THE18THDISTRICT HEALTHY KITCHEN - HOMEMADE ALMOND BUTTER

I absolutely love almond butter and top different foods with it to give it the special something, such as my oatmeals and fruits. If I suddenly find myself starving when I forget to eat or when I have the craving for something sweet, I actually eat a spoonful or two of almomd butter and it fills me up and satisfies my cravings ;) Pretty great - isn't it ? ;) 

A few days ago I tried to make almond butter at home, this is super easy and has been a total success. 

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HEALTHY BREAKFAST - OATMEAL

Finally I found some time to write a highly requested post about my daily breakfast. 

Many girls on Instagram and via email ask me how I prepare my breakfast and how it benefits my healthy and clean eating lifestyle. 

You all, mainly the part of you guys, who have been following me for quite a while now, know that I study nutritional sciences and that I'm an absolute fitness and healthy food freak. 

If you already follow me on Instagram, where I also post my healthy meals, you might have noticed  that I never skip my breakfast, which definitely is the most important meal of the day.  

Many people don't have a breakfast at all, but as studies have shown breakfast should be the most important meal of the day, and guys, I can tell you, it really is. People give a variety for reasons for not eating breakfast, common reasons are that they are not hungry or have no time, they think they might gain weight and there are many other reasons. But what really happens if you skip your breakfast in the long run is, that you more likely tend to gain weight. Research studies tell us, that people who eat breakfast are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. 

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BROCCOLI-PINEAPPLE SOUP

I tried this recipe a few days ago, well it actually is my own creation. A normal boccoli soup just seemed quite stale to me, so I decided to give my soup this extra something by adding pineapple.

Hope you like it !

Ingredients:

 

* 1 onion peeled and finely chopped

* 1 large broccoli

* 2 vegetable or chicken stock cubes

* 1/2l water

* 2 tbsp olive oil

* 1 tsp sugar

*2 1.5 cm slices pineaplle

* salt and pepper

* Cremfine or fat-reduced crème fraîche

To make your soup:  

 

1. Peel and roughly chop the onion. Put a large pan on a medium heat and 2 table spoons of olive oil. Add all the chopped onions and lightly sautée it, when the onion is golden brown caramelize it by adding a teaspoon of sugar.

 

2. Add your chopped broccoli and bring to boil.

 

3. Add the vegetable or chicken stock cubes and a 1/2 liter of water and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and cook for around 5 minutes.

4. Add your chopped pineapple and cook for another 10 minutes.

 

5. Season it with salt and pepper. Using a liquidizer pulse the soup until smooth.

To serve your soup:

 

. Before serving add a teaspoon of the cremefine or low-fat crème fraîche to your serving bowls and add the soup. You can make a lovely pattern with the crème fraîche like I did, by drawing a pattern with a toothpick.

Bon appétit ! 

 

SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI

Nervous System

Broccoli contains a high amount of potassium, which helps maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as promotes regular muscle growth.

Blood Pressure

Along with a high amount of potassium, Broccoli also contains magnesium and calcium that help regulate blood pressure.

Vitamin C

One cup of broccoli contains the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for fighting against free radicals. Moreover, vitamin C is an effective antihistamine for easing the discomfort of the common cold.

Bone Health

Broccoli contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.

Sun Damage

Broccoli is helpful in repairing skin damage thanks to the glucoraphanin it contains which helps the skin to detoxify and repair itself.

Immune System

One cup of broccoli bolsters the immune system with a large dose of beta-carotene. Trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium, further act to strengthen immune defense actions.

Cancer Prevention

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which with the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane.