Super Foods

Super foods: what to include in your diet, not what to avoid. While there are over 100 super foods on the list today, I like to break them down to about 10 at a time. My top 10 favorites are:

Avocadoes, blueberries, bell peppers, pumpkins, walnuts, spinach, sweet potatoes, cocoa, tomatoes, and kale. 

These are listed based on my personal taste, not nutrient density, but all are nutrient-rich and incredibly good for you-- they are super foods, after all! By eating more super foods, you will naturally have less room for other foods, so before you know it your diet will be more balanced.

With the snow and cold weather, we drink a lot of hot chocolate. Instead of avoiding the sugary treat, I add a super food: 100% cocoa. Here's my favorite Peppermint Cocoa recipe:

Serves 4 about .50 a serving
2 1/2 cups milk (whole, 2%, skim or almond, you choose)
1 1/2 tbls. 100% cocoa
1tbls vanilla
1/4-1/2 cup sugar (to taste, I like 1/4 cup but it is richer with a dark cocoa kick)
1 small-medium candy cane or peppermint stick

Heat milk in a pot on medium high, to a steam (do not boil). Add peppermint first, then vanilla, cocoa and sugar. Make sure all ingredients are mixed together well. Serve in your favorite cold-weather mugs and enjoy!

Karen