ASPARAGUS

Interesting Facts

 • Asparagus is a perennial (meaning it comes up every year without having to re-plant)

• Member of the lily family

• The spears we get at our local grocery store, or even better farms market, are actually shoots from an underground crown

• It takes up to 3 years for the crowns to develop enough to produce the shoots that we eat but once they do, they can produce for up to 20 years

• The unusual smell our urine takes on after eating asparagus is from the amino acid asparagine

• Aparagine is where asparagus got its name from

  

Nutritional benefits
• Folate (also known as folic acid) – 1 cup of asparagus contains 263 mcg folate. If you are trying to get pregnant.....EAT YOUR ASPARAGUS AND OTHER GREENS! Without folate, the fetus’ nervous system cells do not divide properly leading to many neural tube defects! (should also be taken in supplement form before and during pregnancy to be sure you have adequate levels of folic acid)

 • High in potassium and low in sodium.

• Amino acid asparagine is a natural diuretic

• High in a fibre called inulin – promotes healthy bacteria in the gut (Did you know that 80% of your immune system is in your gut? Want a healthy immune system? Start with the bacteria in your gut)

Roasted Asparagus!

This is my favourite way to enjoy asparagus! Quick, easy and delish!!

• 1 bunch of washed asparagus
• 1 tbsp of cold pressed olive oil
• Pinch of sea salt + freshly cracked black pepper

Cut off woody ends of asparagus. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes!

Enjoy!

Other ways to enjoy asparagus

• Grill on the BBQ

• Add to your next omelette or egg bake

• Chop into one inch pieces and add to a stir-fry

• With a vegetable peeler, go down the asparagus, making long thin strands. Add the strands to your salad

• Enjoy raw with some healthy veggie dip