Today was no exception.
We ate gently steamed asparagus for breakfast.
Yeah, you read that correctly.
Asparagus is one of those cruciferous vegetables that contains a high amount of sulfur (just like broccoli, cabbage and Brussel sprouts do). The sulfur containing compounds are called glucosinalates and they give our cells the nutritional density that they require to function optimally from an energy perspective. Cruciferous vegetables also contain a compound called indole-3-carbinol which can reduce the risk of colon, breast and lung cancer.
Generally Cruciferous Vegetables Reduce Inflammation In The Body When Ingested
Cruciferous vegetables are often vegetables that people don't like the taste of and as a result the average person in North America, doesn't eat enough of them unless they are making a concerted effort to do so.
To make this dish, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 lb or 454 grams of fresh asparagus (cut in bite-size pieces and steamed for 12 minutes)
- 1/4 cup of cooked bacon (chopped)
- 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp of extra light olive oil
- 1/4 tsp of balsamic vinegar
- and salt and pepper to taste
Yield: 2 servings.
Directions:
Place 1/2 the steamed asparagus in a shallow serving bowl. Immediately top with 1/2 the chopped bacon and 1/2 the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with 1/2 the oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Repeat the steps to make the second serving.
Pro-tip:
This dish is equally delicious as a cold salad. It's also quite good with just the oil, vinegar and salt and pepper for those that are vegan.
Lets take a closer look.
Interestingly, Today I Learned That...
The reason that asparagus makes your urine smell pungent after you eat it, is because of compounds in it called asparagusic acid and mercaptan. Once our bodies start to digest and breakdown asparagus (through an enzymatic process) this smell becomes evident in the urine. It is thought that only 50 % of people on the planet can detect this distinct smell and it's related to a gene mutation. Allegedly there are about 400 genes that are responsible for the ability to detect smell and some how we found a mutation that is linked to our evolution as a species. It turns out that we use our sense of sight more than our sense of smell and it is thought that over-time people developed this mutation because the sense of smell is not as important to our survival as it is in other mammals. (Thanks to Google for letting me research this information today and learn about Dr. Anish Sheth's work.)
I know! Fun right? So, I thought I would take a little Steemit poll.
(Please feel free to leave a comment with your answers.)
Have you eaten asparagus before?
If so, can you detect the vaporous odor of asparagus in your urine?
(Please don't tell me about whether you can detect the odor in other bodily fluids as well. LOL!)
I welcome your comments (well most of them) and I invite you to follow me on my journey... I have old genetics and I can detect asparagus vapor in my urine and in the urine of others...just in case you were interested. LOL!
~ Rebecca Ryan