Beet Roots ~ Good for the Heart

 3 Reasons to eat beets!

1. Red beets have been proven to be a source rich in essential vitamins like vitamin C. Vitamin C is widely known as a potent combatant against the common cold. Vitamin C also guards against nasty diseases like scurvy, which will occur if you are vitamin C deficient. Scurvy manifests itself physically through spongy gums, spots on your skin, and even bleeding from your mucous membranes.

2. Red beets are a rich source of betaine which is vital to good cardiovascular health. Betaine's purpose is to lessen your body’s concentration of homocysteine, a substance which is hurtful to your blood vessels in the sense that it can contribute to peripheral vascular disease, stroke and heart disease.

3. Red beets can be made into beetroot juice which has been actually shown to reduce high blood pressure, a godsend for people with hypertension and those looking to avoid cardiovascular dilemmas.

* http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/3-reasons-you-should-be-eating-red-beets.html

 

This past Labor Day weekend, I made a heaping helping of washed, peeled, cooked, cooled and then shredded as in grated red beets which I drenched in delicious virgin olive oil, and sprinkled with parsley, a super healthy side dish to any meal. 

~ That's being brainy.  

Wine Makes the Heart Glad ~ Proverbs 104:14

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man's heart glad, oil to make his face shine, and bread which sustains man's heart ~ Psalm 104:14

 

The quaint town of Valtice is located in the Czech Republic. Valtice is also a historic town situated at the border area with Austria; it is a place where history meets wine making traditions.

The family of Lichtensteins made Valtice into their residence and there developed a 'viticulture'.  Viticulture (from the Latin word for vine) or winegrowing (wine growing) is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. ... Viticulturists are often intimately involved with winemakers, because vineyard management and the resulting grape characteristics provide the basis from which winemaking can begin.

Today vine growing, wine making and the presentation of wine are going through a Renaissance period. Vine growing areas and individual villages compete in attracting the connoisseurs and lovers of wine.

Valtice is no exception and so some time ago the town accepted the title “The Capital of Wine”. Valtice accounts for the second largest area of vineyards in the Czech Republic.

On a beautiful autumn day, you can try all the reds and whites and rose wines your heart desires. Wine, when properly produced... naturally, in good earth by caring and qualified hands, can be considered an important consumption in proper amounts complimenting any 'brainy gourmet' meal. There have been numerous studies confirming that wine has many health benefits. So, have a glass and be glad for it!

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Emilia Romagna ~ Cubo maiale manzo con zucchine Julienne!

Price per serving for two: $1.95

 

Little do people know that Italian cooking is based on a simple way of life. It is user friendly because it does not require long hours or expensive ingredients. Most Italian cooking uses inexpensive meats. Cube steak is often used and though it does not 'sound' richly Italian on its own, it is!

We most often experience cubed meat as a 'veal' parmesan ~ Parmigiano. There is no other better region than the Emilia Romagna which is home to the towns of Parma, famous for the its wonderful Parma Ham, Modena with its exquisite Balsamic Vinegar and Reggio Emilia for its beautiful Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. In fact, many of the Italian delicacies we all know and love seem to come from this very productive region. Emilia Romagna seems to burst with fresh produces, meats and dishes to die for.

If you are watching your weight or have a problem with cheese 'casein' ... don't panic. Because, you don't have forego cube steak Emilia Romagna. After all, this region's balsamic vinegar is number one. Here is a dish that will forever have you a lover of Emilia Romagna.

You will need to buy as many pork cube steaks as you need. Remember, this recipe is for two but is easily expanded just by increasing all the basic ingredients. Grab a fresh young zucchini and green pepper or two from the garden and you are ready to cook. Wash and julienne your zucchini and green pepper. Then take your covered skillet and melt in 4 tbs of olive oil.

Sprinkle in red pepper flakes, sea salt (dietary recommendation), garlic powder, and dried herbs: rosemary, mint and oregano. Once the oil and seasoning is hot, toss in your veggies. Saute on med. heat til browned and tender. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet (no reason to clean or rinse), add coconut oil and a tbs of olive oil. Lay in your cube steaks and sizzle away, browning on both sides. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 6-8 min.

Take a serving platter and place your zucchini julienne on one side and your cube steaks on the other side. Pour over the top the luscious sauce from the skillet and drizzle with that lovely balsamic vinegar of the Reggio Emilia and even leave the bottle on the table.

 Tutti a Tavola!

Chicken in Peanut Sauce with Brown Rice and Groats

Price per serving for two: $3.25

Thai culture has been influenced primarily by animism - a belief that non human entities possess a spiritual essence. Chicken in a peanut sauce is a Thai dish which can be quite spicy.

For this not so spicy brainy gourmet version, you will need to buy boneless skinless chicken breast meat. If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with tofu curds or even a firm white fish and including any shellfish. Today, I am using chicken. First, saute one whole onion and one green pepper in coconut oil and olive oil sprinkled with red pepper flakes, garlic powder, sea salt and dried herbs: rosemary, mint and oregano.

When brown, add your chunk cut chicken breast meat. Brown the meat on high, stirring occasionally. Turn down the heat to med. and add 1/3 cup of apricot nectar. Cover and simmer on med. heat until it starts to  bubble up nicely. Then stir in 1 tbs of organic peanut butter, continue to stir until it is melted into the hot sauce/chicken. As a finale, toss in as many peeled raw 'not roasted' and unsalted peanuts as you like.

As a side dish, prepare a mix of brown rice and buckwheat groats. Ladle the rice and groats onto a large low lipped serving dish and top with your chicken in peanut sauce. Put fresh lime on the table and if you like some chopped cilantro or other green parsley.

Voila~

Brainy Health and Well Being ~ What's on Your Counter and In your Pantry?

Fresh is best and if you planted a garden this year, you know what I mean.



















Fresh fruits and vegetables are the best source of nutrients and vitamins for our bodies. Look around, we have everything our bodies need that is not 'man' made as in a substitute for what has already been abundantly supplied. Vitamins needed for all bodily functions can be found in fresh fruits and vegetables. As all as many important nutrients and including minerals.

Nitric Oxide is found to occur naturally through the consumption of certain fresh vegetables and other foods. Research into its function led to the 1998 Nobel Prize for discovering the role of nitric oxide as a cardiovascular signalling molecule. Nitric oxide (NO) contributes to vessel homeostasis by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle contraction and growth, platelet aggregation, and leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium.

Beets are rich in natural chemicals called nitrates. Through a chain reaction, your body changes nitrates into nitric oxide, which helps with blood flow and blood pressure. Other foods that are good for cardiovascular health are: walnuts, dark chocolate, watermelon, pomegranate, brown rice, spinach and more.




Check out these sites.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/truth-about-beetroot-juice
http://www.anabolicmen.com/foods-that-increase-nitric-oxide/

As for brainy and frugal pantry choices: check out the side bar with the brainy gourmet pantry list. And, past posts about what every brainy chef needs to have on on.  You can also go to the brainy gourmet website and check archives.

*  Consult your doctor for detailed attributes and benefits of vitamin consumption in your daily regime; and consult your doctor first before considering or consuming nitric oxide food sources and or taking otc nitric oxide supplements.

Breakfast Means Pancakes

Best ever pancakes are buttermilk pancakes topped with homemade applesauce as any brainy gourmet would know...

give em a stack...

Weekend Chicken Cacciatore

Just imagine a weekend getaway to Naples...


You will need to buy boneless chicken breasts, green olives, diced or fresh chopped tomatoes, and pitted prunes. As a side, try buckwheat groats, they are simply delicious as in full of good flavor.

Begin by quickly searing the chicken in a skillet lightly drizzled with olive oil.  Once 'seared' as in browned, move the breasts to a large glass dish also drizzled with olive oil and sprinkle on dried herb: rosemary, mint and oregano. Then, add 1 large can of diced or fresh chopped tomatoes, one jar of green olives, pitted prunes as much as you like, cover with foil and pop in the oven (375F) for just about 40 min.

As for the side of groats, you can either boil in the bag or prepare as you would stove top rice. When done, drain and pour out the groats onto a large serving bowl. Take out the cacciatore ~ and serve!

~ Tutti a Tavola!