8 Awesome Health Products You Must Add to Your Pantry
'I don't know what to eat. I don't know what to put on my skin. What health foods/products do you really recommend?'
I've been asked this question a lot lately.
Over the past few years, I've slowly morphed into the girl that sources out the local health food store when travelling before even thinking about an open roof bus tour. Gone are the days where I'd spend all my pay at the pub, on two minute noodles, on cheap and crappy makeup or new clothes.
Today, if you took a look at my bank statement, my cashola goes on organic food and skin care, superfoods, reiki healings, yoga classes, online courses and new books.
Stocking my pantry, cosmetic bag and bathroom cabinet with high quality, organic and BENEFICIAL ingredients is really important to me.
However, it's important to note that this wasn't always the case, this isn't always easy and there's been a lot of trial and error as I have made this transition. And I'm very much still making the transition in a lot of areas.
There are some seriously dodgy products stocking the shelves of our supermarkets AND health food stores claiming to be safe and good for us. I've experimented with a zillion different types of health foods, skin care, cosmetics, makeup, products and programs in my time; some great and some not so much.
So to help you navigate through the supermarket aisles and the somewhat intimidating health food store, I'd love to start sharing with you the products that I'm currently digging.
Let's pimp your pantry.
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1. Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
I literally do not know what I did before discovering coconut oil. It aids in weight loss, doesn't have a negative effect on cholesterol, it's safe to cook with at high temperatures and tastes awesome. I use this stuff when I'm cooking, in raw desserts and even swallow a teaspoon or two of it when I'm feeling a bit peckish. I use it on my face and my whole body as moisturiser, as well as sunscreen.
And as a hair mask.
2. Chia Seeds
I love chia! This gluten free, nifty little seed aids in digestion, is high in protein and fibre as well as crazy amounts of calcium, vitamin C, iron, potassium and antioxidants. Plus its so much fun to use. When you soak chia seeds in liquid, they swell up to create a "gel" that you can add to smoothies, desserts, soups and sauces to thicken them up.
My favourite way to use chia seeds is to pour 1/2 cup into a glass jar, add coconut milk, nuts and chopped fruit, stir and wait for them to swell… Then pronto! Chia pudding to go. Bravo.
3. Maca Powder
Maca powder has only been in my life for a few months now, but what a difference it has made. Basically it's a POWER FOOD. Why do I love it so? Because my skin has improved dramatically since I started adding a teaspoon or two to my smoothies. Try this recipe. Because I have waaayyyy more energy. Because I'm trying to sort out my stuffed up hormones and support my fertility as I come off the contraceptive pill. And because it tastes awesome.
4. Hydrated Bentonite Oral Liquid Clay
Hydrated what? Ahhhh... Yep. Drinking clay. So technically, this lives in my fridge. But I just HAVE to tell you about it. As I said above, my skin has improved so much in the past few months and I have no doubt that drinking 15mL of this stuff twice a day has had a huge impact on my new found glow.
Basically, bentonite clay absorbs toxins and impurities in the digestive system and helps you poop them out. It tastes so much better than I had expected it to, and has helped with my bloating and digestive woes big time. I'm converted!
5. Synergy Super Greens Powder
Want more energy? Need a mini-detox? Want to conveniently increase your veggie intake? Then try this blend of spirulina, chlorella, barley grass and wheat grass. I'll be honest with you, it doesn't taste the greatest. But mix it with coconut water or into a smoothie and you've added some serious green goodness into your day.
6. Pink 100% Himalayan Crystal Salt
This stuff is like fairy dust. It tastes amazing and it's seriously good for you. It's pure (unlike normal table salt), has a high vibrational energy, is millions of years old and contains the same 84 minerals found in the human body. Cool, right? I've recently started adding this salt to everything and oh my flip, food tastes so much livelier with salt. Sprinkle that shit on!
7. Coconut Flour
I avoid gluten 90% of the time. Usually, that 10% comes in the form of really special, delicious bread or cake as so many gluten free/wheat alternatives are just crap. They're overly processed, devoid of any nutritional value and (most importantly) taste like arse.
However, coconut flour has the highest fibre content of any flour, it's low in carbohydrates (if that's your thing) and I was genuinely blown away by how easy coconut flour is to cook with, how great it tastes and how healthy it is.
8. Brown Rice Malt Syrup
Last year I made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of sugar in my diet. So I've been playing around with a few alternatives. Rice Malt Syrup is made from brown rice and contains complex carbs, maltose and glucose which provide a steady supply of energy, rather than a crazy sugar high. I like to melt equal amounts of this syrup with coconut oil, add some cacao powder and nuts and freeze for a healthy chocolate fudge.
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So there you go, 8 health products I could rave about all day.
YOUR ACTION STEP: Pick 2 products and commit to trying them out this week then leave a comment to let me know what you've chosen. I can't wait to hear!