Anyone would tell you there is more to losing weight than working out, you have to change your eating habits as well. Hitting the gym may seem like the hard part to most but changing my diet is equally if not more daunting for me.  Everyone has their opinions of what we should do or eat to lose weight. Today’s media is filled with the latest weight loss trends, from equipment, diets, and even clothes, like clothes even help. Now I stay clear of many weight loss fads, but I have fell victim to the Acai and Green Coffee Bean trend, and in my defense I only tried it since it was on sale on Groupon.  Complete waste of money even if it was on sale.  One trend I don’t mind is the the superfood craze. I love trying them. Plus, it gives a better reason to make more trips to  my local Farmer’s Market.

Another favorite staple of Chicago summers is the Chicago Farmer’s Market. They are hosted all over the city on various days of the weeks. I can never make it to the one in Hyde Park since it’s in the middle of the day on Thursday.  So I go to the one in Washington Park on Wednesday. Usually I will buy apples, honey, and of course some delicious homemade dutch apple pie. Lately, I have been hitting up the vegetables. I have always loved vegetables but I rarely bought them fresh, I was raised on canned and frozen veggies. The super-food Kale caught my interest when I tried a salad with it and it was delicious. After learning that it’s packed with vitamins and is considered one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet,
I took closer look at it. Kales’ benefits include high levels of vitamins K and C and antioxidants, it’s no wonder 2015 is considered the year of Kale. Kale maybe one of the most popular superfoods of the year but there are many worth trying and her are a few of my favorites;

•  Quinoa (Keen-wah)
  This fluffy looking weirdness is another nutrient rich powerhouse. It’s a great source of fiber and protein and it actually good. I was a bit put off by the way its looks but was really surprised at how easy it is to cook and how versatile it is in meals.
• Kale
  Packed with vitamins and is considered one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Need I say more. Click here to check out some great Kale recipes.
• Salmon
  High in proteins and good for fatty oils like Omega-3.
• Flax Seeds
  I have been using flax seeds for over a year and I use it from head to toe. I make flax seed gels for my hair and put ground flax seed in my smoothies. Another Omega-3 rich food, fiber, and lignans. Lignans are important for women because it helps prevent breast cancer. 
• Black Rice
  Black rice is a superhero because it has been linked to decrease the risk of many diseases, like Heart Disease, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s. It has anti-inflammatory properties, and is a rich source of antioxidants.
• Black Beans
  High in protein and is great in breakfast burritos for a quick on the go healthy breakfast.
• Avocado
  Surprisingly this year is the first time I ever really eaten an  avocado even though I love guacamole and the oil for my hair.  Avocados contain over 20 vitamins and minerals, is a good source of protein, and fatty oils. I have tried avocado on toast instead of butter with just salt and pepper and you’re good to go.

Check out your local Farmers Market in the city and load up on your favorite super foods.
Here is a link with the schedule for Chicago Farmer market.

This week is my vacation and I am happy to report I lost 5 pounds but sadly not the ten that I was hoping for. I think it may have been the stress of trying to make such a quick deadline that contributed to my slow loss but I will take what I can get. At least after this I can relax and just continue on my lifestyle change with no deadlines. I make no promises I will not gain those five pounds back because I’m going to New Orleans for the first time and I hear the food is awesome. Beignets…here…I….come!

Ronni
Contributor, LoveforCity.com / Chicago
Instagram/Twitter @ronnilt