Nutrition

I saw my first really good, crisp pickling cucumbers at the market this weekend so I bought some and rushed home to make my 3-hour refrigerator pickles. It only takes about five minutes to put this easy recipe together and they really are ready in 3 hours! Crisp, tangy, and super easy. If you want fast dill pickles,  click here for my recipe. – Jenny Jones

Slice open a tomato and you’ll notice the red veggie has multiple chambers that resemble the structure of a heart. Studies have found that because of the lycopene in tomatoes, there is a reduced risk for heart disease in men and women who eat them.  If you mix them with a little fat, like olive oil or avocado, it will boost your body’s lycopene absorption nearly tenfold. Cooked tomato is a good choice because it is usually cooked with a little oil.

The folds and wrinkles of a walnut bring to mind another human organ: the brain. The shape of the nut even approximates the body part, looking like it has left and right hemispheres. And it’s no surprise walnuts are nicknamed “brain food.”  They have a very high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support brain function. So when you feel like a nut… have one.

Here’s my “Power Salad.” I just made up that name because I just made up this recipe. I did it because I wanted something really healthy to snack on today and didn’t have anything on hand. It’s an easy recipe. I steamed 2 cups each of broccoli and cauliflower (cancer defenders!) and poured over a lemon vinaigrette. But I wasn’t done yet. Then I added some drained cannellini beans (calcium for bones & fiber), some diced red pepper (tons of vitamin C), and onion (natural anti-inflammatory) and bam! It’s good! And healthy beyond words!

This was the lead story on the national news last night. I’ve always believed in the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and the research is compelling. These healthy meals include olive oil, nuts, fish, fruit, vegetables, and a glass of wine every day. I won’t say I told you so but I might have a glass of red wine to celebrate!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/25/health/time-mediterranean-diet/index.html?hpt=hp_bn13

If you’re looking for healthy foods and meals, learn to love beets, and here’s why…

1. Anti-aging powerhouse.

2. Brain booster.

3. Less wrinkles.

4. Fight bronchitis.

5. Detoxifier.

6. Reduce cholesterol & triglycerides.

7. Guard again colon cancer.

8. Prevent cataracts.

9. High in folic acid (anyone pregnant?)

10. Nature’s viagra!

Besides my awesome borscht recipe that’s coming soon, beets are really good roasted in the oven and here’s an easy recipe: Scrub clean, dry and rub with oil. Wrap in foil, place on tray. Roast at 400 degrees for 35 minutes to an hour depending on size.  Yesterday my oven was busy so I put on some latex gloves, peeled and cut the (uncooked, raw) beets into chunks. Then I steamed them for about 25 minutes and we ate them plain. They don’t need anything added at all because they are so sweet. You can’t beat beets!!

Cook some greens!

Last night I made a Swiss chard/baby kale combo to have with our sardines! I know. 😛 But Denis eats everything I put on the table and cooked greens have lots of calcium for your bones and lutein for your eyes.

All the better to see your sardines up close!

It’s flu season and eating certain foods can help keep you well.  Here are some suggestions from someone who hasn’t had a cold or flu since… well, the last time I was sick I stayed home in bed listening to some 8-track tapes.

Red Peppers – Vitamin C helps prevent the body from getting viruses and a red bell pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange.

Garlic – Eating garlic stimulates the body to multiply white blood cells making it easier to prevent the flu.

Salmon – The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon enhance the immune system function.

Sauerkraut, yogurt & pickles – They all contain  probiotics, which add healthy bacteria to the intestinal track. A healthy gastrointestinal track can bolster your defense and help resist flu viruses. Make sure the yogurt has active cultures.

Sweet Potatoes – They are loaded with a healthy dose of beta-carotene, which creates vitamin A in the body. This crucial nutrient boosts immune function by lowering the amount of free radicals, helping to eliminate the cause of sickness.

Green Tea – Polyphenols, potent plant antioxidants, are what’s believed to give green tea its immune-boosting effects. One  type of polyphenol called catechin may kill influenza viruses. But don’t add milk, because the proteins will bind to the polyphenols, making them ineffective.

It’s true. There are some foods that are usually healthy, but not always:

1. “Green” potatoes – When potatoes are exposed to too much light and turn green under the skin, they can develop a toxin called solanine. If ingested, it can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. If you see any green, cut if off clean.

2. Rhubarb leaves – You never see rhubarb sold in the stores with the green leaves attached and there’s a reason.  Rhubarb leaves contain dangerously high levels of oxalic acid which can cause serious kidney damage potentially leading to death. You’d have to eat a lot to kill you, but even a little can make you sick.

3. Mushrooms – Certain types of mushrooms can be deadly. Just one bite from a Death Cap, Destroying Angel, or Deadly Webcap can kill  you. Death Caps alone contain over seven toxins and one bite can lead to a nasty death.

4. Cherries – If the seed inside a cherry is damaged in any way, it releases prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide), which can result in death.

5. Casu Marzu (Live maggot cheese) – It’s actually served in some fine restaurants in northern Italy. I won’t go into the details but you can google it.