Steamed Broccoli with Lime-Cumin Dressing
Dressing
- [q:1/4] cup finely chopped red onion
- 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp grated lime zest plus 1 Tbsp juice
- [q:1/2] tsp ground cumin
- [q:1/8] tsp hot sauce, plus extra for serving
Broccoli
- [q:1 1/2] lb broccoli, florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stalks peeled and sliced [q:1/4]-inch thick
- For the Dressing: Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a large bowl. Set aside for serving.
- For the Broccoli: Bring 1 inch water to boil in a large pot. Place broccoli in a collapsible steamer basket, and then transfer basket to pot. Cover and cook until broccoli is tender and bright green, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer broccoli to bowl with dressing and gently toss to combine. Season with salt and extra hot sauce to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Fat Flushing Foods and Spices
ID 71594298 @ Christinegates | Dreamstime.com
Would you love to learn how to turn up your metabolism while tuning up your gallbladder? The great news is, I bet many (maybe even all) of these Fat Flushing powerhouses are probably already in your daily diet. They’re not only great for shedding those extra pounds, but they’re also critical for quality bile production, which we know is key for optimum health, fat digestion, and correcting “mystery” illnesses.
Read on to get the skinny about these fantastic 10—and do make sure they’re all on your next grocery list.
Fat-Flushing Foods and Spices
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Beets
Beets contain betaine which thins the bile and helps prevent gallstones. Betaine is also a rich source of hydrochloric acid, which is critical for digestion and triggers your gallbladder to release bile. Beetroot protects your liver from chemical toxicity.
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Artichokes
Artichokes are a fabulous bile-producing food and liver protector. They may boost your glutathione levels as much as 50 percent.
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Bitters
Bitter foods trigger your pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes and your gallbladder to release bile. Although digestive bitters are particularly important if you’re vegan or vegetarian, they are really helpful for everyone, with or without a gallbladder.
Bitter greens such as arugula, endive, dandelion and radicchio offer wonderful benefits—as well as horseradish, which is also anti-cancer. Orange peel, gentian root, bitter artichoke and Angelica root are also excellent bitters. Stay away from Swedish bitters, which typically contain herbal laxatives such as rhubarb and senna.
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Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient that acts as an emulsifier, assists fat digestion, reduces cellulite, decongests the liver, improves nerve and brain function, and builds hormones. Ninety percent of us are choline deficient.
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Lecithin
Lecithin is one of the primary emulsifying agents in bile, containing significant choline. Lecithin breaks down fats making them more digestible. Lecithin also helps keep your homocysteine levels low, thereby reducing your cardiovascular risk. Lecithin from non-GMO soy or sunflower seeds makes a great fat-flushing supplement.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
I call apple cider vinegar a “miracle in a bottle!” ACV contains malic acid, which helps your body digest protein and thins the bile.
Take one tablespoon of raw ACV in a glass of water before meals.
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Taurine
Taurine is a key component of bile acids, made in the liver. Many are deficient, especially vegans and vegetarians, because taurine is derived from organ meats and other animal proteins. Taurine helps thin the bile, assists detoxification, improves lipids, and lowers the risk for obesity.
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Capsaicin
Capsaicin will ignite your fat burning engine! Found in sweat-inducing foods and spices like cayenne, capsaicin stimulates metabolism by activating brown fat, as well as helping optimize your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
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Cumin
The smoky-peppery spice cumin can boost your metabolic rate, promote weight loss, reduce body fat and LDL, and stimulate pancreatic enzymes. In one study, just one teaspoon of cumin increased weight loss by 50 percent. I use cumin in just about everything from soups to salad dressings to casseroles.
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Omega-7s
Omega-7 (palmitoleic acid) is the amazing omega you might not yet know about. Omega-7 operates as a “lipokine”: a hormone-like molecule that optimizes energy utilization and storage in body tissues at very low concentrations. Omega-7s really shine when it comes to improving your blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Omega-7s will even help build collagen!
Where do you find them? Macadamia nuts, sea buckthorn, and deep sea anchovies.
Further Reading
For even more superstar foods that you (and your family) will love, order a copy of The NEW Fat Flush Foods.
And, for tips on how to whip them up in delicious dishes, add The NEW Fat Flush Cookbook to your shopping cart, too.
Bon appétit!
Zucchini Soup With Cinnamon, Cumin And Kefir
- 1 lb trimmed zucchini
- [q:2 1/2] cups vegetable broth
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- [q:1/2] tsp seeded and minced serrano chile, or to taste
- [q:1/2] tsp fennel seed
- [q:1/2] tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- [q:1 1/2] cups Redwood Hill Farm Goat Milk Plain Kefir
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- Garnish: Chopped fresh cilantro or mint and lime or lemon wedges
- Chop zucchini in large chunks.
- Add broth to a soup pot, bring to a boil and add zucchini. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until zucchini is barely tender but still bright green, Remove from heat and cool.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a small, non-stick frying pan. Add onion, chile, fennel, cinnamon and cumin, and sauté until onion is soft but not brown and spices are fragrant.
- Put both mixtures into a food processor and pulse until well chopped but still with some texture.
- Pour into a bowl and stir in kefir and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Chill for at least 2 hours. Serve garnished with a sprinkling of cilantro and added drops of lemon or lime juice to taste.
Roasted Cumin Beets
- 6 or 7 small beets, peeled and cut into eighths
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- [q:1/4] cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Preheat oven to 400 °F. Toss beets with coconut oil and cumin in bowl; season with salt if desired.
- Spread beets on a baking sheet, and roast 30 to 40 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through and stirring beets occasionally.
- While beets are still hot, transfer to large bowl, and stir in green onions and lemon juice.
- Serve immediately!
Black Bean and Quinoa Salad with Quick Cumin Dressing
Salad
- 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
- Dash salt
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- [q:1/2] large cucumber, diced neatly
- 1 small bell pepper, diced neatly
- 1 BPA-free can organic black beans
- 10 to 15 basil leaves, chopped into a chiffonade
- [q:1/4] cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Vinaigrette
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- [q:1/4] cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp agave or maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Rinse quinoa through a sieve till the water runs clear. Transfer it to a small or medium sized pot and add two cups of vegetable broth or water and dash of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pot so that the lid is on, but there’s a small gap where water can escape. Simmer till quinoa has absorbed all of the liquid and is fluffy (about 15 to 20 minutes).
- Transfer cooked quinoa to a mixing bowl. Add chopped vegetables, black beans, and herbs.
- Whisk dressing ingredients. Add the dressing to the salad, and serve. (If you don’t feel that you need all the dressing, just add as much as you’d like to.)
- Salad will keep for three days in the fridge.