Accessorize Your Food

You can take a simple breakfast and more than double it's nutritional value by adding the right accessories. Let's face it - who doesn't like beautiful food? The art of dressing a plate is something that is often overlooked and underrated. I think that when we take the time (a few extra minutes at most) to create something that is healthy and beautiful to look at, it not only gives us pride in what we are feeding ourselves and our families, but it forces us to be CONSCIOUS about it. It allows us to develop a true relationship, complete with dialogue, with the most important ritual of the day. For example, not everyone has the time or the right ingredients to make something entirely from scratch for every meal. So when you are shopping for your convenient foods, it is important to choose products that are still quick but don't tank on nutrition. You can stock your dry and refrigerated pantries with super food accessories that can ramp up the nutrition by more than half when you add them to your dish. I always keep things like bee pollen, chia seed, flax seed, walnuts, almonds, coconut, nutritional yeast and green powders on hand for exactly this reason. In fact, when you use the right combinations with fresh fruit or vegetables, the accessories themselves can have more nutrition than the base for your meal. 

This was a frozen, organic buckwheat waffle. I added plain greek yogurt for my dressing and topped it with strawberries, walnuts, chia seed, bee pollen, shaved coconut, flax seed and tangelo slices. It was incredible!

• CHIA seed is an energizer that has been used since the American Indians were on desert marches and runs. They would sustain long days with it. You can achieve stamina by roasting and grinding a handful before you exercise or do physical activity. Second to flax seed, it is highest in Omega 3 fatty acids.
• FLAX seed is a decongestant, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, laxative and purgative. It works directly on the digestive tract. They are also energizers. They can relieve asthma, chronic cough, enrich the blood and strengthen nerves. It contains all 8 essential amino acids.
• WALNUTS strengthen the kidneys and lungs and lubricate the large intestine. Astringent and antiseptic, they can address athlete's foot, ringworm and impetigo. They regulate blood sugar and improve metabolism.
• COCONUT contains organic iodine that assists with thyroid function and soothes internal membranes. The water contains the highest, naturally occurring amount of electrolytes known. It is identical to human plasma, making up 55 percent of our blood.
• YOGURT is a known pro-biotic and contains millions of beneficial living bacteria that assist our digestive tracts. It is high in protein and organisms that keep our gut happy. The plain variety treats candida overgrowth and is low in sugar, which is optimal.
• BERRIES are the powerhouses of the fruit family containing large quantities of vitamin C, retinols, and easily digestible fiber that requires little energy from the body as they are almost immediately assimilated. They are astringent and laxative. They clean the blood and the skin.
• BEE POLLEN is always best when consumed locally. It aligns the immune system with the local pollen and allergens and helps create a resistance to foreign particles. It is incredibly antibiotic, anabolic, antifatigue, anti-infective, diuretic, nervine, stimulates immune response and is certainly one of the most essential items you should have in your pantry.