Wow! Look at all the beautiful, vibrant colors in this salsa. There is so much good stuff packed in here both in flavor and nutrients!
It was Hippocrates who said," Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food!" Smart man. This dish is packed with lots of "medicine" that God gave us to enjoy and it tastes amazing!
Let's break down this dish and look at the healthy aspects of it.
First of all we have black beans which are low in fat, low in cholesterol and loaded with fiber. They are heart-healthy and great for digestion. They are high in antioxidants that fight against free radicals which help to fight against cancer. In addition to all these great things, they are high in iron and manganese.
Next, we have tomatoes. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants. They prevent skin damage from UV rays and offers protection from skin cancer. They also, like black beans, fight against free radicals. They are good for your eyes, skin, heart, prostate & bones. Packed full of Vitamin A, C, Potassium, B-Complex, and minerals, tomatoes should be a part of a healthy diet each day.
Green Onions are my all-time favorite accompaniment to a good sandwich. They are a great source of Vitamin A, C and Folate. I have read that they can even lower blood pressure. Maybe that's why mine is so low....love green onions!
I think just about every dish I cook has garlic in it so it is good to know that garlic contains high amounts of antioxidants! Garlic can lower your cholesterol, it is antifungal, it thins the blood, lowers your blood pressure, helps your joints, and reduces the risk of cancers such as stomach, colon, pancreas and breast.
Cilantro is rich in antioxidants just like the other ingredients listed above, so it helps fight against cancers. It is packed with Vitamins A, C, K, B-6, Folate, and the minerals Calcium, Iron, Potassium, and Manganese. It helps lower blood pressure, reduces bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol, and is good for bones. One thing that really stood out to me was that Cilantro has established a role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain. Awesome!
Cumin helps control diabetes. It reduces hypoglycemia. And this is interesting, cumin
aids in digestion by causing the liver to secrete more bile which aids in the breakdown of more fat and absorption of more nutrients. It contains Magnesium which promotes good heart health.
Limes are considered healthy diabetes super foods. They contain high levels of soluble fiber which help regulate the body's absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and lowers blood pressure. They also have a low glycemic index. The natural amount of acid in limes helps clean the excretory system by washing and cleaning the tracts, therefore helps alleviate constipation. Also, an overdose of lime juice with salt acts to purge without side effects, providing relief from constipation. Hmmmm...who knew those margaritas did all that!
Last but not least Olive Oil. Olive Oil. This should be a super food. Olive Oil helps in reducing the risk of some cancers. It helps lower blood cholesterol, helps improve the control of blood sugar, helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis, and it is thought to prevent the onset of osteoporosis. It is also touted as helping to protecting against skin cancer and breast cancer. Olive Oil is also good for the scalp and hair growth.
So many reasons to fix this recipe and store it in the refrigerator to eat with chips, serve over omelets, put into tortillas, mix in with corn, or grab a big spoonful and eat as a snack. I've made this for years but never realized just how good it is for your health.
BLACK BEAN SALSA
1 16 ounce can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tomatoes, diced
4 Green Onions, chopped
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
3 tablespoons Cilantro, freshly chopped
2-1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
1/2-1 teaspoon ground Cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste
Combine ingredients in a bowl. Cover, refrigerate and serve with tortilla chips.
looks delish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete