Optimal Living
Plant-based Lifestyle
CELEBRATING Love! typographic title with word celebrating in blue while other word love is in a red cursive form

By Donna Green Goodman

Illustration of a Celebrating Love Menu board list of three food item descriptions followed by a small photo of a tiny few strawberries floating to the bottom left of the menu board list
Uppercase letter I dropcap in red
Illustration of a Celebrating Love Menu board list of three food item descriptions followed by a small photo of a tiny few strawberries floating to the bottom left of the menu board list
t’s that time of year again, where love is in the air and it seems like everyone is celebrating. Don’t know if you’re getting chocolates or strawberries or cookies or candy, but we know how good it feels when that gift from our loved one lands in our arms. And, the Greatest Lover of them all, Jesus, wants you to continue to enjoy one of His greatest gifts, health!

In case you’re looking for some options that help you enjoy the celebration but are a bit healthier, I’ve got some ideas for you, but, go easy on the sugar! Sweet is something that the Creator specializes in. But processed sugar can be quite damaging to our health. And, for African-Americans whose incidence, morbidity and mortality from all chronic diseases is higher than the national average, it’s really important to make better choices.*

  • » Sugar adds extra pounds without nutritional benefit.
  • » Sugar is related to the inflammation of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and auto immune disorders.
  • » Sugar is linked to more depression.
  • » Sugar weakens the body’s immune ability to fight and destroy bacteria.
  • » Sugar raises fat levels and promotes hardening of the arteries.
  • » Sugar affects the pumping mechanism in your heart and can increase your risk for heart failure.

So, how can you share the love and not the risk? Eat more whole foods. Eat fruits in season and in their natural state (your tastebuds will adjust). Use less sugar than you currently do. Experiment with stevia and small amounts of honey. Search out recipes that follow these suggestions and taste that delish.

Here are some ideas for your Love Day Menu. And I’ve included my new favorite smoothie recipe to get you started. You’re gonna love it!

* SOURCE: www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov

Lover's Morning Smoothie typographic red heading in all uppercase form
1
cup pomegranate arils (seeds)
1
cup strawberries
1
cup fresh cranberry sauce
1
cup diced pineapple
1
teaspoon vanilla
1-2
cups coconut milk or plant based eggnog

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth. Serve.

Yield: 2-4 Servings

Close-up photo view of a small circular glass shape of liquid with a spoon inside it and a small flower nearby outside the circular glass shape
For More Recipes typographic red heading in all uppercase form followed by a red straight arrow to the right underneath the heading
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Donna Green-Goodman smiling
Donna Green-Goodman, MPH writes from Huntsville, Alabama where she and her husband operate Lifestyle Therapeutix, A Lifestyle For Better Health Center www.lifestyletherapeutix.com. She is a health educator who is a 25-year breast cancer survivor. She’s been a college professor and a national ambassador for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Circle of Promise Campaign. She is author of Somethin’ to Shout About!, Cookin’ Up Good Health, Still Cookin’ Up Good Health, and executive producer of her own cooking show, Cookin’ Up Good Health!, which can be found on Donna’s YouTube Cooking Channel.
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