Reverse ageing?
Dames! I’ve got a super recipe for you this week that’s packed full of so much good stuff that people will wonder if you’re ageing in reverse. No joke! I’ve been eating it all week and today my Mum said to me ‘gee your skin looks good’. And if Lesley tells you you look good, you better believe her!!!
Before we get to it though, remember to book in in July to go in the draw to win the fabulous Detox package, valued at over $500
Plus everyone who books in, gets a host of goodies.
- $10 off a massage with Suzie from Wonderful Wombs – also located at Inspiration Space.
- $30 voucher to use at Bodhi Spas- the multi award winning day spa.
- A free session in our onsite Red and Infrared pod. Helps with ageing skin, muscle aches and pains and improving sleep – valued at $40.
- 10% off any prescribed supplementation.
You can either book your appointment online here or call the lovely Lesley on 0450 385 304 to find a time that suits.
Right then, let’s get down to it!
You can't beat a beet
Hey! Did you know that beetroots are an ancient, prehistoric food that grew naturally along coastlines in North Africa, Asia, and Europe?
AND , originally, it was the beet greens that were consumed; the sweet red bit that most people think of as a “beetroot” today wasn’t cultivated until the era of ancient Rome.
Plus, they are PACKED full of the good ‘shiz’ we should be eating.
Herewith some very fine reasons why we should be consuming them on a regular basis. Seriously, it’s like they were biologically designed for women of ‘an uncertain age’…
Lowers your blood pressure
Drinking beet juice may help to lower blood pressure in a matter of hours. One study found that drinking one glass of beet juice lowered systolic blood pressure by an average of 4-5 points. That’s some bright coloured pee coming your way!
The benefit probably comes from the naturally occurring nitrates in beets, which are converted into nitric oxide (NO) in your body.
Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to relax and dilate your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
Boosts your stamina
If you need a boost to make it through your next workout, beet juice may again prove valuable. Those who drank beet juice prior to exercise were able to exercise for up to 16% longer. It takes about 3-5 beets to get this benefit. Now that’s commitment!
Fights inflammation
Beetroots are a unique source of betaine, a nutrient that helps protects cells, proteins and enzymes from environmental stress.
It’s also known to:
- Protect internal organs,
- Improve vascular risk factors,
- Enhance performance, and as reported by the World’s Healthiest Foods:
“[Betaine’s]… presence in our diet has been associated with lower levels of several inflammatory markers, including C reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. As a group, the anti-inflammatory molecules found in beets may eventually be shown to provide cardiovascular benefits in large-scale human studies, as well as anti-inflammatory benefits for other body systems.”
Help you poo and full of nutrients
Beets are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, fibre and essential minerals like potassium (essential for healthy nerve and muscle function) and manganese (which is good for your bones, liver, kidneys and pancreas).
Detoxification support
The betalin pigments in beets support your body’s Phase 2 liver detoxification process, which is when broken down toxins are bound to other molecules so they can be excreted from your body.
Traditionally, beets are valued for their support in detoxification and helping to purify your blood and your liver.
Your brain may work better
Nitric oxide relaxes and dilates your blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow to the brain—which could bring on better brain function. That’s particularly important as we age, as research finds that our capacity to generate nitric oxide diminishes as we get older, along with our brain’s energy metabolism and neuron activity.
So, give your brain a boost with beetroot.
If all this wasn’t enough, beetroots are one of the easiest crops to grow ALL year round. Plant some today and then make this recipe.
RECIPE
Best Borscht
(Serves a lot! Maybe 6-8. Freezer worthy if you leave out the spuds)
It’s a little labour intensive, but so worth the effort and packed FULL of vegetable goodness.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium beetroot (when buying they should be firm – if they’re a bit squidgy, give them a miss)
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 2 litres water – as I’ve always got chicken stock in the freezer, I will make up some of this volume with stock.
- 3 medium potatoes – leave them out if carbs are not your friend
- 1 onion
- ¼ head of cabbage
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 green capsicum
- 2 carrots
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Method:
Peel beets, add to water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Cook until done, about 45 minutes. Remove beets from water and set aside to cool.
Peel potatoes and cut into 1/8s. Add to beet water. Cook until almost done.
Whilst beets are cooking, chop onion and capsicum. Grate carrots. Finely chop garlic. Sauté vegetables in oil until tender. Add caraway seeds. Stir. Then add tomato paste and just enough water to make a thick sauce. Cook for an additional few minutes.
Coarsely grate cooled beets.
Chop cabbage and add to potatoes and beet water. Boil until the cabbage is tender, about 10 minutes. Add sautéed vegetables, beet, vinegar and dill into the pot with potato and cabbage. Add salt to taste.
Serve in a bowl with a dollop of yoghurt.
Yum!
Until next time, keep being great.
And remember, be kind to yourself.
Marnie
P.S If you haven’t already done so, make sure you download your FREE Survivor’s Guide to Menopause (did I say it’s free?).
P.P.S If you know someone who is struggling with all the changes, please share this with them.
