This Wellness Wednesday, let’s spotlight a vegetable that often gets overlooked — the artichoke. Don’t be fooled by its tough exterior — this plant is packed with powerful nutrients and wellness benefits that make it a smart addition to your plant-based lifestyle.
Why Artichokes Are a Wellness Win:
- Gut-Friendly: Rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports digestion and gut balance.
- Liver-Loving: Helps stimulate bile production for natural detox support.
- Antioxidant-Dense: One of the highest antioxidant veggies — fights inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Heart-Supportive: High in potassium, which promotes healthy blood pressure.
- Filling, Not Heavy: Fiber-rich and low in calories to help you stay full and satisfied.
Recipe: Artichoke Hearts
Ingredients:
- 1 frozen package artichoke hearts (I used 365 brand)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 6 cloves garlic minced (or 2 T garlic powder)
- 1 T onion powder
- 1/2 T dry basil
- 1/2 T dry oregano
- 1/2 Tsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp crushed red peppers (optional)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 water or more to thin our “filling”
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven 450° and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the frozen chokes on the sheet with “inside” of choke facing up. Bake 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile place all ingredients except water in a bowl and mix through. Then add water in 2 tablespoon increments. We are going for a paste that can be spread over the chokes with a spoon. Let stand until the chokes are done.
- Spread mixture over the artichokes hearts in a thin layer (1/4 inch) and return to the oven another 10 minutes.
- This should start to char as well as char the choke ends. If not, add 5 minutes to baking time and check again until you see a bit of char on top and the spread is now firm and a bit crisp to touch.
- Let cool a bit and place on a nice platter and garnish with fresh parsley.
Sometimes the most unassuming plants deliver the biggest wellness boost. This week, let artichokes surprise you — in both nutrition and flavor.
Wishing you a vibrant and grounded Wellness Wednesday!
I started out several years ago watching Forks Over Knives, decided to “try out” the plant-based meal plan and had shockingly incredible results. I’ve never turned back. I have lost nearly 50 pounds, and that is just one side effect that me, my family, friends and clients have experienced after making the change.
Having been an incredible cook my entire adult life, I started my own personal chef service, NuYu Nourish, to extend my help to others. I interned under a celebrity chef, became a celebrity chef myself and have been expanding my reach and goals ever since! My plan follows strictly and simply those of Dr. Mcdougall, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Esselstyn.
