In our high technological, fast pace moving society it has become quite a challenge to get enough rest, be as healthy as we would like to be and eat what is good for our bodies. It has become so easy to replenish our bodies with artificial energy enhancers that are not good for our health or our well-being. There are Starbucks coffee shops on every street corner, there are more energy drinks on the market than ever before and the fast food industry is booming.
I have written this article to assist you with finding alternative, natural food sources that will release and unlock the hidden energy within you, naturally. These foods will not only sustain your energy throughout the day but are very beneficial and nutritive for your body and mind as well.
If you are ready to free yourself from the grips of the artificial ways that you use to increase your energy; if you are ready to naturally unlock your hidden energy stores that allow you to have sustained energy all day or if you are ready to free yourself from experiencing the crash and burn syndrome that you get when you use sugar, caffeine and other substances to boost your energy, then this article is for you.
Enjoy!
Our ancestors recognized the natural healing power of foods and utilized them in all sorts of ways to treat and cure ailments. Over the past few centuries more information has become available regarding the use of foods, herbs and spices in healing and maintaining wellness. In fact, research has begun to confirm the therapeutic benefits of foods, herbs and spices through the use of scientific exploration and documentation. Within this research it has been proven that some foods, herbs and spices have been found to work better than drugs and without the adverse side effects.
Experts now agree that eating a diet rich in natural, health-giving foods can help us ward off common complaints, such as colds, coughs and infections, as well as to protect us against chronic degenerative diseases, including cancer, heart disease and arthritis. It is really possible to eat your way to good health and improve the way you look and feel. It is believed in Ayurveda that the food a person eats should be the most organic, freshest and purest food as possible. It is the “prana” within the food that is ingested that is utilized in keeping the digestive system and body in balance allowing nutrients to be properly absorbed and energy to be properly released.
In Ayurveda choosing what to eat depends on many factors such as what your dosha (body type) is, the season of the year, the location you are in, the blend of taste and ingredients of the food that your are eating, however, an important secret that is well known but often overlooked is that eating the freshest and most organic food possible is the first secret in unlocking the natural hidden energy that lies within you. Another secret to unlocking hidden energy stores is the blending of herbs and spices. Herbs and spices add taste and aroma to food while boosting the nutrient content in the meal and aiding in the digestive process of the meal.
The reason I mention Ayurveda is that digestion plays a very important part in the health of the individual; the food we eat affects us differently depending upon our dosha and the key to knowing what is right, healthy and energizing to your body is knowing your dosha and how the food you eat will affect it. All of the food we eat contains some sort of energy, which affects us in each in many different ways. It is this energy within the food we ingest that can be either harmful to the body or beneficial to the body by allowing the body to operate at an optimal level with sustained energy. The foods mentioned in this report are good for all individuals no matter what dosha type they may be.
Energy Unlocking Food #1 ~Lemon
The lemon contains a wealth of health enhancing properties and is one of the most versatile of all fruits.
Like other citrus fruits, lemons are powerhouses of antioxidants. Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system, assist in the healing of wounds and strengthen the walls of blood capillaries. The high level of vitamin C in lemons also means that they are good for healthy skin and gums. They are a good source of flavonoids, such as quecetin, which boost the effects of vitamin C and are particularly important for the health of blood vessels and to prevent varicose veins.
As lemons are a natural stimulant, an additional benefit from naturally energizing the body is that lemons can also be used for detoxification purposes. Despite the sourness of lemon juice, it is a popular drink when diluted in water. Another benefit of lemon is that during a brief Detox fast, it can assist with calming the appetite and freshening the breath. Being one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C helps to make it a perfect solution that kills post exercise dry throat and mouth. Drinking fresh squeezed lemon juice with warm water and drinking it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning will jump start your metabolism and unlock the hidden energy stores that lie within you naturally. Skip the caffeine and give lemons a try.
Energy Unlocking Food #2 ~Banana
Bananas are the ultimate fast food and they provide a potent mix of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Bananas are rich in healthy carbohydrates and are the ideal food to eat when you crave comfort foods, as they feel enjoyable, self-indulgent and they are filled with nutrients that soothe and lift your mood and allow the energy within the body to be naturally released.
Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins, which the body needs to produce energy. These include vitamin B5, which aids the formation of the immune system’s killer cells and vitamin B6, which improves the body’s ability to clear away waste matter and reduces fatigue. Bananas are high in potassium, which regulates electrical activity of the heart, body fluids and nerve function. This fruit is so powerful it also maintains healthy muscle function, lowers blood pressure and protects against heart disease by maintaining fluid balance and preventing plaque from sticking to arterial walls.
Ripe bananas contain the ideal carbohydrate combination to replace muscle glycogen before or during exercise, making them a valuable food for athletes. Glucose, the most easily digested sugar, is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream for instant energy, while the fructose in bananas is absorbed more slowly, providing a steady supply of fuel over time. In Ayurveda bananas are considered a Sattvic food and extremely beneficial for people of a Vata Dosha.
Energy Unlocking Food #3 ~ Asparagus
Asparagus has been renowned since ancient times both as an aphrodisiac and medicinally for its healing properties. High in nutrients, low in calories, and rich in flavor, asparagus has a wealth of health enhancing benefits one of which happens to be energetically beneficial to the body.
Asparagus act as a natural diuretic encouraging the body to flush out toxins via the internal filtering system of the kidneys. With its active compound, asparagin stimulating the kidneys, bladder and liver, asparagus is a powerful detoxifier. Its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties make it useful for easing acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. The benefit of this natural detoxifier is that when toxins are removed from the body, the body is able to operate more effectively and at an optimal level. There is no stagnation in the processes of the body thus the nutrients ingested are able to be metabolized and utilized to their maximum level basically keeping the fire within the body burning efficiently and providing the body with the energy it needs.
Eating asparagus is said to give a natural high. The spears taste delicious and supply numerous minerals and vitamins such as many of the B-vitamins that play a central role in supporting brain function and the nervous system. If a person is running short on a supply of B-vitamins they can feel tired, depressed, anxious or constantly on edge. Eating asparagus can combat that feeling by keeping energy levels high and supporting mental and emotional health. Asparagus are beneficial for all three doshas in Ayurveda, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Energy Unlocking Food #4 ~ White Potato
The potato is the world’s number one vegetable crop and is immensely versatile. This staple food is packed with vitamins and many other health-giving nutrients. Potatoes are one of the cheapest and most readily available sources of vitamin-C, a nutrient that is vital for keeping the immune system healthy and keeping energy stores readily available for future usage. New potatoes are richer in vitamin C than older ones. Most of the fiber that aids digestion and lowers cholesterol is found in the skin. Full of potassium, potatoes can help control high blood pressure.
When it comes to getting fit and looking for a source of energy, don’t overlook the value of eating potatoes. They are rich in vitamin B6, which is essential to releasing the body’s glycogen stores (energy stores). Potatoes are pack with complex carbohydrates, the best form of energy food. Complex carbohydrates play two roles that are essential to fitness, first they provide slow burning fuel that gives you enough energy to complete your workout or game without burning out halfway through and secondly potatoes help the body to maintain the muscle that the body has built. White Potatoes are great for all three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Energy Unlocking Food #5 ~ Broccoli
Broccoli is a powerhouse of the antioxidant vitamin C, which is crucial for immune response. It is full of fiber, which is vital for a healthy digestive system and has detoxifying properties to help cleanse the liver. A healthy digestive system and a clean liver are keys to the body being able to tap into the energy that it needs when it needs it. Broccoli is rich in iron, calcium and magnesium. It contains a number of chemical compounds including indoles, carotenoids and the vitamin A precursor, beta-carotene known to inhibit the activation of cancer cells.
As well as aiding the body’s detoxification processes, broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, which strengthens cells to resist damage and fights the development of tumors. It has been found to improve digestion by fighting the tough bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which eats away at the stomach lining and can create ulcers.
Packed with nutrients, broccoli is a brilliant energy reviver. It is also rich in zinc that enhances mental alertness, vitamin B5 that helps the body to metabolize fats into energy and folic acid that encourages the production of serotonin, a mood-lifting chemical in the brain. Broccoli is excellent for the Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Energy Unlocking Food #6 ~ Lentils
The lentil is one the most oldest and staple foods in many countries. It is rich in antioxidants and is one of the most nutritious and digestible foods that exist. Whether red, green or brown, lentils are a good source of protein that we need to keep our skin, hair, teeth and nails strong and healthy. They contain high levels of B-vitamins particularly B3 and B12 that help with everything from poor memory to lack of energy to arthritis.
Lentils are loaded with fiber that promotes a healthy digestive system and can help to regulate colon function as well as boosting heart health and the circulatory system. Lentils are excellent for stabilizing blood sugar levels which makes them a terrific food source for people suffering from diabetes.
Providing the perfect combination of nutrients to starve off hunger pangs and spark energy, lentils are a great snack to have prior to exercising or playing sports. Lentils are rich in complex carbohydrates which the body turns into to glucose providing a steady source of energy to maintain stamina. In fact one study found that eating lentils three hours before exercising could help to increase endurance significantly over other carbohydrates. Lentils contain very little fat.
Lentils are full of folic acid, an energy boosting vitamin that plays a key role in the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the brain associated with feelings of happiness. Lentils are especially good for people of the Vata and Pitta dosha.
Energy Unlocking Food # 7 ~ Almond
Almonds contain healthy oils and other vitality enhancing nutrients. Nibbling on almonds provides nutrients and energy for people who workout with less risk of piling on unwanted pounds.
Almonds are the top source of the cancer preventing antioxidant vitamin E. They contain monounsaturated fats and plant sterols, which help to reduce the risk of heart disease and the phytochemical quercetin and kaempferol, which helps to protect against cancer. Almonds are a good source of protein, needed for healthy growth and the repair of cells, making these nuts great for vegetarians.
Almonds contain more fiber than any other nut, which makes them excellent for promoting healthy digestion through the efficient elimination of waste material. They are full of calcium, zinc, magnesium and potassium. While zinc strengthens immunity and improves wound healing, magnesium increases energy and potassium reduces blood pressure, protecting against heart disease.
Almonds are a great snack for people that are dieting. In a Harvard study people who ate almonds lost 50 percent more weight than the people that did not eat almonds. Almonds are rich in monounsaturated fats that help you to feel full longer, keep blood sugar levels steady and prevent hunger pangs. A dozen almonds contain 90 calories along with a burst of protein and nutrients that combine to increase energy levels which make them an excellent snack for athletes and people that need sustained energy. Almonds are an excellent snack for all three dosha types in Ayurveda, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
As you can see there are many foods that you can eat that are good for both your mind and body. They are filled with many nutrients that allow your body to stay healthy and well and operate with maximum efficiency. By incorporating the above foods into your diet you can unlock the hidden energy that lies within you naturally and begin your journey to freeing yourself from ingesting substances that may increase your energy in the short term but do damage to your body in the long term.
Ready to learn what your dosha (body type) is and take it a step further to learn what foods to eat that are most beneficial for maximizing the energy within you? It is easy to get started.
Connect with me at: info@healthhealingwellness.com to learn more about you!
I hope that you have found the information useful and will incorporate the energy releasing foods into your everyday diet. It has been my pleasure to share this information with you and may your holistic health and wellness journey begin.
Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit!
Wishing you peace to your mind, wellness to your body and tranquility to your spirit.
