Celery

Celery often used as a diet food, also has lots of other good qualities. We think of it as a vegetable that is mostly water and has almost no calories. While its known  for stringiness we don't think of it for its goodness. Most people have yet to discover that celery adds its delicate flavor, its nourishing properties, along with detoxifying and protective effects on both brain and body to our recipes.

Mildly salty, with light pine and citrus notes, this aromatic vegetable is a member of the carrot family. Celery’s outer stalks, also called ribs, surround the tender, mildly flavored innermost ribs, called the celery heart. Most celery is light green, but you can also find white celery and the more intensely flavored red celery. Celery seeds can be used whole or ground as a seasoning.

The vegetable’s bold texture and crunch can bring a satisfying contrast to all kinds of dishes. And its leaves, too often discarded, are supremely edible, adding a dash of good flavor, and celery’s highest concentration of nutrients, to salads, soups or virtually any other dish.

Luteolin found in celery, carrots, peppers, olive oil, peppermint, rosemary and chamomile can reduce age-related inflammation in the brain and may help prevent memory loss.

Celery contains coumarins, compounds that help prevent free radicals from damaging cells. Coumarins also enhance the ability of certain white blood cells to eliminate harmful cells, including cancer cells.

One serving of raw celery, about two to three stalks, or a little more than 1 cup chopped, provides 44 percent of the daily suggested amount of vitamin K (good for blood and bones) and 14 percent of vitamin C (an immune-system booster).

Celery is a good source of potassium, calcium and magnesium, all associated with reduced blood pressure.

The acetylenics in celery have been shown to inhibit tumor growth.

Celery contains active compounds called phthalides, which contribute to celery’s distinctive aroma and help lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, improve circulation and aid detoxification.

My husband does not like celery at all! There are very few things he does not like, but celery is one of them. Another thing he does not like is black jelly beans. When he buys a bag of jelly beans he sorts them out and puts the black ones in a ziplock bag for me to eat! One time he was being funny and said as nasty as celery and black jelly beans taste I should eat them together! He saw me taking this photo and said, "What are you doing?" I just laughed!

All this time we thought celery was only for making "ants on a log" (celery with peanut butter and raisins on top) or to put in dressing at Thanksgiving. I find that if I keep celery cut into pieces in a ziplock bag in the frig, I will snack on it instead of having something sweet. It provides the "crunch" I crave, plus the taste prevents me from wanting something else. Eat more celery!