All the nitty gritty on Cruciferous Vegetables!

Cruciferous, in my opinion, is such a funny word. It almost sounds like a sneeze. But, man oh man, does it have copious benefits. 

Cruciferous vegetables are the rough and tough ones. Most of them are green, and they are PACKED with nutrients. Here's a list of all the ones I can think of:

• Bok Choy
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collard Greens
• Horseradish
• Kale
• Radish
• Rutabaga (never had this one in my life)
• Spinach
• Turnip Greens
• Watercress

It is in my daily cooking routine to eat & cook with these beauties at least 2x a day. They are powerful and serve many purposes in our overall health. Some of them include:

• Cancer prevention: Studies show the components in cruciferous vegetables are linked to lowering rates of prostate and breast cancer. Another way they help lower the risk of cancer is they reduce oxidative stress. 
• Aid in digestion: Cruciferous vegetables are loaded with fiber. Fiber is what helps carry our food through our system and to help us absorb the nutrients. The rougher the vegetable, the better for digestion
• Antioxidants: Again, antioxidants are cancer-fighting foods. They help strengthen our cells & actually fight against the formation of cancer cells

I love to add these veggies to soups, casseroles, and sauces. If you have picky eaters, just blend them up in the food processor and add them to things like spaghetti sauce. They won't suspect a thing. I also love to roast them, steam them, and chop them into a salad. 

So the next time you head to the grocery store, or place that online grocery order, pick up some cruciferous vegetables and think of me!

What's on Your Fork?