Summer Time = Salad Time

Don’t you love it?

The sun is coming out to play, nights are getting longer,
and it is warm again.

Summer time is coming and with that
comes the desire for lighter foods and freshness.

But there is a lot more to green food than lettuce and leafy greens.

Add some crunch and some color. Some good picks are to be found in the cruciferous family of vegetables.

These would be the cabbages, brussels sprouts, radishes, turnip, and the best known, broccoli and cauliflower. Most of the cruciferous have a biting, peppery or pungent taste.

You can also add some of the other greens. Think asparagus, peas, string beans. And I love to add some endive and radicchio too. Kale is great for its superior source of cancer preventing nutrients, and its richness in vitamin B2 and B6, Vitamin C. It is very high in fiber and can be eaten both raw or cooked. Below you will find my favorite Marinated Kale recipe.

And try the red cabbage.

Cabbage is not something we often think of as a salad, but it is great. It has twice as much vitamin C as the green cabbage, the green on the other hand has more folate. Overall the cabbage has more vitamin C than oranges, and without the sugar, it is a superior source of essential minerals, including potassium and calcium, and abundant supply of Vitamin B1 and B2. Not to mention Vitamin E.  Cabbage can be made into a sauerkraut or a pressed salad without adding much other than a little olive oil, lemon juice and a dash of brown rice vinegar. It is great for improving digestibility and promotes a healthy intestinal flora, while strengthening the intestines. Why is that important? Because your well-being and immune system is dependant on a healthy intestinal tract.

The green vegetables are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, and they have been found to contain potent protective components that protect against cancer and heart disease. The chlorophyll, vitamins and trace minerals found in green food are essential to our bodies as is the alkalizing effect for our health.

Not to mention, green food is loaded with fiber. Fiber is important. It makes you feel full longer, it slows down the conversion to glucose and therefore helps balance your bloodsugar. That also means; energy for longer and no crash. The fiber in green food also is essential for a healthy intestinal tract, which helps you fight off GI diseases and colon cancer. Fiber is also essential for lowering cholesterol.

Green foods have long been considered medicine. Your mother might have told  you to eat your greens but not quite knowing why. Hippocrates said, “Thy food shall be thy remedy”. Green food helps our liver be healthier, which is one of the most important organs in the management of our health.

Try marinated kale:

Wash and cut the kale into strips that fit your bite size.
Put in a large bowl, add 3/4 cup of (organic virgin) olive oil

1/2 cup of lemon juice or juice from an orange.
A teaspoon of Celtic sea salt

Add some spice if you like - I like a little curry sometimes
- and then massage it well with your hands.

Go ahead and enjoy,
and it will last for a day or two in the fridge as well.

You can also add some garlic and some avocado if you want more of a mixed salad. Pinenuts are nice too.