A simple slaw recipe for healing oxidative stress. 

What is oxidative stress? 

As our body processes oxygen, a natural byproduct is produced called free radicals is produced. Free radicals stimulate repair to our cells, help cleanse our blood, and fight off bacteria. However, when there are too many free radicals, our repair process gets overwhelmed. This is called oxidative stress. 

With oxidative stress we can get symptoms like:

• Fatigue
• Memory loss and/or brain fog
• Muscle and/or joint pain
• Wrinkles and grey hair
• Decreased eyesight
• Headaches and sensitivity to noise
• Susceptibility to infections

Antioxidants to the rescue! Did you know that our bodies have a built in mechanism for healing oxidative stress given the proper antioxidant rich nutrients? Antioxidants help to inhibit oxidation and lower free radicals! 

As we increase our antioxidant levels and lower our oxidative stress we see:

• Slower signs of aging, including skin, eyes, tissue, joints, heart and brain
• Healthier, more youthful, glowing skin
• Reduced cancer risk
• Detoxification support
• Longer life span
• Protection against heart disease and stroke
• Less risk for cognitive problems, such as dementia
• Reduced risk for vision loss or disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts

Cruciferous vegetables are great oxidative stress busters. Cabbage, kale, bok choy, turnips, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes brussels and arugula are cruciferous vegetables. Their secret weapon is sulforaphane. But like every superhero, sulforaphane doesn't act alone. The raw cruciferous vegetables have the sulforaphane precursor, called glucoraphanin which mixes with the enzyme, myrosinase when you chew or chop them and produces sulforaphane in the stomach. Problem is, when you cook them, the myrosinase is destroyed. Kind of like kryptonite and Superman's power. How do we protect the myrosinase from the heat? Chop your cruciferous vegetables and let them sit 40 minutes before you cook them. The myrosinase does its job and sulforaphane can stand up to the kryptonite, ugh, I mean heat. An easy method is to chop your cruciferous veggies in the morning, let the magic happen during the day, and cook them for dinner. 

So are you ready to experience the power of antioxidants? The following is one of my favorite healing recipes! No need to pre chop because this is all raw. Every ingredient in this salad and dressing has antioxidant power. Do let me know what you think!

Enjoy!
Lynda

Simple Slaw

Ingredients

• 2 cups thinly sliced purple cabbage
• 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
• 1 tart apple, grated
• 1 beet, grated
• ½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup toasted black sesame seeds

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and toss with the dressing.

Dressing

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice, to taste
• 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced and allowed to sit for 10 minutes
• ½ teaspoon fresh dill, fine chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh, grated turmeric root
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together or put in a lidded jar and shake.