Putting the Spotlight on SEASONAL Cooking — Supplemented By The Power Mineral, MAGNESIUM

How’s it going, Skinny Readers? Happy Easter to you all! I hope your long weekend is filled with joy, good vibes, and of course—some beautifully marinated pickled fish and a stash of hot cross buns ready to go.

It’s Good Friday, and I hope you're feeling good! But if you’re not quite there yet, this week’s blog is just the pick-me-up you need to get back on track.

As the crisp chill of autumn begins to settle in, mornings are growing darker and shorter, and let’s be honest—our bodies are starting to feel the shift.

This week, we're diving into how to make the most of this season’s rich, rustic, and warming flavors with an autumn-inspired twist—plus, why supplementing with magnesium might just be the secret weapon to boosting your energy, fighting fatigue, and improving your mood through the seasonal change.

Why MAGNESIUM Deserves The Spotlight

Let me ask you something—have you been feeling a little more sluggish than usual lately? Don’t worry, Skinny Readers, you’re not alone. Today, we’re breaking it all down with the ultimate WOKE cocktail—packed with essential minerals your body craves and benefits you didn’t even know you needed.

So, What Is MAGNESIUM?

Research shows that magnesium is involved in hundreds of chemical reactions in the body—from synthesizing protein and regulating the nervous system to balancing blood sugar levels and converting food into energy.

In a nutshell, magnesium helps supplement the minerals your body might be missing from food alone. It’s a multitasking powerhouse that supports your body, sharpens your mind, and even boosts your natural beauty.

The Magical Benefits of Magnesium:

✨ Peaceful Sleep

High magnesium levels are linked to better, longer sleep and less daytime fatigue. Some studies suggest it influences the way brain chemicals like melatonin, renin, GABA, and cortisol behave—chemicals that affect how calm, relaxed, or tired we feel.

⚡ Vitalizes The Body

Magnesium helps regulate your nervous system by balancing neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA—your brain's on/off switches. They’re vital for brain function, emotional balance, and even memory. Especially important if you’re noticing a dip in cognitive sharpness!

💫 Boosts Beauty

Alright, Skinny Males & Skinny Females—this is the part you’ve been waiting for! Magnesium is a glow-up mineral like no other, packed with anti-inflammatory properties that work wonders for your skin. Here’s how it helps:

1. Gives your skin a radiant glow

2. Reduces acne and other skin conditions

3. Improves skin texture

4. Helps fade dark circles

5. Hydrates and plumps the skin

   
   

Magnesium also plays a key role in collagen production—the protein that keeps your skin youthful, firm, and oh-so-elastic.

Celebrating the Flavors of Autumn

Autumn is a foodie’s dream—bursting with cozy, comforting, nourishing produce. These days, we’re spoiled with year-round access to everything, from strawberries to avocados.

But let me tell you something, Skinny Readers—we need to reconnect with the roots of seasonal and local eating. It’s not only healthier and cheaper, but it also helps us savor food that’s perfectly in tune with the season.

Let’s explore a few autumn stars you should definitely stock up on:

🧡 Sweet Potatoes

Autumn is their time to shine! Woolies is currently offering beautiful varieties—from the smooth, orange-fleshed sweet potato to the naturally sweet purple kind. Perfect for baking, roasting, or tossing into a curried stew that will warm your soul.

💚 Kale

This leafy green thrives in cooler weather and is loaded with nutrients. Whether in a heartwarming soup or a hearty salad, kale brings serious health to your plate—and it's magnesium-rich too!

💜 Figs

There’s nothing quite like biting into a juicy, ripe fig. Woolies stocks Turkish figs, Adam’s figs, and Black Mission figs.

My better half, Shadre, fondly remembers her Gran picking figs from the garden to make jam after baking bread in a wood oven—one of her sweetest childhood memories. Figs are perfect for snacking, tossing into a salad, or pairing with cheese. At my brother Joel and his wife Tshepiso’s house, figs and cheese are always on the menu, rain or shine.

And there you have it, Skinny Readers! That wraps up this week’s Easter blog special. As a little gift, I’m leaving you with a special recipe from The Skinny Chef Diaries—packed with magnesium and perfect for your Easter weekend table.

Green Beans with Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

This healthy side dish is a great complement to any grilled fish or lean meat. Green beans are a rich source of vitamins A, C and K, and are known to reduce the risk of diabetes. They also contain iron, magnesium and potassium.

A one-cup serving of sun-dried tomatoes has 39% of the recommended daily intake of potassium, which is essential for muscle contraction and the transmission of nerve impulses.

This side dish is finished with toasted almonds, which also deliver a massive amount of nutrients and protein. Its high magnesium content may help prevent metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, as well as maintain healthy blood pressure levels and reduce cholesterol levels. Eating almonds will reduce hunger and lower calorie intake.

Ingredients

• 450g raw green beans

• Almonds

• 1 cup sundried tomatoes, rehydrated in cold water

• 1 red onion, finely chopped

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, finely grated

• ¼ cup white wine vinegar

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Serves 4

Method

1. Top and tail the green beans, bring a pot of salted water to the boil and blanch

   the beans for 10 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water.

2. Place almonds onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, drizzle with a

   little olive oil and place in a preheated oven at 180°C until nicely roasted.

   
   

3. For the dressing, using a blender, blend the rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes

   with a little of the rehydration water until it turns into a rough paste. Add olive

   oil, grated parmesan cheese, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper and blend to

   a smooth consistency. If necessary, add a little more water to adjust to a creamy

   consistency.

   
   

4. Place the green beans, red onions and sun-dried tomato dressing into a large

   bowl and toss together until mixed. Add toasted almonds and serve.

   
   

Thanks for tuning in. Until next time—same place, same vibe. Stay blessed, stay glowing, and stay seasonal !

Creative Director : Shadre Leonard