What makes you smile? Laugh? Get giddy with glee? For some, it’s a walk barefoot through the grass. For another, it’s a spin on a roller coaster, a solo movie date, or a perfectly ripe mango.
So… when was the last time you did something that makes you happy?
If it’s been awhile, consider this: happiness lowers stress levels, increases immune system function, and lowers your risk of disease. It also makes life easier.
The Magic Formula for Daily Pleasure
Doing one pleasurable thing per day (or more!) is the most powerful antidote for gray, boring, or stressful days. Try this:
• Make an “I love” list. List everything that you enjoy – nothing is too small or too large. If you enjoy it, get it on the list.
• Take a look at how you spend your days. When could you fit in a little pleasure? Perhaps you could leave the office at lunch to walk in the park? Maybe you could play your favorite music while doing the dishes? Book yourself a massage this weekend?
• Repeat daily, or more often, as needed.
To get you started down the road of pleasure, give this luscious recipe a try:
Mango Cream
Prep time: 10 minutes, Serves 4
Ingredients:
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon agave nectar (optional)
• 1 cup organic whipping cream or carton of soft tofu or large ripe banana
Directions:
• Process the first four ingredients in a blender.
• Blend for one minute, or until pureed.
• Pour puree into a medium bowl.
• Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. If using tofu or banana, whir in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
• Fold whipped cream, tofu, or banana into mango puree, using a knife to swirl in a marbled
effect.
Food Focus: Root Vegetables
Most root vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates, which break down into sugar in your body to give you energy and the ability to function properly. Complex carbohydrates slowly enter the bloodstream and keep blood sugars more stable; blood sugar spikes do not occur in the body from them. Root vegetables are high in fiber, phytonutrients, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and contain essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and small amounts of iron.
A variety of vegetable sare essential to overall health. Root vegetables improve your mental well-being along with your physical well-being through cleaning the blood, cleaning the digestive system, reducing cravings(due to their sweetness, dense nutrient value, and soluble fiber), improving eye health, preventing high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease and stroke. Onions and garlic are very good for the heart; prevents blood clots, helps in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. They also protect against cancer and support a healthy immune system.
What Vegetables are Root Vegetables?
They are vegetables that grow under the earth such as:
• Beets
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Jicama
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Radish
• Rutabaga
• Sweet Potatoes
• Turnips
Easy Ways to Incorporate Root Vegetables Into Your Diet:
• Soups and Stews
• Juicing (primarily carrots, ginger, beets, and sweet potatoes)
• Roasting
• Stir Fry/Sautee
• Homemade Veggie Patties