10 of my favorite antioxidant-rich foods

Walnuts- This heart healthy nut has a high amount omega 3 fatty acids. Walnuts are rich in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. They are also one of the best plant sources of protein.

Cloves- This nutrient-dense spice has, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anesthetic properties. Cloves are very high in anti-oxidants and can easily be added to a number of dishes. Sprinkle on apple sauce or cook into an aromatic tea.

Cranberries- Second only to blueberries, these little red powerhouses are teaming with antioxidants. Though they are considered a 'holiday' food, cranberries are available all year round. Add them to smoothies, cook them with your oatmeal or into a muffins.

Pomegranates-This powerful red fruit is very high in antioxidants. Pomegranates can also help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The best part? They are sweet like candy.

Aduki Beans- Aduki beans have one of the highest antioxidant level of all beans. High in fiber, these little red beans are also an excellent source of B vitamins. A great detox tool, aduki beans contain an enzyme called molybdenum which is crucial for lever detoxification.

Artichokes -surpisingly high in antioxidants. Known to stimulate and improve liver function by increasing bile production which helps with liver purification and protection.

Green Tea-More than a decade's worth of research about green tea's health benefits has shown it's potential to fight disease, burn fat, and protect against neuro-degenerative diseases. The high levels of antioxidants are readily bioavailable, so are easily utilized by the body.

Raspberries  have significantly high levels of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals. Scientific studies show that the antioxidant compounds in these berries have potential health benefits against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neuro-degenerative diseases. 

Kale: The King of Greens. Kale is on a scale all of it’s own. Pound for pound it is one  the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. It has high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and phytonutrients. This fiber in this powerhouse also helps to bind and neutralize bile toxins which helps to keep cholesterol levels low.

Blueberries are little blue superstars. They have the highest antioxidant level of all fruit. Blueberries are low in sugar and have been shown to improve both memory and metabolism.

Dark Chocolate-And, Drumroll please! My favorite, dark chocolate. By dark chocolate I am talking about real dark chocolate. At least 70% Cacao. I usually use it in the form of Raw Cacao which can be added to any number of recipes like Nut Milk Hot Chocolate, Vegan Chocolate Pie, or Chocolate Cashew Spread. Dark chocolate is rich in cell-protecting anti-oxidants, as well as containing a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. This wonderful bean not only makes everything taste good, it makes us feel good too.

A Healthy Version of Milk and Cookies

This is my untraditional take on milk and cookies. The"milk" is a nut milk sweetened with medjool dates. The cookies are almonds, oats and dark chocolate chips. Both are tasty and good for you.

Here is how you do it.

Nut Milk:

1 cup of mixed almonds, cashews and brazil nuts, soaked overnight in water. 

5 medjool dates soaked overnight in water (make sure to take the pits out)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups of water

a dash of salt

Rinse the nuts until the water is clear.

Put all of the ingredients, including the water that the dates were soaked in,  in a blender and blend until smooth.

Strain the almond milk either through a cheesecloth, a strainer with a paper towel, or a nut bag . That gets out all of the nut and date bits, so it has the consistency of milk.

Chocolate Chip Cookies:

You will need:
2/3 cup garbanzo bean flour
1/4 teaspoon Xantham gum
1/3 cup chia powder

1/3 cup hemp seeds (ground to a fine flour)

1 cup rolled oats (ground to a fine flour)

1 cup raw almonds (ground to a fine flour)

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup unrefined coconut oil 

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350•

Grind the almonds, oats and hemp seeds. I find that a coffee grinder works very well. You can also use a blender.

Combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Heat the coconut oil until liquid. At room temperature it has the consistency of margarine. Add the syrup and the oil to the dry ingredients. Mix well.

Mold the dough into cookie size shapes. This dough does no act like traditional chocolate chip cookie dough that 'melts' into a cookie shape. These will come out of the oven in the same size and shape they went in...

Bake 15 minutes on parchment lined baking tray. Don't overcook them. They will turn into rocks.

We should all limit our sugar. As recent studies show, sugar, in large amounts, can be very damaging to our health. Sugar gives pleasure, so cutting it out altogether is no fun. Instead, we should spend our sugar dollars wisely. Eat sugars in small amounts and eat ones that have additional health benefits, like the vitamins and minerals in maple syrup and dates, and the antioxidants in dark chocolate.