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12/11/2018 1 Comment

For the Love of Kale!

​4 Types of Kale Salad
If you are looking to use more superfoods during the winter season, then leafy greens like kale is a great choice. Kale grows well in the winter and is easy to find at any grocery store. It is a superfood with tons of vitamins and minerals, and is great for many diets, from clean eating to Paleo or Keto.
I do understand some people do not enjoy kale because it is tough and can be bitter.  Have you ever heard of massaging your kale?  This trick does wonders and may change your mind about this nutritious leaf.  Take lemon juice, Himalayan sea salt, a little olive oil and then massage it until it starts to soften and wilt (should take about 2-3 minutes). this winter.
 
Chopped Kale Superfoods Salad
This first salad is a great choice when you are feeling really hungry but still want to have a salad. It is very filling plus you get your sweets in with your greens.  This is a good trick that helps me not crave a sweet treat after I just finished eating such goodness. Since it has quinoa, it is a heartier salad that really fills you up. It is also ideal if you follow a clean eating diet. You are going to chop the kale since this is a chopped salad, then add rinsed uncooked or cooked (cooled) quinoa for a nice crunch. You can add any superfood toppings you want, though berries like cranberries and pomegranate seeds work great. For more crunch and some good fat, add some crushed walnuts as well.
​
Kale and Veggies Salad
Another great option for a winter kale salad is one that uses even more veggies. You can also add some berries to this salad, but it is going to be primarily for all the veggies you want to use. This can be a good main course, but it works good as a light lunch or a side dish as well. This salad uses fresh kale, along with some brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, all of which are available throughout the fall and winter seasons. If you want to add a little fat to the salad, you can add some nuts. From there you can leave it as-is or make a simple dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, and some lemon juice.
Or if you want to get more fancy here is a dressing recipe to try:
Raw Apple Cider and Carrot
Serves 2-3
½ cup carrots, chopped
1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small garlic clove
salt and pepper to taste
 
PREPARE THE DRESSING. Add carrots, raw apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to a blender. Blend until smooth
 
Kale Sweet Potato Salad
If you want to add more vegetable superfoods during the winter, consider vegetables like sweet potatoes and butternut squash. These begin showing up in grocery stores in the fall, and are often available throughout the winter as well. You can use either vegetable for this salad, or add some of both. Dice them into cubes, then add to your bed of kale, along with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also make a dressing with lemon juice if you want a little kick to the simple kale salad.

Kale and Apple Salad
Kale also happens to taste great when combined with sweet fruits. This kale and apple salad is perfect when you want to combine fall and winter flavors. Use your chopped kale, along with some sliced sweet apples, cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and some chopped walnuts and goat cheese on top.

If you try any of these ideas let me know what you think!  Also keep your eyes open for the Skinny Black Dress Challenge coming up soon!
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1 Comment

12/5/2018 1 Comment

What's GOOD About Butternut Squash?

So Much!! ​When you want to eat a little healthier during the cold, winter months, you often turn to warm and hearty vegetables. One of the best ones you can get this time of year is butternut squash. This is truly in season in the fall but is also great to have during the winter. Here are some reasons to have more butternut squash.
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Amazing Nutrients
The first health benefit of butternut squash is the fact that it is a very nutrient-dense vegetable. This is why it often tops superfoods lists, as it is low in fat and calories, but amazing when you want something with a lot of vitamins and minerals. Even though it is higher in carbs, butternut squash is often used for ‘carb up’ days for diets like Keto. Here is the long list of nutrients you get with butternut squash:
  • Protein
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Thiamine
  • B6
  • Folate
  • Pantothenic Acid
  • Manganese
  • Potassium
 
It is Truly Good for Your Bones
Now for the individual health benefits. The first benefit is the fact that it can help with your bones and joints. This is due to many of the vitamins and minerals in the squash, including whole food vitamin C and manganese, both of which help you to absorb more minerals and help with strengthening your bone structure. This is important at any age, but especially when you start getting older, as your bones and joints tend to struggle. With more butternut squash in your diet, you are helping to prevent against conditions like osteoporosis.

Reducing Your Blood Pressure
The problem with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, is that it goes unnoticed until something serious happens. When you have high blood pressure, you are at a much higher risk for heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. But there are very few symptoms of having it or if you do have symptoms they can be easily explained away or blamed on another issue you may be having. To reduce your blood pressure naturally and reduce your risk of these diseases, eat healthy foods that are full of fiber like butternut squash. Squash is easy to add to your meals in the winter, and has so many benefits for your heart health.  I would just like to add that because of the fiber it is good for your gut health as well.  You knew I had to throw something in there about the gut. :)

Gives Your Immune System a Boost
During the winter, you are at risk for illnesses and viruses like the cold and flu, not to mention more serious illnesses like pneumonia. To reduce your risk for such illnesses, you need to boost your immune system. This allows your body to fight off the infections and viruses. Butternut squash contains nutrients like vitamin C and beta carotene that are wonderful for boosting your immune health and hopefully keeping you healthy all winter long.
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    I am a wife and a mother of two, one boy one girl .  They are the loves of my life! And also the reason I do what I do. I have to be able to keep up!

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