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Archive for March 25th, 2009

The Radish

Every day for lunch, a salad is made.  The ingredients are typically spinach, red bell pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a radish

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I never ate radishes until I went on a Macrobiotic Diet kick.  Although a total reformation of food intake was only accomplished for seven days, I did adopt one of the most favorable staples of this diet which is a daily dose of radish. The only difference, my radishes are not pickled, but they are a healthy addition anyway.  Here is some information collected from a few internet sources. 

Red Globes also offer a very good source of the trace mineral molybdenum and are a good source of potassium and folic acid. Daikons also provide a very good source of potassium and copper. Radishes, like other member of the cruciferous family (cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts), contain cancer-protective properties. Throughout history radishes have been effective when used as a medicinal food for liver disorders. They contain a variety of sulfur-based chemicals that increase the flow of bile. Therefore, they help to maintain a healthy gallbladder and liver, and improve digestion. Fresh radish roots contain a larger amount of vitamin C than cooked radish roots. Radish greens, contain far more vitamin C, calcium, and protein than the roots.  Read more at: EveryNutrient

The nutritional facts for a serving of 7 radishes (85g) copied from TheFresh1:

  •  Calories: 15
  • Total Fat: 0
  • Cholesterol: 0
  • Sodium: 25mg
  • Total Carbs: 3g
  • Sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Vitamin C:  30%  Calcium: 2%

If you have never eaten a radish, it is somewhat tangy in flavor. When I was younger, I didn’t like them. It seemed they had a “hot” taste. 

The radish is a member of the mustard family and can be red, pink, white, and black.  I am only familiar with two varieties: Red Globes- small, bright and red and the daikon – a long white radish.

At HealthandWealth, the writer claims benefits from the juice. Teas, purees, broths, and even deodorants are made using the radish.  Relief from kidney stones, digestion of starchy foods, fat deposit removal, burns, hypothyroidism, and cancer prevention are claimed.

How to prepare a radish:  Wash it and slice it. Toss it on your salad.

radishslices

After trimming, soak it for two hours to enhance the flavor and add crispness.   For anyone wanting to add a cute little garnish to food, make a radish rose.

It’s a very busy evening tonight so I will leave you with this radish poem

Do you carrot all for me?
My heart beets for you,
With your turnip nose
And your radish face,
You are a peach.
If we cantaloupe,
Lettuce marry;
Weed make a swell pear.

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The May 2009 issue of Yoga Journal arrived in the mail a few days ago.  Last night, the opportunity was available to read through one of my favorite magazines.  Although there is a yoga room set up downstairs in our home, I can not boast being a faithful Yoga practitioner.  Two years ago, there were serious considerations to begin teaching yoga but then Shane was welcomed into the family and time did not allow the study and out of town practice that would be involved.  Today my yoga practice is, unfortunately,  intermitant.  The point of all this is to share with you a very quick and rewarding sequence that is a good leg and upper back strengthener as well as a good stretch for tired body parts.  The idea for this sequence arose from the “master class” pages 100 – 102 of the Yoga Journal.  Breathing is important. Strong in hales with smooth, long exhales. Hold each position for 10 breaths.

dscn0452The Sequence: Left top, bottom, Right top to bottom.

  • Hero Pose
  • Boat 
  • Proud Warrior 
  • Proud Warrior – Another form of Proud Warrior. Not quite Triangle Pose.
  • Child’s Pose

Remember that Yoga is a very individual practice.  As long as you practice correct form and remember your Yogic breath, you can come up with your own Yoga flows.

 

Wednesday workout:   20 minutes running on the T/M.  35 minutes working chest and biceps. 3.25 mile run with Shane.

A rewarding breakfast of 1/4 cup Bob’s Red Mill 10 Grain, 1/2 a banana, raisins and cinnamon added in. A Cherry Jubilee Spiru-Tein Shake.  That shake wasn’t bad.  It was the whey Spiru-Tein blend and tasted more like what I’m used to.  It must be something about the whey that makes it separate because the other Spiru-Tein flavors which were rice, pea, and Spirulina did not separate.   Hmmmm…. might trigger some serious research endeavors.

dscn0453

Cherries Jubilee
Cherries Jubilee
As for all of us yogurt lovers, here is another plus from the Institute of Food Technologists…

Yogurt may treat ulcers

At the 237th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society researchers reported that yogurt containing the antibody IgY-urease may help to treat stomach ulcers and gastritis……to read more, click on link above.

 

Today is officially hump day. Make the best of it and for a daily dose of motivation…”Every day looks bright if it’s met with optimism”. 

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