Some Green Stuff…and Photo Galleries…

August 30, 2011 at 6:50 am (Dr. Fuhrman, Green Smoothies, Greens, Product Review)
Tags: Green Smoothie, Greens, Matcha, Trader Joe's Artichokes

Matcha, goes into all my GJGS's. Too much goodness to babble on about it here. It's loaded with antioxidants and a high ORAC and that's just for starters.

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About the Dandelions

It’s not just a weed!

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Herbalist,Jessica Godino has to say about dandies:

“Worth eating for their nutritional value alone, the greens are extraordinarily high in Vitamins A and C, potassium, and calcium. They are also high in iron, phosphorous, and the b-complex, as well as other trace minerals. Tasty both fresh and cooked, try adding a chopped handful to your salad and put some in with your other steamed greens. “… And remember- the flowers are edible too!”

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All leafy greens are at the top of the food chain. It’s really odd to note how little greens are featured in recipes. When was the last time you saw greens on tv or heard them on a radio ad?

From About.com:

The following information is for 55 g ( 1 C ) raw dandelion greens

Macronutrients:

• Water: 47.08 g
• Calories: 25
• Protein: 1.49 g
• Carbohydrates: 5.06 g
• Fiber: 1.9 g
• Sugars: 2.12 g
• Total Fat: 0.39 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.094 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 0.008 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.168 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Micronutrients:

• Calcium: 103 mg
• Iron: 1.71 mg
• Magnesium: 20 mg
• Phosphorus: 36 mg
• Potassium: 218 mg
• Sodium: 42 mg
• Zinc: 0.23 mg
• Vitamin C: 19.3 mg
• Thiamin: 0.105 mg
• Riboflavin: 0.143 mg
• Niacin: 0.443 mg
• Pantothenic Acid: 0.046 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.138 mg
• Vitamin B12: 0 mcg
• Folate: 15 mcg
• Vitamin A: 2712 IU
• Vitamin E: 2.63 mg
• Vitamin K: 150.5 mg

Phytonutrients:

• beta Carotene: 1627 mcg
• beta Cryptoxanthin: 0 mcg
• Lycopene: 0 mcg
• Lutein and Zeaxanthin: 3656 mcg

Impressive!

Nutritional data‘s info indicates that just that one cup of fresh, raw dandies supplies 10% DV calcium.

Wow! Loaded with A and C…some K…also sounds like a beauty  prescription I can afford 🙂 And with that dash of sodium, all you need is some fruit and whywould anyone need to add electrolytes??

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I eat my dandelions raw and, mostly in my GJGS’s. I juice them — one of the few that go in stalk and all — and I throw them, whole, into the blender, too. I’ve not cooked them often, but they are terrific with beans. I also like that I get loads of juice out a small amount as compared to other leafy greens, and it’s all good.

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Although known as a “diuretic” it’s not like most  that drain the body of electrolytes and nutrients  like coffee, for example, (and you still wouldn’t want to overdo it); but they supply the nutrients which others deplete through the diuretic process. They are used medicinally for this sometimes, for a nutritious, safer way than diuretic pills for those who need it.

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Aren’t leafy greens just amazing?!

Also, dandelions are hardy looking and they grow like weeds 😉 but once picked, they seem to become delicate. Make sure are dry, store well, and use within a couple days of purchase.

Wash them leafies good ’cause dandelions tend to play in the dirt 😀

I love my calciyummy dandies. 🙂

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So…best way to enjoy all the goodies, is, of course, the blended greens.

With that, my  GJGS was…Lime-alicious ! 

I drop one (or two) ;^) whole in the blender

I love limes — and not just in my GJGS’s!

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Now those are the kinda roses I like receiving 😉

Stunning blackberries

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Oh, that unique, unmistakable flavor.

Raspberries, what else needs to be said?

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From MRH (BEST price on this superior quality of matcha you will ever find) Serious Green-ness!

A scoop of Matcha 

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I'm feeling all nutrified just lookin' at 'em 😀

And my latest affair — the Mighty Maqui.

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-Fresh dandelions

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Delicious Dino on the menu…

and…

Magical Mache!

Mmmm.. the wonderous Mache. Penultimate of the leafies in EFA’s superseded by the humble purslane, (aka portulaca — another so-called “weed”!) 😀

Ahh...Chia, my pet ;^)

White Chia Seeds

Yummy green goodness

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Product review: Frozen Artichoke Hearts

Artichokes, are amongst the elite, according to Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat Right America Foundation’s ANDI chart. (And did you know Whole Foods Markets have adopted the ANDI system? Check it out next time you’re there. 🙂 )

Who knew eating flowers was so good for you :^)

I’d rather have organic — and fresh florets, to be honest — but  rarely find them. When I do, they are about $7 a pop — utterly ridiculous, especially since So. Cali grows acres and acres of these thistly flowers. I’ve seen them; they’re beautiful!

So how  do they taste? Well they taste as good as they look. Really great flavor.Very nice, especially for frozen! Also, while there were a few with non-edible parts (leaves) still attached, overall, this was minimal, and probably unavoidable.

They are obviously pre-cooked and the texture is such that you can eat them straight from the bag, or cook them for a bit in a recipe and still have them be just fine.

Best thing about these is…

That’s it! Just artichokes. Isn’t that nice. Oh, and the price is great too.

So how about it? Add some awesome artichokes to the green of your rainbow!  I mean, just so many, may ways to eat these when all the cleaning and prep  has been done already.

Much to do with these — salads, soups, dips, dressings, straight! One can get creative, but they sure can stand alone.

I guess that’s a thumbs Up for TJ’s artichokes. Maybe they’ll get organic someday 😉

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Last week, I created a Photos section. Look over to your left and you’ll see it under “Pages.”  It’s a good way to get up my knitting, and sewing projects without having to make a post about each project — that would just never get done! So far only one slideshow is up, heh; But I’ll be uploading various galleries, such as a food pics gallery, sewing, whatever random pics. 🙂

Have a green stuff day (every day 😉 )!

Strix