Ambition Nutrition is moving to Tumblr!

Hi guys!

I'm so pleased to announce that my blog, Ambition Nutrition, has moved to Tumblr!!

Please follow me at ambition--nutrition.tumblr.com :)

Thanks for all the support!
Lisa xx
Instagram: @ambition_nutrition
Twitter:     @ambition_nut
Facebook: /ambitiousnutrition

Why I Love Juicing (and Blending!)

I Love Juices and Smoothies Because:

• It allows me to add a variety of fruits and vegetables into my diet
• I have more energy throughout the day
• I can think more clearly
• It keeps my skin healthy
• It keeps my digestive system healthy
• I don't get sugar cravings
• It boosts my immunity and protects me from illness
• I am giving my body important macro and micronutrients to stay healthy

Juicing is known as the nutrient express to health. By juicing, we are liquefying fruits and vegetables, which makes it easier on the digestive system to absorb all those important micronutrients into our bodies at a quicker rate than if it had to digest the whole fruit or vegetable. It takes as little as twenty minutes for the nutrients to be absorbed when it's in juice form, allowing us to be healthier in a smaller time frame.

I was first introduced to the concept of juicing for health back in 2012, when I watched a life changing documentary called 'Food Matters' with a close friend of mine who was going vegan at the time. 'Food Matters' opened up my eyes to a whole new world of holistic and natural health, using nutrition as the main source of healing the body from illness and disease.

Since then, after doing a lot more research, I have added freshly pressed juices and smoothies into my diet and I have never felt so good! In my opinion, consuming freshly pressed juices as part of a balanced diet can improve and promote health and wellbeing.

Juicing VS Blending
When fruits and vegetables are juiced, the micronutrients are separated from its fibre and carbohydrate content which are essentially lost. Blending keeps the fibre and carbohydrate content of the fruit and vegetable intact, allowing our bodies to absorb more nutrition and keeps us fuller for longer.

                                                                                             

The ABC Juice (Apple + Beetroot + Celery + Carrot)



Here is my own recreation of the ABC juice:

• 1 apple
• 1/2 a beetroot
• 2 carrots
• 1 celery stalk (with or without leaves)
• 1 lemon
• a small piece of ginger

This juice is a natural source of sodium and potassium while also containing powerful antioxidants to boost the immune system. Lemon and ginger help to cleanse the liver of accumulated toxins, which allows the body to detoxify itself, giving you more energy, clearer skin and a clear mind!

If you would like more information on this topic, check out the link below!
http://www.foodmatters.tv/juicer-buying-guide

Happy juicing!
Lisa xx

Clean Treats: Healthy Lemon Lime Brulee

Ok, so I LOVE dessert...who doesn't?! But what I don't love is eating empty calories, bad fats, preservatives I can't even pronounce the names of and that horrible, sleepy low I get after I've completely splurged out (oh and not to mention the food guilt!).

I've been busy in the kitchen figuring out how to make my favourite dessert, lemon lime brulee, clean and healthier than the original. Here's what I came up with!

Lemon Lime Brulee Recipe:

Lemon Curd:

• 2 whole eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup Agave syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut oil - liquid
• 2 lemons - juice and zest
• 1 lime - juice and zest

Biscuit Base:

• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup macadamias
• 3/4 cup oats
• 5 dates, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Method:

1. To make the lemon curd, combine the wet ingredients into a saucepan and whisk continuously until thickened over a low heat.
2. To make the biscuit base, blend the cashews and macadamias with the coconut oil and gradually add in the dates and oats. Blend until all combined.
3. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and grease a cake tin with oil (vegetable or coconut). Line the tin with the biscuit base mixture and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Let the biscuit base cool and pour the lemon curd mixture on top of the base.
5. Refrigerate for an hour or until lemon curd is set.
6. Share and enjoy on its own or with a small serving a light ice cream. 

 This recipe is vegetarian friendly, dairy free and preservative free. To make it gluten free, you could add coconut flour to the base instead of using oats. I am still experimenting on how to make the lemon curd vegan but no luck as of yet.

Hope you enjoy this great little dessert!
Lisa xx

Eat Green!

Why is eating green important to maintain health and wellbeing? Green leafy vegetables contain a compound called chlorophyll (not to be confused with chloroform!), a pigment which gives plants its green colour. Chlorophyll is known as sunlight energy because it promotes the process of photosynthesis, the energy plants need to survive. The other astonishing fact about chlorophyll is that its structure is nearly identical to our red blood cells, the only difference being the central atom. In our red blood cells, the central atom of the structure is iron whereas in chlorophyll its magnesium. This property is important because it allows chlorophyll to transfuse into the blood very quickly when ingested, increasing the production of our red blood cells and making it easier for oxygen transfer around the body.

Why is oxygen transfer important? Well in English, oxygen transfer is how chlorophyll distributes its nutrients and health benefits to the cells. The more oxygen we have flowing through our bodies, the more energy we will have to move and grow.

Chlorophyll contains many nutrients such as:

• Essential amino acids (needed to make proteins)
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Antioxidants
• Digestive enzymes to help maintain intestinal flora.

Chlorophyll has amazing health benefits like cleansing toxins from the liver and blood, regulating calcium levels, boosts immunity, protects us from cancer and supports muscle health.

We can get a source of chlorophyll from eating lots of green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, artichokes, alfalfa, broccoli, brussell sprouts, green beans, chard, wheatgrass and parsley. Blue green algae supplements such as spirulina also contain high amounts of chlorophyll and there are liquid chlorophylls on the market if you find it difficult to consume vegetables. In my opinion, fresh is best so if you find it hard to get enough greens into your diet, juice it and drink it!

So now we know why chlorophyll is important in our diets but how can we make it more interesting to consume? Below is a recipe for Spinach Oat Pancakes that I found to be quite delicious and a great way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet!



Recipe:
- 1 cup oats
- 3/4 to 1 cup of milk (preferred choice)
- 1 to 2 eggs (vegans can substitute the egg for a        large banana)
- 1/4 cup agave syrup
- a handful of spinach leaves

Blend ingredients together until a thick mixture is formed.
Cook an a low heat, top with favourite toppings and enjoy!
I topped my pancakes with banana, nuts, sunflower seeds, goji berries and a drizzle of agave syrup. I like to use agave syrup because it is a plant nectar and is low GI.




If you want to see more delicious recipes and nutrition tips, please follow me on Instagram @ambition_nutrition or you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ambitiousnutrition

Lisa xx