The Beetnik

An ode to the beet: a beautifully-colored, delicious, nutritious and versatile vegetable.  You could eat the beet as is or roasted on a bed of  arugala with drizzled balsamic and goat cheese or my favorite juiced.

Join the "new beet generation"- kindred spirits with a passion for vegetables, health, people, animals,  food and our planet. Caring about each other and what we eat, how it's produced, and who produces it.

Raise your glass, drink up to non-conformity and be a food rebel! Start enjoying  all the hidden treasure within this magical vegetable.  

The Beetnik

Ingredients:

• 5 small organic Beets, unpeeled & washed

• 5 organic Carrots

• 1 organic Lemon

• 1 organic Orange, peeled

• 6-7 Stalks of organic Kale (with stems)

• 1 small Ginger bulb

Directions:

Put all the ingredients through your juicer. Drink up...♥  

Health Benefits of Beetroot

Beet juice and nitrates have been gaining more and more attention for their ability to improve athletic performance and reduce blood pressure. It's been well documented that a diet rich in vegetables can improve cardiovascular health, due to high nitrate content. While all vegetables contain some nitrates, they are more abundant in beets, leafy greens, spinach, celery, endives, fennel, arugula (rocket), leeks and parsley.

1) Lower Blood Pressure

Drinking just over two cups of beet juice daily may help keep your blood pressure in check.  The  nitrate—a nutrient found in green, leafy vegetables in addition to beets—may be responsible for beet juice's blood-pressure-lowering effects. Through a chain reaction, the body converts the nitrates in beet juice into nitric oxide, a compound that enhances blood flow throughout the body and helps lower blood pressure.

2) Instant Energy Source

Beets are rich in carbohydrates, which is why they are termed as instant energy sources. They can be regarded as body fuel. Besides being zero trans fat and zero saturated fat, they are also low in calorie, which means beets serve as foods that pacify one's hunger. Moreover, the sugar content (highest among vegetables) satiates one's sweet tooth as well without harming the body.

3) Stamina & Boosts Performance

Drinking beet juice may boost exercise stamina.  A key to endurance in exercise is oxygen utilization. As you workout, your body uses a lot of oxygen, and depleting that oxygen will (as anyone who has ever been out of breath knows) make you feel tired, sometimes well before your muscles give out. The conversion of the nitrates into nitirc oxide, a gas that widens your blood vessels can bring more oxygen to your muscles and ups your efficiency. The benefits are obvious for any sport with an endurance component.  When nitrates (which energy drinks lack) are mixed with carbs to keep your body fueled, they increase your efficiency and let your body make the most of the food you eat. 

4) Inflammation

Curbs inflammation because of the  betaine content. It reduces inflammation of bones, joints, throat and even blood vessels by 20%. Thus, is very helpful to those suffering from asthma, osteoporosis and obesity.

5) Lowers Cholesterol Level

Regular consumption of beets can reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood by almost 30%. The fiber in the beets reduce serum cholesterol. They are also observed to lower triglyceride levels, thereby helping to keep bad cholesterol at bay. 

6) High In Antioxidants 

Beets are high in antioxidants, which destroy the free radicals. Free radicals are known to damage cells in the brain and other parts of the body. Antioxidants destroy these free radicals, thus, protecting the brain cells and is an age-defying vegetable.  

Until Next Time, 

Claudia