Captain Planet & CauLifLower

  

♫♪ Captain Cauli, he's our veggie, gonna help our bodies be battle ready ♫♪

Clearly my dreams of becoming a lyricist need to be reconsidered, but you try coming up with a nutrition related rhyme for the word veggie! :)

Captain Planet and his five-men posse of Planeteers are known for defending the Earth from the greatest of disasters.  Wondering how cauliflower is involved?  Well my friend, cauliflower and his quad posse are here to help defend and protect your body by providing you with the nutrition you need.  Here's how:

 hCalcium   g  providing your skeleton with the strength it needs to withstand time.
       h Fiber g  reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes as well as providing bowel regularity.
       h Iron  g important for all cells.  Its main function is to help distribute oxygen to your red blood cells so they can produce energy.
        hVitamin C  g  helps keep your immune system up and running.  Throw a little cardiovascular protection in there with a dash of collagen formation and a pinch of protection against eye disease.  You now have yourself one well rounded fighter. 

cDID YOU KNOWb:  besides citrus fruits, cauliflower is the next best natural source of vitamin C?!  Cauliflower is also fat free, cholesterol free, very low in sodium, and low calorie. 

WOW factor - Cauliflower can be purchased in color!!! There are purple, orange, and green (aka broccoflower) versions available!  Have no fear, all color variations taste the same.  There is just a little added bonus in nutritional value with the colored counter parts.  Purple contains anthocyanins ( which help protect against free radicals, also found in blueberries), orange has extra beta-carotene (important for vision), and the green version has a tad more vitamin A (plays an important role in vision and bone growth) and vitamin C.  According to one article, the various colors available are attributed to years of selective breeding. 

Purchasing power is in your hands    l avoid brown spots or loose sections.  Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to 5 days.  Steer clear of over-cooking, it will destroy your cauliflower's vitamin C. 

KnowledgelMoneylTransportationlAccessibility.  
YOU and these powers combined will have the ability to pick up one tasty treat!  Here's to One Battle Ready body! 

Secret Attacker.

  " PCT news interrupts your programming to bring you this special report.  An invisible attacker is hitting America with victims reaching in the five digits & counting.  While the mysterious marvel hits throughout the year, special investigators are seeing an increase in attacks as we start the new year.  Those following the attacker hypothesize New Year's resolutions involving weight loss, eating healthy, & swearing off all things tasty are to blame for the drastic incline of victims.  Our news reporter has nabbed an interview with the top detective.  Let's go there now...."

     PCT reporter:  "Thanks PCT news, I am here today with Detective Pabulum.  Mr. Pabulum, could you please give us some insight as to who this invisible attacker is, & what exactly do they want with us?!"
     Detective Pabulum: "Certainly!  The goal of this attacker is to de-rail our healthy life style changes.  You see, this perplexing phenomenon Causes Rational Adults to Inhale Non-nutritious Grub at alarming rates.  We've deemed the culprit CRAVING for short.  We know it can attack anyone, at anytime, in any place.  Surveys done have shown 100% of women & 70% of men were victims last year (webmd).  A craving attack can lead to binge eating episodes which can lead to obesity & eating disorders."
     PCTR: "Sounds serious! Will you please elaborate on how we become victims?!"
     DP:  "Well this is one very skilled predator.  Instead of taking you down with strength, it takes over your mind.  Hunger doesn't play a role in food cravings.  A food craving combines body, brain, & chemicals to attack.  Actually, the dopamine stimulation & chemical reward you obtain from satisfying a food craving has been compared to drug addiction because both behaviors follow similar neurological pathways (howstuffworks.com). "
    PCTR: "Well you don't say!  I always thought if I craved food it meant I was lacking in some sort of nutrient?"
     DP:  "Nope, actually scientists have ruled out the myth that cravings are your bodies' way of letting you know what specific nutrient you lack in your diet.  In fact, most food cravings arise to satisfy an emotional need.  You are most likely going to be blindsided by a craving if you are highly stressed or anxious.  Another high stakes result of a food craving is boredom with your diet.  This is why it is extremely important to amp up the flavors in your meals.  This is the reason why so many of us are hit with food cravings at this time of the year.  In order to reach our new resolutions we weed our diet down to the same thing for breakfast, lunch, & dinner.  Doing this is a sure fire way to be on the hit list."
     PCTR:  "So what advice do you recommend to avoid being another number for this ferocious attacker?"
     DP:  "Well, like I mentioned earlier, add variety to your menu! Oatmeal, salads, & chicken are not the only way to reach your goals!  It is all about making sure calories in = calories out.  Most importantly, give into the food craving every once in awhile - just watch your portion size.  Constantly depriving yourself of any sort of treat is setting yourself up for failure. Saying "no" too often will more than likely leave you with a bellyache as you successfully nosh on the entire candy isle.  Lastly, try not to let yourself get too hungry!  Have healthy snacks ready and on hand.  If you're hit by the sweet craving, opt for low fat yogurt with fruit or a piece of dark chocolate.  Salty calling your name?! Try a 100 calorie pack of popcorn or a handful of nuts or pretzels." 
      PCTR:  "Thanks so much detective Pabulum! You certainly saved a few 100 people from falling victim to this ever stalking attacker.  We will certainly be on guard for an attack & hopeful that the tips you provided will help keep us from having to dump the plump yet another year. Back to you PCT news!"