Eating to nourish our mental wellbeing can be a delicious practice – and one that the Aro Ha kitchen is well equipped at!
We know that our gut health plays a huge role in our mental health via the gut-brain axis. This relationship allows direct communication between our microbiome and the neurotransmitters in our brain. What we eat can directly affect how we feel. If you have been on one of our retreats you will have noticed that we use a lot of naturally fermented foods in our dishes, such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, coconut yoghurt, kefir and tempeh.
By nourishing our gut we decrease inflammation in the body.
According to research, this has a significant effect on brain health.
Inflammation in the body = Inflammation in the brain.
Processed foods, especially sugars and alcohol, are big contributors to inflammation. On retreat we have a break from these foods, instead inviting in an abundance of ingredients that are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds:
We include:
- Oils: Flax oil, hemp oil, chia oil
- Food: Seaweed, mushrooms, nuts and seeds, cabbage
- Tea: Green tea
- Herbs: Turmeric (with a pinch of black pepper and healthy fat)
- Vitamins: B vitamins (marmite, nutritional yeast)
- Enzymes: Bromelain and Papain
- Adaptogens: Ginseng, ashwagandha, maca
- Fibre: legumes, vegetables, fruit (berries)
- Supplements: Vitamin D, Magnesium and Zinc
We reduce:
- Sugar: Refined sugar
- Alcohol
We recommend you also include foods rich in B vitamins, containing glutamine as well as tryptophan. These foods are all known to help serotonin uptake and stabilise the mood. The moral of the story is to work towards eating a diet rich in wholefoods that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients and antioxidants. Increasing consumption of these, alongside lowering processed food intake, nurtures our physical and mental well-being.
To support you in doing just that we have created these delicious Mood Food Bliss Balls.
Mood Food Bliss Balls
All of the ingredients in these delicious bliss balls have been hand-selected to create a snack full of nutrients to enhance mood and brain health.
- Hemp seeds, coconut oil and flax oil are all rich in omega-3 to help combat inflammation.
- Ashwagandha, maca and cacao have been chosen for their phytochemicals; specifically their adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens have been promoted to facilitate with mental clarity, fatigue, and anxiety and depression. They assist the body back into a homeostasis, into balance.
- Lastly, dates contain good quantity fibre and antioxidants and add a touch of sweetness.
Prep: 15 minutes
Makes: 10-12 balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts
- ½ cup dates, pitted
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- 1 tsp Ashwagandha
- 3 Tbsp cacao
- ½ Tbsp maca
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- ½ Tbsp flax oil
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tsp mushroom blend powder (optional)
Directions
Place everything in a food processor, mix for one minute, until well combined.
Roll into 25-30g balls. Refrigerate up to a week in a sealed container.
Enjoy!