Snackin’ the Green Stalk
May is asparagus month! So celebrate the savory spears before they go out of season (end of June). Pick it: Choose bright green stalks with compact, firm, closed tips (the white ones are a delicacy but also higher in calories). Eat it: Low-cal, low-carb & high in nutrition, asparagus is loaded with potassium and vitamin C; it's also a good source of folate, fiber, chlorophyll, even a bit of protein. Easy to carry around with you too for a quick snack. Heal it: Asparagus (a member of the lily family) has long been prized for its medicinal qualities. It's a diuretic and anti-inflammatory so it's good for cramps and PMS, swelling, and keeping slim. Warning: Overcooking makes them bitter. Also, um, some people have a strong urine odor after eating asparagus--that's because of a sulfur compound called mercaptan, which releases a funny scent when broken down. Don't worry, it goes away when the asparagus is completely digested. For some super-cool spring recipes like an Aspara-Berry Smoothie and Asparagus Guacamole, check out www.calif-asparagus-seed.com/recipes.html