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Could Asparagus Help Your Hangover?

FitSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:11 -0700

I've heard all sorts of crazy hangover cures, from Bloody Marys to pickled herring. The only surefire solution I've found is lots of water and, well, not drinking too much. However, a new study suggests that asparagus could also aid your post-indulgence misery.

Apparently, the nutrients that make asparagus so good for you in other ways could also prevent hangovers. Researchers in South Korea studied the effects of asparagus on human and rat liver cells and found that the cells could be protected by the amino acids and minerals found in the green veggie.

Who knows if an asparagus-heavy dinner could really make a difference, but considering that asparagus is also high in vitamins K, C, A, folate, and potassium, it's definitely better than fending off your hangover with a greasy late-night meal. Do you think you'll give it a try?

5 Things About Asparagus

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Spring has sprung, and with it come delicious vegetables that cost less in-season. Asparagus is one of these farm-stand deals that's versatile and nutritious - I like to roast or steam it as a dinner side, cut it up for salads, and use it for crudités platter. Learn more about the green spears sold in bundles by checking out these five things.

Edible asparagus comes in three colors: green, white (milder flavor), and purple (fruitier flavor). Take advantage of the variety for a gorgeous medley.
The vegetable is an excellent source for several nutrients, including but not limited to vitamins K, C, A, folate, and potassium.
Because it contains high levels of folate (the naturally occurring folic acid), asparagus promotes a healthy cardiovascular system. Just one serving provides nearly 66 percent of the daily recommended intake of folate.

To see two more things about asparagus, read more.

As a natural diuretic, asparagus has been consumed for inflammation-related issues such as menstrual bloating and arthritis.
Eating asparagus causes funny smelling urine for some people, which is a harmless effect of the body digesting the vegetable's sulfur compound.

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Spring Produce: In Season and So Good For You

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0700

After months of butternut squash and other seasonal Winter produce, I was happy to see many of my Spring favorites appearing at the grocery store and farmers markets. Eating seasonally is not only cheaper, but the produce is tastier, fresher, and more nutritious when in season. Be on the lookout for these fruits and veggies on the shelves of your market.

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Why Does Asparagus Affect Your Urine?

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

This Valentine's Day, maybe some of you are saving money by cooking a romantic dinner at home. If you're trying to get the love flowing between you and your partner, maybe you're considering steaming some asparagus since it's considered an aphrodisiac. While its phallic shape is said to “stir up lust in man and woman,” it can also stir up some interesting issues with your body. Forty to 50 percent of asparagus eaters experience an odd side effect after eating this green veggie - smelly urine. Don't stop eating asparagus though if this happens to you, because the effect is completely harmless. Plus you'd be missing out on a really nutritious veggie that's packed with vitamins A, C, K, and folate.

If you're curious to know why this happens, read more.

This odiferous phenomenon happens during digestion. There's a sulfur compound in this veggie known as mercaptan, which is also found in rotten eggs, onions, garlic, and the secretions of skunks. After eating asparagus, your body breaks down the veggie, and the compound gets released, causing the odor you smell when you use the bathroom. As I've said before, it's nothing to worry about, so this Valentine's Day, don't let this little issue prevent you from sharing a few spears with your lover.

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What's the Deal With That Asparagus Aroma?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I love asparagus, and it's incredibly good for you - full of vitamin K, plus A and C and folate. But if you've ever eaten a lot of it, you might have noticed a rather odd side effect. There's really no delicate way to say this, so I'll just come right out with it: Eating asparagus can make your pee smell funny.

It doesn't happen to everyone, but if it happens to you, don't worry: The effect is totally harmless. The odor is merely a byproduct of digesting the veggie. According to WebMD, a compound called mercaptan, present in the green stalks, causes the ammonia- or sulfur-like smell to be released.

It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of people experience this effect from asparagus; it's all a matter of genetics. If you've never noticed it, you may be immune, or you may simply be unable to smell it. The odor could appear the next day or in a matter of minutes. But aside from the obvious unpleasantness, the aroma of asparagus is nothing to be concerned about. Now aren't you glad we had this little chat?

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Learn to Love: Asparagus

FitSugar — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 07:30:00 -0700

One certain sign of springtime is affordable and fresh asparagus at my grocery store. Yep, this unique spear like veggie is now in season and ready for you to enjoy. If you don't already love it, like I do, you should learn to love it.

Although there are three types of asparagus: green, white and purple, the green variety is the most common. Not only is the veggie loaded with antioxidant vitamins A and C, its vitamin K is off the charts. In fact, one cup contains 114 percent of your daily value requirement of K. Plus, asparagus is a natural diuretic and might help reduce water retention during PMS. While we are on women's health, you might be interested to know that asparagus is high in folate (the naturally occurring folic acid) content, and asparagus is considered a birth defect fighter.

For two more interesting things about asparagus, read more.

It will make your urine smell funny, but that doesn't mean it is bad for you. It is just a by product of your body breaking down some of the natural chemicals found in the plant.
It is considered an aphrodisiac, based solely on its shape. Hmmmm . . . I will let you work it out from there.

So eat up and enjoy - asparagus is in season until early June.

Fit's Tip: Don't cut the bottoms off the spears, just bend each piece of asparagus, and it will snap just where it needs to. Toss the bottom parts. Or better yet - compost them!

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The Beauty of Asparagus

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 08:45:00 -0700

I can always tell when asparagus season is starting...usually in mid February, prices for the veggie start to slowly creep downwards. Now, the season is in full swing - I just had some incredible tandoori asparagus at my favorite Indian restaurant. YUM!!!

There are three types of asparagus: green, white and purple. Green being the most common. Not only is the veggie loaded with antioxidant vitamins A and C, it is off the chart with Vitamin K. One cup contains 114% of you daily value requirement. It is a natural diuretic and might help reduce water retention during PMS. Due to its high folate content, asparagus is considered a birth defect fighter.

Two things about asparagus:
One - It will make your urine smell funny, but that doesn't mean it is bad for you. It is just a by product of your body breaking down some of the natural chemicals found in the plant.
Two - It is considered an aphrodisiac, based soley on its shape. Hmmmm....I will let you work it out from there.

So eat up and enjoy - asparagus is in season until early June.

Fit's Tip: Don't cut the bottoms off the spears, just bend each piece of asparagus, and it will snap just where it needs to. Toss the bottom parts. Or better yet - compost them!!!

Healthy Recipe: Romesco Sauce

FitSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:00:00 -0700

If you're looking for a healthy, tasty, vegetable laden sauce to accompany with fish, veggies, or poultry, search no further. Try this easy Spanish inspired romesco sauce featuring roasted red peppers pureed with nuts, olive oil, and spices.

This sauce contains a handful of nutritional super foods, eating for your heart has never been so tasty. Pouring romesco over roasted or grilled asparagus is my favorite way to enjoy this sauce. As a snack, I dip toasted bread in the sauce. To see the recipe read more.

Romesco Sauce
Inspired by About: Spanish Food

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond slivers
1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts
5 cloves of garlic
6 inch piece of stale bread baguette
2 large ripe tomatoes
4 large red bell peppers
1/4 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/8 to 1/4 cup red wine or sherry vinegar to taste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon or a pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Roast peppers and garlic on rimmed baking sheet six inches from flame of broiler on high. Rotate peppers as they char, about 3 to 5 minutes. When garlic is browned remove from pan to cool, this will likely be when peppers are only half roasted. Peel garlic once it is cool to the touch.
When peppers are charred evenly on all four sides, place in paper bag, or an insulated lunch box lined with paper towels, for 10 to 20 minutes so peppers steam cook in their own heat. Drain on a plate for 10 minutes before using.
Place almonds and hazelnuts into food processor and process until finely ground.
Spray medium skillet with olive oil cooking spray, or use teaspoon of olive oil, and sauté quartered tomatoes for five minutes.
Add tomatoes and torn bread to nuts and process.
Add peppers, garlic, and spices to food processor and mix well.
While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle olive oil and then vinegar; add more of either as needed. Salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe makes about 3 to 4 cups of sauce. I wish I could tell you if it freezes well, but I end up using all of it in two to three days.

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Learn to Love: Fiddleheads

FitSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

It's that time of year for fiddleheads, the veggie that's named because they resemble the coiled head of a violin. They're actually the tops of baby ostrich ferns, and many people go foraging for them in the woods during this time of year. Since there are many types of toxic ferns, you want to be sure you're only choosing ostrich ferns. If you don't go picking for yourself, fresh fiddleheads can be found at farmers markets and grocery stores. Just to warn you, this pricey produce can run you $12 to $20 a pound or more.

Fiddleheads must be cooked well since they contain natural substances that can cause gastric distress if eaten raw or not cooked properly. Once prepared, this green veggie tastes like Spring to me. They have a unique earthy, woodsy flavor that's a cross between asparagus, artichoke, mushroom, cooked broccoli, and cooked spinach. Look for bright green fiddleheads with tightly coiled tops. You want only one to two inches of stem attached to the coil. Anything longer should be cut off.

If you're wondering how nutritious these circular plants are and how to prepare them then read more.

Fiddleheads must be cleaned before you eat them. Use your fingers to remove any of the brownish fuzzy or papery covering that may be remaining. Then rinse them in several changes of cold water to clean off any dirt or grit. Use them as soon as possible after harvest or purchase to ensure the best taste and texture.

When you're ready to cook them, place the fiddleheads in a pot of water and boil for about 10 minutes. Drain the water. Then transfer the fiddleheads to a pan and sauté in olive oil and freshly chopped garlic for another five minutes, or until the fiddleheads are soft. Don't overcook them, as they'll get mushy. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. You may also add fresh lemon juice or vinegar. Enjoy them on their own or add them to stir-fries, pasta, or other dishes. As you can see form the chart, they're low in calories, but a great source of potassium and vitamins A and C.

1/2 cup raw	Fiddleheads
Calories	40
Total Fat (g)	0
Sodium	0
Carbs (g)	8
Fiber (g)	1
Sugar (g)	0
Protein (g)	4
Vitamin A (IU)	4,052
Vitamin C (mg)	29.6
Calcium (mg)	36
Iron (mg)	1.6
Potassium (mg)	416

Healthy Eating Tip: Freeze Leftovers Before Eating

FitSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

You've just finished cooking a wonderful meal - grilled sesame chicken, roasted asparagus with sliced almonds, and mashed sweet potatoes and carrots. Before you sit down to eat, dish out an appropriate portion of each food for each person then immediately put the rest of the leftovers into BPA-free plastic storage containers, or ones made out of glass. Leaving leftovers on the counter or on your kitchen table while you eat is way too tempting. Popping them directly into the freezer can deter you from polishing off a second dinner soon after finishing your first.