Spring is here is so is the Asparagus

It’s peak season is April and May in most areas.

Asparagus is low in calories and carbohydrates, and rich in protein. One  cup is 40 calories and almost half of which is comes from protein. It is a great source of potassium, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin Cand A also dietary fiber.

There are 3 varieties
Green most common
White  – The color or lack of is caused by being grown underground or covered; this prevents the formation of chlorophyll that gives it the green color. It is more tender but lacks in flavor.
Purple -  It is sweeter and has less fiber. Many people like it raw.

Has been used to treat arthritis and as a diuretic.

The amino acid asparagine, is excreted in urine and gives off a strong odor ( sulfur ). It  can be detected as soon as 15 minutes after you eat this spring delicacy. There is no bad side effect to the smell. About one-quarter of the population appears to have the special gene that allows them to smell those compounds. So the issue isn’t whether or not your urine is smelly; it’s whether you’re able to smell it. If you smell a funny fragrance in your urine after you eat asparagus, you’re not only normal, you have a good nose.

Because of the high fiber content it helps promote healthy digestion. Great natural diuretic. It brings down swelling in arthritis, PMS water retention, and rheumatism. It’s high folic acid and B6 makes it a great choice for fighting heart disease. It helps repair blood vessel walls.
Pregnant woman should eat asparagus in the first trimester when the nervous system is being established and cells are dividing.Folic acid is the most deficient vitamin in the world, and it can cause spinal bifida if an inadequate amount is consumed during pregnancy.
Asparagus also promotes bone building and blood coagulation (thickening).
Helps promote muscle-building.
Asparagus is a powerhouse that keeps energy production flowing. It converts protein, fats, and carbohydrates into energy. It also has sleep promoting tryptophan. Make a healthy start into Spring by adding asparagus to your daily foods. It makes a great diet food as well.

Save the berries from mold

I love to eat berries when they are in season. Fresh berries on cereal, in yogurt,  shortcake or just by the handful. But nothing is worse than buying berries and the next day you find mold on them already.  Here’s a helpful tip that will extend the life of your berries without freezing them. Wash them with vinegar.

When you get your berries home, prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider probably work best) and ten parts water. Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain, rinse if you want (though the mixture is so diluted you can’t taste the vinegar,) and pop in the fridge. The vinegar kills any mold spores and other bacteria that might be on the surface of the fruit. Raspberries will last a week or more, and strawberries go almost two weeks without getting moldy and soft. So go forth and stock up on those pricey little nutritious  gems, knowing they’ll stay fresh as long as it takes you to eat them.

How Do Foods Burn Fat?

High protein consumes more energy

High protein foods require more energy from the body to process, thus the fat burning properties. The protein is good for muscle building, which in turn helps to increase metabolism.

Top Picks

• Chicken (lean cuts, no skin)
• Pork
• Salmon is packed with good fats which are helps weight loss.
• Beef (lean cuts)
• Tuna
• Turkey (lean cuts)
• Sardines
• Chickpeas
•  Yogurt  is high in protein

When your body temperature is increased, your metabolism too will speed up to, helping your body to burn calories. It then makes sense that food which will raise the body temperature more then other foods will have improved fat burning properties.

Top Picks

• Habaneros
• Cayenne Chiles
• Jalapenos

Top Picks

• Green tea contains the anti-oxidant EGCG which works to burn calories throughout the whole day.
• Chilies
• Oranges are rich in fiber, the high vitamin C content of oranges helps fat burn. Vitamin C promotes the production of Carnitine in the body which oxidizes fatty acids (breaks them down/burns fat).
• Lemons
• Mandarins
• Mangoes
• Garlic and Onions have minerals and oils inside garlic and onions help to break down fat and increase the metabolism.

Fiber is excellent for digestion and moves food faster through a digestive tract meaning fewer calories are absorbed.

Additional ways that high fiber foods help us with the weight loss is by helping us to feel satisfied and fuller for longer.

It is important to drink plenty of water when you increase your fiber content, or it can actually build up in your intestine leading to constipation.

Great foods that are high in fiber

• Oatmeal
• Whole grain bread
• Brown rice
• Oats
• Broccoli boasts a great deal of fiber and a host of other health benefits in your daily diet.
• Berries (raspberries, blue berries, blackberries, strawberries) are high in nutrients including antioxidant

Happy Earth Day