Amazing Artichokes

Artichokes deserve their very own post!  Simply because artichokes are the detox powerhouse.  However, many people, including myself don't *really* like to buy them because they look at the vegetable and think, how would I eat this thing????  Don't worry, I used to think that way too...and here is my attempt to debunk your hesitations.

First, let me talk about the incredible properties of artichokes.  They are a liver-cleansing food, in other words detoxification.  Detoxification is important for battling diseases and keeping a healthy body.  Artichokes are a good source of silymarin, which helps protect and nourish the liver.

According to herbal experts Joe and Teresa Graydon, Ph.D. (authors of The People's Pharmacy), patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) upset who were given artichoke extract showed incredible improvement.  Another study showed patients experience relief from stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.  [Remember, findingfoodorlove.com does not provide medical advice, please consult your physician--but what awesome results!]

Second, how to consume whole artichokes.  After you buy a artichoke from the store, you will want to peel the outside layers by the stem, remove any fibers or small leaves at the bottom of the artichoke.  Next, cut the spikey tips of the artichoke leaves.  After you go around cutting all of them, cut off the top where all the leaves start to bunch up so you end up with something that looks like my picture.

Steam the artichokes for about 15-20 minutes.

That's it!  Now eat.  Just pull the leaves off and scrape the base of the leaf with your teeth.  When you get down to the heart of the artichoke, remove the hairy 'choke' (inedible fuzzy part).

I can eat with no dip.  It's really healthy.  It does take some work to eat, but in my opinion, when we have to work for our food, I think we eat better portions.

Source: The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden

Roasted Vegetables Recipe

 
New year means let's try some new recipes!  This recipe may not be new, but it is a good time to eat squashes, parsnips and root vegetables.  These are usually high in beta-carotene which is an antioxidant.  And antioxidants are SUPER important because they protect our cells from free radicals that cause damage.  Plus, roast these puppies, and you will be amazed at the flavor.

Roasted Vegetables

Serves 8

• 1 small butternut squash (1 1/2 pounds), pared, halved, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
• 1 pound carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1 pound parsnips, cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1 small rutabaga (1 pound), pared, halved, and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
• 1 pound shallots, peeled, halved if large
• 3 rosemary sprigs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425° F.  Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Cover with foil.  Place the vegetables in oven. Roast 1 1/2 hours, uncover, and roast 30 minutes longer, tossing occasionally until vegetables are tender and golden brown. 

*Findfoodlove note: the reason this recipe take so long is because it serves 8 people!  You probably can halve the recipe and the baking time to serve 4 people.

Source and picture source: wholeliving.com

Cold Feet and Hands

Cold feet and hands.  Most everyone has experienced this to one extent or another, especially when the weather starts to turn cooler.  I know in the last few weeks, my feet were cold even with wool socks on and it is only September!  But for some, the condition can happen in all seasons and during the winter months, it is really frigid and make a person more prone to getting sick.

Cold feet and hands are often due to poor circulation.  And as we get older, particularly when we become elderly, we need to do things to help our circulation (it just doesn't flow like it used to, haha).

I actually do a hot foot spa at night that really helps get the blood flowing.  All our main blood vessels flow through the feet, so if you feel cold, get some hot water and sink your feet in, you will feel an almost immediate difference.

What we eat makes a big difference for our circulation. 

1) Drink warm fluids and eat hot foods.  I remember how once I was feeling so cold but ate a salad and ice cream.  Dumb.  It takes energy to warm up what we consume to our body temperature.  This is why drinking cold water (with ice) when you feel cold is like taking the long, unnecessary route to work.  Drinking water is absolutely necessary and helps your circulation, but why make your body work harder to use it?

2) Eat arginine-rich foods.  Arginine, an amino acid, is suppose to help produce nitric oxide, which is said to expand diameter of the vessels, allowing more blood to flow.  Foods rich in arginine include peanuts, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, soybeans, pork, beef, chicken, turkey, oats, wheat, barley, chickpeas, salmon, tuna and mackerel.

3) Eat fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.  Food rich in antioxidants (particularly flavonoids) have been shown to improve the health of blood vessels.  Some of these foods include pomegranates, concord grapes, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, apples, kale, broccoli, parsley, celery, onions, and chiles.  The herb thyme and cinnamon are also beneficial.


Source: 101 Optimal Foods by David Grotto
Related Posts: Cold Remedy II - How to Stay Warm

Sweet Peppers

I took this shot of one of our red peppers from our garden - doesn't it look so interesting?  I love the unique shapes of each pepper, and dependent on where the plant is, each ripen in slightly different shades.  When the peppers initially grow up, they are green.  Dependent on the seed and the sun exposure, each matures and changes color.  The riper the pepper, the greater the nutrition (and the flavor).

Peppers are low in calories - and when organic, fresh and crisp some of the best snacks hands down.  I can just imagine the crisp juice that flies out with each bite.  I eat them in stir fry, salad, and all types of preparations.  If they are super fresh, I don't want it to go to waste, so I eat them raw.

They are high in Vitamin C and A (beta-carotene) and potassium.  They also contain Vitamin K (bone health) and some lycopene (said to lower risk of prostate cancer).

Be aware that bell peppers were on the 2003 list of twelve foods most contaminated with pesticides (Environmental Working Group).  The organization recommends buying them organic, which is probably good if you can, or use a fruit-vegetable wash.  But nevertheless, such a good food and full of nutrition!


Source: 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden

Garden Yield

The garden this year is teeming with interesting yield.  Can't believe it's been a month since my last post (Garden Bounty) of what is going on in my garden world.  Here are a few food pictures of what has been harvested (and delightfully consumed).

A picture of our corn.  So the interesting thing about this corn is that the consistency of the kernel is not juicy but chewy.  I actually am not sure I like the texture as much as the 'selected' corn species we get from the commercial farm, but I bet this corn is far more nutritious and fibrous, which is not what most healthy people today connect corn to.  Also, there are hundreds if not thousands of species of corn, so hope to be trying other varieties in the future.

The following is our very own watermelon!  Notice the holes, it is a big overgrown (sorry should have taken plastic wrap off before shooting a picture).  But if you pick your watermelon at the right time, the flavor and crispness of the fruit is DELICIOUS.  Wish I could share bites of this over the internet.

These are our vine ripened tomatoes.  They are a beauty (except for that traumatized one on the right).  They take a long time to grow (and water), but so well worth it.  Especially when you make it into a tomato sauce.

Lastly, check out our bitter vegetable.  I think it looks so cool.  However, I really don't like eating these because it is spicy and bitter!  It is used in Chinese cooking, although a cool looking specimen and packed with nutrients, I am sure, but I usually can do without it...