June 19, 2010
Mediterranean Salad Dressing
Olive oil
Summer is the season of fresh, crisp, intensely colorful vegetables. Slice and mix a selection of your best farmer’s market picks for a wonderful salad.
This is the salad dressing that my family always used (except for one difference: we used red-wine vinegar instead of lemon juice.) Try it either way. It will enhance the seasonal flavors at their peak.
It is not necessary to mix the ingredients of the dressing separately before using.
Prep Time: 1 minute
Ingredients:
- 3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
- 1 TBS fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Toss your favorite salad with the ingredients and serve.
Source: George Mateljan
April 9, 2010
Spices for Your Mind
Healthy and Delicious Spices
I read an interesting article in the May/June edition of the AARP magazine. It noted new scientific research that shows how certain spices help keep your brain healthy and young. Why not try to use them more frequently? If nothing else, your recipes will taste delicious!
- Turmeric – this is the spice that gives curry its intense yellow color. People in India eat large amounts of it and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease there is one fourth the US rate. A study at the University of California, Los Angeles, showed that turmeric broke up brain plaques and protein build-up in mice. Add it to stews, soups or sautéed vegetables.
- Saffron – A study done at the University of Tehran in 2007 discovered that eating this delicate spice twice a day works as well as most anti-depressants in treating mild to moderate depression. Add half a teaspoon to water when cooking rice, add to stews and soups.
- Ginger – a recent study discovered that ginger helps with migraine prevention. Make tea by grating three teaspoons of ginger into one cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes, strain and drink.
- Garlic – long known to help keep your heart healthy, a 2007 study in the journal Cancer noted that garlic might also help with brain cancer. Add garlic to salads, soups, stews, sautées, and anything you like.
- Cinnamon – a recent study found that cinnamon regulates blood sugar levels, which helps you stay focused and speeds up the rate at which your brain processes visual cues. Add cinnamon to oatmeal, cookies, or any baking dish.
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