Good Things Come in Green Packages

Yesterday was a challenge.  I wasn't able to do my first day of Week Two in Couch to 5k because I was SO TIRED.  I think I've been doing a little much lately and, combined with my gnarly sunburn, that made a totally grumpy, tired jerk.  So, I'll start week two tomorrow and today I'll make up for my bad/tired mood with a little brain exercise! 

One of my favorite foods of all time is broccoli.  I LOVE IT.  Like, if given the choice between a lifetime supply of fresh broccoli and a lifetime supply of pistachio ice cream, I will die a little inside as I choose broccoli.  It is a really versatile and amazing little veggie that happens to taste amazing and the flavor isn't the only reason I love it.

• 1) A cup of raw chopped broccoli is approximately 30 calories which, if based on a 2000 calorie diet is 1.5% of your calories for the day.  These 30 calories will also get you:
• 135% of your daily value of Vitamin C
• 116% of your daily value of Vitamin K
• 9% of your daily value for Fiber
• 8% of your daily value for Potassium
• 14% of your daily value for Folic Acid
• 11% of your daily value for Vitamin A
  
  
•  2) The phytonutrients in broccoli have significant anti-cancer benefits! Specifically, these nutrients work by inhibiting the estrogen metabolite that promotes tumor growth in cancerous breast cells and suppressing cancer cell metasis.
   
• 3) The amount of Calcium in broccoli is very close to the amount of calcium in whole milk and it is better absorbed by your body!
  
  
• 4) Because of how it is cut, frozen broccoli has 35% more beta-carotene by weight than fresh broccoli. It also has twice as much sodium and half the calcium.  Iron, Thiamin, Riboflavin, and Vitamin C levels are also lower in frozen versus fresh broccoli.
  
  
• 5) Steaming, Stir-Frying, and Microwaving are the best ways to cook broccoli while maintaining the mineral nutrients.  Boiling isn't a great option because you can literally boil the goodness out into the water!  Once cooked, your broccoli should still be vibrantly green and crisp.  

I make broccoli at least once a day and my favorite method thus far is steaming it in a double boiler until it is bright green. Then, I grab a fresh lemon and juice it over the broccoli.  Add a little pepper and a dash of kosher salt and it is AMAZING.  I always end up with fresh, bright and vivid flavor plus a side-dish that is super good for me!  It's like Christmas in a vegetable!