September Simple Pure Whole Favorites: Health | Lifestyle | Happiness

As fall sets in and September comes to a close, it is time to share my favorite healthy recipes/foods/products/links/exercises/inspiration from the past month. As I introduced in July and continued in August, I introduced my Favorites feature to the updated Simple | Pure | Whole^TMBlog, and I have some great healthy finds to share again this month to help you live a healthy life!

Get ready for fall produce with my Fall Action Plan Festive Cookbook, the perfect fall companion for allergy-friendly, balanced, healthy recipe ideas that are easy to prepare and everyone will enjoy! Start planning your healthy Thanksgiving, family gathering or fall gameday party today with these delicious ideas plus a BONUS e-cookbook with over 50 delicious healthy recipes for any season!

I only share resources that I have personal experience with and can therefore recommend without reservation. Remember that each person is unique so check with your health care provider before making any major changes to your diet or lifestyle. This is not intended as medical advice. This post may contain affiliate links. Prices are the same for you and affiliate commission helps to support the maintenance of my blog so I can continue to bring you free, value-filled resources. Thank you for your support!

Here are some of my Simple | Pure | Whole^TM Healthy Favorites for September!

Favorite Ingredient: Cacao Nibs

Earlier this month, I highlighted the long-treasured superfood cacao and the process which goes into transforming this plant into chocolately goodness. The cacao tree is an evergreen which is native to the tropical regions of South America. Inside each cacao fruit are approximately 50 beans. It takes around 500 of these cacao beans to make one pound of chocolate!

When the fresh cocoa beans are removed from the pod, they do not taste at all like the sweet chocolate they will become. Fermentation of the cacao beans for 5-8 days brings out different flavor profiles. This process of fermentation removes the mucilage, stops germination and begins flavor development. Next, traditional methods of chocolate making rely on sun-drying of the cacao beans following by roasting or leaving the beans raw when a raw product is desired. Further processing or winnowing separates the beans from the shell, leaving nibs and cocoa butter.

Cacao nibs are made from whole raw cacao beans which are crumbled into small “nib” chunks. They have a chocolatey taste which is not as sweet as chocolate, with hints of fruity and nutty flavors depending on how they are roasted. They are rich in magnesium and iron along with a variety of antioxidants. 

 

Simple Pure Whole Solutions

• This versatile ingredient can be incorporated into many different snacks. As nature’s chocolate chips, they add a crunch to trail mixes as I highlighted in my recent Game-Day Snack Roundup. Cacao nibs are also great as a healthier chocolate-chip substitute in cookies, muffins, pancakes and quick breads or atop a smoothie for an added flavor and texture punch! 
• This roundup from TheKitchn provides a variety of inspiration for incorporating cacao nibs into your breakfast! The Coconut Maple Granola with Cacao Nibs from The Pursuit of More looks especially delicious! 
• Cacao nibs also have a savory side and can be incorporated into a pesto or used atop salads for a unique flavor profile. 

Favorite Health Article/Video: Yes Happiness Can Transform Your Body via The Huffington Post

As I discuss in depth in The Whole Cure, happiness is not an aspiration or something we cultivate only once we achieve something we desire. Similarly, happiness manifests itself in several different ways–as sensations, feelings, experiences and reactions. 

The neuroscience behind happiness is emerging with fascinating evidence for why we experience happiness in the ways that we do. As this video explains, our bodies release endoprhins when we experience joy. 

We get this happy rush when we hug a loved one, engage in an activity we love, hear a moving song or even eat a delicious treat that we associate with happy memories. Fortunately, we can trigger this reaction with a simple grin as well. Smiling releases these happy endorphins that help us deal with stress, lower blood pressure and bring us pleasure.

This is certainly something to smile about!

Simple Pure Whole Solutions

• Start making your own happiness a priority. If you don’t value yourself, look after yourself and stick up for yourself, you can’t fully contribute to the world either. Take time to practice self-care each day. If you are ready to truly commit to yourself and feeling your best, join us for the group Recharge Experience online from anywhere!
• Think about a time you were happy, appreciative and vibrant. Remember the spring in your step and smile in your heart. Recall the enthusiasm you felt for life at that time and know that it is yours to experience again. As you living in the present with appreciation, you cultivate a natural enthusiasm for life. 

• Check out the inspiration and Wellness Prescriptions in Ch. 12 of The Whole Cure to Settle Into Your True Essence of Inner Joy. You can get started with a free preview here.
• One key aspect of happiness is remaining aware of your thought processes and cultivating a positive mindset. Start with these tips to train your mind to release negativity and cultivate more joy!

Favorite Farmer’s Market Find: Zucchini & Summer Squash

While winter squashes are starting to make an appearance at my local farmer’s market, there is still a good selection of zucchini and summer squash as well! Summer squashes like zucchini have a delicate texture and mildly sweet flavor which adapts well to many uses. 

Summer squashes belong to the Cucurbitaceae family along with cucumbers and come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin in summer squash are key antioxidants that protect our cells from free radical damage. The skin is especially rich in these nutrients and can be eaten intact. 

Interestingly, the seeds of summer squash are used in some traditional medicine practices to treat intestinal tapeworms and other gastrointestinal parasites. Native American cultures also traditionally appreciated summer squash as part of the trifecta of the “three sisters” along with corn and beans. 

Simple Pure Whole Solutions

• I love grating zucchini for muffins and quick breads or slicing it to roast in the oven. For a simple yet effective technique to easily prepare sliced zucchini check out this tutorial from www.chocolateanszucchini.com!
• Recently, I have also been loving zoodles or spiralized zucchini noodles. These versatile gluten-free, grain-free noodle substitutes are delicious raw or lightly cooked with a variety of sauces. I have pinned many of my favorite ways to enjoy zoodles on my Vegan Entrees Pinterest Board!
• As conventional summer squash is frequently genetically-modified (GMO) and sprayed heavily with pesticides and herbicides, be sure to choose organically-grown squash whenever possible.

Source: Chocolate and Zucchini

Try these hearty fall recipes for some creative ways to enjoy summer squashes like zucchini:

• This comprehensive round-up of zucchini recipes is sure to provide some inspiration to mix-up your late summer/early fall recipes!
• These Grilled Zucchini Roll-ups from the Lean Green Bean are a quick appetizer, side or snack to whip up while it is still grill weather!
• For a filling meatless Monday meal, check out these vegan, gluten-free Chickpea Zucchini Fritters from OneGreenPlanet.
• For a summer-to-fall transition dish featuring zoodles, check out FitFoodieFinds‘ Pumpkin Marinana Zoodles

Favorite Quotes:

Which of these powerful quotes resonates the most with you?

This Months Features from The Simple | Pure | Whole^TM Blog:

 

How do you use cacao nibs?

What is your favorite zucchini recipe?

Please let me know in the comments below or on Facebook or Instagram if you have tried any of these or if you find something new you love so I can check it out!

If you enjoyed these healthy tips, I welcome you to join my free Insider’s Community for special offers, members-only opportunities, wellness news, recipes and more! 

And to commit to true self-care, cleanse your body and prepare to prevent disease in the upcoming colder weather, join my All Natural Simple | Pure | Whole^TM Recharge Experience: A 28-Day Comprehensive, Fully Customizable Online Experience to Rejuvenate and Build a Strong Foundation for Sustainable Life-Long Wellness!  Contact me with questions and for more details!

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email and related resources is for informational purposes only. The information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Every body is unique so be sure to check with your health care professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes taking any medication or nutritional supplement or using any treatment for a health issue.. Do not use this information provided for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you suspect you have a medical problem please contact your healthcare provider promptly and do not disregard professional medical advice based on anything in this email. This correspondence and related resources are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and do not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Jennifer Weinberg.

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This post was shared with: Create It Thursday, Full Plate Thursday, Crafty & Delicious Party, Allergy-Free Wednesday, Family Fun Friday, Weekend Retreat, Real Food Fridays,  Friday’s Five Features, Savoring Saturdays, Motivation Monday, Healthy Happy Green Natural Party, Tip Tuesday, Pin Worthy Wednesday, Waste Not Want Not Wednesday