How Women Can Balance a Healthy Diet with CBD

For better or worse, women tend to be fixated with our weight, our health, and veiled insecurities surrounding the two. So much so that we often seek out the advice of self-proclaimed experts for products, tips, recipes, and regimens that may not always serve us well.

Nowhere is this tendency more apparent than when navigating the current CBD craze. For just about any health or beauty issue you could fathom, there is an application of CBD or other cannabinoids that’s said to lend the winning assist. There are CBD products for balance. Others for weight loss and some for healthy weight gain. But lately I’ve been wondering more and more: What are the true benefits of CBD if it’s not paired with proper eating habits and exercise?

You see, one of the most advantageous ways to use CBD is through daily dietary supplements. When we pair CBD with superfoods that we know support women’s wellness, the body can access the full benefits of both the antioxidants in foods and the medicinal qualities of cannabinoids.

Healthy Ways to Include CBD

If you’re looking to transform your health, you must first find a program that works best for your body type, blood type, and more importantly, your lifestyle (many nutritionists and physicians can help with this initial part of the journey).  As well as this, you could also reach for a hearty helping of red beans. Red beans are an essential starch that boosts the body’s ability to burn fat. This source of fiber also controls blood sugar. Red beans are a great pairing with garbanzo beans, both of which are amazing for premenopausal women. Imagine a savory salad of red beans, blanched asparagus, sundried tomato, avocado, cilantro, and a CBD-infused raspberry vinaigrette. Are you swooning yet?

It’s probably here that we should mention how much your body would appreciate regular servings of fresh berries like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and, of course, raspberries. All are loaded with Vitamin C and folic acid, which is essential to reproductive health. They’re also all perfect additions to your morning smoothie.

A great way to incorporate CBD into this regimen is by adding full spectrum honey. I’ve been using a beautiful hemp infused raw honey by Potli (aside from other exceptional supplements and beauty products, Potli also offers a full spectrum olive oil, which I love and think you will too). Add the raw honey to your berries, some non-dairy milk, a handful of greens, and blend — and there you have it, your new best superfood breakfast.

Proteins to Pair with CBD

Beans are a no brainer when it comes to optimizing health and beauty regimens. But other protein sources are important to integrate too. Of these, fatty fish is probably my favorite. Not only is fatty fish versatile and delicious, it’s also an incredible source of omega-3 fatty acids like DHA and EPA, which can help protect our bodies against health threats such as heart disease, stroke, depression, and joint pain.

Take a few drops of CBD oil along with a helping of pan-seared salmon or freshly roasted sardines, both can help the body reduce inflammation. If you’re looking for a good CBD supplement, I like Mineral. It’s a trusted CBD brand and offers products that don’t just focus on CBD, but intentionally work to access the benefits of the entire cannabis plant, while still remaining non-psychoactive.

Self-Care and CBD-Infused Dark Chocolate

While I can’t promise that you won’t have to include added reps or cardio to your workout if you indulge in sweets, I can offer a small compromise. Dark chocolate is the treat you want to reach for when you are looking for a “cheat.”. Rich in magnesium, phosphorus, copper and zinc, dark chocolate has protective antioxidants that also reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. Add this to the benefits of CBD and you have a winning health combination.

There are a great number of infused chocolates on the market. Like most CBD-infused products, they’re challenging to sift through as regulation is only beginning to find solid footing. However, Lord Jones offers beautiful dark chocolate espresso chews. I also love the ever-so-thoughtful Leif Goods and its variety of eclectic-flavored organic vegan chocolate bars (like the limited-edition Sesame Harissa bar).

For a DIY approach, you can opt for a decadent hand-crafted chocolate truffle that’s easy to execute at home (see recipe). You can also substitute the dairy with coconut cream. Increase the healthy factor by adding almonds, which are high in calcium; or walnuts, a good source of magnesium. Brighten up the taste by adding coffee flavor, orange liquor, bourbon, or a hint of cayenne pepper.

As women, it’s important to be reminded of self-care and take the necessary time to honor our own needs. The introduction of a cohesive CBD program is a great start and manageable way to add CBD to your daily diet and reap its benefits. Also important? Finding (and keeping) a support system in friends and family and creating time to find personal peace in these stressful times.

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Yields 1-2 dozen

Ingredients

• 8 oz. Dark Chocolate (chopped)
• 4 oz. Cream
• 1 oz CBD or Hemp Butter*
• Flavor (optional)

Method

1. Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl
2. Scald cream
3. Pour cream over finely-chopped chocolate. Whisk in butter until smooth
4. Chill and let set
5. Form balls with a warm melon baller no larger than ¾ inch each
6. Coat in tempered chocolate or roll in cocoa powder, chopped nuts or coconut

*Living Tree Community Foods offers a viable hemp butter on Amazon.