sown & uprooted

Eat your greens! Just like I, you too have probably heard this sentence often in your childhood. And maybe you too say it now to your beloved ones. But for many, me included, green vegetables are often not a favourite when it comes to selecting a healthy side dish. I for example prefer red and orange and yellow coloured dishes and not the oddly green coloured goodies nature has to offer. 

One way to consume „my greens“ are smoothies. Though I have so far not much luck in convincing the kids that green smoothies are enjoyable, no matter the fancy names, letting them slice and dice, pressing the buttons on the smoothie maker or slow juicer…

Though I have a secret recipe up my sleeve, every one loves, no matter what and that is my Basil Pea Pesto. It has a funky green colour and combined with Parmesan cheese it has this nice nutty flavour and a creamy soft texture. To die for!

But what makes green vegetables super heros? In short: they contain fibers, minerals, and many vitamins, they  benefit our digestive, immune and nervous system, our ability to cleanse, they support our skin and hair, are high in antioxidants and may even prevent premature aging, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. And they are green,  coloured by the clorophyll they contain.  

Clorophyll, you may as well call it edible sunshine – is key to keeping everything in our body healthy, it acts detoxifying and blood forming. It  promotes a healthy gut environment and is packed with vitamins and minerals and therefore helps to compensate for deficiencies in vital substances.  

My current favourites of greens are basil and peas, which when combined, result in a beautiful, tasty and creamy pesto composition. Once the basil plant has gone to flower, its pungency increases and its herbaceousness becomes slightly bitter and hoplike. It is best enjoyed directly out of the jar or with your favourite pasta. Whereby:

Basil – a medicinal plant – is said to aide: 

• Stress
• Inflammation
• Digestive problems
• Mood swings
• Menopausal symptoms
• Joint pain
• Skin diseases
• And it can relieve rheumatoid arthritis 

Basil contains essential oils like Linalool, Citral and Eugenol. It is those essential oils, that contribute to the Basil‘s healing effects.

It also contains:

• Vitamin K, which plays an essential part in the blood clotting process and is known for its ability to inhibit bone loss. It prevents limescale deposits in soft tissues such as blood vessels and cartilage and helps with the regulation of cell processes. It also contributes to the repair processes in the eyes, kidneys, liver, blood vessels and nerve cells. Because of its repair functionality, vitamin K is said to have a cancer-inhibiting effect.
• Vitamin A, an antioxidant protecting from damage caused by free radicals, it supports the development of cells and tissues and is probably best known for ist role in the visual process 
• Vitamin C, is a key ingredient to a functioning immune system and has well documented positive impacts on cell health. As an antioxidant it minimizes the effects of free radicals on our cells.  
• Iron, necessary for brain development and vital part of the oxygen flow in our body. A lack of iron may cause fatigue, brittle nails, hair loss or sensitivity to name a few.
• Calcium, is essential for healthy bones and teeth, but also plays a role in regulating the nerve system. While not conclusive, it has shown to be beneficial to protect against cancer in the colon. 
• Manganese, amongst other things it plays a role in blood sugar regulation and is a building block your body needs to produce hormones.
• Potassium, which controls muscle contraction and nerve signals. It also plays a role in synthesizing proteins and metabolizing carbohydrates.  It als supports  healthy bones by preventing calcium being released into the bloodstream and supports bone density. 

Peas contain a high amount of protein which is not only good for muscle growth but also makes our skin glow and looking plumb and young. The protein in peas supports the regulation of blood sugar by slowing down the process of sugar being released in the bloodstream and therefore levelling the necessary amounts of insulin required to transfer sugar to our cells. 

Peas also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, two major ones being:

• Potassium, and
• Phosphorus, a building block for energy production on cell level, and a key ingredient to dense bones and teeth. But this chemical compound is an often found additive in ready made meals, fast foods and cold cuts (think stabilizers and preservatives), in a form that is fully absorbable for the body. A high level of phosphorus can have adverse effects on cardiovascular health and a loss of bone density, resulting in osteoporosis.

And without further ado, before I drift off further into the depths of healthy benefits and contraindications, below you will find a tasty pesto recipe for you to enjoy and take advantage off. 

-with love-

Corina

sown & uprooted

https://for-a-better-living.com

Please note: As with all things in life, some things will have ripple effects and the amounts make the difference. So please don’t overdose for example by using too many supplements additionally to a well balanced diet. Especially if you are on medication, suffer a medical condition, are prone to allergic reactions and during pregnancy it’s recommended to seek medical advisory before starting any self medication.