Over the last decade, more and more of us are turning to alternative and natural remedies to improve our health and wellbeing. We’re using meditation to help with our mental health. Improve our diets by clean eating, and look to nature for remedies to soothe our joints or boost our mood. In 2018 CBD oil started to make its way into the media, and by late 2019 it was being promoted as the latest health benefit. It had found its way into our homes and even on the shelves at supermarkets.
CBD is very different from its counterpart THC. While both are found in the Marijuana plant, CBD affects us more positively. THC binds itself to the CB1 receptors in our brain, giving us the feeling of being ‘high’ alongside several other side effects. CBD doesn’t bind; however, the receptors in our brain do react to it. This means many of its benefits are felt with little to no side effects. It’s not just humans using CBD oil. You can now buy CBD for horses, dogs, cats, and your other furry friends. The reported benefits of using CBD include reducing anxiety and depression, improving acne, and helping relieve pain. It’s also been reported to help you focus and relax. You can use it in several ways, depending on what benefits you want. Some use it topically on their skin to help relieve pain in their joints. Others add it to their beauty regime to help reduce rosacea and also improve aging. However, one of the most exciting ways is adding it to recipes. It works with both sweet and savory dishes! So let’s take a look at some of the ways you can use CBD oil, daily, as part of a healthy diet.
Drinks:
Golden Tea
There is an abundance of home tea recipes that boast many health benefits. Over the last few years, Turmeric tea has become a go-to for many health fad lovers. Adding CBD oil to the traditional Turmeric ‘Golden tea’ recipe has excellent anti-inflammatory benefits. While the Ginger and Turmeric work together, the CBD oil adds a real power punch. It’s straightforward to make, check out this basic recipe and then add a few drops of CBD oil. You should always start with a small dose, then tweak the recipe until you are happy. This drink is best just before bedtime, it can help ease any digestive issues you have, and the CBD oil will relax and calm you, boosting the quality of your sleep!
Matcha tea
Matcha is a potent, powdered green tea. It gives you a boost of energy rather like caffeine. However, it is an alkaline hit so you won’t get the side effects you see after a few shots of espresso. In this recipe, CBD oil is added to honey and then mixed together with the matcha tea. It’s a perfect drink for the mid-afternoon slump. You will get an energy boost from the Matcha, while the CBD oil helps reduce inflammation and stress. Great if you have a deadline and you need to focus.
Lunch:
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
If you are looking for a light way to add CBD oil to your diet, one of the best ways is to use it in your salad dressings. Something as simple as this mozzarella and tomato salad is a great place to start. Adding the CBD oil to the dressing is simple, just throw in a few drops with your oil and vinegar! You can add the oil to any salad, even a Ceasar dressing.
Baked Potato
CBD oil works great mixed with other oils, such as olive oil or rapeseed oil. You can even mix it through butter. So next time you have a baked potato, mix in a little CBD oil and then top with whatever filling you like. You won’t taste the CBD oil, but you should only use a small amount. Again, start small and work up until you have the desired effect.
After a workout
Whether it’s yoga or a spin class, our bodies need fuel and protein when we’ve worked hard at the gym. These vegan-friendly protein balls are the perfect way to boost your energy levels. Adding CBD oil to the dry mixture will also help relieve any aches and pains and could improve your body’s repair process and increase recovery time!
Dinner:
Glazed carrots
There are so many health benefits from carrots! They help to reduce your cholesterol and are a great source of potassium and fibre. Adding CBD oil to a honey and butter glaze gives this delicious side even more health benefits and helps to calm any anxieties you’ve had during the day.
Crockpot Glazed Chicken
If you’re pushed for time, the crockpot is a great tool that helps ensure mealtimes are taken care of. This Glazed chicken recipe is straightforward and frees you up to focus on your day. You can add the CBD oil to the chicken glaze or simply drop the oil into the dish and leave to cook away.
Nighttime treats:
Sometimes we need to satisfy our sweet tooth. It can be a mistake to eat too late at night, This recipe for CBD oil bedtime gummies is the perfect way of getting a sweet hit but preparing yourself for a restful sleep. The cherries contain melatonin, which is a hormone we need to promote sleep. Combined with the CBD oil, you will be able to relax and rest without the daily worries creeping into your mind. CBD oil really is a versatile ingredient, and with so many potential health benefits, it could be worth considering adding it to your favorite recipes. It is crucial to ensure you buy your CBD oil from a reputable company. There are lots of brands popping up all over the internet, but take your time to research and always use products that are regulated. 
