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| THE MOJAVE DESERT |
Replenish
Repair
Renew
No other foods on the planet can do what fruit and veggies do.
Instead of words like anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-fungal, etc. just remember those 3 words when you are deciding between a thick pork chop or a great big fresh salad..enough of the "anti" words..and time to put positiveness back in to the diet is what I say!
And a more positive approach to what is consumed leads to a fair greater positive life: here are some reasons why I include lots of veggies and fruits where normally, "they don't belong", on my menus:
my own grown sprouts..great as a salad, added to a cooked dish once it is plated ( heat destroys some major nutrients in plants), or just eaten as a snack..these contain the building blocks of life and enzymes.the essential catalysts for all chemical reactions in the body, digestion, immunity, and all other metabolic and regenerative processes....
(replenish, repair and renewal)
Sprouting increases naturally found Vit. B 2000%, overall vitamins 500%, nucleic acids for renewal and repair increase by 30%, the protein content of any seed increases 15-30% ( Yale University)
Dr Jeffrey Bland (prof. Nutritional Biochemistry at university Puget Sound) concluded that sprouts are a "more efficient, healthier form of protein than the conventional animal or even other types of vegetable protein".
also mine are grown in double filtered water with added Lemurinan crystals to increase their healing powers.
Cucumbers..relax the mind and body..known to cool the blood and liver,( when the liver is properly nourished and not overheated , the liver can boost mood, balance hormone levels, beat stress).. hence "as cool as a cucumber" is not just an old wive's tale it is actually true. It can help remove internal inflammation, and help to soothe the person.
Celery also is a stress beater..a stalk of raw celery at night can increase restful sleep.
Mint has similar properties but can also heat the body up, as in peppermint, and is popular with chili and basil in Thai cuisine.
Pumpkin seeds..2ozs contains 458 milligrams of potassium, potassium regulates the water balance of the body, too little means the sodium levels are too high leading to tiredness, fatigue, high acid stomachs, over weight.
Potassium is also found in potatoes
Fennel..the seeds and the raw bulb are great for the stomach as they have a calming influence. The seeds also prevent or settle gas.
Parsley..this is a wonder food, and not very recognized for that..very high in Vitamin C ( more vitamin C than most citrus fruits) and high levels of B12..increase energy,plus chlorophyll for great skin renewal, fiber...it is great used in low salt diets to give a depth of fresh flavor
Oats..another energy food..as they help keep blood glucose levels at an even keel..for concentration and alertness and they also combat depression
Monday's Menu:
I am making some great cooked cucumber and mint soup (I also have some great summer recipes that call for RAW cucumber soup, but that is another blog) that is wonderful served at room temperature ( cold soups should not be served chilled cold, but at room temperature for better flavor and nutrition) or gently warmed, originally it had yogurt but I am keeping it vegan with coconut milk.
A blended potato, scallion and green pea..a more green version of vichyssoise without the cream; a miso with coconut milk, butternut squash and lime leaves ( a Thai inspired soup)...the lime leaves give it a wonderful flavor..just hints of citrus and no sourness..these are imported from Thailand fresh, I get them from an Asian Market down town
The entrees include a fabulous tabbouleh salad with fresh fennel and "sprouted" almonds ( almonds in actual fact do not sprout, they are simply soaked overnight to soften). Also did you know that you should never eat shelled almonds without washing/rinsing them first as they have a toxin on the skin, that irritates the stomach, which in the wild makes the birds drop it when eating the almond fruit?
Some Provencal veggies..fresh green beans, tomatoes, black olives, zucchini, red onion, garlic, and potatoes with whole wheat couscous & herbs d'Provence ( using my own fresh French lavender buds).
A creamy, dreamy non-dairy vegetable pot pie with cauliflower, spinach, cannelli beans and carrots;
and a SPICY Spring Greens ( some home grown wild spinach in this) and pumpkin seed salad with a grapefruit and green chili dressing
Oatmeal cookies with fresh ginger ( I blend the ginger root with the eggs then add to the mix, the results are incredible) & local grown raisins.
And a lemon cake with fresh berries..I will post pictures over the weekend as the preparation continues.
Tabbouleh Back Story
When I lived in Kuwait City ( I actually lived and slept in one palace on the Persian Gulf and every day was driven down the the main compound/palace, then returned sometime after midnight) I used to have to make bowls and bowls of tabbouleh every day, and because of the power outages.( this was the late 70's and the power plant was a bit "off kilter" and we had power outages every afternoon when the outside temp on the Persian Gulf was 120F+, and yes the air conditioning went off) most of the time I had to chop the all the veggies and parsley by hand..it wasn't long before I had hard pads and blisters on my hand from all the chopping..for along time after I stayed well away from tabbouleh salad..and don't get me started on my kitchen "brigade" of 15 none of whom spoke English and most of us spoke pidgeon Arabic!...one night in the middle of dinner for 30 I thought I had asked for more plates, when I was suddenly under 6 inches of warm water ( I always wore clogs) as my "helper" took it I wanted to clean the floors and had opened all the lower floor water valves, my main concern apart from getting the food on the table was also not getting electrocuted..Oh the Joys of Private Service!, and yes I have many more stories like that...you will have to wait for the book...lol
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| Sprouts the Super food..they must never be allowed to get green leaves or all nutritional well being will have been used up |
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| previous 3 all part of the 3 R's |
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