As If Vitamin D Didn't Do Enough Already

If you don’t live anywhere near the equator (think Eau Claire, WI for example) chances are that in the colder months of the fall and winter you are not getting enough Vitamin D.  This crucial vitamin is formed by the body when exposed to sunlight.  Typically during the summer months we make plenty but when the air turns crisp and the coats come out Vitamin D levels plummet.  That is why I recommend to everyone to take a Vitamin D supplement during the winter months.  Vitamin D does many, many things but it has a major role in immune function.  Ever notice colds are rare during the summer and common during the winter? Do you think there are more bacteria and viruses hanging around in the warm summer or freezing winter?  No matter how you cut it Vitamin D is important stuff and this link discusses some recent research linking Vitamin D deficiency  to heart disease.

 

As reported at naturalnews.com

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/038463_vitamin_D_deficiency_heart_health_studies.html

We All Knew Broccoli was Powerful but COME ON!!

Broccoli actually belongs to a group of extremely healthy veggies called cruciferous plants.  This group also includes other kid favorites such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale (was I a weird kid?). 

Researchers from the Baylor School of Medicine recently tested a highly concentrated compound found in these vegetables on human and mouse cells being affected by leukemia.  Yes, that is leukemia as in CANCER!!  Upon observation they found the compounds in the veggies eradicated the cancer cells!  To read an excellent and more in-depth overview of the research check out this link… 

 http://www.naturalnews.com/038397_broccoli_sulforaphane_leukemia.html

 

You know, of all the types of veggies cruciferous veggies are the ones most people I meet say they just can’t eat.  The only competitor that is even close is onions!  And yet here we are looking at yet more highly credible research suggesting that FOOD is more powerful than drugs and you can be darn sure it’s a ton safer to eat some cabbage than take ANY drug out there.  One of my favorite supplements is actually a blend of concentrated Brussels sprouts and kale. I guess I’ll be ordering an extra bottle of those this month!  There are actually tasty ways to eat these veggies too.  My most recent post at   http://cookingchiropractor.blogspot.com/ is a seasoning recipe for greens.  It’s good enough that kids eat it and some super picky grown-ups I know who usually won’t think twice before skipping the vegetable at dinner will eat it and actually take seconds so check it out and make sure to eat your veggies, especially the broccoli!  

Versatile Seasoning for Steamed Veggies

This mixture can be used on a variety of lightly steamed veggies including kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli or many others.  You can also spice it up with curry or cayenne pepper, add onion or any other additional seasoning of topping you can think of!

 

4 table spoons of extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons of pink Himalayan salt

Juice of half a lemon

Pepper to taste

 

Add all ingredients and toss to coat veggies

Enjoy Spicy Food? Good News for You!

If you enjoy a little zip to your food, some pretty good heat or an all-out near-crying blast of fire on your tongue there is a good chance the spices used to give your meal that little something extra are doing good things for your health.  Let’s look at a few of my personal favorites…

 

Curcumin- is the main curcuminoid found in turmeric, an Indian spice commonly used on its own or in curry powder.  Turmeric is great as a powder sprinkled on a variety of foods including meats, veggies, stir frys and eggs.  The whole root can also be juiced to add some zip to fresh made juices.  It mixes especially well with green apple and cucumber.  It sounds gross but it’s actually pretty good!  Making a sauce?  Curry powder makes great sauces that can range from mild to HOT depending on the amount of cayenne pepper found in the mix (curry is a mixture of several spices).   Want to read more on curcumin?  See this article… 

 

http://www.naturalnews.com/038184_curcumin_cancer_stem_cells_research.html

 

Speaking of Cayenne Pepper- This brilliant red pepper or powder depending on how you are using it has a very special property of essentially driving nutrients from other foods into the body.  It also packs a lot of heat so use carefully!

 

Black Pepper- Say what!?  That’s right.  Common old black pepper is a nutrient power house.  Granted the stuff that’s been in the pepper shaker for over a year may not be that great any more but get some whole black pepper corns and grind them yourself!  Not only will it enhance the flavor of many foods but it has numerous compounds found to fight cancer and do other great thing for your body.  For more on black pepper read on at

 http://www.naturalnews.com/026419_black_pepper_food_piperine.html