Friday, April 15, 2011

Summation of Food Medicine in last week's post...

I just haven't spent enough time with Healing with Whole Foods in my lap lately, so I want to share the food medicine/nutritionally therapeutic properties of the ingredients in the recipes featured last post that my San Pedro vegan program enjoyed on Tuesday...as always, I heart Paul Pitchford. Go buy this book if you don't already own a copy.

Tomatoes = tonifies the stomach and cleans the liver, purifies the blood and detoxifies in general, relieves liver heat and blood stagnation, and even though an acidic fruit, as long as used in small moderation, after digestion tomato alkalizes the blood and can therefore be useful in reducing the acidic blood of rheumatism and gout [PP, pg. 544-5]

Green/String Beans = strengthens the spleen-pancreas and kidneys [PP, pg. 511]

Carrots = strengthens the spleen-pancreas, improves liver function, eliminates putrefactive bacteria in the intestines that cause poor assimilation, alkaline-forming, rich in anti-oxidant beta-carotene/provitamin A (anti-inflammatory), contain large amounts of silicon (strengthens connective tissues and aids calcium metabolism) [PP, pgs. 538-9]

Onions = lowers cholesterol, decreases catarrh (phlegm and inflammation of the nose and throat) [PP, pg. 547]

Celery = benefits the stomach and spleen-pancreas and calms an aggravated liver, dries damp excesses, purifies the blood, high silicon content helps renew joints, bones, arteries, and all connective tissues and acidic blood that accompanies tissue and nerve inflammations [PP, pgs. 539-40]

Garlic = antibiotic/antiviral/antimicrobial (even inhibits microorganisms associated with degenerative diseases - like Lyme disease, literally), eliminates toxins from the body [PP, pg. 546]

Kale = Eases lung congestion, benefits the stomach, good source of sulfur, chlorophyll, calcium, iron, protein, and vitamin A [PP, pg. 541]

Ginger = helps break down protein, lessens the effect of uric acid from protein on the body, helps aches/spasms [PP, pg. 210]

Sweet Potatoes = strengthens the spleen-pancreas, promotes qi, remove toxins from the body, builds kidney function, rich in vitamin A [PP, pg. 550]

Russet Potatoes = tonifies the spleen-pancreas and the qi energy, neutralizes body acids/contributes to increased alkalinity, reduces inflammation, useful in building and maintaining tissues (including nerves) [PP, pg. 544]

Portobello Mushrooms = rids the respiratory system of excess mucus, has antibiotic properties, increases white blood cell count bolstering immunity against disease-producing microorganisms [PP, pg. 542]

Nutritional Yeast = a nutritional cornucopia and amazing source of vitamin B12 and phosphorus (as with tomatoes, not to be over-used - too much can induce unhealthy amounts of candida-type yeasts in the body, especially in individuals who are susceptible to candida overgrowth, or dampness in general) [PP, pg. 139-140]

Bragg's = contains 16 amino acids, a nice way to season things salt-free with low sodium

Bell Pepper = improve appetite, reduce swelling, promote circulation, rich in vitamin C [PP, pg. 419]

Red Kidney Beans = cooling thermal nature, used in treating edema and swelling [PP, pg. 509]

Parsley = a source of remarkable nutrition (more vitamin C than citrus, one of the higher sources of vitamin A, chlorophyll, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and iron), cuts the effect ofsolanine when served with nightshade vegetables, dries watery mucoid conditions, benefits optic and brain nerves [PP, pg. 548]

Basil = promotes a mental calming and focusing effect in food or teas [PP, pg. 337]

Oregano = oil of oregano is the most potent way to derive its benefits, but those benefits include antibiotic/antifungal/antimicrobial properties, aids muscular pain due to fibromyalgiaand arthritis, and attacks microbes including the spirochete of Lyme disease [PP, pg. 661]

Thyme = same as sage (above) in regard to relationship with anti-parasitic -functioning foods [PP, pg. 660]

Sage = when paired with foods such as carrot, garlic, onion, etc. that have anti-parasitic properties, it strengthens their effect [PP, pg. 660]

Balsamic Vinegar = removes stagnant blood, reduce accumulations in the liver resulting from a rich diet, neutralizes poisons in the body, relieves dampness accumulation/edema [PP, pg. 205]

It's really a full-tilt boogie around here - between wedding planning, the San Pedro group, and out-of-town visitors...but tomorrow's SP menu is going to be de-lish, and of course you'll hear all about it soon enough.

Thanks for stopping by. Also - if you're looking for an amazing vegan Sunday brunch in L.A., look no further.

JRW

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