Sweet News about Sweet Potatoes
And, the winner is ...
Marguerite Ednie received a copy of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest for her sweet potato recipe-- so simple yet so satisfying:
EASY SWEET POTATOES
Scrub/wash sweet potatoes. Prick with a fork. Bake at 350/375 degrees, 45-60 minutes 'til tender. Split in half. Mash insides with fork; drizzle with tahini, fresh lemon juice and cracked black pepper.
Did you know?
Sweet Potatoes are high in fiber, vitamins A + C, potassium, & folic acid. They're a staple of the traditional Okinawan diet (a Blue Zone). Before World War II (and the onslaught of western diets), Okinawans got a whopping 70% of daily calories from sweet potatoes!
Dan Buettner reports: Okinawans eat purple sweet potatoes, including the leaves--eaten as greens in miso soup. Like other sweet potatoes, they contain anti-oxidants, called sporamin, which possess a variety of potent anti-aging properties.
~ SWEET POTATO DESSERT RECIPES ~
CHOCOLATE FROSTING courtesy Linda Jones
1 15-oz. can sweet potato puree
1 2/3 cups vegan chocolate chips
In medium saucepan, simmer sweet potato puree over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; add chocolate, stir 'til smooth, forming soft peaks, but not stiff. When cool, spread over cooled cake, cookies, or cupcakes.
from prolific Lulu Cooks and Tells:
COFFEE CHOCOLATE DIP (a version of the above frosting)
1/2 cup non-dairy milk
4 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp instant coffee granules
4-6 tbsp maple syrup
2 cooked sweet potatoes, peeled/mashed
Mix first 4 ingredients in blender 'til well mixed. Add sweet potatoes; blend 'til mixture is smooth.
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 ripe banana
1/2 cup cooked sweet potato
1/2 cup non-dairy milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp cardamon
1 tbsp raisins or other dried fruits or fresh fruit or nuts
Mix quinoa, banana, and sweet potato in bowl. Add and mix non-dairy milk, syrup, cardamon. Add raisins.
More delicious-looking sweet potato recipes from Lulu:
Pittsburgh-area readers Note change in the date of my presentation: from
May 9 to MAY 14.
Dr. Dean Ornish's groundbreaking research shows that changing your lifestyle actually changes how your genes work–turning on genes that keep you healthy, turning off genes that promote heart disease, prostate cancer, & diabetes.
Mealtimes in "Blue Zones" regions are celebrations, a time to share stories & bond. A University of Illinois study found children who share family meals 3+ times/week are more likely to have normal weight and healthier diet.
Centenarians in all of the “Blue Zones” regions have access to leafy greens and hearty vegetables and they make up a large portion of their daily diets.
