No energy? Bad mood? Not possible to focus?
Check out these 5 amazing power shots, that will help inflammation and boost energy, improve and relax your state of mind AND help you feel clear and focused!
The 5 shots each are easy to prepare – with only a few ingredients!
ENERGY
If you’re lacking energy, going for a spirulina shot in the morning is the way forward. Spirulina is a microalgae, and it is one of the most nutrient- dense foods on our planet. It’s is rich in complete protein, as it contains all essential amino acids. It’s a natural source of beta-carotene (an antioxidant which is converted into A vitamin in the body), high in chlorphyll, iron, B vitamins, counting B1, B2 ,B6 and B12 , vitamin C and vitamin D. Spirulina also has a completely digestible “cellulose wall” which means it’s easy to consume and digest!
FOCUS
A matcha shot will help you stay focused, clear in you mind as well as calm and settled.
Matcha is a rich source of the mineral L-theanine, a relaxing and nondietary amino acid. L-theanine has been shown to boost alpha brain wave power, which helps you feel settled and more comfortable with your self, even during stressfull situations. The mineral also has profound effects on learning and memory. Matchas mix of caffeine and L-theanine induce a feeling of both alert and calm. Matcha contains up to five times as much L-theanine as regular green tea due to its growing techniques where the plants are shaded from sunlight.
Matchas rich green color is the reasult of high chlorophyll levels. The fact that matcha is carefully shade-grown makes it significantly richer in chlorophyll when compared to other teas. Chlorophyll doesnt just make matcha a vibrant color, it is also an effective detoxifier that can aid in the elimination of unwanted toxins, chemicals and heavy metals from the body.
High quality matcha should be a vibrant green color. It is very common to find added sugar or powdered milk in many matcha powders. Matcha powder should only contain ONE ingredient: MATCHA and the genuie matcha is only available from Japan. Choose an organic and non GMO type. The purity and quality of a high quality matcha do come as a cost, and high quality matcha powder is definitely more expensive compared to other teas, however, a low price tag can actually be a sign of a poor quality matcha and won’t give you above benefits..
MIND
If you are feeling like your brain needs a power boost, turmeric is your memorys best friend and with lots of added benefits! Turmeric has been a key ingredient in the Asian cuisine for a very long time, but has now also become the hype in the Western world.
It is one of the most commonly prescribed plants in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. When dried and powdered it provides a highly valued cooking spice, when used in its pure form. When mixed into many of the common curry powders, it rarely does much more than add zig to food, because of the quality and added ingredients, such as bright yellow coloring.
Tumeric contains the active ingredient curcimin, which has a variety of powerful anti-inflammatory actions, it can help to reduce inflammation in your body and ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Also, people in India who eat tumeric in their daily curries, have among the worlds lowest rates of Alzheimers disease. The reason is, that extracts of tumeric have been found to contain a number of natural agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, the substance responsible for the plaques that slowly obstruct brain function in Alzheimers disease. Reseach also suggest that tumeric extract appears to decrease beta-amyloid and other markers of Alzheimers disease, so there is no doubt that you’ll help the old memory along, by using the old classic spice.
MOOD
This probably won’t come as a surprise: our bad moods are affected by hormones!
Hormonal imbalances, particularly if you have more oestrogen in relation to progesterone – are to blame for the physical and emotional troubles with PMS. As many of us women know, this is the baddy, when it comes to mood swings, tiredness, water in our bodies, tender breasts and headaches.
But hey, there’s help! Foods high in calcium has been shown to improve mood swings, bloating, cramps and food cravings all asociated with PMS.
– Vitamin E, found in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils can benefit the menstrual cycle-related breast pain.
– Foods rich in essential fatty acids helps balance hormone levels, and
– Vitamin B6 (found in peanuts and peanutbutter) helps to relieve the water retention that is associated with the symptoms of PMS.
Also magnesium foods are like the calcium-rich foods our good friend during PMS, as magnesium helps regulate serotonin, one of the “feel good” chemicals in your brain. So, getting extra magnesium may help lift your mood and if want an ingredient that is rich in both B6 vitamin and magnesium – have peanuts and peanut butter – they are rich in both!
RELAX
There is nothing worse than going to bed early, but lying wide awake for hours on end. If you’ve been jet lagged, you might have tried Melatonin pills, but they can actually also be found in foods.
Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brains pineal gland and it is revolved in regulating sleep and maintaining the bodys natural time clock. Cherries, corn, asparagus, pomegranate, peanuts and cucumber all help to you raise your melatonin levels in your blood.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that acts like a “natural mood regulator”, as it has the ability to help the body produce and balance certain hormones naturally. Tryptophan rich foods helps bring on natural calming effects, induces sleep and even fight anxiety and can be found in nuts and seeds and most meats.
