I've found that it's important to include a wide variety of vegetables and seasonings in my diet to avoid food boredom.Here are a bunch to choose from: o
regano, salt, pepper, sage, dill, thyme, mint, red pepper, pepper corn, onion, parsley, coriander, rosemary, basil, cilantro, dandelion, citrus, chili, marjoram, paprika, mustard, garlic, onion, bay leaf, allspice berry, anise, clove, juniper berries, cumin, turmeric, ginger, mace, cinnamon, cayenne, celery seed, chimichurri (an Argentinan spice), chocolate, fennel seed, cardamom, (garam masala--an East Indian blend), sassafras root, and lavender, to name but a few. Have fun playing with the different taste sensations and combinations.
Cool Summer Vegetable Recipes:
Green Bean Salad
Ingredients:
1 lb fresh, organic green beans
½ medium-sized red onion
10 leaves fresh, organic oregano
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 TBS olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Wash and cut green beans into 1-2'' segments and steam for 3 mins, then cool.
Dice red onions.
Toss all ingredients together and chill for 1-2 hours.
Serve cold.
Mushroom "Meat" Balls
1 lb portobello mushrooms, chopped into small, bite-sized pieces.
Place in skillet with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.
Sauté until tender and juicy (about 3 mins).
Place over your favorite dish as a meat substitute.
Squash Alfredo
2 lbs yellow summer squash (crocked neck or scalloped, with seeds removed if they're large)
1TBS organic butter
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Chop squash into small pieces and steam until very tender, then strain. Place in food processor with butter and cheese, and blend until smooth and creamy. Add salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.
Spoon over cooked quinoa/rice pasta or steamed, seasonal veggies. Cover with mushroom meatballs.
Dr Godman's Favorite Breakfast!
Steam 4 handfuls of Power Greens (From Trader Joe's or my garden: a mix of spinach, collard greens, kale and Swiss chard.)
Place in steamer and cook for 3 mins. (This cooks down to about ½ cup of mixed greens.)
Strain
and toss with sea salt, pepper, seasoning of your choice, and 1 TBS olive oil.
Put in a bowl and top with 2 eggs, cooked to your liking.
Home-Made Glutathione
Glutathione is a substance that is made in every cell of our bodies, and researchers now suspect that its reduction as we age contributes in every way to the aging process. Our glutathione demand is highest first thing in the morning, so eating high-glutathione foods for breakfast is a good idea. The food highest in glutathione is asparagus.
If you want to increase glutathione naturally, you can steam asparagus (cut off woody bottoms first), place in a blender, season to taste, and drink all morning. May be added to your regular smoothie.
Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
Sauce:
1/4 c water
3 TBS soy sauce
1 TBS sesame seed oil
2 TBS honey
2 TBS lime juice
1/2 c peanut butter
1 TBS ginger
1 TBS garlic
Mix all ingredients together and set aside.
Combine cooked, shredded spaghetti squash along with:
1/2 c cucumber
1/2 c green onion
1/2 c carrots
1/2 c peppers
1/4 c white onion
1/4 c chopped peanuts
1/4 c cilantro
Mix, then toss with sauce.
Happy summer veggie snacking!
Dr. Susan Godman
