Veggies in the Spring
(sung to
These are a few of my favorite things)
When the veggies Squash
When the Brussel… Sprouts,
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel sooo bad!
CHEF MARIAN! THIS IS NOT A PLAY! CERTAINLY NOT A MUSICAL. WHAT ABOUT ALL THESE VEGGIES? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?
Ok. Ok. As I sit here in bed, clogged to the gills, with an ‘oh so fabulous‘ cold, I’m thinking that I already gave you my ‘top 20 veggies’ and veggies that keep you young… but I really should keep going… Cause there are hundreds (and maybe a few boost your immune system as well). Hey. I’m sick. Time to do some research, no?
YES CHEF MARIAN.
Wanna know why I’m in bed?
WHY CHEF MARIAN?
Two reasons: I had an infection from a VCR that fell on my foot and had to take Keflex, which didn’t allow me to take vitamins and enzymes at the same time (don’t ask), so for that one week, I skipped on all vitamins and enzymes I normally take. You know that antibiotics deplete both the good and bad bacteria? So my immune system went down and………………….
I have someone in my life creating stress for me. And sometimes you’ve gotta just let it go and trust the universe. And just know that what goes around comes around, right?
So, I will take both you and myself back to creating good health through vegetables and assume that things will have a way of working themselves out. Good deal?
GOOD DEAL CHEF MARIAN. SO LET’S HEAR ABOUT THESE VEGGIES….
Squash – or squish… (depending on who you’re talking to), is jammed packed with ‘nutrients that are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial’ according to 100 Foods to Stay Young, written by Charlotte Watts. And if you want the Top 100 in one shot, please go out and buy her book!
Brussels Sprouts – Didn’t we always think that was Brussel Sprouts? Well, not according to Wiki. It says they were originally grown in an area that later became Brussels… thus the name. And according to Charlotte, they contain ‘a substance called sinigrin that works as a powerful antioxidant in the liver, detoxifying and eliminating harmful aging substances’. Didn’t know that they are great for your liver? Neither did I.
Onions – again Charlotte lists this one as an ‘anti-inflammatory with healing properties’. And you know what got caramelized with mushrooms before I started my chicken soup (for the soul) yesterday? Yep. You guessed it. Onions. This cold will be gone in no time!
Watercress – May I start this my saying: I hate watercress. Don’t know why. Some people have Brussels Sprouts as their most hated vegetable (probably because they haven’t tried it broiled with bacon bits), others Broccoli… but Watercress is mine. Come to find out from Charlotte that it stimulates bile flow to the liver promoting detoxification and digestion. Need to re-think this hatred? You bet. Let’s see if I can find a way to incorporate it, with a smile. I’ll keep ya posted!
Leeks– Now when I think of Leeks and immediately think of Potatoes. Leek/potato soup anyone? Yeeaah! Yum! And just like onions and garlic (my other two favorites) ‘leeks contain sulfur which Charlotte says is ‘for healthy and youthful skin, bones and heart’. Hey. I don’t need excuses… do you? lol
Jerusalem Artichokes – You can call me sunroot, or you can call me suncoke, or you can call me earth apple but ya doesn’t have to call me Johnston… um… I mean….Jerusalem Artichoke. (If you can remember the 60’s/70’s, you weren’t there, so I’m expecting you not to remember that joke, and only chuckle gently if you do). And if you can imagine it, the name is not an artichoke nor is it from Jerusalem. But according to Wiki, it was brought from America to France in the 1600’s and ‘The Jerusalem artichoke was titled ‘best soup vegetable’ in the 2002 Nice Festival For The Heritage Of The French Cuisine’. Cool. Best we start cooking with it.
Sauerkraut – Sauerkraut and….. hot dogs. Yech! When I think of my childhood… hamburgers, french fries and hotdogs. But now, in my brilliance, I don’t eat hot dogs! lol
Ok. Ok. It’s vegan so let’s find a way to use it. I mean, it’s just finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented. Can’t be too hard to add to a meal. And if you’re not vegan, Charlotte says she likes it with chicken, apple, carrot dressed with a yogurt dressing. Let’s try it? Shall we?
Purple Sprouting Broccoli – ‘supports heart and brain health, limiting cholesterol into the blood stream’, Charlotte says. Geez. I’d better start adding this one to my meals! lol I never even thought to look for Purple Sprouting Broccoli. Did you?
Shitake Mushrooms – I just love, Love, LOVE Shitake Mushrooms. So many people tell me they don’t like mushrooms and here’s what I think: It’s about texture. And when you think that Shitake helps regulate your immune system and you know that they come from Japan, China, Thailand and Korea, where especially in Japan (noted to be one of the healthiest countries in the world), they don’t have high numbers in heart attack or cancer, well then… I would say ‘give it a go’. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Radish – Ya know, I don’t care for radishes either. But Charlotte says they help control your weight. Whoot? Really? I guess if I combine it with caramelized onions and sweet potatoes I might be able to start eating them…. I just can’t see eating them in salad just yet…
So that’s my blog for today. That was our ‘next’ 10 stay young and healthy veggie blog… and guess what? Just talking about this, I’m feeling better already! lol
Happy eating,
Chef Marian