30 Days of Self Healing – Day 11

2) Garlic- Many people try to avoid garlic (or a lot of it) because it does stink up the breath, but locked in those small cloves is tremendous healing power. Garlic has been found in lots of studies to: Help fight cancer, lower LDL cholesterol, reduce blood pressure and fight infection (including harmful bacteria and fungal organisms).  Use garlic to spice up fish, chicken, and lean beef dishes; or over vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, and baked potatoes.

3) Kale– Kale is a newer self-healer on the block. This leafy green has the second-highest antioxidant concentration of any vegetable. Kale is packed with lutein, an antioxidant that protects your eyes and fights heart disease, is loaded with cancer-fighting sulfur compounds such as sulforaphane. ?Kale has a slightly bitter flavor, so you may want to season it with garlic or use it in soups or stews with other veggies to compensate. You can also buy kale chips at health-food stores. They’re a delicious replacement for fattening potato chips.

4) Legumes– When I say legumes, I’m talking about beans, peas, and lentils- foods high in fiber-rich carbohydrates and protein. Legumes help normalize cholesterol, contribute to a healthy digestive system.  They also contain various self-healing nutrients, including the B vitamins, folic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin ?One of my favorite legumes is yellow split peas, a veggie common in my native Colombian cuisine. This legume is loaded with genistein, a phytochemical that may protect against heart disease by preventing the clogging of arteries. Like their other legume cousins, yellow split peas are full of fiber. ?Beans and legumes are so versatile. Enjoy them in salads, soups, as part of dips—or as a side dish or main dish if you’re a vegetarian.