The Radiant Radish

Chinese proverb says, "eating pungent radishes and
drinking hot tea, let the starved doctors beg on their knees."

Sustainable Healthy Living, by Sheila Mullen – May 26

Behold, our first garden plunder – red red radishes. 

Radishes have a uniquely delicious and pungent flavor and are a powerhouse of good nutrients. However, radishes continue to be one of Mother Nature’s best-kept natural healing secrets.

Radish Basics

Radishes come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors and flavors. They can be the size of a grape or larger than a carrot, and range in color from bold reds, pinks, and purples to starker white and even black. 

In Season: Radishes peak from April to July.

What to Look For: Choose radishes that are plump, firm, smooth and free of cracks and blemishes. When serving radishes raw, buy them with the bright green and fresh leaves still attached.

How to Store: Place radishes in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper. Those purchased with the tops removed can be kept up to a week. Radishes with the leaves still on should be used within a day or so because the greens don't stay fresh very long.

Nutrient Facts: Radishes are low in calories, contain no fat or cholesterol, and are low in sodium, high in dietary fiber, have loads of carbohydrates, high in water content, and are a natural diuretic. They are loaded with vitamins; K, B6, folate, pantothenic acid and minerals; potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.  What is not to love about radishes?

Radish Health Benefits Sampling.

•                Weight Loss: Radishes are filling, satisfying your hunger easily without adding many calories as they are low in digestible carbohydrates, high in roughage and contain a lot of water.

•                Cancer Prevention: Radishes are excellent detoxifier and rich in vitamin-C, folic acid and anthocyanins.  Radishes are believed to prevent and possibly help heal many types of cancer, particularly those of colon, kidney, intestines, stomach and mouth.

•                Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radishes are an anti-congestive, relieving congestion of respiratory system including nose, throat, windpipe and lungs, due to cold, infection and allergies. Radishes are a good disinfectant and also rich in vitamins, which can help protect the respiratory system from infections.

•                Other Benefits: Including the benefits mentioned above radishes can assist in keeping the common cold at bay as well as reducing chronic illnesses, like diabetes and heart disease, radishes are a natural mouth and breath freshener, a laxative, help regulate metabolism, improve blood circulation, are good treatments for headache, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gastric problems, and gallbladder stones.

Eat More:

Radishes can be served raw, cooked or even pickled.  The simplest way to add radishes to your meals is to toss slices into your salads. Here is a new twist for your radishes.  Make up a batch of Mexican Ceviche where the pungent kick of the radish meets the sublime citrus zing to form an explosion of flavor.

Mexican Ceviche (from Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 5 large lemons, juiced
• 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, or to taste
• tomato and clam juice cocktail
• 2 white onions, finely chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 3 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1 bunch radishes, finely diced
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, 
• minced tortilla chips

Directions

Place shrimp in a bowl (you may either coarsely chop the shrimp, or leave them

whole, depending on your preference).

Add lemon, covering shrimp completely.

Cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until opaque and slightly firm.

Add tomatoes, onions, cucumber, radishes, and garlic; toss to combine. Gradually add cilantro and jalapenos to desired taste (jalapeno will grow stronger while marinating).

Stir in tomato and clam juices to desired consistency.

Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Serve chilled with tortilla chips.

Caution:

Radishes may contain goitrogens, a plant-based compound found in cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and kale. Goitrogens may cause swelling of the thyroid gland and should be avoided in individuals with thyroid dysfunction.

Radish Tune (click here): Bet you can't help tapping your toes and humming along while at the farmer's market or picking fresh radishes from your garden while celebrating the radish in all its glory. 

Be well.

Sources: 

http://www.fatburningfurnace.com/blog/radish-nutrition-facts-–-health-benefits-of-radishes

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-radish.html

http://www.marthastewart.com/274898/radish-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide

About Sheila Mullen – The founder of Continuous Motion Consulting, Sheila is passionate about engaging friends, family and community in improving their lives and the lives of those around them. Sheila spent more than 20 years in technology sales, marketing and development. She also has a background in organizational development, innovation and executive wellness coaching.