vegetables

Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Mustard Greens

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Mustard greens are the edible leaves of the mustard plant called Brassica juncea. The vegetable is known for its peppery and slightly bitter flavor and is favored for sautés and soups. In India where it originated, mustard greens are a primary ingredient of a traditional curry dish which was back then served with unraised bread made from non-GMO corn. In China, meanwhile, a thicker-stemmed variety of mustard greens is made into naturally fermented pickles preserved utilizing brine.

Mustard greens have been grown for quite some time in the United States and this convenient availability of the vegetable is fortunate as it’s packed with goodness to help you in your health and wellness quest.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of mustard greens and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Kale

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Kale is one of the leafy vegetables widely grown in the US. A descendant of the wild cabbage, kale too belongs to the Brassica oleracea species like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower though kale does not form a compact head. Its leaves are a dark, almost blue-green color and have crinkly edges. Another variety of kale, commonly called salad savoy, is becoming popular among wellness enthusiasts, too. This kale variety has purple leaves and used to only be cultivated for ornamental purposes.

You’ll want to include both green and purple kale to your regular diet. Known for its delightfully peppery and slightly bitter flavor, kale offers manifold benefits to your overall health and wellness.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of kale and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Collards

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Collards are green leafy vegetables belonging to the Brassica oleracea species just like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Unlike said vegetables though, collards do not have compact heads and instead have slender upright stalks that have broad blue-green leaves forming a loose cluster.

You’ll want to incorporate collards into your diet as this cruciferous vegetable has a lot to offer nutrition-wise.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of collards and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Bok Choy

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Bok choy, which literally means “white vegetable” in Cantonese, is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the cabbage family. It is called as such because of its tender white stalk which is also edible. Centuries of cultivation has brought about varieties of bok choy. There’s the ching chiang or green bok choy, called as such because of the light green color of its stalk. There’s also the tatsoi and the joi choi with its white stalks. There’s another variety called choy sum and is quite distinct for its light green slender stalks and yellow edible flowers.

Bok choy is sometimes called white cabbage in the United States, similar to how napa cabbage, another variety, is called. Though they bear the same name, it’s crucial to note that bok choy and napa cabbage don’t look the same. Napa cabbage has broader and lighter green leaves than bok choy.  Also, the leaves of napa cabbage form a cylindrical compact head, while bok choy leaves form a loose cluster.

Bok choy is now cultivated in the United States, particularly in California. This is a fortunate thing as its easy availability will allow you to include this vegetable that imparts manifold health benefits.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of benefits of bok choy and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Naturally Fermented Pickles

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Naturally fermented pickles are vegetable preserves that have been cured either by marinating the chosen produce in vinegar or through the process of fermentation by lactic acid. Naturally fermented pickles have a long history. The process of pickling is believed to have started in India 4,000 years ago  as a way to preserve food for out-of-season use as well as for extended sea voyages.

Typically viewed as a mere side dish, naturally fermented pickles may actually offer tons of healthful goodness if you opt to include it in your diet.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of naturally fermented pickles and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Naturally Fermented Sauerkraut

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Naturally fermented sauerkraut is a traditional preserved food made from shredded green cabbage. It is quite unlike other pickled products as the typical heat and refrigeration treatments are not utilized anywhere along the process of preserving and storing the vegetable. Instead, the main ingredient cabbage is cured by adding salt and lactobacilli and allowing the helpful bacteria to populate so as to bring about natural fermentation.

Though considered by many as just a humble relish or side dish, naturally fermented sauerkraut in fact packs a punch nutritionally.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of naturally fermented sauerkraut and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Cabbage

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Cabbage belongs to the Brassica oleracea species just like broccoli and cauliflower. Thought to have been brought around 600 B.C. by Celtic drifters, cabbage eventually got propagated throughout Europe and was considered an important crop by the ancient Romans and Greeks. The plant was highly regarded and was even used as a medicine to treat a host of health conditions as well. While primarily used now as food, cabbage contains compounds that have been found to protect against certain illnesses.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of cabbage and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Cauliflower

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Cauliflower, just like broccoli, is a versatile vegetable which can be used in soups, dips, salads, and pasta.  Belonging to the species Brassica oleracea, cauliflower is actually a type of wild cabbage when in its uncultivated form. Thought to have originated from Asia Minor, cauliflower is a particularly remarkable vegetable as it is among the very few crops that have a high tolerance for both lime and salt. Though commonly perceived as an unhealthy vegetable perhaps due to its pale color, cauliflower actually packs a punch nutrition-wise.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of cauliflower and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Broccoli

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable which was traced as having its roots from Italy. Brought to the New World by Italian immigrants, broccoli has since been cultivated and in fact belongs to the various crops like asparagus that are now grown locally in the United States. This easy availability of broccoli is a fortunate thing as a growing body of research points to a host of healthful goodness that this peculiar looking vegetable can provide.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of broccoli and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Benefits of Asparagus

Posted on by Ben Greenfield

Asparagus has a long history, dating as far back as the first century, with records confirming its culinary use in ancient Rome and Greece. In ancient Egypt, the vegetable was grown for medicinal purposes and is believed to have been offered to gods during religious rituals. Asparagus, much like olives, is grown locally in the Unites States making this cruciferous vegetable available throughout the year. This easy availability of asparagus is a fortunate thing as this vegetable offers a host of healthful goodness.

Read further and learn more about the benefits of asparagus and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends this vegetable.

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