Veggie Crazy

Do You Still Consume Sports Drinks?

2009-05-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

Like softdrinks, I've given up drinking sports drinks. It's quite hard at first, with all the manufacturers advertisements everywhere, but I've learned to live without it especially after I found out what health disasters these kind of drinks will do to me.

In exchange for "increased energy" and "improved performance" sports drinks may be bad for your teeth. It's 30 times more erosive to one's teeth than regular water. The citric acid content of sports drinks will also soften your tooth enamel. Sugar-free and low calorie sports drinks may also contain artificial sweeteners which is worse than sugar itself.

So what do I drink instead of sports drinks? Fresh water. It's refreshing, thirst-quenching and won't burn a hole in my pockets!

The Benefits of Juicing

2009-04-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

I stopped buying commercially processed juice drinks years ago. Those things are most likely packed with sugar and pasteurized, killing off the fruit's yummy vitamins and enzymes. Instead, I learned how to create my own raw, fresh juice using the process simply called juicing.

Juicing is when you make a juice drink using raw and fresh fruits and produce. I personally like beetroot juice but I experiment with all types depending on my mood. Aside from tasting absolutely good, raw juice has many health benefits. People who have tried juicing says it helps with weight management. Raw juice also helps increase energy and boost the immune system.

One thing to remember when juicing is that it is not a replacement for all your veggies and fruits. Treat it as a supplement to your diet. Also, try to use organic as much as possible.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

2009-04-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

I just love experimenting with spices. I use them all the time instead of artificial flavorings. One of my favorites is earthy and bitter turmeric.

Turmeric belongs to the ginger family. Its rhizomes are gathered, boiled for several hours, dried, and then ground into an orange-yellow powder that we all come to know (and love!). You might be familiar with turmeric as a common ingredient in curries and other South Asian cuisines. It is also used a lot in Middle eastern food. The town of Sangli in India is by far the largest and most important turmeric trading center in Asia.

Like many spices, turmeric has more than a handful of health benefits. In fact, it is considered as one of nature's most powerful healers. Turmeric's active ingredient is called curcumin.

Here are some of the health benefits one may get by adding turmeric to their diet.

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
Very useful in disinfecting burns and cuts.
May help prevent melanoma.
Helps detoxify liver.
A good natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Lowers risk of childhood leukemia.

Looking for Alternative to Crackers? Here's Jicama!

2009-03-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest part in dieting is craving for the food that you once loved. Anyone who's been through a diet knows what I'm talking about ;) As for wheat-free dieters out there, here's a good alternative to wheat and grains --- Jicama!

Jicama, also called Mexican Potato or Mexican Turnip, refers to a Mexican vine, although the edible part of it is its tuberuos root. Its often eaten raw and is compared to a potato or pear.

To better enjoy Jicama, here's a wonderful recipe from Luci Lock.

Full instructions and ingredients here.

5 Health Benefits of Capsaicin

2009-03-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

Capsaicin is the stuff in chili peppers that makes it hot. It's also a great source of many benefits attributed to eating chilis. Here are just some of those health benefits:

Helps fight against cancer. More specifically, prostate cancer. As one study found out, capsaicin inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer cells in petri dishes and mice.
Helps relieve pain. Capsaicin is a know treatment for osteoarthritis pain.
Fights inflammation. Capsaicin is also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Helps burn fat and in weight loss. As a thermogenic agent, capsaicin will increase metabolic activity.
Promotes heart health. Capsaicin helps reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet aggregation.

Vegetable Spotlight: Kohlrabi

2009-03-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

Kohlrabi, or German Turnip, is a vegetable belonging to the cabbage family. There are different varieties available, including Purple Vienna, Gigante and Purple Danube. It can be eaten raw or cooked, but yours truly likes it raw as a snack.

Kohlrabi tastes like a cabbage heart or a broccoli stem but much sweeter. A young stem can be compared to an apple because its crisp and juicy, but less sweeter. It's also fleshy and contains less skin. Kashmir is a big Kohlrabi eater, serving this delicious vegetable 3 to 4 times per week.

Health Benefits of Kohlrabi

Helps stabilize blood sugar
High in fiber
Effective against edema and candida
A good source of Vitamin C & potassium

Roasted Kohlrabi Recipe

Fresh kohlrabi
Olive Oil
Garlic
Himalayan Salt
Vinegar

Trim ends of kohlrabi, remove skin and dice into medium cubes. Set your oven to 450F. Toss kohlrabi, olive oil, salt and garlic. Spread on baking sheet and put into oven. Roast for about 30 minutes with occasional stirring. Add vinegar and serve!

How to Tell If Fruits Are Genetically Modified

2009-02-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

I'm quite picky when it comes to fruits. Especially if said fruit came from a big, over-commercialized supermarket. I always go for organic products and almost never buy genetically modified (GM) produce.

For one, conventionally grown or organic fruits tastes much, much better than their GM counterpart. GMOs will also reduce biodiversity, some scientists believe. So how can you tell if a product is genetically modified or not? Check the labels.

Has a four-digit number - Conventionally grown
Has a five-digit number beginning with 9 - Organic
Has a five-digit number beginning with 8 - Genetically Modified (GM)

So there you go. Avoid products with a 5-digit number starting with an 8!

5 More Reasons to Avoid Soda

2009-02-15T22:06:00.000-08:00

Soda is on top of my Worst Beverages list. Did you know that in 2000, more than 15 billion gallons of soda were sold? I can't exactly blame other people for wanting to drink soda. I was once addicted to this stuff too. Who wouldn't be, with their aggressive advertising and countless promotions?

The following are a couple of diseases linked to soda that hopefully would dissuade everyone from taking up this nasty habit.

Obesity - Soda contributes to obesity significantly. A can a day of soda roughly translates to a pound gained every month.
Tooth Decay - Soda is worst than sugar found in candies. It will dissolve your tooth enamel thus leading to tooth decay.
Diabetes - With weight gain comes Diabetes. Soda will also stress your body's ability to process sugar.
Osteoperosis - Drinking soda may lead to higher phospate levels and lower calcium levels in your blood. When that happens, calcium is stripped out of your bones and may cause osteoperosis.
Hypertension - Too much soda may cause an increase in blood pressure.

The list is long actually, and these are just some of the health effects of soda. That's why I switched to fresh fruit juice and tea a long time ago.

My Top 5 Favorite Vegetable

2009-02-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

When it comes to vegetables, my general rule is "The greener, the better." It goes without saying as well that I only eat organic, locally grown veggies. If in case there's no organic vegetables where you're from, then make certain that you wash your produce carefully, peel it and remove the cores to lessen your exposure to harmful chemicals.

I also enjoy my vegetables as raw as possible. Cooking can destroy all those yummy essential micronutrients that my body loves so much. If I need a refreshing drink, then juicing vegetables is always on top of my choices.

That being said, here are five of my most favorite vegetables of all time.

Broccoli - Helps in fighting cancer, detoxifying and boosting immune system.
Bok Choy - Helps with digestion and very rich in beta-carotene.
Spinach - Helps protect against osteoperosis and heart disease among others. Very rich in phytonutrient flavonoids.
Lettuce - Aids in digestion and promotes heart health.
Tomatoes - Contains Lycopene, a very good anti-oxidant. Promotes colon and prostate health.

What's your favorite vegetable?

Basic White Sauce Recipe

2009-02-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

Just received my latest Mercola.com newsletter and it comes with this back-to-basics recipe by my fave Luci Lock. One of the first thing I've learned to cook was white sauce, which you can pour over almost anything. The key here is experimentation. Once you've perfected the sauce, feel free to add a bit of flavor of your own. I personally like to add some garlic, mint, and thyme once in a while.

Click here for full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.

The Benefits of The Mediterranean Diet

2009-01-25T21:44:00.000-08:00

I'm planning to go on a Mediterranean diet after hearing so many good things about it. The Internet is all buzzing about it, and several of my friends are telling me that it did wonders for them. So what is the Mediterranean diet and what can I expect from it?

The Mediterranean diet, as the name suggests, is a modern diet inspired by the dietary patterns of some of the countries in the Mediterranean Basin such as Crete and Italy. It consists mainly of fruits, vegetables, and grains with very little red meat. Also, emphasis is given to healthy fats. Use of canola and olive oil is strongly recommended.

As you can probably tell, following such a diet could yield a whole bunch of health benefits, such as:

Reduced risk of cancer
Protection against heart disease
Diabetes prevention
Help in improving arthritis
Improve longevity

I'm thinking of starting the Mediterranean Diet this week. Wish me luck!

The Healing Power of Vegetables Vs. Cancer

2009-01-18T20:23:00.000-08:00

As you can probably tell by this blog's name (and posts), I'm a big fan of vegetables. Not only because of their awesome taste, but because they do wonders for my health. A recent article from Mercola.com reinforced my belief, by showing how vegetables, specifically cruciferous vegetables, combat cancer.

Scientists in the UC Santa Barbara laboratories of Leslie Wilson, professor of biochemistry and pharmacology, and Mary Ann Jordan, adjunct professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, have shown how the healing power of these vegetables works at the cellular level.

It's quite a lengthy article but is a good read if you want to know more about broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables. To help you start eating healthy vegetables, here's a recipe I got from http://www.broccolirecipes.net/.

Broccoli and Lemon Risotto

Ingredients:

1 ½ lb of broccoli.
1 medium leek, split in half lengthwise, thinly sliced.
2 cups of arborio rice.
7 cups of vegetable broth.
1 cup of dry white wine.
1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
½ teaspoon of salt.
¼ teaspoon of freshly-ground black pepper.
¼ cup of Italian parsley, minced.

Preparation:

Steam broccoli florets until they are only just tender. Saute the leek and broccoli stems until barely tender. Proceed to cook the rice in the broth, wine, olive oil and lemon juice. After the rice is cooked, add the broccoli and heat. Season with salt and pepper and then serve with parsley.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi Stevia??

2009-01-11T20:23:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned on a previous post, I love Stevia. I use it on a daily basis and I can't imagine living a world without it. I use Natural Stevia though, and not Stevia-Based Sweeteners like what the Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are selling.

Recently, the FDA approved Coca-Cola's Truvia and PepsiCo's PureVia, calling it “generally recognized as safe.” Both are zero-calorie sweeteners and uses stevia plants' extract, rebiana.

As much as I want to, I'll wait for more reviews and feedback before trying them both out.

Quick and Healthy Fruit Juice Recipe

2009-01-04T23:52:00.000-08:00

I never liked commercial fruit juices. Whether it's concentrated or ready-to-drink fruit juice, I'll pass on it. Most of them are represented falsely and are full with high-fructose corn syrup. For example, Taco Bell's "Frutista Freeze" has a commercial with flying fruits all around, but if you stick around until the end they reveal that it has no fruit juice at all.

If you're craving for some fruit juice, I would suggest you make it yourself with no less than real fresh fruits. It's pretty easy, there's a ton of recipes in the Internet. Here's one I found by my fave Luci Lock.

Click here for full list of ingredients and preparation method.

The Many Health Benefits of Stevia

2008-12-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

I've never been a sugar-person. I don't crave it, but every once in a while my cooking requires sweetening. For some, I use raw honey, but for most I use stevia. What with all the bad press aspartame and splenda are getting, I'm not about to lay my health on the line.

Stevia, or Stevia rebaudiana, is an herb from South America and has been used there for centuries for nutrition and medical purposes. What's good about stevia (aside from its health benefits) is it's 100% natural, has zero calories, and almost three times as sweet as sugar!

Health Benefits of Stevia

Helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels
Will not increase blood sugar levels
Lowers elevated blood pressure
Improves oral health
May help with skin problems

Iced Raw Latte Recipe

2008-12-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know me personally, you're probably aware that I hate caffeine. I used to drink coffee a lot (and sodas!) but ever since I knew better I stopped consuming anything with caffeine in it as an ingredient. That is why I was ecstatic to find this wonderful caffeine-free iced latte recipe by Luci Lock.

This yummy iced latte has two ingredients that I love: organic raw milk and raw honey. As mentioned, it's caffeine-free therefore it won't give you that nasty buzz after. If you're thinking twice about that raw honey, then use stevia as a sweetener.

For complete recipe, head over here.

Vegetable Spotlight: Bok Choy

2008-12-07T21:45:00.000-08:00

Bok Choy, or Chinese Cabbage, is a leafy vegetable most commonly used in Chinese dishes. Its sweet, crispy, and green leaves are perfect for salads and soups. Bok Choy is also very nutritious, containing both Vitamins A and C and is quite low in calories.

The Chinese is known to be the first to enjoy this wonderful vegetable. They have been cultivating Bok Choy for over 6,000 years. Koreans are also mad about Chinese Cabbage, making it a staple ingredient of their favorite delicacy, kimchi. Nowadays one can purchase Bok Choy at almost any decent market.

Aside from being a tasty treat, Bok Choy has a number of health benefits as well. Chinese Cabbage is known to help with digestion. Some of its vitamin contents are powerful antioxidants too. In addition, it is rich in beta-carotene which as we all know reduces the risks of some cancers.

There are a number of ways to enjoy bok choy, but the most popular and straightforward recipe is probably Stir-fried Baby Bok Choy.

Ingredients:

4 bunches of baby bok choy
2 slice of ginger
1 tsp of sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup chicken broth
sesame oil
1 1/2 tbs oilive oil

Wash baby bok choy thoroughly then separate the stalks and leaves. Cut stalk and leaves. Heat wok or pan moderately then add oil. Stir-fry ginger for a few seconds before adding the bok choy. Remember to add the stalks first. Put in soy sauce, salt, and sugar then stir-fry for about a minute. Add broth, cover it and simmer for around two more minutes. Season with sesame oil then serve!

Brewed Tea for a Healthier Set of Teeth

2008-12-01T21:40:00.000-08:00

I must admit I was a fan of sodas when I was younger. Later, I got into fruit juices, but not the good kind. And as I grew older I knew better.

Did you know that citric acids found alongside refined sugar contributes to tooth erosion? Yup, the same stuff found in sodas and fruit juices. It will wear down tooth enamel which when lost, can't be replaced. So what's the alternative?

Brewed tea (not those prepackaged iced teas) is a great substitute if you want a refreshing drink. It comes in many variants so making a choice is not that hard. And let's not forget the health benefits drinking tea provides. If you're more of a fruit type, then go with fresh fruit juice or smoothie. Better yet, try eating the fruit as is. It will provide more nutrients that way.

In any case, avoid sodas and your teeth will thank you for it.

Have You Tried Tulsi Tea?

2008-11-23T22:02:00.000-08:00

It sounds too good to be true, so like the curios cat that I am I decided to give Tulsi Tea a go the past week. I am quite a fan of different teas, and new flavors are always welcome.

I picked an Orange Mint flavored Tulsi Tea, which turned out to be a good choice. I didn't add any sweetener, yet the taste is just right to my liking. Immediately I see now why everybody is buzzing about this tea.

Aside from the taste, Tulsi Tea's benefits are astounding. Some of which are:

Promotes respiratory system health.
Anti-oxidant protection versus free radicals.
Helps calm and relieve stress.
Helps boost immune system.
Aids in enhanving stamina.

And the list just goes on and on! Have you tried Tulsi Tea yet?

Leftover Turkey Wrap Recipe

2008-11-16T21:45:00.000-08:00

Here comes another Luci Lock recipe! This time with a little bit of turkey or chicken, whichever you may prefer. In any case, this wrap recipe tastes great and would be a sure hit especially to children.

Go here for full instructions and ingredients. Enjoy!

What's in a Bottled Water?

2008-11-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

I don't drink bottled water. Ever since its popularity a couple of years back, I think it's just plain silly to pay extra for water. I opted to use a home reverse osmosis filter instead, which has served me pretty well since I haven't gotten any water poisoning yet. Also, by using a home system I feel like I'm helping reduce discarded plastic bottles filling our landfills. Did you know that in 2006 there was 2.6 billion cases sold in the US alone?

A test done by The Environmental Working Group to 10 major bottled-water shows 38 low-level contaminants including the ff:

Disinfection products
Caffeine
Tylenol
Nitrate
Industrial chemicals
Arsenic
Bacteria

Would you still buy bottled water?

Fluoride in Children’s Milk!!

2008-11-03T00:30:00.000-08:00

OMG! I can't believe they've added fluoride in children's milk, in all places. I can't begin to imagine what prompted them to do so.

Fluoride is being added to children’s milk in 42 schools throughout the city of Sheffield in the UK, despite the chemical’s known links to liver and kidney damage, cancer and the lowering of IQ.

You read that right... Fluoride is known to cause various health risks!! Dr. Joseph Mercola is a known to be anti-fluoride. You can find out more about the health risks of fluoride here.

Health Benefits of Vegetables and Fruits

2008-10-26T22:55:00.000-07:00

There's no denying that eating healthy doses of vegetables and fruits is good for you. From cancer prevention to detoxification, the health benefits of vegetables and fruits are astounding. Below are some well-known vegetables and fruits and some health benefits that are commonly associated with them.

Important Note: I am no professional. The following are just based on my research, collected from various websites and blogs and should NOT be taken as professional advice. Please ask your doctor for advice before making any drastic actions. I will not be held responsible for any effect taking these vegetables and fruits may cause.

Apples

A rich source of dietary fiber and phytochemicals that can act as anti-oxidants.
Helps promote bone health and maintenance of blood sugar level.
Helps reduce blood cholesterol.
Reduces risk of stroke, prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, and ashtma.
Aids digestion and promotes weight loss.

Apricots

A rich source of fiber.
Promotes good vision due to Vitamin A content.
Helps prevent heart disease.
Prevents constipation.
Protects against prostate cancer.

Avocados

Helps lower cholesterol.
Helps regulate blood pressure due to rich source of potassium.
Helps absorb carotenoids from other vegetables.

Bananas

A very good source of potassium.
Helps maintain normal blood pressure.
Provides protection against atherosclerosis.
Protects against stomach ulcers and damages caused by it.
Regulates fluid balance.
Good for eyesight.
Improves absorption of calcium.
Improves kidney health.

Beets

Contains betacyanin, a very good cancer-fighting agent.
Effective against colon cancer.
Helps protect against heart disease.
Prevents birth defects due to rich B vitamin folate content.

Broccoli

Very good against cancer particularly lung, breast, colon, ovariona, and bladder. This is due to high phytonutrients sulforaphane and indoles content.
Detoxifies/Cleanse body.
Promotes stomach health.
Helps repair sun-damaged skin.
Significantly reduces risks of heart disease.
Prevents cataract.
Promotes bone health.
Boosts immune system.

Cabbage

Detoxifies/Cleanse body.
Improves gastrointestinal health.
May protect against colon cancer.
Effective against peptic ulcer.

Cantaloupe

Excellent source of Vitamin A.
Rich in beta-carotene.
Improves lung health.
Good for eyesight.

Carrots

A very good source of antioxidant compounds.
Rich source of pro-vitamin A carotenes.
Protects against heart disease.
Good for eyesight.
Helps regulate blood sugar.
Promotes colon health.
Promotes lung health.

Cauliflower

Helps detoxify liver.
Helps prevent cancer.
Detoxifies/Cleanse body.
Protection against prostate cancer.
Helps against rheumatoid arthritis.

Garlic

Promotes heart health.
Contains lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase which helps against inflammation.
Contains allicin which is a very good antibacterial and antiviral agent.
May lower risks of several cancers.
Helps prevent weight gain.

Another Healthy Salad Dressing

2008-10-20T02:29:00.000-07:00

French dressing is my absolute favorite, ever since. I love it on my veggies, and even mashed potatoes too! This week I saw another recipe by Luci Lock... healthy French dressing! Who would've thought, huh?

Here are the basic ingredients you'll need:

1 TBSP Dijon mustard
1 TBSP white wine vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
6 TBSP organic, extra-virgin olive oil (preferably raw)
Salt & pepper to taste

Head over here for detailed instructions.

Canned Vs Bottled Tomato Sauce

2008-10-13T00:45:00.000-07:00

Due to lack of spare time, I do make use of processed foods occasionally. I'm not proud of it, though, but I'd rather have that than greasy fast-food. But after reading this article from Mercola.com, I might be a bit more careful as to what I buy canned.

Canned tomato sauce is likely to have higher levels of BPA, because the high acidity of the tomatoes causes more of the chemical to leach from the lining of the can.

Yikes! Actually I still had several cans to tomato sauce lying around, which I threw out after reading this article. It was also mentioned to eat fresh vegetables rather than canned variations. I think that's already a given. Who wouldn't want fresh veggies??

Thanks for the info Doc!

Halloween Candy Alternative

2008-10-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

I must admit that when I was younger I used to gobble candies as much as the next kid. But I knew better as I grow older. I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you guys what the dangers of sugar are. So I would like to take this time to introduce to you a great alternative to candies, especially this coming Halloween - Cocoa Cassava Bars!

For years I have been trying out different energy bars, looking for the right mix of health benefits and taste. It wasn't until I found Cocoa Cassava Bars that I stopped. This bar just taste terrific, you won't even know it's a health bar!

Now is the best time to try out this delicious, healthy treat because Mercola.com is having a limited special offer... 50% off. That's only until Oct. 7 so act now! Click here to know more.

Scrum-Diddly-Umptious Salad Dressing by Luci Locke

2008-09-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Here's another salad dressing to add to your list. You can't have too much salad dressings in my opinion. In fact, I always try out different tastes and textures on my salads everyday. Here's one from Luci Locke.

Main ingredients of this delicious dressing is cilantro, lime, and kefir! Yum! Click here to see the whole recipe. Also, there's a bunch of new Luci Locke videos over at Mercola's YouTube channel. Be sure to check it out!

Black Raspberries Vs Cancer

2008-09-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

This article from Mercola's newsletter discusses the disease-fighting properties of not only black raspberries, but different kind of berries as well. Here's a quick peek:

Blackberries - has antioxidants, vit C and E, may protect against cancer
Blueberries - has antioxidants, reduces cell damage
Strawberries - has phytonutrients that fights cancer

Also, the article mentioned the following anti-cancer foods:

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts
Apples
Garlic and onions
Green tea
Turmeric and curry powders
Red chili peppers
Mushrooms

Lead in Our Gardens

2008-09-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

I have a home garden and due to Doctor Mercola's warning, I will start testing my soil as soon as possible. Our backyard garden might be contaminated with lead and other poisonous stuff. Lead might come from old paint or pesticide.

Doctor Mercola also mentioned the following produce that are good to grow due to their reduced lead uptake

Tomatoes
Squash
Peas
Corn

Check out the rest of the article here.

Organic Chocloate Brownies??

2008-09-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

I used to like sweets, chocolate most of all. That's why I was ecstatic when I saw this vid of Luci Locke whipping up organic choco brownies! Yum!

Yummy Veggies on flickr

2008-09-01T02:07:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly looking for new ways to eat my veggies. One thing I hate when surfing for new recipes is when I found one without any pictures!! I'm a visual gal, and you have to admit, we all love staring at well prepared yummy treats :)

Tofu and Vegetable Claypot Rice - Claypot King

Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables

Vegetable and Beancurd Claypot Rice - Wonton House

Seared Halibut and Fresh Vegetable Salad

Vegetable Tagine

Vegetable Panini

Save & Be Healthy!

2008-08-25T22:34:00.000-07:00

The latest free health newsletter from Mercola came with a very timely article. We all know that prices are going up these days;from gas to utilities to groceries. That's why anything that mentions savings and discounts are always welcome.

Mercola listed Ten Healthiest Foods Under $1. I'm glad my favorites berries and watermelon made the list. Those two are loaded with phytochemicals and lycopene so you can be sure they're good for you.
Head over here to see the full list.

Organic: What To and Not To Buy

2008-08-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

I am not an avid organic produce fan. I buy what I can afford and be thankful for it. Whenever I can I do make sure to take an extra step and buy organic, especially after reading this article from Mercola's newsletter.

Basically it listed the fruits and vegetables that had the lowest pesticide load when conventionally grown, thus safest to consume:

Broccoli
Eggplant
Cabbage
Banana
Kiwi
Asparagus
Sweet peas (frozen)
Mango
Pineapple
Sweet corn (frozen)
Avocado
Onion

In addition the following had the highest pesticide load:

Peaches
Apples
Sweet bell peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes (imported)
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes

Greek Salad by Luci Locke

2008-08-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

I just love Luci's recipes! You can find a bunch of them over at mercola's youtube channel. This one I like on particular because I'm learning to enjoy raw kefir.

For more details visit http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/08/09/take-a-trip-to-greece-with-this-refreshingly-yummy-salad.aspx

Broccoli: Good for Diabetes

2008-08-07T23:44:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the health blog section of Mercola when I saw this headline: Broccoli Reverses Diabetes Damage. From the article:

Eating broccoli could reverse the damage that diabetes inflicts on heart blood vessels. The key is most likely a compound in the vegetable called sulforaphane.

That made me glad I always eat my broccolis when I was young :)

I prefer my broccoli steamed, with just enough olive oil and toasted almonds. How about you?

Pomegranate FTW!!!

2008-08-04T02:27:00.000-07:00

The latest free health newsletter from Mercola features an interesting story about fruit juices. The University of California, Los Angeles have ranked 10 beverages according to antioxidant levels and pomegranate juice takes the win!

That's all good since I like poms. Coming in second is red wine with concord grape juice in third. Click here to read more about it.

Lettuce Soup by Luci Lock

2008-07-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

A lovely veggie recipe by Luci Lock came with the last Natural Health Newsletter I got from Mercola. I've been trying a lot of her stuff lately and it made me search for more of her videos on YouTube. Lo and behold I found Mercola's channel on YouTube! Lot of good stuff Dr. Joe!

Healthy Junk Food Alternatives: Carrots

2008-07-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

This is the first of a series of posts dedicated to introducing healthy alternatives to junk foods. Don't get me wrong, I love me a bag of chips from time to time, but ever since the start of the year I'm beginning to appreciate and understand the taste of vegetables and fruits more.

To start us off, let's look into carrots! There's a bunch of ways to prepare carrots and it's way easy too. Plus it's available almost anywhere.

If you're feeling especially lazy, just wash a bunch of carrots and cut them into thin strips. Serve with plain or low-fat dip and viola! A snack fit for every occasion. I made this a staple when watching DVDs or TV.

If you're feeling a wee bit adventurous, then head over http://www.carrotrecipes.net/ for some more carrot goodies.

Ciao!

Fried Plantain Recipe

2008-07-25T00:31:00.001-07:00

Hi! Just found this pic on flickr and thought to share it with everyone.

And with it comes a recipe from CreatiVegan.

FRIED PLANTAIN

Difficulty: easy
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Servings: for 4 people
Ingredients:

- 2 green plantains
- 300 ml soy milk or vanilla soy milk shake
- 200 g coating flour, or corn flour, or wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 200 g sugar
- sunflower oil for frying
- 2 tablespoon olive oil

Peel plantains and cut into slices. Put in a soup dish, pour soy milk and let settle for 10 minutes.
Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl, and add water until thick and soft. Coat plantains in the batter and fry in abundant hot oil both sides until lightly brown. Put on a dish with kitchen paper and sprinkle with sugar. Serve cold.

Peeling Eggs

2008-07-24T01:32:00.000-07:00

For my first "official" post, I would like to point your attention to a video from Mercola's latest newsletter. If you're not yet a subscriber of this great resource, then I suggest you start today by clicking here.

It takes me about 3-5 minutes to peel a hard-boiled egg. Very time consuming indeed. What if I have to cook eggs for a party with, say, 50 guests?? This video shows how to peel an egg... the easy way!

For more detailed instructions, follow this link: How to 'Peel' Hard-Boiled Eggs Without Peeling

About Me

2008-07-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

Hola! Call me Aimee. As you can tell by the title of this blog, I'm craaaazy about vegetables. I'm no vegetarian though. I get my fair share of meat from time to time.

This blog will feature info about vegetables, cool recipes, photos, and hey maybe some videos! So sit back, bookmark or subscribe to this blog, and eat your veggies!

Ciao.