12 Most Healing Foods

The following is a summary of an article from Reader's Digest.  It identifies the best picks of foods to prevent and treat heart disease, cancer, headaches, and countless everyday ills.
1.    Figs:  They are known to prevent the bone loss associated with aging.  Figs are also very high in fiber.
Ways to eat them:  Slice fresh, unpeeled figs and serve with cheese or put them in a salad. 

2.    Beets:  They produce nitric acid, which helps increase blood flow throughout your body and are known to sharpen your mind.
Ways to eat them:  Roast, then puree beets into a dip with Greek yogurt and horseradish or put raw beets into a salad.

3.    Fresh Cranberries:  These little red berries can help prevent heart disease.  They keep the bad cholesterol from oxidizing and sticking to artery walls.
Ways to eat them:  Saute and serve with pork, or combine with banana, pineapple and orange for a fruit salad.

4.    Orange pith:  A great source of fiber and antioxidants.
Ways to eat it:  Roast thin slices of the pith and serve with whole wheat pancakes.

5.    Eggs:  A great source of protein.  They contain zinc and iron to promote healthy hair and strong nails. 
Ways to eat them:  Scramble with a handful of spinach, or top a bowl of vegetables and brown rice with a lightly fried egg, sesame seeds and soy sauce.

6.    Sesame seeds:  Eating a few spoonsful as day dramatically decreases LDL (bad cholesterol).
Ways to eat them:  Sprinkle on oatmeal, steamed veggies or make hummus with tahini, a sesame seed butter.

7.    Mustard:  Helps protect against cancer, prevent cardiovascular disease, defends cells against damaging free radicals, and gives your immune system a boost.
Ways to eat it:  Dip roasted veggies in mustard-honey sauce or whisk together mustard, oil, and vinegar for a salad dressing.

8.    Lamb:  A good source of omega-3 fatty acids that can protect against heart disease and strokes.
Ways to eat it:  Roast leg of lamb or use ground lamb as a topping for tacos or pizza.

9.    Frozen broccoli:  Frozen varieties contain up to 35% more beta-carotene by weight than fresh broccoli.  Helps the body fight off infections that inflame the lungs and arteries.
Ways to eat it:  Toss steamed florets with tomato sauce and toasted walnuts for a side dish, or scatter atop a frozen pizza before baking.

10.    Chiles:  May help prevent the blood clots that lead to a heart attack and stroke.
Ways to eat them:  Add chopped chiles to stir-fry, eggs and soup.

11.    Kiwis:  They help fight free radicals that can lead to cancer.
Ways to eat them:  Don't peel them, the skin is very high in fiber and vitamin C.  Eat like a peach or chop them and add to salads.

12.  Celery leaves:  Contain more calcium, iron, potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin C than the stalks.
Ways to eat it:  Use like parsley or mix into salads.

For more tips and nutritional advice ask the team at Evolve Physical Therapy + Advanced Wellness...we are eager to help you!

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