asparagus

asparagus is an herbaceous perennial plant. this means that it grows and grows for an extended period of time (more than two years).

i recently read an article published on yahoo news about some major foods that help with weight loss. asparagus was on the list. yay! read it here. this does not mean that asparagus = weight loss. healthy diet and regular exercise might = weight loss. and not all of us need to do it. but just in case...

no matter what reactions people have to say about your urine smelling like something else, whatever else, i can't argue how much i love this crunchy, satiating tuber.

scientific name: asparagus officinalis
common name: asparagus
family: lilliaceae

Fact: contains diuretic asparagine, thus it eliminates water from the kidneys.
Fact: therefore, high consumptions of asparagus can lead to kidney irritation.

*information gathered from Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

oops! i guess i have officially been eating too much of this delicious plant.

as a side note, i have just been searching my office for the book, The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke. this book has an incredible amount of knowledge on foods and herbs and how they can heal our bodies. i wanted to look up in the index section to see if he has written anything about asparagus. i also checked some online book site, but alas to no avail. i'll edit this article when i find more information. so check back!

so far i've only eaten asparagus in two ways, the first of which is stir fried. my entire existence has been about the stir fry. add oil and salt, then wait for the heat to rise high enough so that when you plunge the asparagus into the wok, it begins to sizzle and make deliciousness happen (ya i know its not a real word...this is my blog, and making up words is an art!). stir frying asparagus takes about 5 minutes on high heat. too much stir fry and the asparagus loses that beautiful crunch that always delights my taste buds. maybe yours too.

the second method i've tried is steaming. steaming is certainly a more gentle method of cooking this lovely stem. its less work if you are busy with all the other vegetables in your life. just put them on a steamer and turn the fire on. by the time the water is boiling (if you live in areas with the same altitude level as los angeles, but not Tibet) your asparagus should be done, or close to. all to say, steaming time is about 5-10 minutes, depending on what you prefer with regard to the crunch factor. cutting them up also makes it easier (more surface area). you can add all the condiments you want, but i would suggest getting used to the flavor of unsalted, untarnished vegetables. at least a couple times a week. that's once or twice every seven days!

since i am allergic to dairy, i've never cream of asparagus soup. has anyone out there ever had it? if so leave a comment and let me know how it is. does it really taste like asparagus?

there are a variety of health benefits that can be found in Healing for Whole Foods. the part i enjoy reading the most about that it increases one's receptive and compassionate nature. this can be our first step to peace! give it a chance, folks!

ode:

my asparagus, my sweet asparagus,
you shall never wilt in my presence.
for always, we shall stand strong together
until your crunch leaves me speechless.
~tien

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