Time to cook!

So I just made a comforting Spring dinner on a rainy, overcast evening in the Pacific Northwest. It is a version of Buddha Bowls that I talked/typed about in previous posts. Boil up some brown rice...you know the amount you need for your dinner chop up a large garlic clove or two & set aside saute some asparagus & mushrooms destem a handful of Kale cut up an avocado get out your Tamari or Shoyu and some sesame seeds In a sauce pan I lightly sauteed one bunch of asparagus in water & a spoonful of coconut oil. I like my asparagus crunchy not soggy. This also allows me benefit from the mass amounts of nutrients that asparagus contains. Toss in the mushrooms and saute on low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Cut up your avocado and toss it in a bowl with your torn or chopped kale leaves and chopped garlic. When the rice is ready mix that into the bowl with the avocado, garlic & kale now top with asparagus spears and mushrooms. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and Tamari or Shoyu. Enjoy. I like to make enough for leftovers. Asparagus is a great source of folic acid, betacarotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. The last 3 are phytonutrients that are important antioxidants. Kale has high concentrations of sulfur compounds that aid the liver in producing enzymes that neutralize possibly toxic substances. Like asparagus it contains phytonutrient antioxidants like zeaxanthin & lutein. It has high amounts of Vitamin A & K. Garlic contains a sulfur compound called allicin which promotes antioxidant functions and acts as a serious antibacterial and antiviral agent that when taken with Vitamin C helps to kill off harmful microbes. The stronger the smell the stronger the the health promoting qualities. In this case stinky is great! This is such a great time to be in the kitchen because certain veggies are coming into season and our windows and doors can be opened to air out the winter staleness. So start shopping the early farmer's markets or your local produce isle and take some produce home, open a window and start creating healthy meals.