Asparagus in season has an amazing fresh flavor and texture, it’s easy to prepare, it goes well with just about any food, and it’s a good source of many nutrients. Drizzling with a lemon vinaigrette is a special and delicious way to serve it. When you see it growing in the garden or on the farm, it has a certain science fiction appearance. And what about asparagus pee?!

Just about everything we do as humans impacts our physical world, especially the food we buy and choose to eat (or not.) In fact, food accounts for more than 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG.) Take a 1 minute quiz to evaluate your footprint on the earth. Fortunately, eating for good health, and for that of the planet, are one and the same. The Planetary Health Diet (PHD) is comprised of high-quality plant foods—vegetables, nuts, fruits, legumes—and low amounts of animal foods, refined grains, added sugars, and unhealthy fats. (Sample menus tips.) Choices we make about food waste and food packaging are other huge considerations when it comes to Mother Nature.

New preliminary research suggests that a plant compound in broccoli, that has already been shown to reduce risk for certain cancers, may also act as an anti-viral agent against COVID-19. Along with broccoli, other cruciferous (sulfur-containing) vegetables like cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts are rich in the compound sulforaphane which can inhibit the replication of SARS COV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in cells and mice. Although human studies have yet to be done on the effectiveness of broccoli and other veggies containing sulforaphane, it only makes good sense to include plenty of whole plant foods in your regular diet that contain potential anti-viral agents. Recipe included for SKILLET CHICKEN THIGHS WITH BROCCOLI & ORZO

Photo credit: New York Times

I would be remiss to let February, known as American Heart Month, slip by without mention.
Practicing four vital lifestyle steps can dramatically reduce your risk for heart disease.
The Harvard School of Public Health offers a free online assessment to determine risk for heart disease in seemingly healthy people. Go for it…see where your lifestyle might need some health improvement. And don’t forget the dark chocolate ;)

Access to safe, nutrient-dense food is essential for achieving and maintaining good health. There’s an urgent need to promote research, policies, and protocols to protect vulnerable populations from food insecurity, during and after the pandemic.

Although inherited genetic mutations play a role in about 5-10% of all cancers, a range of unique environmental and lifestyle factors can help reduce cancer risk. In fact, the World Health organization suggest that 40% of all cancers can be prevented with attention to lifestyle, smoking avoidance, limiting alcohol, and exercise.

FMI

Eggs, in particularly egg yolks, have been long-disparaged for their rich cholesterol content that was assumed to contribute to heart disease. Yet as nutrition research has evolved, scientists have proven that dietary cholesterol does not equate to blood cholesterol circulating throughout the body. In fact, the relationship between eggs and heart disease is weak at best. The main influence on blood cholesterol is not the amount of cholesterol in the food we eat, but from the mix of fats and carbohydrates in our diet.
“For those who are generally healthy, low to moderate intake of eggs can be included as part of a healthy eating pattern.” —Dr. Frank Hu, Chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

This is not your average chicken soup, rather it’s a super hearty one dish meal, both delicious and nutritious. I’m passing this recipe along from The New York Times Cooking by Colu Henry, described as a comforting dish that starts with chicken stock seasoned with leeks, carrots and celery. Garlic and fennel seeds are toasted along with the farro to add another layer of flavor. Perfect for a winter’s night and again leftover for lunches.