I’ve been telling everyone to eat colorful fruits and vegetables since day one, but maybe these new research findings will persuade you to eat more of the reds and blues [and help with your weight loss efforts too]. Blueberries and eggplant never looked so good - keeping us thin, healthy, young-looking and gorgeous!
A recent
Japanese study found “
Anthocyanins (red, purple and blue pigments) have a significant potency of antiobesity…and important implications for preventing Metabolic Syndrome”. Groups of mice were fed high fat diets with 30% lard for 12 weeks. One group had color extract from purple corn (high in anthocyanins) added. The mice fed purple corn color significantly lowered their body weight and their fat cells did not increase in size (unlike those on the high fat diet alone).
Even more interesting, the high fat diet without purple pigment increased blood sugar and insulin production. This is especially important for the prevention of Metabolic Syndrome, as abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are risk factors.
Therefore, as an easy and delicious way to keep us healthy and prevent the development of Metabolic Syndrome, let's "color our plates" and make sure to include a lot of red, blue and purple. You can simply add berries to salads, yogurt and cereal, or snack on cherries.
Since it's Valentine's Day, here are some simple but elegant ideas with a healthy purple twist:
Kir Royal
In a Champagne Flute pour 2 tsp of black Current liquor, Chambord or Concorde grape juice concentrate and then add Champagne. You could also use a dry white wine (then it would be called simply a Kir).
Chilled Blueberry Soup for 2
In a small sauce pan, put 1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen), ½ c of apple juice, ¼ c orange juice, 1 Tbsp of lemon juice and a pinch of nutmeg. Bring to a boil over medium heat while stirring. Reduce the heat and simmer for one minute. Take off the heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning (may add more of less orange or lemon juice). Serve chilled with a dollop of non-fat Greek yogurt, an edible flower or mint leaves.
Roasted Cornish Hen with BerriesIn a baking dish place 2 Cornish hens, season with salt and pepper. Pour some apple or orange juice to cover half an inch of the dish (you may also add some ginger if you like). Cook at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes, basting occasionally, until done (hint: juice near the thigh will run out clear and skin will be golden when done). Add about one cup (more is better) of blackberries or raspberries to the dish and gently mix with the juice so they warm up a little, without breaking them. Serve with purple potatoes and roasted red peppers or roasted Japanese eggplant. Enjoy with a glass of nice red wine (for more antioxidants of course).
Dark Chocolate Sherbet Cup
At your favorite chocolate or pastry shop, buy dark chocolate cups. Fill them with raspberry sherbet and top with your favorite berries.
Bonne Appétit and Happy Valentine’s Day!
- Josee 
