June usually means two things – the start of summer travels and beginning of the hurricane season. To help you be prepared for both, I want to offer you my Z-tips for healthy, locally made snacks to stock up on. They are great to take with you on the road, to the airport or to enjoy when you are at home without electricity.
Get Your Greens On
I love my daily green smoothies, but they can be impossible to get when traveling or during a tropical storm. When you have limited resources and find yourself in need of a strong nutritional boost, I recommend going for powdered greens that can be mixed with plain water or nut milk. One of my favorite companies is Vero Beach-based Greens Plus because the Organic Raw Superfood Greens are full of immunity-boosting nutrients that your body will quickly absorb to give you some much-needed energy. You can buy them at any Whole Foods Market or online at greensplus.com.
Stay Strong With Protein
Did you know that flying can put a lot of stress on the body and affect your digestive system? When you’re flying, animal protein can be too hard for the body to handle, so instead stock up on Shanti Bars – a new line of delicious protein bars made fresh in Miami. One delicious 260-calorie bar boasts 17 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and only 10 grams of sugar. I really liked the Turmeric bar, which also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Check these bars out at shanti.bar.
The Cookie To Live For
It’s hard not to give into our dessert cravings every once in awhile. I am a big believer in moderation and smart indulgences, so when I am in the mood for something rich, sweet and crunchy, I go for Ginny Bakes cookies. This Miami-based bakery specializes in non-GMO, organic and gluten-free treats that are to live for! These cookies are delicious and Ginny’s 2-cookie snack packs can help you practice portion control. For more information on where to find them, check out GinnyBakes.com.
A New Take on Carbs
If you are like me, then you may want to snack during long road trips. To help you stay healthy and satisfy the need to snack, I suggest checking out Shawnee’s Greenthumb Popcorn. Created in Miami, this non-GMO popcorn is unlike any other on the market – it is superfood. Shawnee did an outstanding job loading this fiber-rich snack with spirulina (the most nutrient-dense food on the planet), nutritional yeast (rich in protein and vitamin B-12), garlic powder, cayenne powder (helps boost metabolism) and kelp powder (helps regular thyroid function). Find it in the popcorn isle at Whole Foods or for other locations, check out greenthumbpopcorn.com.
Foods to keep you hydrated
Whether you are flying and want to stay hydrated on board or you need a thirst-quenching snack while stuck at home during a hurricane, I suggest reaching for Florida’s oranges and grapefruits. Their high potassium content will help you keep your body’s fluid regulated and the vitamins and antioxidants can boost your immune system. Also, these fruits have a thick peel that makes them easy to transport and eat. NOTE: Grapefruits may interact with some medicines, so check with your doctor before eating them.
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About Alina Z.
Alina Z., aka “The Green Goddess,” is a certified holistic health coach, detox specialist and raw-food chef (she conducts occasional classes at Whole Foods in Boca). Prior to moving to Florida, Alina hosted her own TV show in Maryland—“Entertaining A to Z”—for people who didn’t have time to cook but wanted to eat healthy. Catch one of her web episodes at eHow.com, visit Alina’s website at alinaz.com, or follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/CoutureFood) or Twitter (@CoutureFood). The Green Goddess blog runs every other Wednesday at bocamag.com.
