Re-framing Dinner Options

We tend to have the largest meal at dinner time which creates more work for our body to digest all the massive quantities of food in the evening while it is preparing for sleep.   Digestive function is highest between 10 am and 2 pm. If you have eaten most of your calories during the day (while the sun is up), by evening you will be less hungry and will be ready for a good healing nights sleep.

We seem to feel cheated if we don't see a huge plate full of food.  A well chewed lighter dinner is easier to prepare, better for your body, and will satiate you  if you wait about 20 minutes before going back for seconds.

Here is what we had for dinner last night.  It is an easy option instead of a large dinner, packed full of nutrients and it felt like we were eating a dessert for dinner - How fun is that?

Ants on a Log  (feeds 2, adjust as needed for portions and taste preferences)

• Celery one large bunch (washed, best if organic)
• 2 parts almond butter (raw is best)
• 1 part honey (raw is best)
• Spices
• 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
• Dash of Cayenne
• Raisins (organic is best)
• Optional
• 1 tablespoon of flax seed oil (my favorite brand is Barleans because it is fresh and not bitter)

Directions
Wash celery, trim off dark spots, edges, and leaves (save those for soup or juicing).  Lay the long yummy celery sticks on a plate.  Mix the almond butter, raw honey, flaxseed oil and spices together in a bowl.  Spread in the celery, then top with raisins.  Wa-la  ...  Ants on a Log.

Approx. Portions:  4 large filled stalks for men, 3 for women.


A Few Health Benefits from this meal:

• Celery - great source of natural sodium and minerals for electrolyte balance, vitamin K to build healthy bones, vitamin C
• Almond butter - raw is best, great for healthy fats, vitamin E, assisting in blood sugar levels
• Honey - raw is best because it still contains the bee pollen and enzymes. Once heated, the sugar content is much higher, taste is altered, and health benefits are reduced dramatically.  Raw honey contains ingredients similar to those found in fruits, which become alkaline in the digestive system.
• Spices have so many natural antioxidants
• Cayenne -great for creating some heat in the body on cold days, joint pain and inflammation
• Cinnamon -great for sugar metabolism, and digestive fire
• Flax Seed Oil - omega 3's for brain health, joint health, heart health, just to name a few.

You can find flax seed oil locally at health food stores in the refrigerator section.  If you can't find it locally, you can order it online.  Refrigerate when you get it to keep it fresh.

















Raw honey... locally is best for to get the pollen in your area.  But if you can't find it locally.  This has one of the best flavors I have tasted, and smells great.  Yummy.