As a nutritionist it is important to look at the body as a whole. We focus on the body, mind and spirit and take in all diet, lifestyle and spiritual factors. I normally do not focus my recommendations on one specific system or organ. But there are certain times when it is important to do just so, bringing me to the powerhouse organ, the liver.
With over 400 functions it is no question this organ needs some well deserved attention from time to time. This vital organ filters and detoxifies the blood that comes through the digestive tract before it reaches the rest of the body. It’s so clever, it figures out what is waste from everything consumed. This is no small feat, which is why it’s nice to help the liver out from time to time with foods that aid in its detoxifying powers. Hello beet.
Beets are a high antioxidant vegetable that contain a number of nutrients that are detoxifying and cleansing. Think bright purple, think phytonutrients. Betalains are pigments high in anti-inflammatory properties to encourage the detoxification process. Betaine helps the liver cells eliminate toxins; and pectin, a fiber which clears the toxins that have been removed by the liver so they don’t reincorporate back into the body.
And lets get real, they’re delicious. And so versatile. Juicing beets adds a cleansing tonic, roasting them and adding to a salad, and even cooking your grains in them to create a playful purple colour is a beautiful thing! Here is my new favourite way to incorporate beets into my diet, purple hummus!
BEET HUMMUS
Ingredients:
2 small beets (save the greens for juicing), roasted, peeled and roughly chopped
2 cups cooked chickpeas
1/3 cup tahini
3 or 4 or 5 garlic cloves ? I love garlic
1/2 juice of fresh organic lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth, for a few minutes. Viola! Purple hummus! Simplicity wins again.
I like to eat my hummus with everything. All veggies! Pita bread, crackers, spread over toast with poached egg, spread on buns with burgers, in a wrap or apply to face for a sticky face mask ?
Wellness Wednesday Wisdom by Breathe in Life guide Meghan Trompetter
