Summer Eating, Part 3 (It's not just about juice)
Celery, not just for juicing.
Welcome back for part three of four weeks of seasonal eating. It's time to talk about vegetables. Ones that hydrate and pair well with meals, snacks, and even cocktails. The word celery can be cringe-inducing for some... especially those who may have overdone it on the celery juice trend....
In all seriousness, celery is a totally underrated food of the summer. Let's change that.
CELERY
What is celery exactly?
Celery is actually part of the parsley family. Its sibling vegetables are carrots, fennel, and parsley. There's variety amongst the celery species out there too - celeriac, celery root, and knob celery are all still considered celery. The common factor with all of the varieties is the bite and crunch.
While not a superfood (it's 92% water and only 14 calories a serving) - there are specific health benefits to eating celery. Especially in the summer.
Vitamin K: is actually abundant in celery. It's a vitamin crucial for blood clotting and bone health.
Fiber: celery contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it ideal for helping maintain gut health.
Phthalide: a compound that's proven to have beneficial effects on blood pressure.
Antioxidants: celery has several - beta-carotene, vitamin C, and caffeic acid - which are beneficial to fight off oxidative stress.
Now, what to do with it (hint: not juice it!)? There are loads of ways to incorporate celery recipes into your repertoire - celery smoothies, celery snacks, and celery soup. The list goes on and on.:
Add butter to a saute pan, add 8ish stalks of chopped celery to the pan. Cook for five minutes. Add beef bone broth, salt & pepper, and stir to combine, cooking for another 5 minutes.
Thinly slice celery and an apple. Whisk white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and olive oil. Toss dressing with celery and top with Parmesan cheese shavings.
Combine celery, green apple, banana, ginger, spinach, and lemon juice in a blender. If using protein powder make sure it's vanilla or unflavored. Add liquid of choice and blend.
Too many BBQs? Then it's time for some healing veggie broth. Add carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt & pepper, and any herbs you've got, into a pot. No need to peel or chop, just add it in, take it out later. Add 10 cups of filtered water. Let sit, simmering on the stove for at least 2 hours.