Healthy Diet: Weird but Nutritious Recipes

One day I noticed I couldn't move my left hand, and cramps were all over my arms. I got so worried. I thought I had a mild stroke, or a damaged nerve in my brain connected to my left arm. (This is on top of the problem I have in my spine that caused my temporary paralysis last year, May 2011)

So many thoughts had popped in and out until I visited my favorite diagnostic clinic. Woola! It was related to bad eating habits, and my cholesterol appeared higher than the acceptable level. At that level, the doctor told me, I would expect nothing but a gradual journey to cardiac arrest or any heart related problems. With that discovery, the next months had sent me scouting for more plain and simple vegetable recipes, no more fatty foods and oily recipes, and at least minimized preservatives.

My doctor said, no need to be extremely vegan, but I should start incorporating these vegetables into my diet. (Note:I was a meat eater before that incident). I still eat meat today, since it is also essential to my body, but I kept everything at a minimal amount.

Weird recipes I tried....

• Kangkong - Kangkong also known as swamp cabbage or water glorybind and water spinach in some regions, is a green leafy vegetable rich in nutrients. In French, it is called liseron d'eau.

For a delicious Adobo, saute' garlic and onions in a small amount of oil, put the tender hollow stem and the leaves on your desired length into the pan. Do not overcook, put a little oyster sauce and a little seasoning with soy sauce. let it simmer for a minute and serve. Kangkong can also be eaten when steamed. Just put a little vinegar, soy sauce and a little seasoning to taste. This should be oil free unlike the Adobo.

• Eggplants are good for breakfast. It also helps re-hydrate the body after a long-hour exercise.

Eggplants are good omelet for breakfast. It is advisable to steam first to tenderized the eggplants, and then fry along with seasoned and beaten eggs. Salads are also good alternatives after steaming. Immediately put vinegar and seasoning with a little soy sauce....bingo! you have a tasty appetizer. If available, a native vinegar extracted from coco sap, complements the taste of the eggplant.

You can also try cooking eggplant patties with the same step as the eggplant omelet. (See pictures for this recipe)

• Ampalaya - known to other regions as bitter melon, is a great source of iron.

The most known recipe for this is the diced Ampalaya sauteed with garlic, onion and egg. But Ampalaya retains some of its nutrients when eaten as Ampalaya salad. With native vinegar and a little seasoning, it tastes perfectly. My cousin when she was diagnosed with Leukemia had this diet along with raw animal liver for six months, and in God's help she is fine now.

• Squash or Oriental Pumpkins. These green pumpkins are good source of vitamins for the eyes.

Squash is known as the most palatable ingredient to pinakbet ( a famous filipino meat-vegetable stew), but squash can be cooked as Squash gerber. The best alternative to known baby gerbers. Squash soup is also good recipe to go wth any main dishes.

• Cucumber and tomato - best appetizers

Diced cucumber that goes along with fresh tomatoes might sound weird but with your own blend of seasoning, they make excellent appetizers. Vegetables are known to keep their nutrients when uncooked. Sprinkle pepper and put a teaspoon of lemon juice to complete the recipe.

• Sweet Camote and Potato Tops are the ones topping my list.

They are excellent source of anti-oxidant compounds and polyphenols. The adobo or sauteed recipe is best, while the salad is the most common to all. This recipe had been recommended to those that are suffering anemia and other blood related diseases.

• Moringa Oleifera soup - known as Malungay in the Philippines and horseradish in some areas, this green leafy vegetable mixed with one clove of garlic makes a good antibody booster. Just put 2 cups of water in the deep pan, put lemon grass and onions, along with gralic for a pleasant smell. Season and upon boiling drop in malungay into the pan. Mixed slowly and simmer for a minute or two. For more nutrition, you can boil the water along with fish or meat bones into your recipe.

These recipes might be weird to some regions but general practitioners in Nutrition and Dietetics all over the world agree with their vitamin and nutrient contents. It is not yet late to discover more foods that are good for our body. When properly mixed into your daily diet, they always lead to good health with a stress free body, mind, and soul.

If you have something to add, feel free to put your comments below.