates or stevia to sweeten. - 4 cups
Sip Your Stress Away on a Beach
1 large banana, ripe and peeled
3/4 cup pineapple
3-5 cups fresh spinach
4 pitted dates
1 cup frozen mango
1/4 - 1 teaspoon bee pollen
4 ice cubes
1 cup white tea
Completely blend the banana, pineapple, spinach, dates, and tea. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Blend until smooth. May use dates or stevia to sweeten. - 4 cups
Looking for a healthy dessert smoothie to satisfy your sweet tooth and melt away your stress all while avoiding the holiday cookies and fudge? Try blending raw nuts and fresh dates into a raw chocolate shake.
Stress Melting Chocolate Shake
1/3 cup cashew, raw
8 dates
1 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao
2 tablespoons hemp protein powder
1/4 teaspoon stevia powder (optional)
1 tablespoon maca (optional)
1 cup peppermint tea
10 ice cubes
Blend the cashews, dates, cacao, hemp powder, stevia, maca, and peppermint tea until smooth. Add the ice cubes and blend again. Very yummy!
May you have a stress free and healthy holiday season!
For more information:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/2003...
http://www.stressfocus.com/stress_focus_arti...
http://www.whfoods.com/nutrientstoc.php
About the author
DaNae desires for you to absorb accurate information on how to easily take care of your family's nutritional needs. As a mother of two young boys, she knows how important it is to incorporate nutrition into a busy schedule.
Visit www.smoothie-handbook.com/free-smoothie-reci... to receive her free Smoothie Handbook Ebook that is packed with fruit smoothie recipes, green smoothie recipes, and even chocolate smoothie recipes! You can also stay up-to-date on top secret tips on smoothie recipes.
Her website contains many different ways for your family to blend in a well-balanced diet in this non-stop world.
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