Happy 4th of July! Eating Fire Energy Foods, Black Raspberries, Radicchio and Cucumbers!

Loving Summertime! Fire Energy Foods!

Happy 4th of July!

Summer is here! My favorite month! I celebrate my birthday, I am able to pick wild berries, cook outside and enjoy nature at its finest!

When we live close to nature, we know how to nurture our bodies with the local available foods. This may be a new concept to most people but our ancestors, who lived very close to nature, knew this information inherently.

The Summertime, when we are at our most active, is known as the Fire Energy Phase. Summer is when we feed and nurture our hearts, brain, circulatory system and small intestines. These organs are the most active organs in the body. Which makes sense they are associated with the most active time of the year, summer. This is according to The Five Transformations of Energy, the ancient study of the seasons, how it relates to our bodies and our health. I base my cooking, teaching, counseling and my lifestyle according to this ancient knowledge.

The heart provides blood, nutrients and oxygen to every part of the body and every cell. The small intestines digests the food that becomes the nutrients from our food which determines the quality of our blood that flows through our bodies. The heart and small intestines are responsible for the action of the circulatory system. This system helps regulate the temperature of the body. It adapts and makes us comfortable in whatever environment you find yourself. When the Fire Energy is balanced, we can feel comfortable in the hot summertime and the cold wintertime.

For more information about Summer Cooking, the foods associated with Fire Energy and recipes, my cookbook: Summer Season Healthy and Delicious Cooking. https://www.macroval.com/buycookbook.htm

Black Raspberries

Fruit is cooling to the body and can help keep your body temperature cool during the hot summer days. The high-water content of fruit keeps you hydrated and cool. Nature has a way of working perfectly, such as supplying us with the food that is ideal for you at different seasons. Fruit is available fresh right now, so we should be eating it right now. As opposed to the winter, when fresh fruit is not available from nature. (I am not referring to what is sold in grocery stores, I am referring to what nature provides for us during a particular season.)

Michigan has an abundance of berries that grow wild (I live in Michigan). If you can find wild berries make sure to try some, you will not be disappointed. Wild grown fruit is not sprayed. Organic fruit is not sprayed. If it says 'local' fruit it may be sprayed. Local just refers to the fact that it is grown local. You would have to ask the farmer who grew it if it was sprayed.

All berries are known to have high fiber content, high antioxidant properties, and phytonutrients. However each different type of berry has its own unique healing properties.

There are no significant nutritional differences between red and black raspberries concerning macronutrients and micronutrients. In other words, their carbohydrate, fiber, calorie, vitamin, and mineral content will be roughly similar. That said, scientific research suggests there may be a difference between the phytochemical content of red and black raspberries.

In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, researchers analyzed eleven varieties of red raspberry and one variety of black raspberry. The analysis found that the black raspberries contained approximately 4-11 times more anthocyanins than red raspberries.

Anthocyanins are a type of polyphenol characterized by their blue, red, purple, and black colors. We can also find them in foods such as blueberries and purple sweet potatoes.

Additionally, a 2015 study investigated the antioxidant properties of various berries grown within central Europe.

The results demonstrated that black raspberries had an approximately double mean polyphenol content compared to red raspberries. Among the different phenols, the anthocyanin content was 5-10x larger in black raspberries.

Black and Red Raspberries: High in Vitamin C. Contains quercetin and gallic acid, which can help fight against colon cancer, and heart and circulatory disease. Contains rheosmin: may be able to reduce risk of obesity as well as help with a fatty liver,

Black raspberries and red raspberries are different species of raspberry, and they are not simply different in color alone.

In this regard, black raspberries have the scientific name Rubus occidentalis, whereas the scientific name of red raspberries is Rubus idaeus var. strigosus. Black raspberries are also known as ‘blackcaps,’ and they are a berry variety native to North America.

The appearance of black raspberries looks relatively similar to blackberries. However, black raspberries have a hole in the middle and a hollow center, while blackberries have no gap in the middle and are solid on all sides. (Many people get them confused.)

Radicchio

Radicchio, also known as Cichorium intybus and Italian chicory, is a type of leafy chicory featuring dark reddish-purple leaves and white veins. Radicchio belongs to the Asteraceae family alongside dandelions and other chicory vegetables like Belgian endive.

Though commonly mistaken for red cabbage or lettuce, radicchio has a distinctly bitter taste that goes well with many Italian dishes

Radicchio is a rich source of vitamin K. Compared with raw red cabbage, a serving of radicchio contains smaller amounts of most micronutrients, but in return, it has twice as much zinc and copper. Also contains, protein, Vitamin B6, C, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Radicchio health benefits include; helps preventing cancer, provided needed nutrition, supporting a healthy heart, fighting free radicals, promoting stronger bones, fighting parasites and treating insomnia. Other benefits include calming the mind, supporting digestion, curing anemia, supporting healthy brain and boosting the body immunity system.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are one of my favorite summer vegetables. They are wonderful in salads and are great for serving with dips at a party. Another one of my favorite ways to utilize them is to put slices of cucumbers on sandwiches.

Cucumbers are a wonderful summertime food. Being 95% water, they are a cooling vegetable, ideal to keep you cool for those hot summer days. Juicy and refreshing, cucumbers have many great health benefits. They contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacin’s, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. High in Vitamin C, K, and several B Vitamins, they also contain anti-inflammatory properties. Cucumbers contain copper, potassium, and manganese, plus numerous antioxidants. such as beta-carotene.

Outdoor Grilling Cooking Classes!

My favorite time of the year to teach classes is the summer!

Yesterday evening, I taught my Red White and Blue Outdoor Grilling Cooking Class with an EXPLOSION of flavor. One student, said enthusiastically, "WOW!", after taking his first bite of the Grilled Tempeh Mock 'Steak' with Smoky Beet Sauce served with Grilled Onion and Mushrooms. Other items we made in the class: Fire Roasted White Sweet Potato, 4th of July Pear Blueberry Tea and Grilled Pears and Blueberries with fresh Raspberries. (Pictures below)

To attend future cooking classes: Next Grilling Class, Wed. Aug. 14th:

https://www.macroval.com/cookingclasses.htm

Pictured below from June’s Grilling Class: Asparagus Veggie Burger, Grilled Purple Sweet Potato with Onion Sea Salt and Special Dipping Sauce and by student request, Grilled Strawberries with Chocolate Sauce.

Get Outdoors and Cook Healthy!

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Learn how to make Healthy Ice Cream! I teach how to make Aquafaba Ice Cream in my latest YouTube video: