Beets-how to enjoy them

Can’t Beat It!  Looking for a way to enjoy these amazing beauties in season right now?

Here is an easy way to do it!

How to prepare the greens:

1. Cut off greens right after you pick them or purchase them.  The greens loose a lot of water through them, and are best used right away-or washed and kept in a storage container. DO NOT WASTE THESE! 
2. Methods of preparation for greens:

• chop and saute with a little water and add fresh herbs like basil or dill towards the end of cooking.  After the greens wilt, you can season with a little salt and pepper.  Greens also are great with a little acidity added at the end.  Great choices are: fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or a white balsamic vinegar
• Throw into a smoothie-raw
• Chop and mix in with other greens to make a salad, or eat on their own in place of lettuce

How to prepare the beets:

1. Roasting: chop off tops and roots and wash.  Place into foil, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar (or water if you don’t like vinegar).  Roast at 375 or 400 until a knife inserted goes in easy-you will smell them when they’re ready.  Let cool and rub skins off.  They will peal right off when complete.  You might want to wear gloves (I have looked like a murderer after peeling before!).
2. Shredding raw: grate beets and carrots for a great salad.  Add some sunflower seeds for a added crunch and protein.  Drizzle with a little vinegar and add a little freshly ground pepper.
3. Stovetop: peel beets and place into a pan.  Cover with balsamic vinegar and boil on stove until fork tender

Nutritional Information on Beets: High in calcium and iron-beets can be found locally almost year round (they’re super easy to grow also!). Calcium is needed for healing and building strong bones and teeth.  Iron aids in oxygen binding, and therefore helps with proper circulation which helps in healing. www.altmandental.com

Vegan stir fry

Vegan stir fry: use all those fresh in-season veggies! Use organic if possible-but go local and fresh!

1) Container of organic tofu-we used silken firm for this, but others work fine

2) 2 cups of zucchini

3) 1 cup fresh green beans

4) 1 cup fresh broccoli 

5) 1 onion<br/>

6) 2 c beets greens (or any greens you have on hand)

7) 2 cloves garlic 

8) 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated

9) sesame oil, soy sauce, and brown rice vinegar (or regular rice vinegar) to taste

10) siracha-to taste

-sauté onion in a little sesame oil

-add tofu and zucchini 

-splash in vinegar (around 1 tbsp) and soy sauce to taste (around 2 tbsps)

-add remaining veggies, ginger, &amp; garlic until just cooked (greens wilt and broccoli becomes vibrant green) 

-add siracha to taste (if wanted) 

-serve on top of brown rice or organic buckwheat noodles

*stir- fry is a fast &amp; easy dinner. This recipe can incorporate any in-season vegetable assortment. Enjoy!

*Nutritional information: Tofu is high in protein and a great vegetarian food for healing and repairing. Broccoli, greens, and green beans are high in calcium and Vitamin A- both essential for health bone and teeth formation and the healing of wounds. Ginger and garlic stimulate blood circulation which will aid in healing and overall wellness. They are also known to fight infection and ward off bacteria. http://www.altmandental.com

Recipe: Greens and Beans

Greens and Beans-looking for an easy dinner? This one was thrown together in a flash.  

Place the following into a bowl per person:

• Bowl full of fresh organic greens (kale was used in this bowl)
• 1/2 small organic (in season) tomato
• 1/2-3/4 c of organic chick peas/garbanzo (so easy to make your own or buy canned)

1. Heat above in microwave about 2 minutes, and stir (greens will wilt)
2. Add fresh herbs if you choose-we added some left over grilled zucchini and stir (cook until desired temp)
3. Add some salt and pepper
4. We added a little parmesan cheese-can go cheese-less if vegan
5. Voila! Meal in an instant and nothing came prepared-with no added fat (if parm is omitted), high in protein and vitamins

Nutritional info: chick peas are high in protein-essential for healing and re-building tissues.  Greens provide calcium and iron-also important in the proper formation of bones, teeth, and gums, as well as aiding in the healing process.  Tomatoes are high in lycopene-which is a carotenoid linked to improving cardiovascular health, combating diabetes, and cancer.