Here in the Northeast of the United States we are starting to get some day time temperatures above freezing which is a sign that Spring is on the way. I sometimes feel that the transition from Winter to Spring is a hard one to make. If I don't lighten up my eating, I feel heavy and sluggish come Springtime instead of light and energetic.
I have found that at this time of year it is best to start reducing the amount of dairy, especially cheese that you eat and to lower your intake of red meat. I also find it helpful to start adding pungent and bitter tastes into your diet.
Pungent foods are the kind that can seem almost hot but it's more of a peppery, nose clearing kinda of taste, like you find when you eat: radishes, mustard, wasabi, horseradish and diakon root. These foods are rich in vitamin C and potassium. They are great for getting rid of mucus in your system caused from allergies or a cold. They also aid in digestion and help clear and lighten your body, which is what you want to start doing in preparation for Spring.*
Adding more dark green vegetables like swiss chard, spinach, collard greens, and mustard greens are a great way to introduce bitters into your diet. Bitter tasting foods help to cleanse your system too by reducing water retention and helping to clean your liver. They also tend to be very high in vitamin K which reduces inflammation and possibly helps prevent heart disease and diabetes.*
Here are some recipes to get you started…
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Grilled Raclette tartines with black radish, walnuts and chives |
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Lentil Stew with Winter Vegetables & Mustard Greens |
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Spicy Skillet Turnip Greens |
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Diakon Salad |
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Man Pleasing Chicken (Mustard Sauce) |
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Wasabi Shrimp |
Weekly Menu Plan:
Sunday: Garbure (Duck & Pork Stew)
Meatless Monday: Spinach, Canneloni Beans & Garlic over Pasta
Tuesday: Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons
Wednesday: Chickpea Patties, Tahini/Yogurt Sauce and Tomato/Red Onion Salad
Thursday: Irish Whisky Steak and Boxy
Friday: Crab Quiche with Potato Crust
Saturday: Leftovers
* source:
http://www.mapi.com/ayurveda_health_care/newsletters/newsfood-bitter.html
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbsuperfoods/a/greensnutrition.htm
http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/ingredient/Radish-raw-/243
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Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box
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In & Out of the Kitchen @ Feeding Big & More
Tuesday's Table @ Love in the Kitchen
Tasty Tuesday #Anyonita Nibbles
Share your Stuff Tuesday @ Table for Seven
Wednesday Food:
From Dream to Reality @ DYI Dreamer
Wednesday Whatsit @White Lights on Wednesday
Fresh Foods Wednesdays @ Gastronomical Sovereignty
Wonderful Food Wednesdays at @ All She Cooks
Look What I Made @ Creations by Kara
Thursday Food:
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Thriving on Thursdays @ Domesblissity
Friday Food:
Foodie Friday @ Home Maid Simple
Friday Favorite (DYI too) @ Simple Sweet Home
Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm
Weekend Potluck @ Sunflower Supper Club
Friday Linky Party @ The Pin Junkie
Freedom Fridays @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
Inspiration Spotlight @ Dear Creatives
that daikon salad looks delicious and perfect for spring! We actually went outside without coats today and enjoyed some sunshine. Of course we haven't had a winter quite like yours either. I'm ready to start planting
ReplyDeleteThat salad is from a Culinary Content blogger. He has really healthy recipes. We are back to cold weather here. Glad to here you are having some Spring.
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