transformyou is committed to helping you live your best life. Let us help you reach your weight loss goals and maintain the well-being you've always desired. Today's Living Healthy in Arizona feature is on the health benefits of olives and how to prepare and cook this wonderful vegetable.
Olives
Availability: Year-Round
Refrigerate: Yes
Shelf life: 1 year refrigerated
Preparation: Minimal, served cut, diced or whole
Healthiest way to cook: No need to cook
Why Olives?
Olives are one of the oldest foods and are believed to have originated in Crete between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago. Since ancient times, the olive tree has been seen as a symbol of peace and a source of food, fuel, timber and medicine. Olives can't be eaten right off the tree, however. It is only after olives go through a processing method to reduce the bitterness that they have their delicious taste. Olives are a good source of Vitamin E, a vitamin that protects cells from free radicals. They are also made up almost entirely of a health-promoting monounsaturated fat that supports heart health.
Selecting Olives
Olives are almost always purchased in jars or cans although a very large number of local farmer's markets in the area have begun carrying a wide variety. You can choose from olives with seeds, pitted olives or stuffed olives. If you are buying from a farmer's market, just ensure that the store has good turnover and keeps its olives immersed in oil or brine for freshness and moisture.
Preparing Olives
Rinse olives under cold water if they are too salty for your liking. The easiest way to remove an olive pit is to use the flat side of a knife and crush them. You may also cut the olive on all sides, removing as much meat has you can, and discard the pit from there.
Healthiest Way to Enjoy Olives (because like we mentioned before, there is no need to cook an olive)
Olive Bruschetta
1 loaf Italian bread
8 oz of minced, Kalamata olives
Rosemary, minced
Feta Cheese, crumbled
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic clove, crushed
Toast 1/4 inch slices of Italian bread by baking them in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for 3 minutes on each side. Once out of the oven, immediately rub each slice with crushed garlic clove. Then top with olives, fresh rosemary and feta cheese. Put back in the oven for one minute. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve.
transformyou was established on the belief that everyone has a right to look and feel their best. Dr. Bird and his staff not only treat patients, they educate them on their options, all the while providing the resources needed to see success in medical weight loss az, phoenix hormone therapy, arizona testosterone replacement, az alternative medicines, hcg diet tempe az, arizona weight loss, az food allergy testing, az personal training, estrogen replacement therapy, or improving general health, mood or lifestyle. Dr. Bird is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor and a member of the American Academy of Pain Management. He has medical training in manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) and in Prolotherapy from the Hackett Hemwall Foundation. Read more about Dr. Bird and the services provided at transformyou here.