Adding some nutritious ingredients to foods not only improves their flavor but also makes them healthier. Enjoying your food while feeding your body what it needs is key to maintaining healthy habits for the long term.
Many people claim that food is medicine, and science has proven that certain foods can naturally help prevent and treat disease. However, diet alone cannot and shouldn’t always be a substitute for medicine. Diet and lifestyle changes can prevent or treat many illnesses, but not all.
Here are four more healing foods with powerful medicinal properties:
Cinnamon
This popular spice comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree. It is used in everything from pumpkin spice lattes to chili dishes. Cinnamon can be added to sweeten the taste to food without adding sugar and is especially great for people who have high blood sugar. There may also be benefits to heart health, such as reducing high blood cholesterol. Sprinkle cinnamon on yoghurt, fruit, or hot cereal, or use it in stews or as a meat rub.
Cayenne
These chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which makes them spicy, but can also relieve pain by reducing the number of pain signals sent to your brain. It especially works on pain caused by arthritis and diabetes-related nerve damage. And although spicy food is associated with upset stomachs, capsaicin actually helps to reduce ulcers by restricting the growth of ulcer-causing bacteria.
Red Cabbage
The deep purple color of red and purple cabbages are from the high concentration of anthocyanin polyphenols, which are plant compounds that promote heart health, cognitive function, and brain health. Add red cabbage to your salads for some added antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support.
Butternut
Butternut contains vitamin A, which is necessary for functioning eyesight, producing red blood cells, and a strong immune system. Butternut can also keep flu and the common cold away (cheers to vitamin A!). No wonder it is the perfect winter veggie and often used for sweet soup and other delectable eats.
[RECIPE] COWGIRL SALAD
Serves: 2
Salad Ingredients (choose organic where possible):
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1/4 bunch of cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen corn niblets, thawed
- 1 15-ounce BPA-free can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese OR vegan cheese
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup Smokey Red Apple Vinaigrette
Smokey Red Apple Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 red onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tablespoon raw honey or maple syrup (or use a natural sugar substitute to taste)
- Water, to thin if desired
For an omnivore option, add 1 can BPA free chicken, rinsed and drained, or leftover meat from a previous meal.
Directions:
- To make the apple vinaigrette, add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth, adding water to thin if desired.
- Add all salad ingredients to a medium mixing bowl. Mix gently.
- Add vinaigrette in salad or keep it on the side, and serve.
To Your Health,
Patti
