Vegetarian Means Vegan, Right?

Actually vegetarians tend to differ from what Vegans consider themselves to be. The exact reasons for why, evade me at the moment.

I eat plenty of vegetables but also enjoy eggs so I think this means I may be a vegetarian but I am not a vegan because eggs are not on their menu. I need to watch my calories and weight.

Veganism, if I may, seems to be more like a religion than just a healthy eating regime. I think the term is applied to not only eggs but even to wearing things that may have once been alive, like leather.

I have no feelings on this one way or another and think our life choices are just that, our life choices.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Pardon Me, But Did Someone Say Broccoli?

By Isaac Toussie

People are saying that food scams are important to watch out for and fraud could also exist on food labeling. I, Isaac Toussie, pardon the thought, think that in these times when so many people are concerned about matters like housing and work place discrimination, fashion, entertainment, real estate, mortgages, vacations and so forth, things like food quality and food awareness may become inadvertently sidestepped. I, Isaac Toussie, feel that Broccoli is a great nutritional resource.

Broccoli is a cruciferous plant that originally came from southern Europe, in the regions by the Mediterranean Sea. Broccoli goes all the way back to ancient Rome, where it was developed from wild broccoli that looked like collard greens, and its name comes from the Latin word brachium for branch. It is one of the most popular vegetables ever, and forms a regular part of most healthy diets around the world, especially in the United States. It is often called a super-food because scientific research continues to uncover one nutritional benefit after another. To begin with, broccoli contains one of the highest concentrations of health promoting sulfur compounds like sulforaphane and isothiocyanates, which increase the livers power to make enzymes that neutralize potentially toxic substances in our bodies. Broccoli is also rich in the powerful phytonutrient antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids found in the lens of our eyes in high concentrations. Furthermore, broccoli provides Vitamins A and C along with folic acid for a healthy heart. Broccoli that is dark green contains more chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and Vitamin C, while more purplish heads contain more flavanoids.

Being from the cruciferous family of vegetables places broccoli among the likes of cauliflower, kale, collard greens, cabbages, mustard greens, and Brussels Sprouts. Some of the more easily available varieties of broccoli include green broccoli, broccolini, broccoflower, broccoli raab, and broccoli sprouts.

I, Isaac Toussie, have my own favorite, which is green broccoli. Green broccoli, also known as sprouting broccoli but called Italian Green or Calabrese Broccoli (named after the famous geographical area of Italy where its reputed to have been first grown ) as well, is the most popular kind of broccoli and the most commonly seen in supermarkets today. Its light green stalks are topped with clusters of dark green, often purplish florets. The word broccolini is an Italian diminutive for baby broccoli, but its actually a cross between green broccoli and kale, and is the best kind of broccoli to serve raw. Broccoflower is a cross between broccoli and cauliflower, being more like cauliflower than broccoli. Broccoli raab is intensely flavorful, and has a pleasant though slightly bitter taste. It has more leaves and a longer stem than common green broccoli, and though its stem is tender and needs no peeling the bottom last inch or so should be discarded because it can be rather wood-like and tough. Otherwise, broccoli raab is just similar enough to regular broccoli to serve as a substitute, usually. Broccoli sprouts are actual sprouts from broccoli seeds, and are popular due to their high volume of healthy phytonutrients.

This article has been posted by Isaac Toussie, just for informational and human interest purposes and not for any medical or advisory purposes. This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions or conclusions of the provider, and the reader should not rely upon the validity of the information contained herein. The reader should consult a doctor, nutritionist, and/or other medical professionals for advice about food, nutrition, diet, and physiology.

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