Life is busy for most of us. Whether we realise it or not, busy = stress city. Often however, we get so used to being “busy” that we don’t realise our poor little bodies are burning the candle at both ends. Unless we get to crisis-point stress, such as the “oh-dear-Lord-I-have-an-exam-tomorrow-that-I-have-no-idea-whether-I’m-going-to-pass-or-not” kind, that we actually go, “oh, hang on a second, my heart is racing and my stomach is turning somersaults”.
When we stress, we churn through extra nutrients, as our nifty little systems work extra hard to maintain homeostasis (a point of perfect balance). One of these nutrients is magnesium, the essential mineral we use for muscle relaxation, bowel health, energy production and liver detoxification. This makes heaps of sense, because when we’re stressed we tense-up, so our bodies work harder to help us relax. Our bowel movements might be all over the shot, and magnesium comes to the rescue to slow that bowel down (if it’s working too fast) or speed it up (if your poo-poopy-doos are tardy to the party). We need extra energy when we’re stressed to stay alert – enter magnesium. Stress is pretty harsh of those poor, hard working livers, and magnesium is just one of the many nutrients required to ensure that our liver detox pathways are on point.
Here are my 5 fave ways to get magnesium into my day; whether I’m stressed or simply cruising along and practicing prevention.
Raw Cacao
Yes Raw Cacao Powder is an epic source of magnesium and bonus (!!!) it tastes like chocolate-y deliciousness! I love adding two teaspoons to my daily smoothie, a nice whack in these protein balls, or stirring a spoonful or two through nut butter for an instant fudgy dip for banana coins – YUM!
Bananas
For all the food-based telly ads that lie through their teeth about health benefits, the Aussie Banana add is pretty spot-on – the humble sarnie really does make your body sing! Loaded not just with magnesium, but also potassium, dietary fibre, B vitamins and the amino acid tryptophan (that boosts the happy hormone serotonin). It’s a stress-busting success fruit (in my bias – I freakin love bananas so any excuse to eat them will do – opinion). I love them with inca inchi seed butter, on porridge, alla-naturale straight from the peel or dusted with cinnamon.
Broccoli
One of my fav veggies, broccoli, along with pretty much all dark green vegetables is a beaut source of magnesium and plenty of other goodies (there’s a reason that all health professionals, no matter what their stance on nutrition is, agree that green veggies should be a priority in everyone’s diets). I love mine with olive oil, seaweed salt, pepper and turmeric, or as a coconut “rice” replacement. It’s also aces added to your fave veggie soup or simmered in broth with some sweeter veggies and slow cooked meat or poached fish.
Cashews (or any other nut/seed)
I love pretty much all the nuts and seeds, but cashews sure are up there as one of my absolute faves. I love how creamy and soft they are. They are dense in magnesium and also offer other minerals such as iron and even small amounts of zinc. I love them added to blended soups for creaminess, by the handful as a snack or blended with water to create an instant cashew mylk that I can use in my fave porridge recipes. I swear that cashew milk is actually nicer than cows milk, and I’m not just saying that to convince myself, I honestly mean it!
Magnesium Spray
I love using my Twenty8 Magnesium spray, as its absorbed directly through the skin and into the bloodstream – no digestion required. This is a great option for those of you with dodgy guts – you won’t lose any magnesium from malabsorption issues. As this is a salt spray, make sure that you mix the spray with some coconut or macadamia oil before applying to the skin. I like to add a few drops of my fave essential oil as well so that I get a muscle relaxant, moisturiser and “perfume” all in one. This is a particularly beaut remedy for the calves and feet just before bed, especially if you’re prone to cramps overnight.
