Summer means lots of things to lots of people and one of the things it means to me is PEACHES! I’ve been blissing out on the most dreamy local organic peaches lately, adding them to superfood yogurt bowls, baking them into my Summer Fruit Crumble, roasting them in the oven with a tiny bit of coconut oil and a drizzle of honey, and using them to make delicious smoothie bowls like this Collagen Peach Smoothie Bowl. 

You may have read my ode to smoothie bowls a while back (complete with a comprehensive, how-to guide) but the bottom line is this: smoothie bowls are the same as regular smoothies except that they are a bit thicker (less liquid) and I find them to be better for my digestion as I’m more apt to sit down at the table and savor my smoothie instead of inhaling it through a straw. Smoothie bowls are a great way to add a few servings of fruit and vegetables into your day right from the get go. Adding some crunch or texture with a sprinkle of healthy toppings like toasted nuts, coconut chips and extra fruit can also help you slow down and really enjoy your meal.

They are also an also excellent vehicle for one of my favorite audacious add-ins, collagen. Natural collagen production declines as we age and it’s one of the reasons our skin gets wrinkles and our bones and joints start to weaken. That’s why I like to give my skin and bones a boost by supplementing with collagen peptides. This form of collagen is touted to do everything  from helping skin stay firmer and more elastic, strengthening bones and connective tissue, keeping hair and nails healthy, reducing cellulite, supporting gut health and even hormone balancing. If you have osteoarthritis they can reduce stiffness and swollen joints. Personally I was sold at the thought of at less wrinkles but I’m in for the whole package!

Collagen peptides are easy to incorporate into my diet which is another reason that I love them. In addition to smoothie bowls I add them to my morning matcha or coffee and even into raw treats like my audacious bliss balls. Plus one serving =  anywhere from 10-20g protein which I also like.

The majority of collagen powder you’ll find is in the form of “hydrolyzed collagen peptides” which is extracted from hides, bones or fish scales. Hydrolyzed means that the naturally occurring peptides (aka amino acids) have been broken down into smaller bits, making the collagen easier to dissolve and highly bioavailable (aka your body can easily absorb the nutrients). Your body can then use the amino acids to help support the building of hair, skin, nails, bones, etc…

There are so many different brands of collagen to choose from so I recommend making sure that your collagen comes from organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised cows or wild-caught fish. It’s worth it to pay a little bit more for a high-quality product. Also, look for a brand that has at least 9 different amino acids in their profile and at least 90% protein. The brands that I have used and can recommend include Vital Proteins, LiveWell Labs and Further Foods, which all fit that criteria.

Collagen peptides won’t help you “turn back time” but it can help you look and feel better - and that’s absolutely part of my prescription for how to #ageaudaciously.

xo

Lisa