Nopales con Huevos (Cactus w/ Eggs) March 13 2016, 0 Comments
This lady has a nice cactus recipe....
our cactus are easier to clean than hers...
and ours don't really need cooking.
Cactus Recipes
Nopal: The Health Magic In The Edible Cactus Plant March 13 2016, 1 Comment
The Nopal cactus, also known as “prickly pear,” is an edible cactus plant native to the mountains of Mexico. It has been used since ancient times as both a food and as a medicine for its health benefits.
This vegetable-type edible cactus is popular in Mexico and other Central American countries, parts of Europe, the Middle East, India, North Africa and Australia.
The prickly pear plant has two different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit.
The nopal cactus grows wild throughout the American southwest down to South America and up to Canada.
With a soft but crunchy texture that also becomes a bit sticky (not unlike okra) when cooked, the nopal cactus tastes similar to a slightly tart green bean, asparagus, or green pepper.
Studies have shown that the pectin contained in the nopal cactus lowers levels of “Bad” cholesterol while leaving “Good” cholesterol levels unchanged.
Other study found that the fibrous pectin in the nopal cactus may lower diabetics need for insulin. Both fruits and pads of the nopal cactus are rich in slowly absorbedsoluble fibers that help keep blood sugar stable.
Fiber means Control. This means that you will have less cravings and feel fuller since Nopal is extremely high in fiber. Nopal also has a high vegetable protein that lessens cellulites and water retention in your body.
Read the entire article!
Holistic health benefits of nopales cactus also known as prickly pear March 13 2016, 0 Comments
10 Health Benefits of Nopales March 13 2016, 7 Comments
From the article 10 Health Benefits of Nopales:
Nopales, also known as cactus juice or prickly pears, is of the species Opuntia ficus-indica. It is a popular vegetable in Mexican dishes due to its low calories and succulent, green leaves.
Health Benefit 1: Anti- inflammation
The ability of Nopales to fight inflammation in the muscles, arteries, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system is a well known fact. It has also been shown to lower pain in people with urethra and bladder, bladder infections as well as gallstones.
Health Benefit 2: Boost Immune System
The photochemical in Nopales are useful in making the immune system stronger.
Health Benefit 3: Anti-oxidant Properties
Nopales are rich in antioxidants known as betalins.
Health Benefit 4: Fights Cholesterol
The high amounts of soluble fiber in Nopales have been found through research to combat high levels of cholesterol.
Health Benefit 5: Combats Diabetes
Nopales are particularly useful to people suffering from non-insulin diabetes. It has been found to lower and balance blood pressure.
Health Benefit 6: Digestive Health
The functions of the digestion process such as absorbing excess water as well as speeding up bowel movement are enhanced by the insoluble fiber in them.
Health Benefit 7: Nutrient Rich
Nopales are endowed with a variety of minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A, C, K, B6, riboflavin among a host of other minerals such as calcium.
Health Benefit 8: Low Calorie Food
With high content of amino acid, vitamin and minerals, nopales is considered a low calorie food hence beneficial for weigh loss. They contain 17 amino acids, with 8 of them being essential.
Health Benefit 9:Anti-Cancer Properties
Nopales have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Health Benefit 10: Neuroprotective Properties
The stems and fruits of Nopales contain quercetin 3-methyl, flavonoid which is said to a powerful neuroprotector.
Read the entire article at healthbenefitsofeating.com
The Nutrition of Cactus Juice March 12 2016, 2 Comments
From the article:
Cactus juice, also known as nopales, nopalitos or prickly pear juice, is a popular beverage in Mexico, South America, India, the Middle East and parts of Europe. This beverage has recently caught on in popularity in the United States.
The fleshy oval leaves of the cactus plant have a sticky liquid that is similar to asparagus, green beans or green peppers. The nectar of this plant is composed of water, sugar and minerals.
The Nutritional Value of Cactus Juice
Cactus juice provides you with beta-carotene, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium and numerous other minerals and vitamins. Additionally, this fruit is rich in amino acids, specifically taurine. Taurine has antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which are beneficial to the body.
Health Benefits of Cactus Juice
Cactus juice has shown to help to prevent inflammation in the muscles, arteries, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular region.
Cactus juice has a laxative effect and has shown to effectively treat constipation. In addition to easing constipation, cactus juice can reduce inflammation in the urethra and bladder.
Cactus juice is a good source of photochemicals, which can help strengthen the body's immune system.
Additionally, the nopal cactus has high levels of betalins, which are antioxidants.
The American Heart Association has conducted research examining the benefits of cactus juice in reducing cholesterol levels.
Cactus juice has shown to be an effective remedy for non-insulin diabetes. Research shows that cactus juice can help decrease and stabilize blood glucose and insulin levels
Enjoy 1 to 2 tbsp of cactus juice up to three times a day to benefit from the numerous benefits provided by this fruit.
Read the entire article about the Nutrition Value of Cactus Juice
"Nopal - Anti-Inflammatory and Lowers Cholesterol" March 12 2016, 3 Comments
Nopal cactus grows all over the world and it’s used as a great food in Mexico, South America, and many other areas of the world. And it has amazing health benefits such as: Its a powerful anti-inflammatory, a very good antioxidant, helps with weight loss, lowers cholesterol, has plant sterols to dissolves arterial plaques, lowers blood sugar, detoxes the liver, good immune booster, helps with gastric ulcers, lots of fiber, promotes the grow of probiotic bacteria, helps with hangovers, lowers blood sugar, lowers blood pressure and more.
Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist
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Nopal cactus crece en todo el mundo y es usado como una gran comida en México, América del Sur, y en muchas otras zonas del mundo. Y tiene increíbles beneficios para la salud tales como: es un potente antiinflamatorio, un muy buen antioxidante, ayuda con la pérdida de peso, reduce el colesterol, esteroles vegetales que disuelve las placas arteriales, baja el nivel de azúcar en la sangre, el hígado detoxes, buen refuerzo inmunológico, ayuda con las úlceras gástricas, mucha fibra, promueve el crecimiento de las bacterias probióticas, ayuda con la resaca, baja el nivel de azúcar en la sangre, disminuye la presión arterial y mucho más.
El Dr. Paul Haider - Maestro herborista
Nopal: Prickly and slimy with a medicinal kick February 08 2016, 0 Comments
By Eun Jae Park
The nopal cactus is a staple food that has existed in the native Meso-American diet for more than 12,000 years, and it offers a nutritious supplement to many traditional Mexican dishes. Although there are over 200 edible varieties of the nopal cactus, the broad-leafed vegetable pads of the Opuntia ficus-indica species are most utilized in Mexican cuisine. Nopal cactus pads can be served raw, stir-fried, dried, or pickled and are commonly prepared as side dishes, salads, taco fillings, or omelets. Slimy, citrusy, and slightly sweet, nopal is a unique vegetable that can be an acquired taste.
Farmers can grow nopal in harsh arid climates and at high-altitudes (Photo Credit: Stock.xchng)
In addition, nopal has been extensively studied for its potential health benefits. According to studies conducted by University of California, Los Angeles, nopal is effective in reducing LDL cholesterol—the “bad” cholesterol—and regulating blood sugar for diabetic patients. In addition, 15 percent of nopal’s weight is fiber, making it a great food to manage gastrointestinal tract movement.
Often referred to as “prickly pears” in the United States, nopal pads are being cultivated in Mexico and border-states such as California and Arizona for commercial export. Farmers, chefs, medical researchers, and consumers are recognizing the benefits of nopal and demand has tremendously increased in recent years. The cactus industry in Mexico alone is worth $150 million and employs 10,000 workers.
Read more about the health benefits of nopal cactus.
Nopal (Prickly Pear Cactus) for Type II Diabetes January 28 2016, 1 Comment
When 85 g of nopal was added to typical Mexican breakfasts, it reduced glucose levels for several hours and favorably altered the glycemic index of 3 different test breakfasts among 36 patients with type 2 diabetes.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/724058
Fried Cactus January 24 2016, 0 Comments
Fried Cactus.
This is an easy way to enjoy fresh nopal cactus.
Fry some potatoes up whatever way you like. diced, sliced.... add some onions too.
When the potatoes are almost done add some cactus and stir it with the nearly cooked ingredients. Give it a couple of minutes. Our cactus does not need a lot of cooking if you even cook it at all. There's no need to cook our cactus until it becomes dark in color, eat it fresh and alive and bright green!
For another cactus treat you can add eggs to the 'water-cactus-onion mix and scramble them in. When the eggs are cooked spoon the mix into warm tortilla shells and have them as breakfast burritos.
Benefits of Cactus leaf in the diet January 24 2016, 14 Comments
Benefits of Cactus Leaf in the Diet
by Tracey Roizman, D.C., Demand Medi
Prickly pear cactus, a member of the genus Opuntia, also known as nopal cactus, grows in warm, arid parts of the world. It produces leaves -- actually flattened stems known as pads -- between four to 16 inches long. Prickly pear offers a variety of practical benefits. For example, the sap from the pads repels mosquitoes and is a remedy for minor cuts and burns, according to the University of California Cooperative Extension. Cactus leaf also offers certain nutritional and other health benefits, including:
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity
Including cactus leaf in your diet may boost your antioxidant levels, according to a study published in the January 2006 "Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology." Researchers found that prickly pear cactus demonstrated strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Cancer Prevention
Prickly pear cactus leaf offers potential anticancer benefits, according to a tissue-culture study published in the February 2013 issue of the journal "Food and Function." Antioxidants and other active components of prickly pear induced early cell death in human breast and colon cancer cells, with a more pronounced effect occurring in colon cancer cells. Prickly pear also showed robust anti-inflammatory activity that might prevent cell damage and contribute to its anticancer benefits.
Blood Sugar Control
Cactus leaf combined with exercise improved insulin sensitivity -- the appropriate response of cells to insulin -- in an animal study published in the March 2013 "International Journal of Molecular Science." Results showed that a group that ate diets supplemented with 5 percent prickly pear cactus by weight and participated in a swimming program had significantly lower blood sugar and fasting insulin levels compared to a group that ate a high-fat diet and did not exercise. Prickly pear also activated a gene that increases metabolic activity and fat burning.
Dietary Uses
To prepare fresh cactus leaf, scrape the spines off and peel back the skin to reveal the fleshy meat. Add fresh prickly pear cactus leaf, which has a flavor similar to that of green beans, to vegetable and fruit salads, soups or omelettes. You can also boil or fry cactus leaf.
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