This week's Superfood: Cauliflower! (Thanks to Meredith Hill for her assistance with this week's post!)Cauliflower is certainly one of those superfoods that should be included in everyone's diet--it's versatile, packed with nutrients, and low in calories!
Besides just being a good source of vitamin C, folate and fiber, it's packed with cancer-fighting phytochemicals. Cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale contain the largest concentrations of health-promoting sulfur compounds, which increases the liver's ability to produce enzymes that neutralize potentially toxic substances.
Want to maximize the enzymatic health benefits of cauliflower? Cut it into small pieces (quarters) and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes after cutting, before eating or cooking. Also, sprinkling a little lemon juice onto the cut cauliflower pieces will further enhance its beneficial phytonutrient concentration.
With under 30 calories and 3.3 grams of dietary fiber per one cup serving, cauliflower is an ideal food for healthy weight control. There are numerous ways to prepare and enjoy cauliflower, but the healthiest and tastiest ways are to eat it raw or to lightly sautee it for about 5 minutes.
This week, try something new with cauliflower like...
This week's Recipe: Cauliflower Poppers!
(recipe adapted from: http://www.delightedmomma.com/2012/01/baked-cauliflower-poppers.html)
1 head of cauliflower
2 T. olive oil or grapeseed oil
sea salt to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the cauliflower. Cut off and discard the stem. Cut pieces into quarters and let them sit for 5-10 minutes. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower pieces with oil and salt, making sure to lightly coat each piece. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for one hour, turning every 20 minutes, until each piece has a nice brown color (the browner, the better). Remove from oven and enjoy immediately!
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Have a wonderful week!
Be Educated. Be Balanced. Be Fit. Be Healthy.
Namaste,
Jannell
Jannell MacAulay, BS Biology, MS Kinesiology
Certified Yoga, Powerbodyz, Piyo and Fitness Instructor
AFAA Certified Personal Trainer
HBHL ~ Learn. Change. Grow.
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