Thursday, September 24, 2009

Eat Your Veggies, Improve Your Health

Health care reform is such a hot topic right now, so I thought I would throw in my 2 cents ;).

Technically, the company that I work for is the largest health insurer in the United States. Because of this I get asked by friends, family and clients all the time about my views on health care reform, the hottest thing since cupcakes.


Conventional medicine is basically reactive. Get sick then the doctor will give you a drug or do surgery to fix it. Get cancer then get chemo. Have a heart attack then get bypass, oh and they might throw in stop smoking and eat better. The advances we have made in this type of treatment are phenomenal, but as a nation we need to put a stronger emphasis on stopping the train wreck before it happens.


Over 75% of health care dollars are spent on chronic conditions and over 50% of these chronic diseases are due to lifestyle choices like what we eat and how much, how active we are, how we sleep, stress levels, smoking. It's not always genetic, my friends. And the good news is that we have the power to change that.

There is no question that preventive health care is hugely important, but that doesn't just include getting your annual physical. It includes things like cooking all of your greens from last week's box and eating your peppers and your beans! You have made one of the best choices you can make for your body by joining the CSA and having access to the freshest fruits and vegetables every week.


Our bodies were made to live off of fresh foods and the more whole, natural foods you consume, the more likely your body is to feel great and not get sick, therefore not increase health insurance costs. Fresh vegetables have complex structures made up of enzymes, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that naturally prevent disease, control blood sugar levels, and give your cells energy.

And it's not even just about eating any old vegetables that the grocery store has in stock. It's about the energy that these fresh vegetables from your White House Gardens CSA box contain and transfer to you. The energy from the fresh radishes that were just picked a few days ago is so much more vibrant and alive than ones that have traveled thousands of miles and have been in and out of trucks before making their way to your grocery cart. And it's about eating what is in season to get the most nutrients out of your food.

So congratulations on treating your body right and being a part of this CSA! You've already made a great decision for your health.


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Eggplant Sub with Smoked Mozzarella & Tomato Jam



Not too many things make me want to go to the grocery store at 7:00 pm. Do I really need something now? (except maybe wine -lol).

I was updating my fall menus today, and when I found this recipe I had saved from a Rachael Ray magazine, I thought, I have to make this NOW. (well, and I did need wine) I knew I had an eggplant and the red onion, but no cheese or roll.

A package of smoked mozzarella cheese, and a sub roll, and off we go to light the grill. Bonus - I found arugula in the frig that I forgot had been in the box last week.

Eggplant Sub with Smoked Mozzarella and Tomato Jam

I made a side of sauteed Baby Bellas with a splash of Balsamic vinegar. It was a delicious, satisfying, 'who needs meat', kind of meal.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Tuscan Cabbage and Mushrooms



I saved some of that monster head of cabbage for this recipe and I'm glad I did. Also used the leeks. I picked up the shiitake mushrooms, also local from Killbuck Valley Mushrooms, sold at Mustard Seed.

I came late to the mushroom eating party. The only exposure I had as a child was the awful, slimy, weird textured canned version often found on pizza. I was convinced most were poison, and my parents were secretly hoping I got a bad one.

Even tonight I was thinking that Shiitake were not my favorite, but I have to admit, a little pancetta goes a long way towards making anything just a little more tolerable. Excellent recipe - would make a great side to simple grilled meat.

Tuscan Cabbage and Mushrooms Eating Well Magazine

Stuffed Chard with Fresh Marinara



Easier than stuffed cabbage and just as tasty, today I made Eating Well Magazine's Stuffed Chard with Fresh Marinara.

It's easier because you don't have to do anything to the chard leaves except remove the stem, which is easy if you just fold it in half an amputate it with a nice V cut.

I substituted Fire Roasted Diced tomatoes (Muir Glen) and highly recommend that change. Quick and tasty!


Monday, September 14, 2009

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Rolls



Ok - so the enormous Savoy cabbage in the last box got me thinking. I had saved the Eating Well Magazine cabbage roll recipe and this morning while looking for some recipes requested by this week's client (a mother of two sets of twins under age 6!), I found the recipe.

I stopped by Mustard Seed Market this morning on my errand run, and picked up a pound of ground turkey thigh and some dill - everything else I had on hand.



It's a little bit of work, with multiple steps, but I really liked them. And the recipe says they freeze well, I have several, cooling right now on an ice blanket in tins, so we'll see.

Eating Well Cabbage Rolls

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Savoy Cabbage and Leeks

Cabbage

Cabbage comes from the same family as kale, so it is no wonder that it contains many of the same vitamins and properties. Ounce for ounce, cabbage contains more Vitamin C than oranges, just one of the many vegetables that do! It is also high in Vitamin A, sulphur and fiber.

Together, all of these things make it a good detoxifier for the body. Phytonutrients work as antioxidants to fight free radicals, we have known this for years. But more recent research shows that the composition of antioxidants in cabbage actually tells the body to start cleaning. They activate enzymes in the body and when all are perfectly combined together, our cells are armed to clean out built up toxins and carcinogens. Recent studies even associate cabbage with lower levels of cancer because of this.

The unique combination of Vitamins A, C and E, along with beta-carotene and selenium found in cabbage are also super beneficial for combating the dangerous effects stress has on the body. When stress levels increase your body naturally forms free radicals and these antioxidants help to fight the damage these cause. They also help turn tryptophan into serotonin, which is like natural Prozac.

Leeks

I know that all fresh fruits and vegetables are made up of tons of micronutrients that are 100% essential for optimum health. And of course, each different food has it's own special blend of these micronutrients that allow it to specialize in certain body functions. But I really never thought about how leeks might help maintain normal blood sugar levels, lower bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol and lower the risk for ovarian cancer by 40%, but they can!

Their unique combo of vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate and iron is what will help your body metabolize the sugars correctly so your body can get the most from them. Sugars are delayed from being absorbed into your bloodstream avoiding the rush and then the big crash that too much sugar at once causes, which leads to a ton of other health issues, including weight gain...

Leeks are easier for your body to digest than onions, so if you love that oniony flavor, but hate what onions do when they start moving through your body, try substituting leeks. Letting leeks rest for 5-10 minutes after chopping increases their antioxidant levels. When the cells are damaged allinase is release. Allinase is what gives leeks, onions and garlic their strong scent and when allowed to mix with other compounds released from the leeks, it makes antioxidants for your body to use.

Did anyone see ramps this spring? I saw them everywhere at farmer's markets and in all of the natural health newsletters that I read. I thought they were replacing cupcakes as the hottest new food! Guess not, but they are simply wild leeks with a more intense flavor, so maybe they will catch on next season.

Thank you, I hope you enjoyed learning about cabbage and leeks today. In the next few weeks, look for my solution to the health care crisis in America!