My New Favorite Carrot
Many of you have probably never heard of a root vegetable called fennel, but fennel is a herb that has a bulb like an onion,the stalk of a celery and fronds appearing like dill with an aroma familiar to anise or licorice. Herb fennel is used in fish dishes, soup and stews and fennel seeds are used in some sausages. Fennel bulbs are used raw in salads or steamed.
Fennel is also technically a flower because it produces seeds. Seeds ripen from September to October. This plant can reproduce from crown or root fragments but freely reproduces from seed. I don’t garden myself so I can’t provide more specifics, but information is at the tip of your hands or you can always ask Alexa.Ha!
However, I did learn something new. Interestingly, this herb is from the carrot family (Apiaceae) , specifically it’s scientific name is known as Foeniculum vulgare–BAM!!! I knew my one semester of Botany in college would pay off! Back in the day one three hour semester course cost about 400ish$. Today the same course probably cost about $557.00. Click here to see inflation calculator. This year alone inflation is at a market high of almost 8% since 1982! Can we partly blame huge payouts to college coaches and administration for some part to these insane rises in college cost?!
No Joke it’s real. Check this article out on how a split-dollar agreement made this college coach the highest-paid football coach in the country.
Briefly summarized, back in 2016 the University of Michigan drafted a contract with Coach Jim Harbaugh to included a deferred compensation alternative involving cash value life insurance. This strategy provided coach Harbaugh with millions of dollars of tax-free cash during retirement.
So the University agreed to make seven loan advances of $2million each, that Harbaugh would then use to pay premiums on a life insurance policy. As long as the policy remains active, the loan will not have to be repaid until Harbaugh dies, at which during these years the University of Michigan will recoup its original $14 million investment and Harbaugh’s beneficiaries will receive the remainder of the death benefit. Plus the agreement allows Harbaugh to borrow money from the policy tax-free as long as the policy meets “sustainability requirements” following the loan.
Seriously I should have gone to a trades school….or a college athletic coach.
Ok rant over! Back to topic.
Anywho, I came across an Apple Carrot Fennel Soup recipe and decided to give it a try. But first, I wanted to find out what the benefits of fennel were and surprisingly fennel provides more health benefits than its cousin the celery or onion.
Benefits of Fennel
- Antioxidant
- Hepatoprotective
- Antimicrobial
- Anti Aging
- Antiviral
- Anti fungal
- Diuretic
But How?
Flavonoids are generally considered as an important category of antioxidants in the human diet. These flavonoids exhibit remarkable anti-inflammatory activity. Further, quercetin, rutin, and isoquercitrin are some flavonoids reported to have the immunomodulatory (a chemical agent that modifies an immune response/i.e formation of white blood cell) activities. Aqueous extraction of fennel fruits are also rich in phenolic compounds. Phenols have not only antioxidant properties but hepatoprotective (good for liver) properties as well. This is why phenolic compounds are associated with the prevention of inflammatory diseases.
Anti Aging???
Further evidence suggest phenols or polyphenols (different chemical structure) have a positive impact on aging. Polyphenols reactivate “silenced”tumor suppressor genes or the inactivation of oncogenes. Resveratrol is another popular polyphenol that has shown in studies to restore “mitochondrial biogenesis,” Remember the mitochondria is the “powerhouse of the cell.” Mitochondrial biogenesis helps slow down any damage to the mitochondrial network to improve function. This is one way phenols/polyphenols slow down aging. Quercetin is an example of such polyphenol.
Fennel Worldwide
Fennels are also one of the highest plant sources of potassium, sodium, and calcium alone. Carbon induced liver injury male rats significantly showed a decrease in liver serum enzymes for AST,ALT,ALP and Bilirubin (significant liver enzymes) after being treated with f.vulgare essential oil (FEO).
*** DISCLAIMER***Essential Oils are NOT safe to consume. This was a study with chemical application for rats alone.
Various regions around the world use fennel in both a traditional and contemporary way. For example, in Southern Europe and India through a method of extraction known as decoction; the herbs are boiled to dissolve the chemicals. Decoction allows for maximum dissolution, and boiling the water allows extraction of oil and other chemical substances.
While in Brazil, they commonly infuse the tea leaf to treat insomnia. In Majorca, the fennel leaf is directly chewed for its antihypertensive-anticholesterolemic properties. In Jordan they use fennel seed tea to treat irritable colon.
Throughout Europe fennel seed is praised for its oestrogenic abilities. An infusion of the tea is used as a milk stimulant for lactating women. This is backed with the fact that studies have repeatedly shown the weight of mammary glands increase in female rats and also increase the weight of some female reproductive organs.
I mean I can keep going and going on how AWESOME fennel is and how IMPORTANT it is to consider adding it to your diet.
Two of my favorite fennel products....
Women owned and operated in San Clemente,Ca. Edens Garden has become one of the largest non- MLM aromatherapy companies in the industry.
Taste so GOOD! Founded by Rosemary Gladstar “the Godmother of modern Herbalism.” I’ll also have to add her published text on “Herbal Healing for Women” on my TBR list. She is also the founder of a successful nonprofit United Plant Savers.
I found this awesome delicious Apple Carrot Fennel Soup on Pinterest and thought I’d share my version with a few modifications.
Apple Carrot Fennel Soup
***Note*** the sodium is a tad bit high on here because I entered 2 cups of store purchased chicken broth which usually runs a little higher on sodium. I ACTUALLY made my own broth from chicken I boiled for a separate recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cashews (soaked overnight) –Doing this step allows the texture to be creamier, but in general soaking certain nuts removes phytic acid therefore making it easier for us to digest.
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 large fennel bulb
- 2 carrots
- 1 large apple
- 2 cups of chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon of ginger (freshly grated)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- fennel fronds or everything bagel to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Soak cashews in water overnight, and drain to use.
- Add olive oil to a soup pot and heat over medium high heat. Chop fennel bulb, and saute in olive oil until it is lightly browned (about 5-7 minutes).
- In the meantime, chop apple and carrots. Once the fennel is softened, bring everything together with 2 cups of chicken stock. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add soup mixture and cashews (drained) to a blender, and blend until very smooth.
- Return soup to pot and add grated ginger and lemon juice. Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fennel fronds and/or additional fennel seeds to kick in that earthy flavor.
Lets harness the amazing benefits of Fennel!
I definitely believe food has healing properties. Fennel and its medicinal uses are known worldwide. This recipe is so fast, easy and delish 1 cup won’t sit alone.
Peace & Love Always Con Amor y Cariño
-Carolina_