Check out three of my favorite veggies that are sure to enhance your recipe repertoire. Not only are they nutritious but they are oh so delicious!
There are so many green foods I am a HUGE van of: beans, spinach, avocado, kale, broccoli.... all, each in their own right, a super food, full of nutrition and overall health benefits. BUT, for the purpose of this post, if I want to focus on three that win for their nutritional benefits, as well as their versatility, what would they be?
*CELERY *CUCUMBER *ZUCCHINI
Celery, Cucumber and Zucchini all have anti-inflammatory properties as well as many other benefits for fighting Candida symptoms. The icing on the cake is that these three super veggies are also extremely versatile and can be used in a wide variety of recipes!
Although my choices may seem quite unconventional according to the latest google search of, "Super -foods", I want to share what I have learned about these three lean green fighting machines, the 10 amazing health benefits they have in common, and how easy it has been to integrate into any diet.
Celery
Having recently joined twitter, I started following some of my favorite people, including David Wolfe. One of the first articles I came across on his site was one written by Sarah Beaton, Celery: 10 Health Benefits. At the time, I had started drinking celery juice to reduce inflammation, and upon further reading, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of all the additional benefits I was reaping!
* Some of the benefits specific to celery, as listed in the article above, include its anti-microbial properties that can help fight infections. It is also excellent for flushing out the urinary tract and preventing the formation of kidney stones.
Even if you aren't one to drink celery juice, this veggie is easy to prepare and can be integrated in so many recipes. Wash it, cut it, eat it raw with your favorite dips and spreads. Use celery as an addition to your favorite chicken or vegetable soup, or feature it as the main ingredient in a warm comforting cream soup. Celery can also be chopped up and added to salads and stir frys.
Cucumber
Cucumbers have always been one of my favorite snacks -Easily prepared and a great staple to keep in the fridge. According to Dr. Jockers in his article, Cucumbers: Top 10 Anti-Aging Health Benefits, he explains why,"Cucumbers are one of the world’s favorite superfoods!"
* Some of the benefits specific to the cucumber, as listed in the article above, include its ability to hydrate the body and stabalize electrolytes. It is especially good for healthy skin and nails, and acts as a powerful antioxidant for your entire body.
Cucumbers are extremely versitle. Not only can they be used in smoothies, juices, and salads, but you can also eat them raw, like celery, with your favorite dips and spreads. Cucumbers taste great when you pickle them and they pair well with fruits and nuts. Use cucumber in salad dressings, homemade salsas, or feature it in your favorite cold soup recipes!
Zucchini
I love zucchini because it is one of the few squash varieties we can eat when following the Candida diet. To examine this veggie, I went to one of my favorite websites: Dr. Axe: Food is Medicine. In an article on this website written by Jillian Levy, CHHC, Zucchini Nutrition - Low in Calories & Loaded with Anti-Inflammatory Properties, she describes in great detail the origins and properties of the zucchini that make it such a great veggie for our overall health.
* Some of the benefits specific to the zucchini, as listed in the article above, include its excellent source of vitamin C and A, as well as its properties that help regulate the thyroid, support adrenal gland function and protect the health of your eyes!
If you are new to zucchini do not fret! There are so many ways to prepare it that this will soon become a staple in your weekly meal prep. Similar to celery and cucumber, zucchini can be cut and eaten raw with dips and spreads, and it makes a nice addition to any salad. You can eat zucchini grilled, baked, mashed, or spiralize it into noodles to eat with a variety of sauces. You can use zucchini as a wrapper for snack rolls, or bake strips into a vegetarian lasagna! Finally, unlike celery and cucumber, zucchini has the added advantage of being able to be baked into chips or included in muffin recipes for a sweet treat!
Common Benefits
When comparing the three lean, mean, fighting machines, there are 10 health benefits that celery, cucumbers and zucchini have in common. Based on the articles referenced above, I have created a chart to summarize the advantages.
Imagine the benefits of using these foods in your weekly meals! Originally, I thought these veggies were simply full of water with little nutritional value! Boy was I wrong! I encourage you to research any new ingredients you try on your journey and you will be surprised at what you are adding to your body with just food! Food can heal the body friends! So, if your health has handed you lemons like mine, -live, laugh and EAT CLEAN! We can do this.