Power Monday #36 Why Our Bodies Need Fats

Happy Monday guy! I have to say I am a little sad that it is dark again in the mornings 🙁 I had to make a recipe I was testing out Saturday morning so I could have a tiny bit better lighting then I would have if I had made it Sunday. (I can't complain though, because now I have more time and better lighting to take better photos of my dinner recipes! Woohoo! I guess I do like the longer "days" actually, but I like it best when it is bright in the morning and night!) That will just mean that it is that much closer to SUMMER! It is even kind of getting warmer! 50 degrees on Saturday! I was even able to go outside to take a few pictures without feeling the need to die. That is a win 😉 I also had a pretty nice weekend. Getting lots of work done, lots of good cooking...and wait for it...PSPs! Yes! They were back at the grocery! I thought they were gone until the season started back up. But on my way over to the special sweet potatoes where I though I would grab some white sweet potatoes, I almost fell on the floor when I saw a whole basket of PSPs! Believe me when I tell you I stocked up! $11 later (but a little less thanks to some Frieda's coupons!) and I have enough PSPs for at least 2 weeks...maybe, haha 😉 So you can say my weekend was made at that moment!

Here is a sneak peek at that good cooking I was talking about, in case you missed it on Instagram 😉

O yes. Deliciousness right there! Sometimes weekend baking does the soul good. It also pleases the tummy 😉 And now we commence to the Power Monday portion of this post.

I bet you guys are sick of me talking about my new obsession with all things having to do with healthy fats. Well I have more for you today! When I say that Arman's Spill It Sunday's theme for the week was fats, I new I had to do something special for Power Monday and link-up! (For the first time!). But before I get to the Spill It questions, I think we should clear up the everlasting stigma that fats still have.

Here is the low down. Fats will not make you fat, period. The low-fat/fat-free craze needs to die. When processed products are made and promoted to be low or free of fat that usually means they are loaded with sugar, sodium, refined carbs, and calories to make up for the taste loss. Not to mention these types of products will leave you unsatisfied and hungry minutes later. That is how the companies keep their customers coming back for more. However, there are some fats you should stay away from. They include: Trans-Fats and high doses of unbalanced Omega fats and saturated fats. I am talking about things like packaged processed foods (muffins, cakes, chips, etc.), margarine, fried foods, candy bars, high fat meats, etc. Foods that include trans-fats raise your bad cholesterol and put you at rick for heart disease and other health problems. Saturated fats can be bad in excess (but they goes for anything). You should limit these but do not need to fear things like coconut which contains a good about of saturated fat. These fats are natural and not hydrogenated or man-made. So what fats should you eat? Well here, take a look 🙂

Those are all beautiful foods that you should NOT fear! I repeat, do NOT fear the fat! Monounsaturated, Polyunsaturated, and Omega-3s are gold mines for the body! Good healthy fats promote mood and hormone regulation, give you energy and decrease fatigue, help maintain a healthy weight, give you beautiful skin, hair, and nails, lubrication for body and blood cells, lower bad (LDL) cholesterol, promote cognitive function, and reduce inflammation! That being said, don't eat only fats. Your need to balance everything out! You also need to balance your fats. Don't eat only coconut or only almonds. You need a balance of all the good fats to gain the health benefits! So next time you reach for that reduced fat peanut butter (full of sugar and lacking healthy fat potential), stop, turn, and grab that all natural  full fat peanut butter instead 😉

Now for the Spill It Sunday Questions!

1. What is your favorite fat source?

As of two weeks ago it has become coconut butter 😉 But I think my tried and true favorite forever and ever would be raw unsalted nuts!

2. What is your favorite nut? What is your favorite nut butter?

This is an unfair question. I <3 all nuts (except walnuts). Walnuts just have a weird taste. But if I had to really choose a favorite nut it would be raw unsalted cashews eat cold right out of the fridge 😉 Favorite nut butter?! Wow, I think I would say almond butter but also sunflower seed butter!

3. What fat receives unfair flack? What fat is most overrated?

Not really sure on this one. But I know a lot of people (who are not bloggers or foodies) really fear eating to much nut butter. That is just silly 😉 I think the most overrated fat(s) is oils. Like olive oil. Oils are great, but I don't want my veggies coated in an oily stir-fry. I stir-fry dry 😉

4. Link up a favorite recipe embracing fats (it can be your own or another bloggers!)

O man, I have a ton of recipes I have made over the last few weeks that would be perfect for this question! Except I have yet to post them :/ So I will link my Raw Cashew Butter, Pistachio Encrusted Coconut Lime Chicken, and how about some Smoked Paprika Turmeric Crusted Salmon 😉 O and one more thing...PSPs + Fat Source = Heaven!

Micro-Baked PSP with Coconut Butter and Cinnamon <3 (Yes, this was for this weekend!)

Micro-Baked PSP with Cinnamon Raisin PB and more Cinnamon <3

5. What is YOUR perception of this macronutrient?

I wouldn't say I was ever "scared" of fats, I just didn't embrace them. They just didn't seem to cross my mind much. A few years ago though I saw how I was totally lacking in healthy fats, like really lacking. And slowly I have increased my love for fats and now I would say (besides veggies) they are my favorite food group <3

6. What benefits do FATS play in YOUR personal eating habits?

They are so good for my body and taste absolutely amazing. I always say, a birthday "cake" for me would be an apple with nut butter (just with a candle on top)! I have been really focusing on healthy fats the last few weeks as they are an easy source of calories as well. I have been trying to incorporate them into every meal and snack. They are calorie dense and nutrient dense which is just what my body needs right now as I try to regulate my health and gain some weight <3

So tell me:

What is you favorite healthy fat?

Were you ever or still are a victim to the low-fat/fat-free media craze?

(Sources for this post: HelpGuide.org and UMIM.edu)

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