Day 15
Cleanse Day 6
Today we explore eating cooked vegetables in our healthy diet along with some EASY recipes.
Today’s Topic: Cooked Vegetables
"When we heat, soften, and moisturize the vegetables and beans we dramatically increase the potential digestibility and absorption of many beneficial and nutritious compounds. We also increase the plant proteins in the diet, especially important for those eating a plant-based diet with limited or no animal products."
~ DR. FUHRMAN
COOKED veggies are next on our list of foods to include in our healthy diet. Did you know that some nutrients are more available when food is raw and others are more available when food is cooked?
While the most important thing is to eat a variety of vegetables prepared in a variety of ways, sometimes cooked vegetables are better than raw. Some nutrients found in vegetables (such as water-soluble vitamins and enzymes) may be depleted during cooking, but levels of some other nutrients may be increased. Cooking vegetables can make the cell walls less rigid, which makes it easier to absorb certain nutrients and digest food better.
Your local produce section, produce stand, or farmer’s market has an abundance of delicious and nutritious vegetables to steam, sauté, bake, broil or grill. I find that I like them prepared pretty simply so that their natural flavor comes through. People often say what a great cook I am. But I really just make simple food with EXCELLENT ingredients and it makes a HUGE difference!
FRESH ORGANIC VEGGIES ARE SO DELICIOUS!!!
Recipes
(Click on the photos below to view recipes.)
Check-in: How are you doing?
By this point in the program, I’m usually feeling really good – body, mind, & spirit! Remembering to do my daily yoga, exercise, dry skin brushing, shower, water, and supplements - and starting to get to the point AGAIN where I ask myself why I EVER go off of this program cause I just feel so good doing it!
Here's a sample of a daily food "plan":
Breakfast: Healthy Smoothie
Lunch: Veggie Scramble, Potatoes, & Fruit cup
Snack: Pear-fect Green Juice
Dinner: Roast chicken (protein), wild & brown rice mix with fresh parsley (starch), Favorite Salad combo with lemon & olive oil dressing, and fresh strawberries
Please note that I change up the ingredients in my smoothies for variety and greater nutrition. Also, while I eat animal protein almost every day, I strive for at least 1-2 meals each day that are vegetarian. Better for me, better for the planet, and variety is KEY!
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I AM LETTING MY BODY HEAL ITSELF!
Tomorrow we’ll look at the role that gluten-free whole grains can play in our healthy diet.
Feel free to email me or post a comment below to ask questions or share your thoughts and experiences ~ I’d love to hear from you!
Blessings, JoAnn