Veggie Wedgie Wednesday

Well it's one of my favorites- ASPARAGUS.

Asparagus is part of the lily family. The spears we buy in the store are actually the shoots from an underground crown. It takes up to 3 years for crowns to develop enough to begin producing shoots, but once they do, they can produce for up to 20 years. Read more at whfoods.com

I don't know but some of these recipes seem lame BUT the whole point is to appreciate the vegetables taste. I'm not looking to overwhelm the veggie with other flavors so this is my excuse for lameness.

This recipe is really good, but grilling asparagus on the grill can be hard so you may want to do like the above picture and skewer your stalks. Just remember to soak your skewers for 30mins before grilling.

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Olive Oil

by Emeril Lagasse (foodnetwork)

Ingredients
1 pound large asparagus, woody ends trimmed*
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Directions
Preheat the grill to medium.
In a shallow baking dish, toss the asparagus with the oil to coat well. Add the salt, and pepper and toss.

Place the asparagus on the grill in a single layer, and cook, turning, until marked and tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with the lemon juice and drizzle with olive oil, to taste. Cover with aluminum foil and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Also if you want something different olive oil and soy sauce with some sesame seeds is good too. Lucas like the soy sauce better.

You know what else is Super EXCITING? I learned something new when reading up on Asparagus. It has a strong diuretic effect and herbalists have used it to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Asparagus is also a good choice if you suffer from PMS-related bloating, and is a top source of glutathione.

What is Glutathione?

taken from site: http://www.prozactruth.com/gluta.htm

Glutathione is a small molecule made up of three amino acids, which exists in almost every cell of the body. However, glutathione, must be generated within the cell from its precursors before it can work effectively in the body.
The presence of glutathione is required to maintain the normal function of the immune system. It is known to play a critical role in the multiplication of lymphocytes (the cells that mediate specific immunity) which occurs in the development of an effective immune response.

There are several ways a body can manufacture glutathione. It is true it takes 3 amino acids for the body to manufacture glutathione but our bodies can take food, turn the foods into the substance to manufacture the 3 needed amino acids needed to manufacture glutathione. This is also the natural method for a body to create glutathione.
As an example, asparagus and watermelon will make glutathione.

Sorry to go on about Glutathione, but I find it interesting and want to remember the importance of it.

Asparagus also contains 2 other antioxidants: Folic acid and Vitamin E

Asparagus is just a real good VEGGIE- it is also good for heart health and a birth defect fighter.

Use asparagus within a day or two after purchasing for best flavor. Store in the refrigerator with the ends wrapped in a damp paper towel, and be sure to place the asparagus in the back of the refrigerator away from any light, since folate is destroyed by exposure to air, heat or light.

A little weight and exercise update:

I'm down a pound! yeah

I've been doing more activities like going to the Y, but sometimes I just can't get away. Being a mom can be tough and just plain draining!

So I came across a few sneaky ways to get some fitness in your day-

FitFlops

Banglz- they are weights! I like the leg ones because you can actually wear them under your pants and no one will know.

Also on the Banglz website is this smart slip- Interesting...you have to work to walk. Not sure about this.