Being Super on a Budget

It`s hard to wake up in the morning to a day of being super, when you don`t fill yourself with the foods that being super requires.  My boys love to fly through their imaginations (and our house and neighbourhood) on daily adventures of exploring the wilderness and finding treasures.  Our last treasure hunt was for the elusive golden raspberry bush.  And after a couple of hours walking and running through the neighbourhood we found the bush we were looking for....and to our surprise, we found not just the one, but another one even closer to where we live :)

Having adventures is fun, but so is enjoying the best of what your foods have to offer.  Choosing foods that are nutrient-dense over processed foods where companies are adding the "super" parts to your foods makes a big difference, in your body AND in your pocket book.

Here are a few of my budget-friendly superfoods that leave more change in my pocket and gives more nutrients to fuel my body (and not requiring a whole lot of food in order to feel fed and energized):

Spinach (can buy the bunch and wash at home, but the organic baby spinach packs are just as affordable)

Blueberries in season (I like to buy a few boxes in the summer just to freeze and have them handy over the winter, but you can buy the frozen organic blueberries at an affordable price and it goes a long way)

Goji berries (Loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins, some protein too....I don`t know how to describe it, but I get such a boost from these little guys and I like them dried and mixed with sunflower and pumpkin seeds for a snack on the go.  I get them at the oriental grocers as it is cheaper, but some grocery stores and health foods stores carry them too...just at higher prices)

Flax Seeds (with a cheap coffee grinder, I grind my own seeds and sprinkle freshly ground flax seeds to add a high dose of fiber and omega-3s)

Chia Seeds (again a high fiber source, but also a source of protein, phosphorus, manganese, calcium, potassium...and healthy fats (i.e. ALA, omega-3...)).

Mung Beans (sprouted, these beans, are like a highly bio-available multi-vitamin with a complete protein and  have regenerative properties as well...look into it...it`s HUGE!)

Cinnamon (I put this into almost everything (along with ginger))...
 

Broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts and cabbage (these cruciferous veggies add a wealth of nutrients to your body and a load of bulk to your belly.....helps to keep you full and super-charged)

Ginger ( I freeze a bunch chopped and add it to smoothies as well as keeping some fresh in the fridge.  This root is an immune and flavour booster and I don`t live without its multiple applications).

Garlic (another immune and flavour booster. Vital for many home remedies involving healing as well).

Onions (known for heart health and I cook with it all the time)

 Lemons (added to water each day and helps to keep my body`s pH in check....invaluable!)

Dandelion greens (I know, hard to believe (so I suggest you do a search for the benefits), but in my backyard for FREE! ;) )
and let me NOT forget one of my favourites.... COCONUTS! I use the water, the oil, the milk and the meat.  The oil is said to be anti-bacterial/fungal/microbial....great for the skin, supportive to the liver....so much more...so look into it for yourselves.

In just this list alone, I get a wide spectrum of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, anti-oxidants, immmune boosters and it`s all tasty too!!  Also home remedies for a number of symptoms....these foods are indeed super!  And of course, in proper proportions, they provide a great foundation to a healthy and helpful diet...a little does a go a long way with these nutrient-dense foods!  As long as I keep these items stocked, I know that my nutritionally needs will be well met. 

This morning I am planning on fueling my super troopers with some superfoods....blueberry spinach "pancakes"!  

Ingredients

Serves 2 superheroes

4 eggs
1 cup chopped spinach
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup blueberries
a sprinkle of stevia (optional)
a pinch of baking soda (optional...makes it fluffy)

All ingredients (except the blueberries) go into a bowl and get mixed together.  Heat skillet to medium heat and then add a teaspoon of unrefined, virgin coconut oil to the pan.  Pour out a 1/4 of the mixture into the pan.  When the edges start getting fluffy with bubbles at some blueberries to the top.  Flip and cook the top side, repeating for the remaining pancakes.  (Can also add ground chia seeds and flax seeds to the mix, but I prefer those in their raw form)

P.S. I also forgot to mention quinoa, and a few others, but you get the idea...go for foods that pack a nutritional PUNCH into your diet :)