Can you fight stress with food?

She is the perfect person to ask about the food, stress relationship and if the things we eat can help lower our cortisol levels! 

We know that good sleep, movement and sunlight can all help fight stress and exhaustion, but food surely plays a part? Right? Right! 

According to Izelle you can eat yourself well! Listen here:

She also shared one of her award winning recipes! 

Dessert braai bread

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Servings: 1

3 tsp olive oil 

3 eggs

Oryx desert salt

1 tsp caramel essence

1 tsp raw cacao powder (optional)

2 slices bread of your choice (I prefer 100% rye)

2 tsp almond butter

2 tsp raw honey plus extra for drizzling

80 g sliced banana

a few sliced fresh strawberries (optional)

1 marshmallow, cut up (optional, for a naughty add-on)

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp flaked almonds 

1. Spray a frying pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat 1 tsp of the olive oil.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, 1/2 tsp of salt and caramel essence until fluffy. If you are making chocolate toast, add the cacao powder to the egg mixture now.
3. Soak the bread in the egg, transfer to the pan and cook on both sides until almost crispy.
4. Allow to cool slightly before buttering each slice with the almond butter followed by the honey and a pinch of salt. Top one slice with the banana, strawberries (if using) marshmallow (if using), cinnamon and flaked almonds and use the other slice to close the sandwich.
5. Place the sandwich in a braai grid and brush both sides lightly with the remaining olive oil. Braai until toasted and nice and crispy. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately

PS Can be made in a sandwich press

Why do we make use of these ingredients:

Raw Cacao

Raw cacao contains very high amounts of antioxidants, reduces appetite and helps with weight loss. It alleviates stress, helps manage depression and regulates blood pressure. It is a fantastic source of calcium too.

Almonds

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein. 

Oryx Desert Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sundried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Olive Oil

We all have our reasons why we prefer certain oils, but without a doubt my oil base of choice is olive oil, specifically for its amazing health benefits. Olive oil helps reduce inflammation and prevent osteoporosis, and is essential for bone health because it assists in the absorption of calcium and the mineralisation of bones, all of which are qualities I look for in a product, given my hip dysplasia and related joint pain.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and antifungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Bananas:

Anti inflammatory, fiber and essential for gut health

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, lowers blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect. It is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial.

Did you know?: How lack of sleep can make you drunk!

You can also buy your copy of the award-winning 'Mindful Eating' cookbook here!

Catch up with Danny's brand new JacPod channel and all of her podcasts here: