Hooray! A new month, a new peek into the super foods that need to be in your shopping basket right now! So what are we eating in December? Aside from Christmas dinner of course! Believe it or not, there are many super foods in season right now, and even though the ground is frosted over outside, plenty of crops are still going strong. So without further ado, here are three little super foods to eat in December. Enjoy!
Pomegranate
Pomegranates are very much over looked by so many. But actually, they are pretty high ranking in the superfood charts these days! Pomegranate are known to be effective at protecting against heart disease, reducing high blood pressure, easing inflammation and protecting against some cancers. They’re also good source of fibre and contain vitamins A, C and E, iron and other antioxidants. So pretty powerful then!
How to eat pomegranate
My nanna used to eat the seeds with a pin, but we really don’t recommend you try that! instead, why not indulge in some pomegranate fudge? Perfect to serve up this Christmas as a sweet treat without the guilt, or just as good to keep all to yourself! To make it you need:
- Three tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil
- 170g maple or brown rice syrup
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract or powder
- A pinch of sea salt flakes
- 340g jar light tahini
- Four tablespoons of pomegranate seeds
To make the fudge, you need to first melt the coconut oil on a very gentle heat, then sttir in the natural syrup, vanilla and salt. Then you need a fork to beat through the tahini and pomegranate seeds. Set a few aside to decorate, then transfer the whole mixture into a small container pre lined with cling film. This fudge needs to be in the freezer for at least four hours, and keep it in there between servings too otherwise it will melt. Enjoy!
Kale
Ah, we love kale any time of the year, but especially in December! There are so many ways to enjoy this powerful superfood, but just why is is so popular right now? Well, kale is not only low in calories and high in fibre, it also has ZERO fat. Yes, zero. It’s also high in iron, vitamin K, A and C, and works hard to support the body’s cardiovascular system. Alongside all of that, kale also has powerful antioxidant properties, fantastic anti inflammatory properties and is high in calcium. Phew!
How to eat kale
Sometimes, simply steamed and tossed into a salad is great. Kale chips are also super easy to make and a delicious alternative to fatty potato based crisps. You can add it to juices and smoothies, or you can toss it into stir frys. Its the versatility we love so much, and a quick google search will bring up so many options for you. Take a look!
Brazil nuts
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a bowl of brazil nuts to crack, right? And the good news is that brazil nuts are super powerful when it comes to health benefits. Because they’re loaded with selenium, they pack a punch when it comes to protecting against cancer, boosting metabolism and even improving your intimate relations! Selenium also helps the functions of vitamins E and C which means that you’re helping to slow the skin’s ageing process. Alongside selenium brazil nuts are also high in vitamin E, several B vitamins as well as copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc too. A super food indeed!
How to eat brazil nuts
There are plenty of ways to eat brazil nuts. Straight from the shell, covered in chocolate.. but what we want to share with you is this wonderful recipe for chocolate brazil nut milk. Think almond milk, but better! All you need is:
- 250g brazil nuts
- One vanilla bean
- 940ml water
To make the milk you need to first the oak brazil nuts and vanilla bean in a large bowl of water for eight hours, so this needs to be done the night before. When you’re ready, drain the water away and rinse the nuts and vanilla bean. Then blend them all together with the 940ml water and use a nut milk bag (these can be easily bought online or from health food shops) to strain the pulp. Then simply add cocoa powder, a couple of dates and a teaspoon of cinnamon and you’ve got yourself one pretty awesome milk shake! Yum!
What are you eating this month?
