Beets - NOT pickled PLEASE!!

Okay, before you start thinking … YUCK!

Let me just tell you that I can remember trying beets as a kid and they were always pickled and YES - YUCK is the best way to describe the taste! Now this is only my opinion, but, the only thing that should be pickled is pickles! But, back to the beets!  Recently I tried beets in a whole new way, roasted!

Now I think … YUMMY and WOW are they good for you!
Take a look:

Red Beet is unique for its high levels of anti-carcinogens and its very high carotenoid content. Red beets are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and it is an excellent source of folic acid. It is loaded with antioxidant that helps the body against heart disease, certain cancer especially colon cancer and even birth defects. Betacyanin is the pigment that gives beets their red color; this pigment is absorbed into the blood corpuscles and can increase the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood by up to 400 per cent. Don’t throw away the green leafy tops as they can be cooked like spinach and are also rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, chlorophyll, potassium, vitamin C, and iron.

Health Benefits of Red Beets:

* Beet root is a traditional treatment used for leukemia. Beet root contain an amino acid betaine which has an anti cancer properties. Red beet therapy, consisting of consumption of approximately two pounds of raw, mashed beets daily, has been favorably reported for cases of leukemia and tumors (includes cancer). Research also shows that beet juice can help inhibit the development of colon and stomach cancer.

* It is believed that red beets when used eaten regularly may help against certain oxidative stress-related disorders.

* The fiber in red beets help reduced serum cholesterol by 30 to 40%.

* Beets can help in normalizing blood pressure.

* Beets helps to keep the elasticity of arteries, when consumed regularly it can help prevent varicose veins.

* The iron content of red beets, though not high but is of the finest quality that makes it a powerful cleanser and builder of blood. This is the reason why beets is very effective in treating many ailments caused by toxic environment and surrounding.

* Beet root is recommended for pregnant women because it contain folic acid that can help lower the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects in newborn infants.

* Beet juice helps stimulate the function of liver cells and protect the liver and bile ducts.

* Beet juice is highly alkaline which makes it effective in the treatment of acidosis.

* Drinking beets regularly can help relieve constipation.

* Beet juice and carrot juice when combined is excellent in the healing gout, kidney and gall bladder problem.

* Red beets can also help in the following problems; Headaches, toothaches, dysentery, lumbago, skin problems, menstrual problems, etc.

Never having prepared beets, I had NO idea where to begin!  Thank goodness for the internet, I watched a video on how to roast and clean beets and looked for a few ways to eat them! I ended up with a lighter version of roasted beets with reduced-fat feta cheese .

Kris and I both LOVED it!

A few other tips online include:

Beets go well with: Smoked fish; beef or ham; horseradish; feta and goat cheese; butter; carrots; nuts; cream; sour cream; yogurt; mint; basil; dill; tarragon; vinegar; orange; potatoes; spinach.

Tip: To remove beet stains, sprinkle salt on the stain, rinse it, and wash with soap.

For more  information on beets, including how to select and store, click here!

I think you should give beets a try, they are so healthy!