The Many Benefits Of Cruciferous Vegetables!

There are many kinds of cruciferous vegetables. But what are they? Cruciferous vegetables (AKA crucifers) are named for their cross shape of their four-petal flowers. They are exceptionally powerful cancer fighters. But they also play many more important roles in the body such as…

7 Benefits:

Stimulating the immune system
Balancing blood sugar
Protecting our brain
Reducing inflammation in the body
Shrinking tumors
Detoxing and cleansing the body
Balancing out estrogen

They include: cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, bok choy, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, turnips, and rutabagas.

Cruciferous vegetables contain phytochemicals called Indoles which inactivate the hormone estrogen. Since exposure to estrogen is found to increase the risk of cancer, these phytochemicals help to reduce the risk of cancer. Another phytochemical called Sulforaphane, found in broccoli, is particularly useful in boosting the activity of these enzyme systems and has been shown to reduce cancer in animals.

As a mother of a 4-year-old, I know getting your children or even adults to eat their cruciferous vegetables is no easy task. However, these vegetables are so important with all their cancer-fighting and other amazing abilities that they should be a staple vegetable in all households.

There are many sneaky ways these vegetables can be disguised and made to taste scrumptious! You can use them in homemade spaghetti sauces, roast them in the oven with olive or coconut oil and some spices, steam them and add them to salads (my favourite!), puree them and make them into faux mashed potatoes (another favourite!), add them to casseroles, chilis or soups, and even roast them with olive oil and spices on the bbq!

Here is a recipe for Faux Mashed Potatoes that my 4-year-old son and husband love!

Faux Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

1 Head of cauliflower
2 Tbsp Veganaise or regular mayo or your own homemade mayo
Butter (optional)
Dill (optional)

Directions

Steam the head of cauliflower and once cooked, add to a blender
Add in the Veganaise or mayo
For spices, we like to add in dill, ground pepper, and sea salt

But you can add in any spices you wish – we found that dill is an excellent addition to this tasty recipe!

We use this recipe as a dressing in salads, on top of pitas and wraps as a spread, or as a vegetable dip! It’s a hit even with kids and if you do not tell your kids what it is before they try it, my guess is they will love it!

It’s a sneaky recipe that almost all will love! My husband, who cannot stand the sight or smell of cauliflower, loves it!

Cauliflower Potatoes Nutraphoria