Winter Love for "Root" Vegetables for Better Health
Winter is the season when root vegetables are in abundance. During this time, you should eat more of the "big" root vegetables, such as potatoes, fo-ti, Chinese yam, taro, and more. So, let's take a look at the health "stars" among the "root" vegetables!
【Anti-Cancer Star】: Purple Sweet Potato - Armoring Itself with Color
Purple sweet potato is actually a type of sweet potato. I don't know when it started, but we were surprised to find a "purple" sweet potato appearing on the market. This is called a purple sweet potato. So, what are the differences and similarities between purple sweet potatoes and red sweet potatoes? And what are some novel ways to prepare it?
Red vs. Purple Sweet Potato Showdown:
1. Purple sweet potatoes are richer in selenium and anthocyanin than red sweet potatoes, and both of these substances have antioxidant and anti-cancer effects.
2. Like red sweet potatoes, purple sweet potatoes are rich in starch, dietary fiber, carotene, vitamins A, B, C, E, and more than 10 trace elements such as potassium and copper, as well as linoleic acid. They are highly nutritious and are called the most balanced health food by nutritionists.
3. Purple sweet potatoes also contain a large amount of fiber and pectin that are not easily broken down by digestive enzymes, which can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and intestinal peristalsis, thus helping with bowel movements. Purple sweet potatoes also contain a substance similar to female estrogen, which has a certain effect on protecting human skin and delaying aging.
Here's a recipe for a delicious and nutritious Purple Sweet Potato, Oatmeal, and Tremella Porridge to add a splash of purple to your dining table!
Ingredients: 100g purple sweet potato, 30g tremella (silver ear mushroom), 50g rolled oats, 50g rice
Seasoning: Rock sugar to taste
Instructions: 1. Soak the tremella in water for 1 hour in advance, then tear it into pieces. 2. Peel, wash, and cut the purple sweet potato into small pieces. 3. Wash the rice and rolled oats. Place them in a pot with the tremella and purple sweet potato pieces. 4. Add enough water and a suitable amount of rock sugar. Cover the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and cook until the porridge is ready.
【Nourishing Star】: Ginseng - How to Use It for Winter Supplementation
Ginseng is known as the "King of Herbs." It can improve the body's immunity, enhance disease resistance, and is an excellent choice for winter supplementation. It is one of the famous "Northeast Treasures" (ginseng, mink fur, deer antler) and a well-known precious medicinal herb, famous both at home and abroad and known to young and old alike.
Ginseng Medicinal Recipe to Enhance Immunity: Stewed Black Chicken with Ginseng!
Ingredients: 5g white ginseng, 1 cleaned black chicken (approx. 1500g), half a cleaned hen (approx. 500g), 300g pork knuckle, 15g green onion sections, 10g fresh ginger slices
Seasoning: 2g white pepper, 4g salt, 15g yellow wine (Shaoxing wine)
Instructions: 1. Cut the cleaned black chicken, hen, and pork knuckle into pieces. Scald each piece in boiling water. 2. Wash the white ginseng with warm water. 3. Place a large casserole over high heat, add plenty of water. First, add the hen, pork knuckle, green onions, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer. When the hen and pork knuckle are half-cooked, add the black chicken and ginseng to stew together. Season with yellow wine, white pepper, and salt. Simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
【Blood Pressure-Lowering Star】: The Secrets of Burdock
Burdock is known as "Oriental Ginseng." The fleshy root of burdock is rich in nutritional value, containing abundant protein, fat, carbohydrates, crude fiber, vitamins, and other various nutrients. Burdock tea has also been very popular in recent years, but do you know its benefits?
Burdock tea can be brewed directly. It is a perfect, all-natural tea that can clear heat and detoxify, remove dampness, strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite, promote bowel movements, balance blood pressure, regulate blood lipids, replenish blood and calcium, nourish yin and strengthen yang, moisturize the skin, beautify and remove spots, and prolong life!
Lowers Blood Sugar and Pressure:
Burdock tea is very effective in preventing and inhibiting high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and high blood sugar (the "three highs") and diabetes. It is suitable for long-term consumption by patients with hypertension and diabetes. The fleshy root of burdock contains inulin, which is especially suitable for diabetic patients and has an auxiliary therapeutic effect in controlling urine sugar.
Anti-Aging Effect:
Burdock is rich in protein and various essential vitamins and trace elements for the human body. It can clean up blood waste, promote the metabolism of cells in the body, prevent aging, and make the skin beautiful and delicate. It also has a certain effect on age spots and other hyperpigmentation.
Promotes Blood Circulation and Unblocks Meridians:
Burdock tea can regulate the menstrual cycle for women and is very beneficial for symptoms like qi stagnation and blood stasis, as well as for office workers who sit for long periods.
Detoxifies and Moistens the Intestines:
Burdock tea can expel gastrointestinal toxins and is very effective for those with stubborn constipation. Due to its excellent detoxifying effects, it can also help people who are drunk sober up quickly.
Falling in love with "root" vegetables in winter gives them strong disease resistance, anti-cancer effects, and immune-boosting properties; thus making our bodies healthier!