With autumn’s arrival there’s a discernable shift in the foods available for us to enjoy. Much is being harvested and the lighter, cooling foods of summer are disappearing and making space for warming and grounding foods. Say good-bye to the peaches! When we eat aligned with the seasons (which is FAR easier to do if we shop at the local Farmer’s Market) we support the body in staying healthy. The body won’t respond the same to cool, raw summer foods if consumed during the colder months of winter. Just the same, it will react differently to a steamy bowl of soup eaten on a hot summer day then it will on a cold winter day. Eating out of season creates … KEEP READING…
Storing & Preparing Beans to Support Digestion
Beans are an excellent way to add high-quality, plant-based protein to your diet. They are high in iron, B vitamins and fiber, and quite versatile. Some folks have difficulty digesting beans. They may develop gas, bloating, or even experience irritability or unclear thinking. Most often these issues arise when the beans have not been stored and prepared properly. Dry beans stay fresh longer when kept in a cool, dark place (rather than on the countertop). It’s important to avoid using beans that are more than a year old, as their nutrient content and digestibility tend to be much lower. Old beans won’t soften, even with thorough cooking. Dried beans purchased in the bulk section are a budget-friendly addition to your … KEEP READING…
Good for You Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, millet, amaranth, barley, wild rice, wheat berries and buckwheat have been a central element to the human diet since early civilization and are an excellent source of nutrition. When grains are unrefined they contain essential enzymes, protein, complex carbohydrates, iron, dietary fiber, and vitamins. They provide sustained, high-quality energy and strengthen the body. Grains contain phytic acid which can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients. To remove, soak grains for 1-12 hours. The longer they’re soaked the more nutritious and digestible they become. They’ll also cook more quickly. After soaking grains, drain and rinse. The phytic acid will be washed away. Be sure to cook them in fresh water. To infuse … KEEP READING…
One of the Heathiest Fats: Coconut Oil!
Back in the 1950’s the coconut and its oil was incorrectly identified as an artery-clogging fat by a researcher in Minnesota. Rats fed fully hydrogenated coconut oil experienced a dramatic rise in cholesterol levels. The notion that coconut oil is bad for our health began. Years later, Harvard scientists proved that it wasn’t the coconut oil that caused the rise in cholesterol, but the fact that the oil itself had been hydrogenated. Any hydrogenated oil is less than ideal for our health and causes a rise in LDL (bad) cholesterol. Coconut oil is one of the oldest food plants on earth that’s known for nourishing the body, increasing strength, and promoting beautiful hair and skin. Most interestingly, it decreases the … KEEP READING…
