WHAT IS THE SECRET OF RED CABBAGE?
A True Story:
One day, as I glanced at my book shelf,  I noticed an old paperback, “How I Survived A Heart Attach“.

I started leafing through the pages and noticed a recipe section in the back of the book.  It caught my interest and I read on..
Basically,  the patient  started to include cabbage salad every day with his meal, plus more raw vegetables from his garden. After 6 weeks of a daily exercise routine along with healthier food selections, he went back to see his cardiologist.  Initially, the cardiologist had recommended surgery. He was baffled to find that six weeks later, surgery was no longer required. The author purported that, “daily cabbage was a must have – every day”.  That my friend,  is the secret of  “Red Cabbage”! NOTE: By no means is this a rule…only a story of one man’s experience.

What do we  know about cabbage? Years ago,  a nutritionist told me that cabbage is  “The Broom That Sweeps Clean” . Words of encouragement are always good to hear.

This recipe takes 20 minutes to prepare and about 30 minutes to cook.

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CHRISTMAS CABBAGE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp avocado oil ( or select extra virgin olive oil,  sesame oil, walnut oil)
1-2 cloves of garlic-minced
2 -3 sprigs of rosemary – fresh
1 red cabbage – chopped
1 large or 2 medium apples -chopped (jicama, pears or 3/4 cup of dried cherries)
1 sweet onion (finely chopped)
1 inch piece ginger ~ peeled and grated
2-3 tsp. of butter
5-8 prunes
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
A pinch of  salt and fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat the oil and 1 tsp of butter in a large heavy-based fry pan.  Add the rosemary by taking the soft needles off the stem. The rosemary will change colour to a dark green and get crispy.  Add minced garlic and stir. Remove the rosemary and garlic with a slotted spoon. Add chopped onion and fry until slightly translucent. They will disappear while cooking. Then, add roughly chopped prunes and grated ginger to the oil/butter mixture, followed by the chopped cabbage, chopped apples and the balsamic vinegar. Then, add a good pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Bring to a boil while stirring. Then, turn down the heat and cover for 25-30 minutes. Stir regularly, about every 5 minutes. When done, remove the lid to reduce the remaining liquid. Make sure the liquid has reduced and the cabbage is cooked well.  Add 2 tsp of butter  (optional). Stir the cabbage mixture.  Do a taste test.  Sprinkle crispy rosemary on top of the dish.
Serve hot.
Optional: Mix in a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, chia seeds, black sesame seeds or protein powder at the end of the cooking process, before adding  crisp rosemary.

CHRISTMAS RED CABBAGE 

GUT HEALTH
Lately, we are  hearing a lot about  “Belly Be Well”.  Red Cabbage is a major component in not only ‘GUT HEALTH’ but your brain and nervous system.


IMPROVE YOUR FOCUS
Are you struggling to keep your brain on task? The red pigment in red cabbage called anthocyanins produces the focus enhancing acetyicholine. Your focus and concentration will improve as much as 32% in 10 days when you enjoy 1/4 cup of crunchy ‘red’ cabbage DAILY .  Our gut  is like a second brain. So, when it’s off balance, it can seriously affect your mood, digestion, and energy.

SUPER FOOD
“Cabbage is a disease-fighting, gut healing SUPER FOOD: COMBATS CHRONIC DISEASE:  Degenerative or chronic disorders — such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, among others — affect more than 45 million people worldwide and often strike older adults characterized by progressive deterioration of nerve cells, eventually leading to cell death” …. published by  consciouslifenews.com

FREEZER FRIENDLY: Up to 3 months in your freezer.
Stay Well:. Take some quiet time for yourself this holiday season and reflect on your happy memories.  Have a wonderful life.  Eat smart!

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