Knowing Your
Ingredients
forthefoodie
Thedivine
foodie
By Jen Wead
The beginning of a decade is always exciting. Do you have
big plans for the year? Something tells me it’s going to be a big
one.
Over the last few years, my personal food philosophy has
changed dramatically. I no longer eat meat, for both ethical and
environmental reasons, whereas I used to live by the motto “Bacon
Makes Everything Better.” Through the years I spent teaching
healthy cooking classes, I learned a lot about how medicine
is food and employ that theory in my daily consumption. I eat
for anti-inflammatory and heart healthy reasons. I make sure I
include a protein for easier digestion and even know that adding
black pepper helps the body absorb nutrients better. I stay
away from processed sugar because I know it is going to make
my joints ache. Knowledge is power!
Eating healthy can also be delicious. Just knowing how an
ingredient can benefit you can sometimes be just the incentive
you need to throw it into the dish you are already making. With
that said, let’s go over some of my favorite ingredients and kick
off this new decade incorporating them into your meal plans.
•Cabbage is loaded with vitamin C and sulphur, which
help to remove free radicals and uric acid from the body, and
guess what? Free radicals cause aging, so cabbage is anti
aging! Cabbage also aids with energy metabolism and the
strengthening of the nervous system.
•Raw carrots help balance your hormones by binding to
and removing excess estrogen from the body, while also helping
to remove bad bacteria from the gut. Carrots are full of beta
carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. They
help reduce the risk of cancer, aid in weight loss and are great
for your eyes.
•Avocados are loaded with a multitude of vitamins and
heart healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. They’re linked to reduced
inflammation and contain healthy fats which may protect
the liver and help with better absorption of fat-soluble nutrients
in the body. They also contain more potassium than bananas!
•Fresh parsley is a powerful herb loaded with chlorophyll,
antioxidants, and healing compounds that are thought to help
increase urine flow and remove any harmful bacteria from the
urinary tract. As a diuretic, parsley aids in the removal of excess
fluid from the body without depleting the potassium. Parsley is
anti-inflammatory and also balances blood sugar.
•Raisins are loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and a considerable
amount of iron, and may help to relieve constipation and
anemia.
•Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and stimulates
circulation and digestion, which may help to remove waste from
the colon and liver. Ginger aids in digestion and helps reduce
nausea, especially that related to morning sickness.
•Raw unprocessed honey is loaded with antioxidants, promotes
restorative sleep, and helps fight infections because it is
naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Studies show that one
tablespoon of local honey taken daily will help fight allergies.
•Lemons are thought to balance the pH of the body, detoxify
the liver, promote skin repair boost the immune system, and
strengthen the digestive system.
Enjoy this detox salad by detoxinsta.com, which incorporates
all of these ingredients.
BEST DETOX SALAD WITH
LEMON GINGER DRESSING (serves 1)
LEMON GINGER DRESSING (MAKES 1 1/2 CUPS)
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 to 1 1/2-inch knob of fresh ginger , to taste (go big!)
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons raw honey
SALAD
4 cups shredded cabbage (green, purple, or both)
1 large carrot , shredded
Handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley , roughly chopped
1/2 avocado , sliced
2 tablespoons raisins
Continued on next page
44 • JANUARY 2020 813.682.9364 FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE
/detoxinsta.com