Something I ate?

My friends over at Vega and Sequels naturals were cool enough to send me over a couple copies of Peggy Kotsopoulos’ new book Must Have Been Something I Ate. As the title explains the book is about the simple connection between what you eat and how you look and feel! Learn the “how’s and why’s” of what we eat!!

I’ve been a huge advocate of this idea for some time now and it’s a great to see a book that takes this connection and delivers it with a practical approach. The book is right up my alley with the idea of mindful eating, the idea of taking time to be aware. It comes down to a process of observation and attention, making a choice. You have the power to make a choice of what you put in your body and now you can choose to learn the effect on your mind and body!

The book is full of personality with great design. She takes all of the nutritional science and research then translates into a language that we can comprehend. Peggy breaks the book up in to 4 sections of how food play a role in:

• Food-Mood Connection – Discussing effects on energy, anxiety & stress, sleep, sex, and depression
• Food-weight Connection – All about metabolism, hormones, and weight control
• Food/Beauty & skin care – Outlining benefits for aging, skincare, and preserving your sexy
• Food-Health connection – Immune health, digestive health, hormones and ladies’ mysterious PMS

And the final section is full of delicious recipes of tying in all of the super foods to apply them to your daily meals!  How about her “Vegatini” that tastes amazing, is good for you, AND helps cure a hangover!!!?

I was hooked on all of the awesome facts about these super foods, everything from what we are deficient in and the role that plays in our daily life. I find this fascinating! Basically, “what you are eating is affecting you.” In a good way. Or a bad way. The choice is going to be up to you, take it in your own hands to truly enjoy your food experience. How about some cool info on skin care and anti-aging? Making a valid point about true beauty starts on the inside. This is one of the biggest benefits of juicing and eating clean… detoxing all of the crap out of your body clears everything up!

We have the choice of filling up on different types of fuel like, choosing high net gain foods loaded with nutrients to give you a great return all while tasting great. It’s that simple. All it takes is a little research and detective work. Peggy does the job for you in this book and features all kinds of awesome facts and tips such as super foods and their awesome remedies. Loaded with “Did you know” facts that I didn’t know… but WANTED to know!

Great little bonus info tips in every section, facts like Chlorella before and after drinking can help with hangover symptoms. All of this info having resources from actual studies!

I loved the information on Superfoods like raw chocolate (cacao) loaded with endorphins triggering happy endorphins and serotonin as well as  Maca which is a great adaptogen balancing hormones naturally helping with energy and stamina, concentration, alertness, depression + mood, all while being an aphrodisiac! With each discussion she gives a suggestion of how you should use this product along with recipes and dosage to reap the benefits.

Having issues with fatigue and afternoon slumps? The book spells out what you are eating.. or not eating that is making you feel that way.  Included are some really practical ideas for loading up on nutrient dense foods that pack sustained energy like quinoa, coconut water, apples, green tea, maca, etc..

Great section on stress, discussing the onset of stress – as your brain triggers your adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys – causing a release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol – shifting energy away from your digestive system and immune system leading to a release of cortisol thus leading to weight gain, inability to burn fat, depression, and cravings for sweets. It’s a continuous cycle. Read about what foods can make this an easier process on your body. Speaking of an easier process, I learned some great digestion tips and facts such as this “did you know tip” 80% of your immune system resides in your gut. So you can see the role of the digestive system and how important it is to aid this process.

I loved the section on best suggested oils and spices to cook with, like coconut oil with it’s high smoke point and the healthy fats that are a miracle for your skin and body! Or How about cayenne being the miracle herb…aiding in speeding up metabolism. This was all very helpful and can be applied to shopping list, making that process easier. In her section about the truth of sweeteners, we learn what to shop for and what to avoid. Check out Yacon syrup – actually lowers your glycemic index and works as a prebiotic.

She also reinforces my new discovery on Brazil nuts and the positive hormone boost that they have for men and women! This is a staple ingredient in my Mancakes, new creation that I have been working on in the R&D department (kitchen). The power packing cacao, maca, and brazil nut based natural pancakes loaded with stamina and feel good fuel! So good.

Take it from Peggy, “There are elements of our lives—careers, relationships, finances—that we have no control over,” she explained.  “Our diet, on the other hand, we have complete control over like how to get more energy, how to lose weight, and how to relieve stress and to reduce anxiety.”