​Today, there are more people in the United States who have nutrient deficiencies.  How can this be in a land where you can pull up to a gas station and get food?  That’s part of the issue.  Are we consuming food or food-like substances? 

We live in a world where a large percentage of the population is overweight, yet undernourished.  Processed foods don’t provide nourishment that our body needs and they can raise our risk of developing chronic disease and even cancer.  Nutrient deficiencies impact our immune system by turning off our immune responses.  We don’t want an immune system that’s not working!  When this occurs, we are more susceptible to illness.  We need our nutrients!  

Our body is amazing.  It absorbs macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and more).  To look at these deeper, macronutrients provide direct fuel and energy to our body.  Micronutrients are catalysts that assist the macronutrients.  We need to give our body something more than a sugar-filled, processed eatable.  When we eat foods like this, we may have a “fake” energy swing, but after that spike, we crash.  It’s not providing nutrients or real energy.  We need nutrition from real food. 

Our body does so much for us and I'm amazed at the inner workings that support and protect us.  It can only do so much.  Treat your body with respect and give it nutrient-dense whole foods that are free of pesticides, without genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and if you are a carnivore, choose foods that are treated with respect.  To learn more about specific foods that can assist health and why they promote wellness, take our course - Healing and Preventing Chronic Disease and Cancer with Functional Nutrition.  If you don’t need the official continuing education, you can still take it.  You may be enlightened and have something to share with your friends and family. #mindbodyyou #GMOs #functionalnutrition #celestecooperpeel #prevention #wellness

​If you want a special treat that’s beneficial to your body, mind and spirit, this is it. This recipe is rich in plant lignans, magnesium, healthy fats, fiber, potassium and more.  Simply add these items to a blender and mix well until creamy. 

• 20 ounces of coconut cream
• 2 ½ tablespoons of cacao powder
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey
• ¼ cup chia seeds
• 1 ounce of melted unsweetened chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 pitted Medjool dates 

 
Transfer the ingredients to an ice cream maker and create your masterpiece according to the ice cream maker’s instructions.  Make sure all your ingredients are organic and don't contain added sugar, preservatives or additives.  You can top with unsweetened coconut chips and toasted almonds.  Enjoy! #mindbodyyou #cacao #chiaseeds #lignans #coconut #celestecooperpeel

There is more discussion of shopping for local food.  What does that mean?  Is it simply going to your favorite organic grocery store or visiting your farmers market?  Yes, to both!  Local food is commonly defined as food grown within 100 miles or even within the state you live in.  This definition can vary.  It can be based on the region and seasonal availability.

If you’re visiting a grocery store that provides local farmer produce, you’re shopping local.  It doesn’t have to be a trip to the local farmers market, but I do recommend this as well.  Get to know your farmer.  Often, due to the cost to receive an organic certification, a local farmer may be practicing organic standards but may not be officially certified.  The art of shopping at your farmers market is also a social experience.  As humans, we need that social interaction.  So take the time to get to know your farmer, their practices, seasonal produce and you might make a friend. 

​A health benefit is that local food is often more nutrient dense.  The reason is due to transporting foods.  Fresh produce is at peak quality when picked or at least should be.  As it’s shipped across the United States or from another country, its quality starts to deteriorate through a process called respiration and it loses nutrients.  By the time it gets to you and then you leave it in the refrigerator for a few days, you may end up with minimal vitamins and minerals.  That’s a bummer when you’ve taken the time to pick out the greenest organic broccoli or reddest peppers. 

Here are a few more reason why shopping local is beneficial.   

1. It supports the farmer and consumer relationship and the local economy by putting money back into local resources.
2. It supports local growers allowing the consumer to learn more about the growing, farming and harvesting techniques.
3. It allows you to eat a seasonal diet.
4. It provides more nutrients due to less travel time for the plant. 
5. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions due to food shipping.  On average, food travels over 1000 miles from farm to fork. 

Bonus:  It reduces the use of additional plastics since packaging for local food is often minimal. 

There are more benefits to shopping local, but you get the idea.  Next time you’re choosing local, seasonal food at your grocery store or farmers market, know that you’re supporting your local economy and gaining the health benefits of nutrient dense food.  
​#mindbodyyou #farmtofork #celestecooperpeel