Listed as ‘the world’s healthiest food’ is Swiss Chard. It’s a Super Food favorite of mine because its easy to grow, doesn’t mind the hot intense Summer sun of New Mexico, puts up a struggle to hang in all winter, then comes back strong, full bloom, to provide again in Spring. Who doesn’t need and love that in a boyfriend!
Its health benefits are off the charts, packed with phytonutrients and at least 13 different polyphenol antioxidants, including cardioprotective flavonoids that are also found in broccoli.
I just want to remind us one more time that 85% of the antioxidants are lost, gone, never to be recaptured, by high heat. So best to eat them fresh, also known as Raw. You can use the little young micro-sprouts for sweet salad greens, the medium leaves for pesto and the big elephant ears for juicing.
What I love most about Swiss Chard is you don’t need a big fat green thumb to grow it. It’s so forgiving of us lightweight gardeners. And it is immune to the bugs that bother everything else in the garden and green house.
I was recently in California visiting my daughter and I came across the ‘Five Color SilverBeet’ chard seeds from the Seed Exchange. Those fabulous colors, I had to have it. It’s sitting in a warm soil flat in my green house while I wait with all the patience I can muster for it to sprout and see if the colors are like the picture on the package. My hopes are up…
Blessings from all of us at dietforlivingcenter.com and the best to your health.