It’s asparagus season! And because we love eating with the abundance of the seasons, we’re going to share why we love asparagus so much. All foods from the earth offer their own little package of benefits, and asparagus is one of them.
NUTRIENT-DENSE FOODS ARE HEALING FOODS: Loaded with fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, asparagus also provides a nice dose of chromium (a trace mineral that helps transport glucose into cells). Packing more nutrient-dense foods into your diet allows you to skip high-calorie, low-nutrient foods that offer no benefits to your health.
ASPARAGUS AS MEDICINE: Asparagus is a rich source of glutathione, which supports detoxification and can help protect you from certain forms of cancer. It’s also loaded with antioxidants that help slow down the aging process. In addition, it is a natural diuretic and helps release excess fluids from the body’s tissues, benefitting those with edema, high blood pressure, and heart related disorders. Your diet directly affects your health. Learning about the nutritive qualities of the foods you eat is so empowering!
PREPARING ASPARAGUS: There are many ways to prepare asparagus, just don’t overcook it. Not only will it lose its fresh vibrant flavor, but too many vital nutrients will be lost as well. You don’t have to do a lot to create a really scrumptious side dish of asparagus; let the natural flavor be enhanced with a less is more approach. Lightly roast, grill, sauté, or steam. Add a little olive oil, sea salt, garlic and lemon to add some dimensions of flavor. Lightly steaming asparagus is the best way to preserve the nutrients while making it easier to digest.
REMEMBER THIS: When you eat with the season, you are eating foods that are in their most powerful healing form, not to mention they are always tastiest when in season. So the next time you’re at your local farmers market or grocery store, grab some asparagus and have fun nourishing yourself.
