We are hearing more and more about "super fruits" and "super vegetables" but what does "super" mean? And why should we care?
Super Vegetables - vegetables are very important to keep our bodies alkaline, and give us energy. There are several vegetables that are important to well being. Vegetables have been known to help you live longer, have better brain function, sleep better, maintain a healthy weight, fight disease, and help you look younger.
Asparagus - is the number one superfood, in my opinion. Asparagus, eaten daily, has found to destroy cancer cells, remove tumors, aid in sleeping, aid in female hormone balancing, promoting fertility, aid in weight loss, healing the liver, and stimulating and healing the kidneys among other things. As a child I couldn't stand asparagus, I had only had it canned or frozen. I absolutely LOVE it now... put fresh stalks in a frying pan with a little butter, sesame oil, garlic and pepper... grill until just bright - it doesn't take long. Or put on the grill when cooking burgers, chicken, and/or steak.
This link has a great description of asparagus and its uses / benefits - http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/asparagus.html
Kale / Spinach - Dark green vegetables have so many health benefits. Always try to eat your greens at lunch and take a walk afterwards. The sun helps convert the phytoneutrients and provides the body a wonderful energy boost. As for the benefits of Kale - Lessens occurrence of cancers (100’s of studies done worldwide), high in glucosinolates. (anti-carcinogens), excellent known cell detoxifier, lowers cataract risk, promotes lung health, protects against arthritis, slows loss of mental function. Benefits of Spinach - fights blindness, helps prevent anemia, prevents tooth decay, prevents bladder disorders, aids in longer life, reduces the risk of diabetes, and prevents respiratory disorders. Spinach was another of my "icky" vegetables as a child / teen. I absolutely can't stand the taste of it cooked... even now. But I have found a way to "cook" it and enjoy it. I take a flavored tortilla (jalepeno & cheddar is my favorite) and put it in an omelette pan. Spread half with feta cheese, pepper, and cayenne. Turn on heat to medium and let the feta get warm. Top with mushrooms, avocado, and spinach. Fold the tortilla in half. Cut into 1/3s and serve! Yumm..
Watercress - is a little known, easily grown green leafy vegetable. You can find it naturally along lake and river beds. It's taste is milder than spinach. It's benefits are staggering - increases mental function / memory, helps to normalize cholesterol levels, helps to clean the blood of toxins, increases fertility, helps to fight cancer / kill cancer cells, helps fight eye disease, helps clear skin, helps strengthen bones, helps to fight lung disorders, and helps normalize thyroid function. I like my watercress fresh and try to eat it in salads.
Avocado - Another of my "icky" vegetables from my youth - is now one of my favorites. In truth it is a fruit not a vegetable, but since most people think of it as a vegetable, we will put it here. In the spring and summer I eat one a day. Avocados help promote healthy skin, increases metabolism, known to fight several types of cancer (oral, prostate, and breast), fights heart disease, helps prevent strokes, lowers cholesterol levels, helps promote healthy eyes / vision, and helps fight diabetes. I shared my favorite way of serving avocado above. It is also fabulous in GOOD guacamole with lots of lime, chile, and cilantro.
Mushrooms - Specifically Shitake... again I KNOW... not REALLY a vegetable... :) But will be added here. Mushrooms as a whole are very benefitial to the body. Shitake mushrooms are known for promoting long life, reducing cholesterol numbers, promoting a healthy heart, fighting cancer, fighting HIV and Hepatitus B, fighting nutritional deficiencies, and promoting a strong immune system. Shitake mushrooms are usually found in good hot and sour soup... mmm...
Onions - Oh yes! They are a "super vegetable" for sure! Onions have been used for centuries as a medicinal vegetable. They fight colds and lung conditions, repel bugs, lower blood pressure, help promote a healthy heart, fight cancer and tumors, increase bone density and the health of all connective tissue, reduce obesity, reduce allergies, promotes long life, reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails among other things. French Onion Soup is AH-MAZING! I have a great recipe if anyone is interested. :)
The best way to get the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals out of vegetables is to lightly saute or stirfry your vegetables until just bright. "Just bright" means that they have changed color. This usually means they are still crisp or barely wilted. Never overcook your vegetables or you will lose most of the nutritional value.
Super Vegetables - vegetables are very important to keep our bodies alkaline, and give us energy. There are several vegetables that are important to well being. Vegetables have been known to help you live longer, have better brain function, sleep better, maintain a healthy weight, fight disease, and help you look younger.
Asparagus - is the number one superfood, in my opinion. Asparagus, eaten daily, has found to destroy cancer cells, remove tumors, aid in sleeping, aid in female hormone balancing, promoting fertility, aid in weight loss, healing the liver, and stimulating and healing the kidneys among other things. As a child I couldn't stand asparagus, I had only had it canned or frozen. I absolutely LOVE it now... put fresh stalks in a frying pan with a little butter, sesame oil, garlic and pepper... grill until just bright - it doesn't take long. Or put on the grill when cooking burgers, chicken, and/or steak.
This link has a great description of asparagus and its uses / benefits - http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/asparagus.html
Kale / Spinach - Dark green vegetables have so many health benefits. Always try to eat your greens at lunch and take a walk afterwards. The sun helps convert the phytoneutrients and provides the body a wonderful energy boost. As for the benefits of Kale - Lessens occurrence of cancers (100’s of studies done worldwide), high in glucosinolates. (anti-carcinogens), excellent known cell detoxifier, lowers cataract risk, promotes lung health, protects against arthritis, slows loss of mental function. Benefits of Spinach - fights blindness, helps prevent anemia, prevents tooth decay, prevents bladder disorders, aids in longer life, reduces the risk of diabetes, and prevents respiratory disorders. Spinach was another of my "icky" vegetables as a child / teen. I absolutely can't stand the taste of it cooked... even now. But I have found a way to "cook" it and enjoy it. I take a flavored tortilla (jalepeno & cheddar is my favorite) and put it in an omelette pan. Spread half with feta cheese, pepper, and cayenne. Turn on heat to medium and let the feta get warm. Top with mushrooms, avocado, and spinach. Fold the tortilla in half. Cut into 1/3s and serve! Yumm..
Watercress - is a little known, easily grown green leafy vegetable. You can find it naturally along lake and river beds. It's taste is milder than spinach. It's benefits are staggering - increases mental function / memory, helps to normalize cholesterol levels, helps to clean the blood of toxins, increases fertility, helps to fight cancer / kill cancer cells, helps fight eye disease, helps clear skin, helps strengthen bones, helps to fight lung disorders, and helps normalize thyroid function. I like my watercress fresh and try to eat it in salads.
Avocado - Another of my "icky" vegetables from my youth - is now one of my favorites. In truth it is a fruit not a vegetable, but since most people think of it as a vegetable, we will put it here. In the spring and summer I eat one a day. Avocados help promote healthy skin, increases metabolism, known to fight several types of cancer (oral, prostate, and breast), fights heart disease, helps prevent strokes, lowers cholesterol levels, helps promote healthy eyes / vision, and helps fight diabetes. I shared my favorite way of serving avocado above. It is also fabulous in GOOD guacamole with lots of lime, chile, and cilantro.
Mushrooms - Specifically Shitake... again I KNOW... not REALLY a vegetable... :) But will be added here. Mushrooms as a whole are very benefitial to the body. Shitake mushrooms are known for promoting long life, reducing cholesterol numbers, promoting a healthy heart, fighting cancer, fighting HIV and Hepatitus B, fighting nutritional deficiencies, and promoting a strong immune system. Shitake mushrooms are usually found in good hot and sour soup... mmm...
Onions - Oh yes! They are a "super vegetable" for sure! Onions have been used for centuries as a medicinal vegetable. They fight colds and lung conditions, repel bugs, lower blood pressure, help promote a healthy heart, fight cancer and tumors, increase bone density and the health of all connective tissue, reduce obesity, reduce allergies, promotes long life, reduces inflammation, and promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails among other things. French Onion Soup is AH-MAZING! I have a great recipe if anyone is interested. :)
The best way to get the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals out of vegetables is to lightly saute or stirfry your vegetables until just bright. "Just bright" means that they have changed color. This usually means they are still crisp or barely wilted. Never overcook your vegetables or you will lose most of the nutritional value.
