Mother Nature entices us to try all of her fruits and vegetables with their bright and various colors when we see them displayed at outdoor markets and food shops. Their beautiful colors mingled together remind us of a secret garden, all in bloom.
Today it is known that these colors, phytonutrients, are beneficial in preventing heart disease and cancer, among other illnesses. The darker the color the more important they are to the body. Yellow and orange vegetables are full of vitamin A and beta-carotene, a wonder drug in preventing cataracts and retina problems. Vitamin A is known to help control lung cancer.
What is even more important is to combine them together and eat various colors at the same time. This is easily done, for example, with a mixed salad of dark red tomatoes, bright orange carrots and bell peppers, dark green lettuce and white onions and garlic which enhance the immune system and increase memory capacity.
Dark blueberries and blackberries are full of a nutrient effective in helping to offset the anti-aging process as well as circulatory problems. And these precious little berries can be mixed with other fruits of a different color.
A couple of dishes consisting of several different colored vegetables are ratatouille and a tomato, mozzarella and basil salad. Just use your imagination when shopping and pick up whatever you find in season. Your body will then be filled with valuable nutrients to keep you fit.
Grandma Nature
Rice is the second most consumed cereal, after wheat, worldwide and has been thus for hundreds and hundreds of years. It is found in the diet of many civilizations.
There are hundreds of different varieties. There is perfumed rice, long-grain rice, brown rice and red rice from the Camargue region of France. Wild rice, however, is not a rice but a seed from a grass which grows in marshes in the Great Lakes district of the U.S.
The Spanish use rice in their national dish, paella; the Chinese eat bowls of rice with their delicious meat and fowl dishes; the Italians have their risotto; the Indians their curries; and rice is eaten as well with the Mexican meal chili con Carne.
What would we do without rice and its ease of cooking – steamed, boiled, baked? Rice is also used in desserts as in a creamy rice pudding.
Its real asset, however, is the nutrition that it brings to the body. It is not fattening and has no cholesterol. It contains the vitamin B complex group, which is good for the nervous system, iron for the blood, magnesium and calcium so necessary for strong bones and teeth. It has anti-cancer activity. Of all grains and cereals it is the least likely to cause problems such as spastic colon.
Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up various kinds of rice and enjoy.
Grandma Nature
Many of us remember Popeye and his advice to eat spinach in order to become big and strong! Well, unfortunately, this is not exactly true.
Yes, spinach does have some iron but it also has oxalate, which prevent much of the iron from being absorbed by the body. To counteract this, simply drink or eat something with the spinach that has a lot of vitamin C. Red and green bell peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, and Brussels sprouts are some sources. This is essential in helping the iron to be absorbed in the body.
There is still good news regarding spinach. Its dark green leaves are full of antioxidants which aid in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer. In addition, the vegetable is full of beta-carotene which will help in preventing eye diseases such as macular degeneration.
As some antioxidants are lost in cooking, it is very important to eat spinach raw or very slightly cooked.
Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach, washed
Add chopped hard boiled eggs, chopped red pepper, and garlic roasted croûtons.
Serve with a salad dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and a bit of mustard.
Yum. So healthy.
Grandma Nature
Imagine the wonderful aroma of cinnamon when it is added to a dessert baking in the oven. Do some of you remember cinnamon buns?
Cinnamon originated in Asia where it was discovered centuries ago in Sri Lanka. It is even mentioned in the Bible, as a perfume and as an anointing oil.
In desserts it is mixed with sugar, giving a sweet taste. In some countries as in India it is added to main dishes of meat or other foods such as curries.
Cinnamon is known to control type II diabetes. It stimulates insulin which in turn enables the body to process sugar more easily, thus needing less insulin. It is very efficient in soothing the digestive system when problems like indigestion occur. It is also utilized in scents, especially men’s colognes but also in room fresheners.
Cinnamon toast
Mix even amounts of cinnamon and sugar
Toast slices of bread
When ready, spread with butter.
Sprinkle cinnamon mixture onto buttered toast and eat while warm.
Cinnamon on its own can be sprinkled on oatmeal or rice pudding. Whenever consumed, it is very beneficial to us.
Grandma Nature
What wonderful news! Chocolate is good for you. It can even help you age healthier.
Yes, it’s true. Chocolate is full of antioxidants which help in preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, it is dark chocolate that has the most antioxidants. – The darker the chocolate, the healthier it is.
Chocolate is also known to be an anti-depressant because it emits chemicals in the brain which make you feel good and happy. If you are feeling down, have a piece of chocolate. As in everything, it should be eaten in moderation because some consensus is that it is addictive!
Dark chocolate has a bitter taste. Now chocolate can be found with nuts, of course, but also with raspberries, liquors and even chili and pepper. The choice is yours.
Chocolate Mousse
For 2 people:
2 ounces dark chocolate
2 large eggs, separated
A few drops of rum (optional)
Put chocolate in a small basin with 1 spoon water. Melt. Beat egg whites separately until they form stiff peaks. Add egg yolks to chocolate mixture and rum and mix while heating on low flame. Let cool. Fold in egg whites.
Chill for 3 hours.
NOTE: Nowadays it is extremely important to be careful about eating raw eggs. Buy the very freshest eggs and refrigerate immediately.
Grandma Nature
In French there is a term of endearment, « mon petit choux », which literally translated means « my little cabbage ». Does this come from the fact that cabbage has such a positive effect on our health?
Cabbage may be boiled, stuffed, made into coleslaw or sauerkraut. It is a powerhouse of vitamins for the cold months, which is the season when cabbage is eaten most often.
- Cabbage is full of vitamin C and folic acid, which maintains the arteries.
- It is an anti-ulcer drug and has antibiotic properties in killing bacteria in the intestines.
- Cabbage juice is very efficient in treating ulcers and today with modern juice makers easy to prepare.
- It is known that cabbage has a substance which lowers the estrogen level which in turn prevents breast cancer in women.
There are various types of cabbage and the cabbage family includes broccoli and cauliflower among others. If you are at an outdoor market notice the fluffy leaves and various shades of green and purple on some types of cabbages. They are a feast for the eye as are cabbage patches. Walk by one on a cold autumn day and inhale the earthy scent. It will envigorate you. Cabbages are even sold in flower shops to use as decorative arrangements.
Rainbow Coleslaw
1 red apple cut in pieces
6 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup canned sugarless pineapple-cut in pieces
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 walnuts-in pieces
Mix all together and refrigerate until serving
Contains vitamin A, C, calcium and iron
Enjoy!!!ther healthy vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. When you are at an outd
Grandma Nature
Walnuts for AgeEsteem
Most people love walnuts, either in brownies or cookies or other delights. Did you know that walnuts are very healthy as well as being delicious? Next time you’re hungry and feel like a snack, eat a handful of walnuts.
Walnuts are healthy for your AgeEsteem. They contribute to the prevention of health factors associated with aging.
Walnuts are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids which lower LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. Walnut oil is obviously good for cardiovascular health as well. In addition walnuts are rich in iron, protein and magnesium which is necessary for strong bones. They are a very versatile food which can be added to vegetables as well as to desserts. So, when next baking or cooking, add some walnuts!
Waldorf Salad
Equal amounts of red apples, celery and walnuts, cut into small pieces.
Add one cup of sour cream and mix together.
Refrigerate and serve when needed.
Grandma Nature
The American Heritage Dictionary has a short and cozy definition of comfort food: “Food that is simply prepared and associated with a sense of home and contentment.”
One online source listed “the top ten comfort foods” in the following order from Number 10 up to Number 1. These were (with many recipe variations):
10. Chicken pot pie
9. Mac and Cheese
8. Fried Chicken
7. Meatloaf with Gravy
6. Hamburgers
5. Apple Pie
4. Ice Cream
3. Lasagna
2. Mashed Potatoes
1. Pizza
Obviously “Aunt Christine” may have a different Fried Chicken recipe than you or I. And how much and what type of cheese mixed with the macaroni would make it your own preferred favorite. In this list, it’s interesting to note that there are at least two pastas (the lasagna and the mac and cheese) and there are two chicken recipes (pot pie and fried.) With all of its ways to prepare, no wonder pizza is way up at the top of this particular list! Note that there are three “Italian” items on the list with “German” hamburgers and meatloaf. And what can be more “American” as apple pie? Top that with a la mode ( French words meaning “with ice cream” here in the United States) and oh boy! We really have quite a global list here.
Deborah Joy Phelps
Deborah Joy Phelps
When Deborah Joy Phelps writes about food her story takes us beyond measurements, spices and herbs. She stirs in the flavor of the cook’s personality.
Deborah Joy, now on the good side of 60, is an artist when it comes to meeting new people and truly connecting with them. Her contact is immediate and spontaneous. This is probably due to the fact that she loves people and is genuinely interested. Since she is authentic and engaging in her interaction, people tend to show their genuine self with her and let down barriers.
Adding the essence of the cook to the recipie brings a special flavor beyond food.
