Have you ever been curious as to what I keep in my fruit bowl?
Following the Beauty Detox Lifestyle, we tend to keep our kitchens near and dear to our hearts — right where they should be! :) And of course, we are all busy…so one way to set yourself up for success on a normal basis is to keep your fruit/veg bowl on your counter stocked at all times with fresh fruits and root veggies that don’t need to be refrigerated. I also think seeing all the fresh produce helps to k1eep you motivated to stick with fresh foods, and for extra inspiration throughout the week to stick to healthy(ier) choices!
Today, I wanted to share with you some of the staples I have been keeping in my kitchen. This can vary a lot depending on the season or my mood, but here is what I am currently stocked up on!
What I Keep In My Fresh Fruit Bowl
Apples
Apples may seem like such a basic, everyday fruit, but there’s a reason behind the old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” These juicy fruits are a refreshing food to eat year-round. Their high fiber content makes them satisfying, naturally cleansing and beauty-promoting. They also have been linked to lowering cholesterol levels, weight loss, and preventing cardiovascular disease and even cancer. And keep note: green apples are lower in sugar than red apples are great for my Blossoming Beauties, or those with candida or are enjoying the low-sugar GGS for any other reason.
I have been currently enjoying eating Braeburn, Fuji and Honey Crisp apples. I think switching up the type of apples you buy can be a great way to change the flavor of your Glowing Green Smoothie (GGS)! Apples can also make a great snack on an empty stomach. And they’re so portable- just chuck one in your purse on the go!
Lemons
I am so happy to be able to grow these amazing Meyer Lemons right in my backyard in LA! You may have heard me talk about them previously as they are a mix between a lemon and a mandarin orange. Having lemons on hand is a Beauty Detox must!
You can easily start the day off right, with a mug of fresh water heated up and some lemon to add a punch of Vitamin C and to help flush out your system. Adding lemon to water also enzymes that have been shown to help support liver function. Drink water close to room temperature so your body doesn’t have to expend energy stabilizing it to your body’s temperature. Lemons are also great to add into a salad dressing for a refreshing citrus burst.
Pineapple
Pineapples are a delicious fruit I have added into my rotation lately. On top of the hydrating elements of pineapple, it is packed with bromelain. Bromelain has many health benefits, mainly helping with digestion. Pineapple is a great fruit to eat to help the body naturally detoxify itself and lose weight.
A fun tip for picking the perfect pineapple is to see if you can pluck one of the stems off of the top easily. If it pulls out easy, then the pineapple is ready to eat. Pineapples is a nice fruit variation to your classic GGS recipe in the morning.
Bananas
You have heard me proclaim my love for bananas perhaps more than a few times (hey when you are really in love you want to tell the world, right?!). :-) I love bananas and always have them handy. Bananas are full of complex carbs and minerals such as potassium and fiber. Our close genetic relatives, chimps, eat bananas in bunches and thrive.
If you struggle with a candida condition, you too can enjoy bananas and other sweet fruits once you’ve stabilized it. I personally eat bananas and several other fruits daily. I find them to be such perfect human foods, and I never gain weight from them as my body is now balanced to handle fruit sugars. I actually just ate my third banana today while writing this blog…but the day is not over yet! :) Find the right banana-eating number that works best for you.
Avocados
Avocados are fantastically beautifying. They’re creamy and decadent-tasting. Avocado is a Beauty Food that contains vitamins A, C, E, and K. They’re full of antioxidants that protect your skin from environmental damage and their raw monounsaturated fats give your skin a youthful, beautiful appearance because they help moisturize from the inside out.
There are so many different ways you can use avocados: from foods to drinks, snacks to full meals, as the highlight of a dish or just a component that makes the whole recipe creamier than it would have otherwise been. Usually, I massage them into a Dharma’s Kale Salad, or lately, during the pregnancy, I have sure been eating a lot of avocado wraps with gluten-free wraps!
I like to buy some of them soft so they are ready to eat and a few that are hard — this way you will have the perfect ripeness all week!
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with beauty fiber, beta-carotene, potassium, vitamin C and iron! Sweet potatoes contain amazing antioxidants, which are compounds in plants that protect your cells from damage. This is an easy root vegetable to keep on hand so that you can pop them in the oven while you are busy doing other things and before you know it (and with no manual labor on your part!), you can have a fast and easy meal. Throw them on a salad or slice them up and saute in a little coconut oil and turmeric after baking… I also love to make sweet potato fries! The recipe is in The Beauty Detox Power. This is an easy snack to make that the whole family will love.
Butternut Squash
This week I picked up some butternut squash as an alternative to my beloved kabocha squash. I enjoy making my Delish Squash Bisque all year round, but it is especially tasty during winter. It isn’t too cold here in LA to be honest (sorry my Beauties in cold places, not trying to rub in!) but I know many of you have had a chilly winter thus far. Brrr! Try this recipe this week, as I think you will really enjoy it.
Pomegranate
Last but certainly not least, I love pomegranates, though they are getting harder and harder to source as they are going out of season. I love eating this tasty fruit quite often as they are high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and fiber. Pomegranate is also a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Your Turn!
I have loved giving you a short tour of what I keep in my fruit bowl! Now you tell me…What is in your fruit bowl?
Love,
Kimberly
Hi Kim! My fruit bowl is so similar to yours (minus the pom’s). In addition to this list…I like keeping pears, tomatoes, and limes! :)