Bell peppers are in season, so make the most of this colorful antioxidant-loaded vegetable now. Mix red, yellow, orange, and green peppers in with your salads, stir fries, vegetable mixes, and grilled meats. Bell peppers are excellent all on their own as a snack, too. Along with carotenoids and lycopene, bells supply nearly three times your daily value for vitamin C, all of your daily vitamin A requirement (as beta carotene) and a nice dose of B6.
Read MoreIn this week’s edition of Smart Fuel: the fruits of summer!
July is ripe for the nutritional picking. This is the best month of the year for stone fruits, tender fresh fish, berries, sweet sugar snap peas and green beans, and floral chanterelle mushrooms. The foods currently in season provide a perfect blend of healthy essential fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and lean protein. Whether you have access to a nearby brook, orchard, wooded patch or simply a good farmer’s market, be sure to maximize the naturally smart combination July provides.
To eat now:
– Stone fruits: enjoy apricots, plums, peaches and nectarines (apricots in particular are at their best for several more weeks).
Farlane Flickr Photo (CC)
– Fish: try perch, rainbow trout, brown trout, and mackerel (delicate and delicious protein source).
ProjectDP Flickr Photo (CC)
– Berries: go for gooseberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries (look for sales!).
Garibaldi Flickr Photo (CC)
– All things podded: dig in to sugar snap peas, green beans, and green peas (legumes are an excellent source of fiber and vitamins).
CDW9 Flickr Photo (CC)
– Gourmet touch: chanterelle mushrooms are abundant with phytochemicals and make a perfect pairing for fresh-water fish. These fragrant fungi are available now in many stores and markets. They grow wild in deciduous forests so you may be able to harvest a few for yourself. Psst…learn about mushrooms and picking safely here.
Brocktopia Flickr Photo (CC)
Further reading:
Most Popular Posts
More Smart Fuel
Seasonal Food Information
[tags] seasons, seasonal food, fruit, fish, berries, legumes, nutritional information, summer [/tags]
Read MoreApologies for that headline.
By now, most folks are aware that eggs are not unhealthy despite their high cholesterol content. (Though not everyone, because Eggbeaters is still in business!) Eggs contain quality protein, fat, and important vitamins and minerals. Most of the nutrition is found in the yolk of the egg, which is why we’re making the yolk this week’s Smart Fuel.
Paul Goyette’s Flickr Photo (CC)
Yolks contain a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish your eyes, your brain, your heart and your mood. A sampling: lutein, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin E, Omega-3’s, sulfur, tryptophan, choline, magnesium, B12, the complete amino acid profile, and much more. Yolks are truly one of the most dense nutrition sources on earth. Take a look at this rundown from the USDA.
Egg tips:
– Choose organic or free-range eggs. Better yet, if you live near any farms, see about purchasing fresh farm eggs. The best yolks are a rich yellow.
– You can eat eggs after the “sell by” date, but definitely toss them a week beyond that. Fresh is best with eggs, both for safety and nutrition.
– If you aren’t sure about the freshness, plunk your egg in a bowl of water. If it rises, it’s old. If it sinks or bobs near the bottom, it’s fresh.
– It’s not really a smart idea to eat eggs every day, because allergies can sometimes develop (this is true of many foods). But several eggs a week is genius.
More Smart Fuel
[tags] egg, yolk, cholesterol, food [/tags]
Read MoreWe hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday!
Here are three healthy, soothing herbal infusions you can make at home. Herbal teas, of course, are not technically “tea”, but the combinations of herbs, fruit and spices promote many aspects of wellness. These are some of our favorites:
Cleansing & Rejuvenation
Recovering from illness? Or maybe a little too much festivity? Here’s a refreshing, stimulating blend.
1 or 2 strips fresh sliced ginger
2 teaspoons peppermint leaves (basil can work, as well, but won’t be as tasty)
1 teaspoon dried lavender
This herbaceous, spicy blend is wonderful for the stomach and digestion. For an extra herbal note you can add a dash of oregano or a sprig of rosemary.
Sir Iwan Flickr Photo (CC)
Stress
Feeling ragged and overwhelmed? On edge? This infusion is guaranteed to relax.
1 rosehip
1 teaspoon linden flowers
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers
This gentle, sweet blend will help you sleep and promote calm. Add an orange peel twist for extra interest.
Matsuyuki Flickr Photo (CC)
“Stomach Upset”
Why did I eat that? Here’s a natural tonic that will relieve cramps, gas and digestive complaints.
1 heaping tablespoon blueberries (boil and mash – don’t just use jam!)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 sprig peppermint
This tasty, light syrup will have you feeling settled and restored in no time.
Lori D Stone Flickr Photo (CC)
Infusion confusion? Here’s how to do it:
Infusion is very simple. You’ll generally want to use about 1 teaspoon of each herb to 1 cup of water, but if you are using dried herbs you may need an extra teaspoon or so. Add the herbs or flowers to water you’ve just boiled (wait for the boiling to settle down before adding the herbage). Cover and wait 10 minutes – presto, infusion! Strain and enjoy.
Source
Further Reading:
Types of tea
Cooking with tea
More Smart Fuel
[tags] healing, herbal tea, wellness, recovery, infusions [/tags]
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Pineapple!
Get this cool walllpaper at Planeta
What it is:
Neither a pine nor an apple, the pineapple is actually a fusion of many “fruitlets”. The pineapple is special for many reasons, but for the science nerds, this is one of the only bromeliad fruits humans eat. A bromeliad can be either an epiphyte (rootless, chillin’ in the air) or a regular old terrestrial, such as the pineapple. (At long last, tropical biology in the Costa Rican mud pays off…gems, I tell you.)
Why it’s smart to nosh:
Pineapple is the only food which contains natural bromelain, a group of enzymes that aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, reduce swelling, and speed healing. Bromelain is great for those with muscle and joint injuries, arthritis, gout and other inflammation issues. You do have to eat the pineapple fresh, however – cooking deactivates the bromelain (so much for feeling hopeful about the Carl’s Jr. Hawaiian burger ads).
Pineapple is a rich source of manganese, an important mineral. Among many important roles as a cofactor, manganese helps superoxide dismutase do its free-radical-bustin’ job.
Pineapple is loaded with antioxidant vitamin C, too!
This is Sarah Camp’s Flickr Photo CC
Pineapple nutrition information
How to cut a pineapple
Previous Smart Fuel posts
[tags] pineapple, bromelain, natural arthritis treatment [/tags]
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Last week the gang reviewed the basic varieties of tea. Tea is a naturally therapeutic beverage and I want to quickly highlight some of its important medicinal properties. Unlike many “herbal therapies” that I tend to be pretty leary of, tea has a well-documented multitude of health benefits. Though I do have a weakness for a morning cup of mud (but that’s between you and me), a daily cup of green tea is a wise habit to incorporate into your health regimen. I’ve been alternating between a glass of red and a cup of green tea with dinner lately for a well-rounded daily antioxidant boost.
Five excellent preventive benefits of green tea:
1. Cancer
2. Arthritis
3. Cardiovascular health
4. Immunity
5. A wide variety of other health issues
The pros: A handy reference
The cons: Mayo Clinic gives green tea a “ho-hum”
Never underestimate the lengths food companies will go to in order to tap into health trends:
This is Selva’s Flickr Photo
More Smart Fuel
What I eat in a typical day
Read MoreSMART FUEL Reader Donna suggested that we share information on the benefits of tea. Good idea, Donna! Tea is incredibly healthy and is an easy way to get a daily dose of beneficial antioxidants. While we’re at it, let’s discuss the types of tea, too. Tea Types There is only one tea species. White tea, black tea, green tea, oolong – they all come from a single plant (camellia sinensis for you Latin nerds). The basic difference boils down (get it?) to how processed the leaves are and the level of fermenting involved. White tea is the least processed and the “freshest”, so it is highest in antioxidants. Yes, there is something better than green tea! Antioxidant Potency The differences are really not as extreme as is believed. All tea is healthy for you. However, the more processed teas are lower in antioxidants and much higher in caffeine. A hierarchy: 1. White 2. Green 3. Oolong (Really difficult to make – not for you, for the artisans. You boil it like any other tea leaf.) 4. Black Pictures: Top: white tea Lower: jasmine pearls green tea – yum! Top: green tea Lower: oolong tea Top: black Lower: the ultra-rare (and uber-snobby) pureh Pureh is pretty special stuff. Though popular in China, it’s rare here – we haven’t tried it yet. Have you? Prep Of course, boiled water poured immediately over the leaves, and 3 to 5 minutes of steeping time, will yield the best-tasting and most nutritious pot. Microwave is sacrilege and will invoke the wrath of the tea gods, so don’t even think about it! Shopping Time We had a lot of fun trying out many different types of tea from a local purveyor of some pretty fancy drinkable foliage. If you’re looking for flavor and health, white tea is even more delightful than green, but it’s very grassy and greeny, and definitely leaves a pucker. Black is nice in that “I grew up on it” way, but since coffee offers more caffeine for you addicts and other teas offer more antioxidants, black seems like sort of a sad little compromise. Still, many people prefer it, and there’s arguably nothing tastier than black tea with a little cream and honey. Green teas are more varied than you might think. Our favorite was a special hand-rolled blend of green tea and lavender and jasmine similar to jasmine pearls. It was soothing, herbaceous, floral, and tasted like drinkable perfume. That is, if you could drink perfume (please don’t do this). This was a handcrafted tea, so it isn’t available everywhere, but jasmine pearls are a popular and high-quality offering available in many stores. We also had a blast (and bounced off the walls) with a chocolate and mint infused black and green tea mix. It tasted like a peppermint patty! This was pretty strongly caffeinated and very flavorful. It would make a great after-dinner tea if you are entertaining and you and your guests plan to stay up late talking or … Continue reading “Tea Time”
Read MoreIt’s a great time of year to enjoy fresh peas. We always keep plenty of bags of frozen peas around the Sisson household (well, the freezer, anyway). Peas make a quick, easy snack for the kids after sports’ practice or a long day at school that is far more nutritious than processed snack bars but won’t have anyone groaning about eating their vegetables.
Fresh peas are perfect right now, and they are an excellent way to get extra vitamins, fiber and protein into your meals.
A nutritional snapshot:
– One cup of peas contains a third of your daily requirement of fiber (though I personally recommend getting two or three times the 25-35 grams daily that the U. S. government recommends).
– Peas are famous for containing generous amounts of B vitamins, but they’re also rich in vitamin C (a third of your DV) and vitamin K (half your DV).
– Peas are rich in serotonin-boosting tryptophan.
Toss fresh peas into:
– Salads: peas work well with many fruits, avocados, and tomatoes.
– Stir fries: replace rice with peas for a fiber-rich, veggie-intense variation.
– Plain yogurt: add the peas, some chopped walnuts or almonds, and a little balsamic vinegar. (Top notch protein, fiber and fatty acids for quick energy and stress relief.)
This is Ben’s Flickr Photo
Read MoreCelery doesn’t have a passionate fan base. There are no “core users” of which I am aware. In fact, I’m convinced that even the celery fans among us (myself included…sorta) probably wouldn’t eat it if it weren’t, well, just there all the time.
Celery is great in soups and somehow also got the reputation of “peanut butter’s soul mate” though I for one will dispute that. A world without celery would probably also upset the makers of Mrs. T’s Bloody Mary Mix, so celery does serve a good purpose.
But, there’s a stringless alternative to celery that I love: allow me to present bok choy. Talk about genius calories.
Bok choy isn’t quite as bland as celery, so I don’t recommend forcing it on your almond butter. This is mainly because bok choy actually tastes like something. But bok choy’s noted fresh flavor is mild in a mushroom kind of way – it’s not overpowering and it complements whatever else it’s paired with.
Bok choy is loaded with calcium, Vitamin A, and vitamin C, and even if it weren’t, I’d still love it for the lack of strings. Although it’s technically a cabbagey thing, bok choy bears stalky resemblance to celery and is virtually interchangeable. And again about the strings.
Use bok choy in stir fries, vegetable medleys, casseroles, soups, stews, and even those Bloody Marys. You’ll love it!
Here’s a recipe.
[tag]bok choy[/tag]
Read MoreWe fret. We’re fretters. We worry and obsess about which diets to try, what kind of exercise to do, and which weapon is most powerful in the all-consuming War on Free Radicals. Hey, it’s all important. But here’s a big secret about getting and staying healthy: the little things do count. That’s because health is cumulative. Make a few really simple switches, stick with them until they’re habits, and you’re well on your way. Eventually, the habits add up, and you’ll get into Total Health Overhaul Territory. But the belief that THOT happens overnight, with a single “I’m really, no, really gonna do it this time!” vow, is a myth. Stop pressuring yourself! It’s not that tough! Start small – really small. As in, the two feet of refrigerator real estate we all have reserved for condiments. Also known as those “foods” that last longer than some relationships. Ten condiments you really don’t want in your fridge – and what to replace them with: 10. Oh sodium, how I love thee. You don’t want: soy sauce At least it won’t kill you: light soy sauce You do want: Bragg’s aminos Aminos don’t make the world a better place, but they’re really good for you. This is Mapgoblin’s Photo 9. Mrs. Butterworth(less) You don’t want: artificial maple syrup At least it won’t kill you: whole-wheat pancakes with fresh fruit and honey You do want: a sparing amount of real maple syrup + fresh fruit + nuts Get the flavor of pancakes and syrup without giving your pancreas hives. (Sorry, Mrs. Butterworth.) This is Flickrich’s Photo 8. Yea, though I walk through the aisle of dressing… You don’t want: Hidden Valley anything At least it won’t kill you: raspberry vinaigrette You do want: balsamic vinegar and olive oil Try walnut and avocado oils for variety. It’s best to mix up your own vinegar/oil combos, because many vinaigrettes are high in sugar and come drenched in additives. This is Krobbie’s Photo 7. That thing about sugar and spice being nice? Yeah, they were wrong. You don’t want: BBQ sauce At least it won’t kill you: steak sauce (still loaded with weird things, but only a few calories and no sugar) You do want: to whip up your own marinades using vinegars, oils, and fresh herbs Spices: paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic, salt, pepper. Add those spices to equal parts tomato paste, dijon mustard, and olive oil. Give it a dash of apple cider vinegar. So easy, it doesn’t feel right (but it is). 6. Avoid pale things You don’t want: mayonnaise At least it won’t kill you: Omega-3 mayonnaise (still often uses canola and palm oil, but better) You do want: European yogurt (admittedly pale, but that can’t be helped, can it?) This plain, high-fat, sugar-free yogurt also goes by “Greek” or “Mediterranean” yogurt. It’s got that mayo tang, it’s dense and smooth, and it’s healthy. 5. No seriously, avoid pale things You don’t want: cream cheese (contrary to popular belief, this is … Continue reading “You’re Only 2 Feet Away from Changing Your Health Forever”
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