Ready for this combo? Brussels sprouts, beets, grapefruit and pineapple!!! Chef boy r Chris is going to teach you about the health benefits that these wonderful foods can yield. I will even show you my softer side and give you some recipes on how to prepare these foods into tasty morsels!!!
Fruit number 1: Grapefruit! Great source of fiber as well vitamin C – an anti-oxidant that helps fight free radicals and boost your immune system. The rich pink and red colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene and phytonutrients. Lycopene may possibly have an anti-tumor fighting effect. Lycopene helps fight free radicals. Choosing to eat lycopene-rich foods regularly may reduce a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests research published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Jian L, Lee AH, et al.). The mighty Grapefruit has also been shown to help lower cholesterol, prevent kidney stones and it’s juice is ranked as one of the highest in anti-oxidant activity. Preparation: begin by slicing the grapefruit in half. Cut around the sides separating the red fruit from the pulpy white boarder. Now, individually cut each little piece- it probably takes 20 seconds. Now sprinkle 1 tbsp. of brown sugar and then heat for 60 seconds – like a nice warm apple pie! Enjoy this as a bed time dessert or breakfast!
Fruit number 2: Pineapple! Boy oh boy do I love my pineapple! The purpose of this article is to educate you and not just tell you about my favorite foods, but seriously, yummy! The following are some healthful benefits of pineapple: it acts as a digestive as well as a natural anti-inflammatory. It has natural enzymes that are used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and also assists in tissue repair associated with general surgery, diabetic ulcers and injuries. This fruit also reduces blood clotting and aids in removing plaque from the arterial walls. Just like grapefruit, pineapple is rich in vitamin C and helps with building healthy bones. To get brainy on you, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain which digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain is what yields the positive anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Preparation: Go to Bed Bath and Beyond and purchase a pineapple cutter. This sucker is possibly one of the coolest things ever, its like 10 bucks!
Vegetable number 1: Brussels sprouts! But unlike most vegetables, Brussels sprouts are rather high in protein, accounting for more than a quarter of their calories. Although the protein is incomplete — it doesn’t provide the full spectrum of essential amino acids — it can be made complete with whole grains, nuts and/or beans. I ate 5 cups of brussel sprouts the other day – yes, I am a human garbage disposal, but it really wasn’t that much. That meal had over 25 grams of protein; I added ½ of a chicken breast.
Nutrition wise, brussel sprouts contain a lot of vitamin A, folate, potassium, calcium and have 3 -5 grams of fiber per cup. Preparation: Try making the following stir fry. Onions, mushrooms, yams, red bell peppers and your choice of lean meat; add the meat in last. Depending on your palate, add some garlic, red wine, Braggs Amino Acids and/or any of your favorite spicy sauces such as my preferred Tapatio. Guys make this for your Chica; BAM, brownie points!!
Vegetable number 2: BEETS!!! Be careful with these sexy reds because they are likely to stain you clothes. Beets contain a phytonutrient called betalain. Betanin has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifier; think of the latter 3 aforementioned veggies and fruits all put into one. Within the last 5 years, lab studies have shown betanin pigments from beets to have lessened tumor cell growth in tumor cells from colon, stomach, lung, breast, prostate and testicular tissue. In essence, these studies indicate that both sexes can benefit from eating beets! The inability to break down the betacyanin pigment produces a harmless effect called beeturia – a reddening of your urine and/or feces. In laymen’s terms, if your pee or poop is red after eating beets, don’t freak out! It is important to note that betalains undergo an extreme loss of nutritional value when the cooking time is increased. The tops of Beets (green leafy) are an excellent source of vitamin A which helps with vision. Preparation: I have found it best to purchase organic beets to minimize their exposure to man made chemicals. Begin by peeling the beet with a potato peeler and then slice into quarter inch slices. If you’re in a hurry, you may omit this, but the cooking time will be longer. Cover the beets in foil and bake for 30-45 minutes. Now just add the baked beets with the brussel sproats and you are set for an amazing stir fry!
In regards to fruits and veggies, just remember the darker the better. Of course wild berries and dark leafy greens are extremely healthy for you, but people write about these all the time. I’m all about the underdog, so I decided to blog about the ones that are over looked. Make sure to like us on Facebook and send me your feedback.
