Asparagus is healthier than you think!
Let's talk about Asparagus!
I love asparagus! My favorite asparagus companion is eggs - in any form. Asparagus + Eggs = BFFs. Usually I enjoy the first harvest by grilling the asparagus and then make a quick Hollandaise sauce to slather on top.
Beyond being delicious and a harbinger of Spring, asparagus is super healthy. According to Anthony William in his book Life Changing Foods, “Asparagus contains phytochemical compounds such as chlorophyll and lutein that act as critical organ cleansers. They get deep into organs such as the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys, scrubbing out the toxins they find there. Chlorophyll bonded to amino acids such as glutamine, threonine, and serine provides an avenue for heavy metal detox… When we’re under immense stress, we tend to lose B vitamins very rapidly. Asparagus, which is high in very easily absorbable B vitamins, helps us reestablish our proper levels of key nutrients… And we can’t talk about asparagus without mentioning how valuable it is to alkalizing the body by flushing out unproductive acids. We live in a very acidic environment, and if we want to remain free from disease, we must constantly work to keep ourselves alkaline with help from trusted friends like asparagus.”
If you are someone who doesn’t like cilantro because it tastes like soap, this is because the chemicals in cilantro are reacting to the heavy metals in your body as soon as it hits your mouth. This may indicate that you need a heavy metal detox. If you use Aluminum foil or consume aluminum through deodorant or baking powder or other processed foods that sneakily contain aluminum, then you probably need a detox. Let’s face it, in this toxic world we live in, we kind of all do. So fresh asparagus from the farmers market is a great way to deliciously heavy metal detox with food.
The other important fact to know about asparagus is that it immediately starts to lose vitamins the moment it is harvested. Most grocery store asparagus comes from Peru, Mexico or California. From harvest to the grocery store shelf could be as little as a week and as much as two weeks. By either point, the asparagus you are eating is greatly depleted both in health and flavor. Conversely, when you purchase local asparagus from the farmers market or farm stand, you are getting it either the day or day after it is harvested. It’s full of healing power and flavor. So please consume it as soon as possible for maximum benefit.
The best way to store your asparagus is like flowers, in a vase. Asparagus does not like the cold. Cut off the bottom inch and place the spears in a straight sided glass container filled with about an inch or less of water and replenish as needed. Enjoy this “bouquet” on your counter top and use within a few days.
Farmers Market go-alongs: eggs, bacon, lettuces, herbs
Flavor profiles to try:
French - Champagne & Lemon dressing, Mustard and Rosemary
Italian - lemon, olive oil and parmesan
Greek - lemon, chopped olives and feta
