- Beets : Now we all know about this one. This is rich in folate and betaine which lower our blood levels of homocysteine. Bottom line is, this is really good for the heart and lowers the risk of both heart attack and cancer. Should be eaten fresh and raw. Try with some lemon and pepper.
- Cabbage : I never thought cabbage would be good for me. Try it Indian style, saute onions and couple of red chillies. Shred the cabbage and put it in the pan. Add Salt. Cover the lid. Once it softens, add grated ginger (1 tea Sp) and some black pepper powder. Easy and simple. I usually eat it with rice or roti (Indian bread). Cabbage consists of sulforaphane, a chemical that reduces risk of cancer.
- Guava : This is a fruit I love. I have a guava tree at home and it is high yielding. You can easily grow it in Florida. It is usually very expensive in the stores, not sure why. This fruit fights prostrate cancer. Has 63% more potassium than banana, and 9 grams of fiber in every cup. The fruit should be eaten whole since the rind alone has more vitamin C than an orange.
- Swiss chard : I really have never eaten this before, but I think I will try to saute it with garlic cloves in a wok, and season with salt and pepper. Girls pay attention to this- This protects our retinas from the damage of aging. Internal eye protection, I am all for it.
- Cinnamon : This one is easy. I eat this with everything. Just a sprinkle in coffee or oatmeal is enough to get the benefits. This helps control your blood sugar which influences your risk of heart disease.
- Purslane : Have no idea what this is. It is a popular vegetable from China, Mexico and Greece. No wonder Chinese people have such beautiful skin. This plant has the highest amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fats of any edible plant. This plant also contains melatonin that inhibits cancer growth. It can be found at Whole foods. Eat in a salad as an alternative to lettuce.
- Pomegranate Juice : This one is definitely not a surprise. I have started buying this at Costco for my husband. Just 2 ounces of this juice everyday is all you need to keep a healthy heart.
- Goji berries : I love all kinds of berries, but never heard of this one. Good for diabetic people. Reduces insulin resistance.
- Dried Plums : Not a surprise again. Contains antioxidants that reduce damage to the cells and risk of cancer. Wrap a thin slice of prosciutto around each dried plum and secure with a toothpick. Bake it in a 400 degree F oven for 10 - 15 minutes. Most of the fat will cook off and you will be left with a nice sweat treat which is healthy.
- Pumpkin seeds : This has a high level of magnesium. Research shows that people who have a high level of magnesium in their blood have 40 percent lower risk of early death.
I have seen people take so many pills to compensate for the nutrients. We really should be eating nutritious food and not these pills. Who knows 15 years from now what effect they might have on us. Be healthy.
