If you've been with me in the Soul Aligned Self Care world then you know that I'm very passionate about nutrition and using that to support and heal my body.  If you're new here then I would like to share with you this passion.  

It started in 2007 when I had a stroke and started eating a vegan diet and then in 2015 I became certified as a health coach and continued on to become certified as a culinary nutrition expert and educator and life coach.  I've managed to put all these things together into one package to help my clients put the best version of themselves into the world while feeling incredible.  I believe being mindful about what you put into your body to fuel your body is epically important.  

The one time that this was very noticeable almost instantaneously was when I was training for a triathlon. During that time period, I also went vegan and so I knew how I felt before I was vegan and after.  The difference was very noticeable. I...

Food as Medicine - Garlic

Hey there everybody! We have heard and read a lot about medicinal herbs and how they’re useful for our health. So here’s a little piece about garlic as one of the best essential herbs that you can grow at your home. It is one of the most commonly used herbs in recipes to enrich it with a delicious flavor and taste as well but the herb works stupendously for certain health care aspects.

Known by a range of names globally, garlic is believed to be native to Siberia but had a global widespread about 5000 years ago. However, it had been essential in medical practices since ancient times. The words of the well-known ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, also widely known as the Father of Western Medicine claimed ~ “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food”. He had incorporated the practice of prescribing garlic as a medicine to those in need which almost tells us that it has always been crucial to medicine and health.

Benefits...

Food As Medicine – Basil

Today we are going to be talking about basil. This is just growing like crazy in the garden right now and I've been making vegan pesto and freezing it to enjoy in those winter months so I figured this would be a great topic to cover since home gardening seems to be very popular this year.

Most people don't think of herbs as being very nutritionally dense, but they are packed with nutrients! Adding them daily when you cook can very beneficial to your health. Learn some of the benefits below.

Basil is loaded with goodness and contains:

• Vitamin K

• Manganese

• Copper

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin C

• Calcium

• Folate

• Iron

• Omega 3 fats

• Magnesium

Benefits for your health:

• The flavonoids in basil provide protection on a cellular level against radiation and oxygen-based damage.

• Basil provides protection from unwanted bacterial growth.

• Basil is an anti-inflammatory that can provide healing benefits for people with inflammatory health problems.

• ...

Most people don't realize that zucchini is surprisingly healthy and packed with nutrients. If you've ever grown zucchini in a garden you known it can be extremely abundant, so I do believe we take it for granted.

Zucchini is a member of the gourd family that originated from Central America and is now enjoyed all over the world. It has zero fat and is high in fiber and water content.

Zucchini is loaded with goodness and is high in:

• Fiber
• Water
• Vitamin B6
• Riboflavin
• Folate
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Potassium
• Manganese

Some of the benefits you can experience are:

1. Improved Digestion - Because zucchini is high in water and fiber content it can significantly improve digestion and constipation.
2. Slows Down Aging - Zucchini is rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients which can help reduce toxins in the body and protect you against free radicals and inflammation.
3. Helps Balance Blood Sugar Levels- Because of your increased fiber intake when eating zucchini it can help balance your...

I love how something so small can be so powerful and beneficial!

What is flaxseed? 

Flaxseed also is known as linseed, are the seeds that come from the flax plant. 

Most all of the flax plant is used. The flax fibers are used to make linens and rope and the seeds are used for food and also to make linseed oil used in woodworking.

Flax has been grown and cultivated for over 30,000 years, so it has been around for a while and the benefits for your health are amazing.

The whole flaxseed is not able to be fully digested so if you want to get all the wonderful benefits of this tiny powerhouse you have to eat it ground.

You can also buy it ground but it does spoil a whole lot quicker this way. I store mine in the fridge for this reason.

Flax is loaded with nutrition goodness and contains:

• Omega 3's - Well known as a healthy fat with heart-healthy effects.
• Lignans - These contain both plant estrogen and antioxidants to help with hormonal balance.
• Fiber - Supportive for digestive...

Food As Medicine – Broccoli

Today we will be talking about Broccoli

Broccoli is in the cruciferous family and is enjoyed worldwide in many different cultures. Some of its close relatives are bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, kale, mustard greens, and turnip greens. One thing all these veggies have in common besides being related is that they are all nutrition powerhouses!

Broccoli is loaded with goodness and Its top 10 nutrients are:

• Vitamin K

• Vitamin C

• Chromium

• Folate

• Pantothenic Acid

• Fiber

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin E

• Phosphorus

• Choline

Some of the health benefits of Broccoli are:

1. Anti-inflammatory – The glucosinolates that are found in broccoli and other cruciferous veggies have been known to shut down the inflammatory response. Broccoli also contains low-level amounts of Omega 3's which also help balance the inflammatory response. Who knew? Broccoli has a little healthy fat! It also contains phytonutrients that...

 Food As Medicine – Maca Powder

I wanted to talk a little bit about maca powder because a lot of people ask me what it is and why people use it. I don't use it very often but I do put it in my smoothies sometimes. It has a kinda caramel flavor which kinda goes well with....anything.

What is Maco Powder – Maca is a Peruvian plant grown in the Andes Mountains. It is considered a cruciferous plant so that means its related to broccoli, cabbage, and kale and a few more. The root is roasted and dried to make a powder. 

It's a source of:

• Protein

• Fiber

• Vitamin C

• B 2, 3, and 6

• Calcium

• Iron

• Potassium

• Copper

• Manganese

The benefits of Maca Powder (A lot of the studies done on the benefits of maca root have been small studies and it would be nice to learn more about this powerful superfood):

• Increases libido

• Helps with erectile dysfunction

• Increases male fertility

• Improves mood

• Helps to balance hormones

• Helps boost...