Super-Simple Superfood Recipe Series IIMay 8, 2021
Wonder what superfoods to eat with all this talk about gut health, probiotics and prebiotics, autoimmunity, hormonal balance, weight loss/weight gain, inflammation?
I’m sure you do, I know because I have been in those shoes before. I had just recently figured out that eczema was an autoimmune disease (yes I self-diagnosed), No one told me, instead they kept pumping me with gut-damaging antibiotics ( I guess they meant well, sigh).and I was determined to find out what foods I could eat to maintain good health and promote healing too. So I did some digging while believing that there are foods out there other than what I’ve been taught were the only types of food. Think about it, there are over 1097 vegetable species in the world, 2000 types of fruits, 21 grain types and loads of poultry & dairy alternatives, nuts and seeds. Surely there’s something for everyone, even YOU. And you can’t exhaust your options.
I know how difficult it may seem at the moment because you’re distracted by all the foods you can’t eat. But I will be the sunshine in your life and tell you this: There are so many tasty, beautiful (yes, very colourful) foods you can eat and enjoy and while you’re at it, these foods heal you and make you more energetic.
In this series I introduce superfoods (spices, herbs, even supplements) and one amazing recipe that incorporates them. This is definitely going to make life easier and you are going to find new favourites very soon.
Superfood Group 2: Inulin
Inulin is natural prebiotic, it’s a type of plant fiber found in the following Superfoods:
• Asparagus
• Garlic
• Jerusalem artichoke
• Jicama
• Onion
It’s hard to say an adequate amount of good things about inulin! This plant fiber both nourishes the microbiome and helps heal the gut. It also has terrific weight loss properties.
Inulin decreases the absorption of glucose, and improves the metabolism of fats. When you consume foods that are rich in inulin, the inulin portion of those foods does not raise your blood sugar levels; in fact, it inhibits your absorption of blood sugar while helping you feel full. Inulin also helps you digest your food more efficiently, which means you’ll feel less hungry and, over time, eat less.That’s a good deal for me any day, any time.
Inulin is also essential for your overall health. Assuming your microbiome gets its daily dose of inulin it is able to produce the vitamins your body requires, particularly vitamins B and K. B vitamins are crucial for coping with stress, managing emotion, thinking clearly, and balancing your hormones, every woman’s dream (I know I want all of these). K vitamins are crucial for supporting your metabolism. Many of us believe we can get our needed quotient of B and K vitamins simply by taking supplements. But the supplements are next to useless if you don’t have a healthy gut—your intestines simply won’t be able to absorb them.
Summary:
Inulin:
• Feeds healthy bacteria in your microbiome
• Supports your body’s production of vitamins B and K
• Improves digestion
• Improves bone health
• Inhibits the absorption of glucose so you feel full while absorbing fewer calorie
• Boosts your metabolism
Drum roll for the best part!!!!!
Triple S Recipe of the day
ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON
Asparagus helps improve digestive health, fights inflammation, and nourishes your microbiome, making it a natural prebiotic. Hey don’t just take asparagus for its health benefits—eat it because it’s super delish! Roasting this green vegetable enhances the flavor and makes it super crunchy, while a splash of lemon makes it tangy. This recipe makes a nice big portion, so you can take some to work for a late-afternoon snack, dress some with Lemon Vinaigrette (See recipe in Part 1) for a flavorful salad, and reheat some to serve hot as quick and easy side veggies.
4 SERVINGS
What you need:
24 large asparagus spears (about 2 pounds), with the hard round ends cut off
3 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt or coarse sea salt
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Lemon slices
What you need to do
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Oil a 13 x 18-inch sheet pan. 2. Place asparagus on an oiled sheet pan, and brush with oil. Sprinkle with salt. 3. Roast for 10 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. 4. Sprinkle with lemon juice, and garnish with lemon slices. Serve either hot or cold.
Bonus Triple-S Recipe
TUMERIC TEA
Tea time is therapeutic
1 cup (9 fl oz/250 ml) almond milk (tiger nut milk is great)
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon grated ginger
6 drops liquid stevia
Heat the almond milk in a small saucepan until it reaches room temperature. Put the turmeric and ginger in a mug. Pour a small amount of the warm milk over the spices in the mug and stir to create a liquid paste, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the remaining milk, stirring well, and sweeten with the stevia.
Until Next Week
Remember to eat foods your body loves and try as much as you can to stay away from what’s not right for you.
Love,
Faiza x