Cauliflower

I am growing cauliflower again this year & praying to all the gardening deities that of the 6 plants that I have put in at least 2 of them produce a bountiful harvest. Today I spent some time having a look into the nutritional make up of this delicious vegetable & I thought I would share some of it with you here.

Cauliflower, as with other Brassica’s, contains dithiolethiones which are recognised as having an anti-carcinogenic effect on some cancers. It is thought that this is due to its ability to increase glutathione levels & glutathione-associated enzyme activity which play a significant role in detoxification pathways & immune function. There is also a significant amount of vitamin C in cauliflower, adding to the replenishment of glutathione as well as supporting the immune system.

Cauliflower makes a contribution to your intake of vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid (B5), manganese, potassium & fibre.

Another important phytochemical found in cauliflower & other Brassica’s is indole-3-carbinol, a strong antioxidant that protects against carcinogens. It is also suggested that indole-3-carbinol plays a significant role in lipid synthesis & platelet aggregation, suggesting a positive effect for people suffering from cardiovascular issues.

One of my favourite things to have with grilled tempeh is vegetable mash of potato, celariac & cauliflower. There are so many great ways to cook this wonderfully tasty vegetable, from salads to roasting.

Happy Eating!

*Alison*


References…

http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/indole-3-carbinol.php

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2391/2

http://www.crcnetbase.com/doi/abs/10.1201/9781439832059.ch24

Meandering through the market...

Every week I make my way into the Queen Victoria Market or Ceres Market to gather food for my family. There is something lovely about walking slowly & feasting my eyes on the fresh fruit & vegetables.

As a nutritionist I am inspired by the market & love meandering through, wishing I could share the experience with everyone- the impact on my senses... getting excited as the seasons change... absorbing the live energy of wholesome food.... What a treat!!

It is a gift of nature that we have all that we need to keep us healthy & tend to our common ailments. Food has long been ignored as our source of LIFE but times are changing, awareness is growing & good food is being honoured once more.

I am grateful to the food growers, especially the organic & bio dynamic farmers. I am grateful to the pickers & collectors who bring the harvest in. I am grateful to the keepers who hold the food ready for us to meander by & gather what we need to keep us nourished.

Happy Eating!
*Alison*

Shiitake Mushroom and Egg Scramble

Ingredients: I have listed a few elements about each ingredient to give you an idea of how powerfully healing they are, but these are not the only beneficial properties of the foods here.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – lubricates the intestinal tract, lowers LDL cholesterol, & contains essential fatty acids, vitamin E & vitamin A
• Ground Black Pepper – warming to the body, opens pores for sweating, stimulates immune reaction, & contains chromium, zinc & selenium
• Grated Fresh Turmeric – antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, promotes detoxification, antioxidant, lowers cholesterol & improves protein digestion
• Grated Fresh Ginger – supports digestion, promotes energy circulation & increases metabolic rate
• Diced Brown Onion – lowers blood pressure & cholesterol, inhibits allergic reactions, promotes sweating & contains selenium, zinc, & vitamins A, E & C
• Diced Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms – antiviral, antibacterial, improves cellular oxygenation, & reduces the amount of fats & cholesterol in the blood
• Finely Diced Garlic – promotes circulation, antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, supports a healthy gut flora, stimulates detoxification, & is high in phytonutrients
• Bio-dynamic Free-range Egg – protein containing all the essential amino acids, vitamins A, D & E, selenium, & lecithin

Process:
The ingredients are listed above in the order that they should be added to a frying pan on a medium heat. The total cooking time should only take about 6-10 minutes with the egg being added last. Stir regularly to create the scramble effect. I like to add a squeeze of lemon juice to this dish when it is served.

Happy Eating!
*Alison*

Welcome!

Greetings!

Welcome to my new blog page. Please accept my lack of experience as endearing & eventually I will be offering up spectacular bits for your perusal.

My intent behind creating this blog is to share with all that would join me the wonderfully helpful tips I find in my journey as a Naturopath.

It may take a few weeks to settle into a groove but eventually there will be a rhythm here that will honour your health & wellbeing via the influences of food, herbs, essential oils, meditation, nature & your experiences.

So, I offer you my thanks for your attendance as I step gently into my new life as a Naturopath.

Peace & Love
*Alison*