The Wonders of Turmeric

Excellent Ingredient of the Week
This week Laurell taught us all about turmeric. Here are some interesting benefits you might consider:

• It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
  
• When combined with cauliflower it has been shown to prevent and inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.
  
• In mice, it has prevented the spread of breast cancer.
  
• It may prevent the spread of melanomas.
  
• It reduces the risk of childhood Leukemia.
  
• It is a natural liver detoxifier.
  
• It has long been used in Chinese medicine to prevent depression (I use cookies for that).
  
• Speeds up wound healing.
  
• Turmeric paste is used by some Indian woman to keep them free of superfluous hair
  
• You can pickle it!

The 11 Best Foods We Never Eat

This is from a New York Times article from this summer. It's worth thinking about!

• Beets Rich in folate (which is a B vitamin), a potential cancer fighter. Try some Jewish borscht, or make roast beets and add them to your salad.
  
• Cabbage Full of cancer fighting enzymes, Sautéed as a side dish at dinner, coleslaw is easy and great on sandwiches.
  
• Swiss Chard Full of carotenoids, good for the eyes, sautéed greens are super healthy, cheap to buy, and really easy to grow.
  
• Cinnamon May help control blood sugar and cholesterol. Put it on everything!
  
• Pomegranate juice Full of antioxidants may lower blood pressure. Eat the fruit, drink the juice, reduce the juice into a syrup and add it to your vinaigrette.
  
• Prunes Packed with antioxidants. Use them in Hamentachen or other cookie fillings, or nice to serve with lamb.
  
• Pumpkin seeds Packed with magnesium, which is associated with lowering risk of early death. As a snack or on salads
  
• Sardines High in Omega-3. Loaded with calcium, as well as B vitamins and lots of other minerals. It’s an acquired taste. I like the French ones packed with good olive oil and a simple lemon slice. On rye bread with a little butter, Heaven!
  
• Turmeric The superstar of spices-has anti-inflammatory and anti cancer properties. Put a pinch in your eggs or on your veggies, makes food golden in color.
  
• Blueberries Helps improve memory, if you remember to eat them! Great in baked goods, cereal, yogurt, smoothies, or as a snack.
  
• Pumpkin High in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A. Canned is available all year and so easy to eat. Warm and mix with some butter, cinnamon, and honey or bake a pie.