Superfoods That Squash Stress (Recipe: Salmon & Asparagus)

Life has a way of getting the best of us some days. Whether it’s working too many hours, shuffling your kids all over town for their activities, taking care of your household, or dealing with personal or family matters, stress can take its toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But there are simple steps you can take to combat stress, starting with the foods you eat.

Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a good start when life’s particularly stressful. Stimulants and depressants like these can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you need to successfully cope with tension. Sugary foods should also be avoided as well, as they cause your blood sugar levels to spike then dip rapidly, which can in turn make your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate.

However, there are several superfoods out there that provide you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep stress in check

Asparagus, which is high in folic acid, can help level out your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good mood.

And though we may hear negative things regarding red meat, it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef’s high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins not only help get you into a good mood, but help you stay there as well. Your local butcher can help you select lean cuts for the healthiest options

Milk really does a body good. Chock full of calcium, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps strengthen bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration. Paired with a healthy whole-grain cereal choice in the morning, low-fat milk is a great way to start your day and arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await you. Cottage cheese is also another great dairy choice, and when coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it helps the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your most stressed periods.

Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming yourself against stress. They’re high in magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all which are great warriors against free radicals, which have been shown to cause cancers and heart disease.

Baked Salmon & Asparagus

Salmon is very easy to make. A lot of people get scared to cook it but the truth is, there isn’t much faster food, that tastes delicious around. The trick is getting the right Salmon. You want wild salmon bought from a good market. You can buy fillets or steaks. It should not smell fishy at all.

Asparagus Ingredients

1 LB Fresh Asparagus Spears
3 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 TSP Himalayan Sea Salt
1/4 TSP Fresh Ground Black Pepper
2 TBS Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Butter

Instructions:
Trim asparagus spears by breaking off the hard end and carefully peeling the hard layer off the stems with a vegetable peeler. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, turn up to medium high, stir in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic but don’t allow to brown. Add in the asparagus and cook for 10 minutes turning often to ensure that asparagus is evenly cooked and coated with seasonings.

Baked Salmon Ingredients

4 – 3 ounce Salmon Fillets
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Olive Oil to Drizzle

Instructions:
On a non stick baking sheet place seasoned fillets skin side down. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Serve with asparagus on the side.

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