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8 Amazing Benefits of Eating Dark Leafy Greens

Benefits of Eating Dark Leafy Greens

 

If you ask my kids they will tell you many things, but one thing I have always said since they were young has been:

“Eat your greens; they keep you healthy!”

 Cliché!

Your body needs vegetables, and more importantly, your body needs those dark leafy greens to function optimally. 

But what exactly do we need them for?

Let us have a peek into its potential constituents and their mighty benefits to “make and keep” your body full of health.

Dark Leafy Greens Mother Trucker Yoga Blog

Benefits of Leafy Greens

 

For many of us, we know what we should do, but that doesn’t always mean we do it. Knowledge is power and when we can better understand the why beyond the request can we then make a better decision. Greens play a critical role in our body’s functions, if your body is not functioning optionally or even just OK, it may be time for a green tune-up. 

 

Fight off the Oxidative Stress

Antioxidants are currently most abundant among their fellows and are so in trend. Their propensity to fight the harmful free-radicals in our bodies is formidable. They fight the oxidative stress that we encounter in our daily lives through our dietary habits, anxiety, and environmental influence, fights aging by preventing the cellular damage and improves the cell revamp or renewal process.  

 

Dark leafy greens have an abundance of antioxidants (even more than in blueberries), called Flavonoids resting in their Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll also can normalize the production of R.B.C.s, absorb the toxins (e.g., foul breath or body odor), and even fight the carcinogens.

 

Takes Care of Your Gut Health

Dark leafy greens are rich in probiotics which are close friends to our gut flora. The microhabitat, which aids in digestion in our gut feeds on these probiotics. As 90 % of our diseases arise from poor digestion, they help in an overall improvement of health and boost our immune system by potential assimilation of vitamins, minerals, and other necessary nutrients. Get your greens in and improve your gut health with one of my favorite power green smoothie recipes. 

 

Boost Immune System

Dark leafy greens like Spinach and Kale are rich sources of folate, iron, calcium, fiber, Vitamin C, and K. The study has shown their vital role in boosting immunity by creating chemical symbols to stimulate the growth of I.E.L. Cells that regulate our Humoral immunity. 

 

Now some may argue that eating spinach isn’t good for you due to the oxalate found in these greens, my friend and colleague Karen Urbanek HHP argue the opposite: Don’t fear these greens, instead, you can reduce your oxalate levels by cooking and even boiling your veggies! This can reduce anywhere from 30 to 90% of the oxalate content. 

 

Karen also says: “You can also take calcium citrate and magnesium citrate with every meal. Use bitters prior to eating or take B6 to stimulate digestive and enzyme production. If you feel Oxalates have been a major factor, consider getting an Organic Acids test done and read by a professional.” And if you think you are sensitive to oxalate there are dozens of other foods this can be found in, don’t blame spinach, it might be time for a gut overhaul. 

 

Improve vision and Brain Function

Dark leafy greens are full of Phytonutrients like Carotenoids, Restravesol, Curcumin, etc. these phytonutrients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which are beneficial for our vision and brain health. Phytonutrients are critical for the body because they enhance immunity, and during a time like COVID-19, we need all the help we can get to build immunity naturally. And part of that is ensuring you are getting the necessary nutrition you need from quality foods. 

 

Detoxification

Dark leafy greens like Cilantro, Parsley, and coriander leaves are potent detoxifiers. They help the liver get rid of the toxins and prevent numerous diseases, while parsley is powerful enough to eliminate toxic metals from the bloodstream. May seem a bit odd, but try putting these herbs in your water. Don’t like the taste? Then add a little fresh squeezed lemon, or berries to your water for a refreshing drink. And remember fresh is best, dried herbs like the listed when dried have less nutritional value. But for those that travel, something is always better than nothing. 

 

Nutrition

Dark leafy greens are abundant in the essential nutrients for your body. Many of them contain Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, K, B, lutein, and a small amount of Omega-3 fats. They are rich in minerals like:

Calcium – keeps your bones and teeth strong and healthy coordination of muscles and nerves.

Iron – Erythropoiesis (Red Blood Cell Production)

Potassium – Regulates fluid retention in the body and manages muscle contractions.

Copper – helps in the production of Collagen and absorbs Iron.

Magnesium – Aids the vital function of the body. Critical for muscle function. 

 

Weight Management

Dark leafy greens are low in carbohydrates and rich in fiber. Fiber keeps your tummy full and limits unnecessary snacking, helping you manage and even lose your weight.

 

Health- Infusing Dark Leafy Greens

  • Greens: Primary Functions

 

  • Cabbage: Combats Anemia and Heart diseases

 

  • Kale: Healthy vision and retinal function and aids blood clotting

 

  • Mustard Greens: Prevents Arthritis and lowers LDL Cholesterol

 

  • Spinach: Regulates Heart Rate and Blood Pressure, Combats free radicals

 

  • Turnip Greens: Enhances collagen synthesis and Boosts Immune system

 

 

Many of us wonder as to how many greens we should eat.

Dark Leafy Greens and gut health mother trucker yoga

Recommended Intake of Dark Leafy Greens

Nutrition experts recommend eating ½ a cup of Dark leafy greens daily. At the same time, USDA recommends eating 3 cups of dark leafy greens per week. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with dark leafy greens. And as my friend Karen Urbanek says: “You can’t get fat by eating vegetables”. So eat up. Experiment, try them in salads, saute, as a bed for lean protein, and you can even throw them into smoothies. 

 

It may take time, you may need to steer your taste buds towards natural foods and re-learn to like them if all you have been eating is processed foods. And when in doubt, eat them because you know they are good for you. Your gut is your first brain, so feed it wisely. 

Looking for more ways to improve your eating on the road?

Check out Mother Trucker Yoga’s blog all about on the go breakfast!

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Healthy and Simple Recipes for Truckers

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On the go: healthy and simple trucker food recipes. Anytime, anywhere.

I just trucked 18 hours home from GATS in Dallas, Texas back home to Hartford, Wisconsin. We team drove our RV and made it back safely.

Many of you came to see me (hey all, Hope here) at the Landstar Health Stage to learn more about how to live a healthy life over the road. And one of Saturday’s presentations was: Fueling Your Rig, Fueling You: Eating Healthy Over The Road Made Easy. Sponsored by RoadPro Family of Brands

GATS Fueling Your Rig Fueling You Presentation

Cooking at GATS 2019

The presentation was a hit! We had just enough food, and no one left hungry!

Everyone at the event loved what we not only talked about but ate.

  • I believe that you can eat healthier on your truck.
  • I believe it’s about small simple changes, not big huge leaps that will help you change your life’s current route to health.
  • I believe you can do this!

It’s not about getting up and doing a complete 180 (although no one is saying you can’t). But what I am suggesting is to start small.

If BIG HUGE DRASTIC changes worked so well, more than 8% of New Years resolutions wouldn’t fail!!!

Eating healthy on the truck and over the road starts with you saying to yourself, “I can do this”.

At GATS we discussed the notion of GOOD, BETTER, BEST. And with this idea we recognize the opportunities to improve in little ways, and when you do that consistently, it add up.

Instead of a soda with every meal, how about you eliminate one soda a day. Or better yet, just one soda, one day a week. I want you to make changes you can stick to. Not changes you give up on because you did too much too soon.

Why I’m so passionate about this approach is because I struggled with an eating disorder for YEARS. Almost half my life.

Every day I would wake up and say:

  • “Today I’m not going to over eat.”
  • “Today I’m not going to binge and purge”. 
  • “Today, I’m going to magically be changed”. 

And not even one hour into the day and I was back in the cycle of no return…

Sound familiar?

It wasn’t until out-patient treatment and their encouragement of one minute at a time. One hour at a time. And one day at a time, that inspired me to break down my changes into micro-changes.

And that (along with healthy movement and yoga) got me out of that deep dark hole of self-destruction.

During our Fueling Your Rig, Fueling You presentation, I wanted to show every driver out there that eating healthy on the road CAN and IS easy. And wanted to turn everyone on to healthy options and simple recipes that actually taste good, and are easy to make!

Men and women were nodding their heads in the audience as they munched away. Loving the food that was going into their mouths.

And everything we made for them we made there! That day! In less the time it takes to take a 30 minute break.

I want to share two of the recipes we made at GATS that were top on the request list. Which also happen to be cheap, easy to make, and healthy on-the-go food for truck drivers.

Recipe #1: Spring Rolls for on the Go!

  • Spring Roll Rice Paper
  • Lettuce or Cabbage leafs (cut into small pieces)
  • Shredded carrots (you can buy them pre-shredded too)
  • Cilantro or Mint
  • Shrimp (or any other meat or tofu)
  • Lime Juice (optional)
  • Sticky rice or rice noodles
  • Plate size dish & cutting board or flat surface to roll spring rolls up
  • 8 oz of water

Demonstration of how to make spring rolls recipes

Directions for Spring Rolls:

  1. Put water in plate size dish.
  2. Take out one rice paper sheet and place in water for 30 seconds or so.
  3. Until the entire sheet is soft.
  4. Take the rice paper and lay it on a dry flat area.
  5. Take lettuce leaves and lay in a line at the end closest to you.
  6. Lay shredded carrots inside lettuce
  7. Now put rice noodles or rice on top.
  8. Squeeze lime over shrimp before adding.
  9. Add shrimp and cilantro or mint.
  10. Using the end closest to you, begin to roll the contents one time.
  11. Now take the two sides and fold them in and over the contents sticking the rice sheet sides to the folded end.
  12. Keep rolling, making sure the sides stay tucked in.
  13. Roll all the way to the end and the rice paper will stick to itself, keeping the contents inside.
  14. For dipping sauce use Thai Peanut Sauce, Sweet & Sour Plum Sauce, or Chilli Sauce and enjoy!

Option:

I bought the lime cilantro shrimp in the deli at Costco pre-seasoned and ready to be served. I cut up the shrimp and then added it to my spring rolls. You could also squeeze the lime and mix the cilantro or mint with the shrimp and marinade before use as well.

Keep chilled. Will last for a few days.

Spring Rolls are a great alternative to sandwiches, and a whole lot healthier. Be creative and play with other ingredients. These two are simple recipes you can make anytime, anywhere while on the go. Let us know what you come up with!

Hope Demonstrating How to make Simple spring rolls recipe

Recipe #2: Asian Slaw Salad

  • 1-Packet Beef Ramen Noodles
  • 1-Bag Shredded Cabbage
  • Grapeseed Oil
  • Natural Sugar
  • 4 Green Onions-chopped
  • Sun flower seeds (unsalted), pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, crasins

Directions for Asian Slaw Salad

  1. Mix grapeseed oil, sugar, onions, and beef seasoning packet (see below for homemade seasoning) together.
  2. Break up noodles into small pieces.
  3. Mix noodles and seeds together. You can store them together for easy travel.
  4. When ready to eat take noodle mixture, cabbage slaw and liquid and mix together in a bowl (or container with a lid for easy storage afterwards.
  5. Once mixed, enjoy with a fork!
  6. The longer you let the ingredients sit together the noodles soften and you get a whole new crunch.
  7. Stores perfectly in a 12 cup container.
  8. Keep cool in cooler or frig.

Homemade Beef Seasoning (I like Wilhelms Kitchen version):

Mix together and store in air tight jar. Use 1-2 TBSP per packet of beef seasoning. Simple Asian Slaw Salad Recipe for Truckers Mother Trucker Yoga

Beginning to eat healthy starts with one small simple change. Simple recipes you can make right on your truck. It doesn’t have to be extreme, fancy, or expensive. What if you simply make your own food once a week? Then one day a week? Then two days a week, and so on. This does not have to happen over night. But my hope is you begin to see that YOU CAN DO THIS!

I believe in you. And I believe you can stay healthier over the road one move at a time. One meal at a time.

Please try out these simple recipes and comment below telling us what you think!

Share your photos of your food creations on our Facebook Page – Mother Trucker Yoga

Join our family here at Mother Trucker Yoga!

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Mother Trucker Yoga and Backshield

 

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