Broccoli is KING!

Broccoli flowers before they turn into little florets. Now I bet you didn't know that one did you? I didn't. :-)
Photo by: commons.wikimedia.org  

Yum, yum, yum! I love Broccoli! Some people think it has a funny smell when cooked...but if you just eat it raw...what's your excuse now, eh eh? Nada.

Broccoli is one of those fun vegetables that require some simple chopping and lots of chomping! They look like tiny trees and kids can really LOVE them if you start them out eating it early.

Broccoli has gotten a bad rap in the community for it's national use as the one vegetable that "kids hate the most." Truth is, they only hate what you tell them to hate. Am I right? Here's a funny tip on how to get your kids (and family members perhaps) to eat more broccoli...

Change the name. Change the name?? Yes, change the name. Call it something different, something cool. Wouldn't you rather eat something with a funky name like "'Brainy Bunch o' Broccoli!" What about "X-ray Vision Carrots," or  "Silly Dilly Green Beans?" See, sounds way cooler right? Studies suggest that changing the name of certain vegetables can make kids more inclined to eat them. Try it and see! Just food for thought. :-)

Ahh SO FUNNY! Just couldn't resist it. LOL Photo by: www.fugly.com

Anywho...for those of us that have a desire to lower our cholesterol, detox our bodies, increase our digestion capabilities, see better, have softer skin, increase our brain power, lessen the impact of our allergies, neutralize and eliminate unwanted contaminants in the body, fight our Vitamin D deficiency epidemic, defeat chronic inflammation, reduce oxidative stress, and strengthen our liver...EATING BROCCOLI IS THE WAY TO GO!

Yummo! Easy like 1,2,3! Broccoli, evoo, garlic, salt and peppa! Photo by:

Fun ideas for eating BROCCOLI:
1) Broccoli Pesto
2) Steamed Broccoli

Broccoli Pesto. All you need is a food processor, broccoli, garlic cloves, basil, evoo, salt/peppa and pine nuts. Toss in. Blend. DONE. Photo by: www.nytimes.com

3) Broccoli Salad
4) Broccoli Stirfry
5) Broccoli Slaw

Raw Vegan Broccoli Slaw. You know you want some. Recipe above. Photo by: vegweb.com

6) Sauteed broccoli with garlic and lemon
7) Broccoli Soup (*NOTE: Follow the recipe, but I recommend not pureeing it)
8) Broccoli Pizza
9) Raw broccoli with hummus/olives/carrots OR with Peanut Butter

Tasty RAW Broccolis with Miso Peanut Butter. Don't knock it til' you try it. Recipe above.
Photo by: jeanetteshealthyliving.com

Broccoli contains massive amounts of Vitamin C (approx. 135% of your suggested daily intake), Vitamin K (approx. 115% of your suggested daily intake), Folate, Vitamin A, Manganese, Fiber, Tryptophan, Potassium, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Protein, Magnesium, Calcium, Choline, Iron, Vitamin E, Selenium...and to top it all off...ONLY 30 CALORIES PER ONE CUP RAW BROCCOLI! Seriously people.

Raw Broccoli wth honey-dijon dressing. Yup.
Photo by: www.zweitesfruehstueck.blogspot.com

Here's the thing we need to know. Humans come from the earth. We are physically, technologically, intellectually, spiritually and literally beings of the soil and water. Nearly every component found in the dirt under our feet, is found in the bones, blood and organs in our bodies. To over-simplify a bit, the body serves two basic main functions: 1) to absorb nutrients for the repair and rebuilding of our cells, 2) to eliminate waste from the cells.

What we eat (and don't eat) determines the level of efficiency at which these functions can be performed. So when we talk about nutrients and minerals and vitamins it is imperative to understand the WHY? behind the WHAT. The fact is we need a DAILY REPLENISHING of these nutrients in order to stay alive. Eat live foods, they will keep you alive too.

Live. Love. Well.
~h