Cabbage in the Snow

Record breaking snow happened in this area starting yesterday.  Shoveling is tiring!  This is a day that I realize the awesomeness of having a pickup with a shovel attached to the front of it.  I am sure many people hand shoveling today were having snow plow envy, haha.

In the dead of wintertime, there aren't many vegetables in season.  And if you try to buy some way out of season vegetable, it looks limp and dead (probably because it traveled like almost 10,000 miles to get to you).  Cabbage is a late fall through winter vegetable.  And, the colder it gets, usually the sweeter the cabbage tastes.  Cabbage has been a staple for at least two millennia and can be eaten raw (think: coleslaw) or cooked (I hope you are not thinking of boiling it... :)).  It holds many nutritional benefits and has cancer-fighting ability.

Researchers have observed that women from Eastern European countries surrounding Poland and Russia were much less likely to develop breast cancer than American women.  An analysis was done and it showed that the Eastern European women's intake of cabbage was much higher.  Years of research were devoted to indoles, a phytochemical, and found that indoles alter estrogen metabolism in a favorable way, reducing risk of cancer.  For an inexpensive vegetable, it has some really great nutritional value for a low price!

Red or purple cabbage also contain the same pigment molecules found in blueberries.  They belong to a group of flavonoids and act as powerful antioxidants.

I eat cabbage sauteed (as I do with most vegetables), just add oil, salt and some pepper.

For more info and on how to buy cabbage: http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/02/in-season-cabbage-choosing-storing-recipes-20100206.html

Source: 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, by Jonny Bowden

Detox and Cleanse

What about those detox and cleansing diets?  I think detox is important because it means helping, reviving and feeding your liver.  The liver is at the center of good health.  Detoxification of the body is absolutely necessary, and the liver produces biochemicals necessary for digestion.  Also, the liver is our powerhouse.  Our liver gives us energy.  Take too much energy and don't give the liver what it needs to regenerate, that person will age, be prone to disease, and feel tired all the time.  If you feel tired all the time, it isn't "normal."  Yes, most people in this country feel tired all the time, which is not indicative of a healthy life.  Stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, alcohol, terrible diet, etc. may be causes, but at the end of the day, the person's liver is taking the hit.

For the last few years, my poor liver has taken a hit.  Dehydration was a problem, stress, injury, diet were also contributing factors.  I have been doing lots of research on how to rebuild my liver.  I will share here and in future posts about what I have learned.

For one, diet.  I did a detox diet for 6 days a few years ago.  I was feeling tired and just not well before it, and after six days of eating mostly detoxifying food, I could tell a huge difference.  Not until you do one, will you see and become a believer that what you eat really makes a difference.  If you attempt, do research before you start.

Here are a few foods that help the liver, that is aid detoxification:

1) Water.  Number one factor that will help revive and sustain your liver health.  Proper hydration is ABSOLUTELY key.  Every body requires different water amounts, but 2 liters a day is pretty average.  Drinking room temperature water is best; cold water takes energy from your body in order to warm it up.

1) Artichokes.  This green vegetable is amazing when it comes to detoxification.  Even a few bites of artichoke can significantly increase bile production.  From what I found, it is one of the top foods that increases bile production.  Bile helps digestion of fat, elimination of toxins, and bowel movement.  Get the toxins out!

2) Garlic and onions.  These babies solve so many problems for us!  Garlic contains allicin that helps the liver for detoxification.  
 
3) Brussel sprouts.  Really great for the liver.  You can roast brussel sprouts or saute them with onions and garlic.  With proper amounts of salt and pepper, these are really yummy.  Takes a few tries when cooking before you get the hang of it, but well worth the trial and error.

4) Cabbage.  Personally, I never knew or quite understood the properties of cabbage.  Cabbage is really good for the liver and has anti-inflammatory properties.  Please don't boil!  Saute, please. :)