Danette May's Lotus Journal - April 2020

Did you know that there are over 2.5 million acres of garlic in cultivation worldwide? It’s no wonder: Garlic boasts a fascinating history, has unparalleled potential health benefits, and is used in cuisines throughout the world. Plus, it’s tasty! National Garlic Day is April 19, so here are some facts about one of our favorite healing foods. History

often be combated with a little bit of lemon juice, but if you’d rather savor the flavor, your secret is safe with us! Because we truly believe in the power of garlic, you can find almost 50 recipes using it on FitRise.com. All you have to do is search the word “garlic” in the meal plan library and choose something that looks delicious, like our latest garlicky recipe, “I AM a Catch Casserole.”

promote healthy hair and skin, and fight fungus and bacteria. The best way to take advantage of these potential benefits is by eating it raw, but if you can’t deal with the lingering stinky breath, following proper cooking methods can still yield healthy results. How-Tos When buying garlic, avoid shriveled or soft bulbs. Its shelf life is roughly eight weeks if the skin is unbroken and around two weeks for individual cloves. Garlic works well in recipes that call for its relatives, like onions, shallots, and leeks. When cooking with garlic, the finer you mince and mash, the more flavor you’ll get. You should also let your garlic rest between chopping and cooking, and add it to the pan near the end of the recipe to better preserve its nutrients and flavor. Garlic breath can

Humans have been using garlic for over 5,000 years. It originated in Central Asia, but its nutritional and remedial benefits made it popular in recipes and medicine. Its pungent aroma was thought to ward off evil, and ancient Greek warriors ate it to instill strength and courage. Egyptians worshiped the plant and even used it as local currency. Health Throughout history, garlic has been used to treat wounds, cure asthma, combat diseases, and even fight gangrene. Today, its recognized health benefits are a little more practical but no less astounding. Garlic contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may boost immunity, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol,

Danette May’s Lotus Journal

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