Spices

We have used this spice in a few recipes lately and then I saw on Dr. Oz how important it is for our health.  I found this article on Health Diaries that discusses the benefits.

Turmeric is one of nature’s most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it’s fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant. Article from Health Diaries.

Related Recipes:

Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

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Cauliflower

Adding Cauliflower to your daily diet is one of the best veggies.  While often overlooked, it has amazing health benefits.

Health Benefits- (Article by Whole Foods)

While cauliflower is not a well-studied cruciferous vegetable from a health standpoint, you will find several dozen studies linking cauliflower-containing diets to cancer prevention, particularly with respect to the following types of cancer: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. This connection between cauliflower and cancer prevention should not be surprising, since cauliflower provides special nutrient support for three body systems that are closely connected with cancer development as well as cancer prevention. These three systems are (1) the body’s detox system, (2) its antioxidant system, and (3) its inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system. Chronic imbalances in any of these three systems can increase risk of cancer, and when imbalances in all three systems occur simultaneously, the risk of cancer increases significantly.

Detox Support Provided by Cauliflower

The detox support provided by cauliflower includes antioxidant nutrients to boost Phase 1 detoxification activities and sulfur-containing nutrients to boost Phase 2 activities. Cauliflower also contains phytonutrients called glucosinolates that can help activate detoxification enzymes and regulate their activity. Three glucosinolates that have been clearly identified in cauliflower are glucobrassicin, glucoraphanin, and gluconasturtiian. While the glucosinolate content of cauliflower is definitely significant from a health standpoint, cauliflower contains about one-fourth as much total glucosinolates as Brussels sprouts, about one-half as much as Savoy cabbage, about 60% as much as broccoli, and about 70% as much as kale.

If we fail to give our body’s detox system adequate nutritional support, yet continue to expose ourselves to unwanted toxins through our lifestyle and our dietary choices, we can place our bodies at increased risk of toxin-related damage that can eventually increase our cells’ risk of becoming cancerous. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to bring cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables into our diet on a regular basis.

Related Posts:

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower Steak Stir-Fry

Lecithin to Cleanse Liver

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2 Tbs coconut oil
1 c. Cauliflower flowerets
1/2 c. green and red bell pepper pieces
1/4 c. onion pieces
1/4 c. Jicama pieces
3-4  oz steak
1-2 Tbs. Bragg Ginger & Sesame Salad Dressing
1-2 Tbs. Bragg Liquid Aminos
Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat coconut oil in skillet over medium heat. Add steak and cook for 2-3 minutes then add veggies and stir until cooked but not mushy. (cooked steak can also be added at the same time as veggies) Add pepper, salt, salad dressing and liquid aminos and stir for 1-2 minutes.

The post Cauliflower Steak Stir Fry Phase 3 appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.

Lecithin is important in cleaning the liver (our best detoxing and fat burning organ!) and it intervenes with the body’s ability to form fat deposits. It can be found in many foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, garbanzo beans, seeds, nuts and eggs. Egg yolks are the best source especially when you eat the yolk lightly cooked, like a soft-boiled egg. You can also buy supplements, but it’s not as good and wholesome.

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Mashed Cauliflower

1 head cauliflower — cut into florets
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp onion powder

Divide a head of cauliflower into florets that are all roughly the same size.
Steam cauliflower pieces over boiling water (15 to 20 minutes), or until the cauliflower is tender. Drain the cauliflower and toss it in a bowl of ice water to bring the cooking process to a screeching halt.

When the cauliflower has cooled, put the florets in a food processor along with 1/2 cup of water. Puree the cauliflower on high speed until smooth, but with some very small pieces of cauliflower remaining in the mix for just a bit of texture.

Pour all of the pureed cauliflower into a medium sauce pan.

Add the cream, salt, white pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to the cauliflower and stir. Set the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring often, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thick.

The post Missing mashed potatoes? Try Creamed Cauliflower appeared first on Little Choices Everyday.