cavolo nero

September’s top picks; delicious quick seasonal recipe, how to do organic + more!

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And just like that….. we’re in September - here are my top picks for this month

What I’m working on

Has perpetual dieting left you in a muddle about food and eating?

Do you feel overwhelmed anxious and confused about what, how much and when to eat? If so, I would love to hear from you.

What are your main challenges? What would you love to know and learn? Where do you need support? How would you like to feel?

I have worked with hundreds of clients who have found themselves fighting this daily battle and I’m working on an exciting new short programme to help you transition to a calm, balanced and joyous approach to eating. Your input will help me tailor the programme to your exact needs – just hit reply and let me know :)

 

What I’m eating – plus how to cook it!

Heard of cavolo nero? It’s Tuscan kale and it’s in season this month. Often used in Italian dishes - You’ll likely have seen it in minestrone soup. The great news is that it’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, but also has a delicate, slightly bitter, flavour with a sweet aftertaste.

I’m loving eating it this way at the moment; the recipe goes well with meat or fish, veggie protein sources as well as casseroles and stews.

Ingredients

·         2 tbsp olive oil

·         1 clove garlic, finely chopped

·         400g cavolo nero 

·         ¼ teaspoon sea salt

·         75ml cup water

·         Zest of half a lemon

Method

Rinse the leaves and pat dry with kitchen paper. Cut away the tough central stalk. Place the two sides of the remaining leaf on top of each other and slice into strips about ½ cm wide.

Add oil and garlic and cook on a low heat until the garlic softens.

Add the cavolo nero, salt and water. Turn heat to medium and cover with a lid, stirring occasionally (add a little more water if required).

Cook until the cavolo nero is tender and the liquid has evaporated, remove from the heat and stir through the lemon zest.

TIP: Save the stalks and freeze to use later in a smoothie or soup.


Organic September and how to buy wisely

Organic September’s aim is to raise awareness of the advantages of organic food and farming. Farming organically helps to combat climate change, support animal welfare and the biodiversity of wildlife. Eating organic produce helps to reduce our exposure to pesticides used in conventional farming.

Purchasing organic food can be more expensive and not always easy to access, so I would recommend looking at the UK Dirty Dozen list which will help you decide which to prioritise when buying organic.

 

P.S. Would you love to make peace with your body and build a happy relationship with food?

Come and join us in the FOOD FREEDOM COLLECTIVE, Facebook community- a safe place where you can question, share, learn + feel supported without judgement, comparison and shame. I will be sharing tips, simple recipe, meal, and snack ideas along with strategies, motivation and supportive practices and its free to join!

It’s time to release yourself from the shackles of diet culture + empower yourself to create positive change in your life.

Classy Cavolo Nero

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Otherwise known as Tuscan kale, cavolo nero has its own rich, intense flavour. This relative of kale packs a punch in terms of nutrients containing vitamins A, C and K, the minerals calcium, manganese, and iron and a variety of antioxidants.

As with other cruciferous vegetables cavolo nero is rich in sulphur containing phytonutrients. These help the liver to process toxins so that they can be excreted. It is thought that this activity contributes to the vegetable’s anti-tumour properties and may help to prevent a number of cancers.

Early findings suggest that cavolo nero may have neuro-protective effects on people suffering from multiple sclerosis, but further research is needed to identify the mechanisms.

The antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, present in cavolo nero, are especially beneficial for eye health. Research indicates that these nutrients may help to protect against age-related macular degeneration.

This versatile vegetable can be sautéed or steamed, tossed into stir-fries, salads or smoothies. It will especially impress sautéed with onion, rosemary, chilli and garlic to create a delicious, antioxidant boosting dish.

My weekly ‘Nutritional Nugget’ written for Fields to Fork Organics

If you are interested in reading more ‘Nutritional Nuggets’, top tips and the latest nutrition news, sign up to my monthly newsletter at www.marcellerosenutrition.co.uk and like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/marcellerosenutrition/