Hi everyone!
It’s Thursday…. we’ve almost made it to the end of the working week… feeling stressed? Even a little tiny bit?!
Unfortunately, stress and anxiety are all too common for the vast majority of people. For me, it’s trying to juggle everything, while doing it all to the best of my ability and always battling against time. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!
I’m sure plenty of you can relate, and can understand why it’s so important to de-stress and find time to relax whenever we can. Excess stress is linked to a whole host of health issues, not least the weight gain around the middle that excess cortisol can cause. That’s a good reason to chill out as often as possible!
I spoke yesterday about my attitude to fitness, and how I’ve come to view exercise as essential time out for myself rather than some torturous punishment. But choosing the right kinds of food to eat everyday can also really help to lower stress levels.
Have you heard of the mineral, magnesium? I speak about it quite a lot on this site, because a large percentage of adults tend to be deficient in it.
Found in green leafy veggies, nuts and seeds, avocados and a vast range of other whole plant foods, magnesium is nature’s most powerful relaxation mineral. It’s the perfect antidote to stress, even helping to improve sleep.
Do you ever feel sore, irritable, anxious, suffer from leg cramps or insomnia? It may very well be a magnesium deficiency. The mineral is an essential driving force behind over 300 different enzyme reactions in the body, and found especially in our muscles, bones and brain.
The standard Western diet tends to be high in processed foods, which generally lack magnesium, and not enough whole plant foods, which are full of it!
This magnesium-rich stress-busting smoothie always makes me feel calm and centred when I drink it, as it’s based on avocado, spinach and raw almond butter, sweetened naturally with dates. Together they make a super-smooth, creamy and satisfying drink that’s really quick to whizz up. Perfect for a busy Thursday!
I would love to know if you get a chance to make this! Simply tag #RosannaDavisonNutrition on Instagram or Twitter or come on over to my Facebook to say hello 
- 1/4 ripe avocado
- 180ml (3/4 cup) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp smooth unsalted almond butter
- 3 dates, pitted
- Handful of baby spinach
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4-5 drops liquid Stevia, to taste (optional)
- 2 ice cubes
- 1 tsp whole chia seeds, to serve
- Place all ingredients in a blender and combine until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and add Stevia, if necessary.
- Serve chilled, with chia seeds to garnish.
- Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.