I've always cared about my health, and tried being healthy throughout my life, but for the past 2 years I've just been so slack, but most of all, I was so busy that I often didn't have time to make a proper meal & just ordered food or ate somewhere else.
This Monday I decided that I have to put an end to this, and start eating healthy again. I just miss being full of energy and feeling great, because that's how you feel when you eat the right things.
If you eat healthy, you'll feel healthy, and most of all, you will look healthy too! This is my main goal, to feel & look super, especially now that summer is almost here!
Some of you may not know that broccoli is super good for you, it is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat! Dark green veggies & leafy greens are essential for your body.
Here are 10 benefits of this green yumminess:
Nervous System
Broccoli contains a high amount of potassium, which helps maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as promotes regular muscle growth.
Blood Pressure
Along with a high amount of potassium, Broccoli also contains magnesium and calcium that help regulate blood pressure.
Vitamin C
One cup of broccoli contains the RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant necessary for fighting against free radicals. Moreover, vitamin C is an effective antihistamine for easing the discomfort of the common cold.
Bone Health
Broccoli contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.
Sun Damage
Broccoli is helpful in repairing skin damage thanks to the glucoraphanin it contains which helps the skin to detoxify and repair itself.
Immune System
One cup of broccoli bolsters the immune system with a large dose of beta-carotene. Trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium, further act to strengthen immune defense actions.
Cancer Prevention
Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which with the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Furthermore, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a powerful antioxidant compound and anti-carcinogen found to not only hinder the growth of breast, cervical and prostate cancer, but also boosts liver function.
Diet Aid
Broccoli is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.
Diet Aid
Broccoli is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.
Eye Health
Studies have shown that the carotenoid lutein helps prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as possesses anti-cancer effects. Additionally, broccoli is a good source of vitamin A that is needed to form retinal, the light-absorbing molecule that is essential for both low-light and color vision.
Heart Health
The carotenoid lutein may also slow down or prevent the thickening of arteries in the human body, thus fighting against heart disease and stoke. The B6 and folate in broccoli also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
Isn't that just amazing?! I want to eat broccoli all day!
So for starters, I wanted to share with you guys a great broccoli recipe which you can use either as a side dish, or just a snack when you're feeling hungry! It is so easy to make and it's just amazing and full of flavors!
Remember that vegetables don't have to be boring, if you use the right spices & flavors, you'll be blown away by the end results!
Here's a picture of my dish which I just made, and it took me about 5 minutes preparation, and 20-25 minutes cooking time!
What you'll need:
(You can double the amount of everything listed if you want a bigger portion)
2 bunches of broccoli (about 500gr)
half a cup of pine nuts (I used walnuts this time)
half of a lemon
4 cloves of garlic
any kind of cheese
kosher salt / coarse sea salt
black pepper
As an extra health boost I also added some ground flexseeds, which are great for you & have so many benefits, one of them being that they are full of Omega-3! You can just sprinkle a little bit over the broccoli when it's done.
...and that's all!
So what you need to do first is break the broccoli into individual small pieces. Then you need to wash them, but before placing them into the tray, make sure they are dried & not wet, because the results won't be as good otherwise! So once that's done, pour some olive oil over it, about 5tbps, a hint of coarse sea salt, about 1 tbps, and black pepper. Slice up the 4 cloves of garlic and throw that in the tray as well. Of course you can put more or less of everything depending on how you like it, this is just my taste & how I like to season it. I don't usually use measuring techniques or spoons, I just use my eye for the measurement part, haha!
Ok, so once all that's done just put it in the preheated oven at 200-220C, or 420F, and let it roast for 20-25 minutes.
Now for the best part... once it's nicely roasted, take it out of the oven, and zest a lemon over it, and also squeeze half of a lemon's juice all over the broccoli! Add a little bit more olive oil, about 1 1/2 tbps, sprinkle with the roast pine nuts, and add some kind of grated cheese. I used smoked cheese this time, but it's also lovely with parmeson, or any other cheese really. Use what you like best!
My mom and dad also tasted it and my dad couldn't believe how good they were! He never though broccoli could be so good! (and so healthy, which is what's most important) Trust me, with all these flavors, it's just amazing! So yummy indeed, that I'm going to be making them again tomorrow!
Enjoy!
