Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey sister, welcome to the Power on Plants podcast. Are you tired of staring into the fridge wondering what to eat so you can just feel better? Do you want to avoid spending hours in the kitchen making complicated meals in the name of health? Would you love to leave fatigue behind and finally have the energy to do all the things you want to do? Hi, we're Jared and Anita Roussel, christ followers, healthcare professionals, parents of four and big fans of great tasting food.

Speaker 1: 0:32

We, too, tried exercising more, eating natural and clean foods, but we still found ourselves struggling with what we thought were changes that come with age or bad genes, and we weren't finding answers the traditional route. So we dug into the research and created our secret nutritional weapon sustainable plant-based living. The truth is, you can eat more whole plant foods and it's not hard. You just need the way. That's realistic and delicious so you never feel deprived. If you're ready to enjoy your meals, no longer be held back by your health struggles and actively live your life, then you're in the right place. So grab your favorite plant-based cup of happy pop in those earbuds and let's get started. Hey there, sunshine. Do you ever wish there was a simple way to start transforming your health? Well, there is, and it's called fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Speaker 2: 1:24

That sounds a lot like our five power foods, doesn't it sound a lot like our five?

Speaker 1: 1:28

power foods. Well, this flows right into the topic that we're sharing with you today, which is how do you transform your health naturally with seasonal produce, specifically springtime produce? Now, if you're listening, and it's not springtime, never fear, you're going to pick up some tips here, because you always do.

Speaker 2: 1:48

And you might even hear a few surprises. So right now we're in spring and as you're walking through the produce section of your grocery store, you're probably noticing some new things that are out.

Speaker 1: 1:58

Are you so excited? Are you so excited?

Speaker 2: 2:00

Oh yeah, we love that and some fresh produce that maybe you haven't seen in a year or so.

Speaker 1: 2:04

Spring and summer are the best. Oh my word, I cannot wait. All these wonderful things are coming. We're already seeing them pop up on our shelves, so we knew that we had to come share with you some of the things that we're seeing on the shelves right now that are looking beautiful, and here's a little story for you. So the other day I'm going to spoil one of the things that we're going to be sharing right now, so we might want to share it first. So the other day I was in Whole Foods walking around and on the top shelf, this brightly colored produce grabbed my attention and I thought that is so beautiful. What is that? And it was radishes.

Speaker 1: 2:35

Now, I'm bad about buying radishes. You know how you have those things that you always buy and things that you sometimes buy. Well, radishes are things that I sometimes buy and I already had a buggy filled with beautiful produce. So I thought I'll get him next time and we're outlining this podcast and he's talking about how radishes are really great for you and they're in season right now, and I'm going. Of course they are because they're so bright and vibrant and they look so good. So a lot of times, you can tell what's in season, just by how things look. You really can, because they were this bright, hot pink and crisp, clean white. They looked so delicious so I could kick myself for not getting those.

Speaker 1: 3:16

So what are the benefits that I'm missing out on right now because I did not bring my radishes home? I'm going back, by the way, just in case you're wondering. I'm going back to the store to get some because I cannot believe I missed out on those. They were beautiful. So we are talking about five produce that you want to be sure to include in your diet in the spring If you're wanting to feel good heal, naturally. This is it. Start with these, start right here. This shouldn't be all you're eating, but this is where you want to start, and the first one we'll talk about is radish.

Speaker 2: 3:45

These crispy peppery roots are fantastic on salads. They offer such a crunch that goes so well with salads, so we'll slice them very thin, put them on there and they're amazing.

Speaker 1: 3:57

They are enjoyable that way. I also like them in spring roll wraps. So if you get a rice paper wrap and you dip it in water and let it get really soft and you can just straighten that out and put your veggies in there raw and then you wrap that up, and for those of you who are an accelerator and alumni, I can show you how to do that specifically in alumni. I think that would be better. That's something I can do in the kitchen video for you and show you exactly how to do. But since I can't do the video for you here on our audio podcast, what I want you to do is just get some rice paper wraps and read the directions and lay them out, put them in a little bit of water, lay that out smoothly and then layer all your raw veg in there and fold it over. It will stick to itself and then you just dip it in a really good Asian sauce. So that is a yummy, super quick and easy lunch to do or dinner. I like them for dinner too.

Speaker 1: 4:50

Radishes are great in spring roll wraps. But what are?

Speaker 2: 4:53

the benefits.

Speaker 1: 4:53

Like why do you want to be eating this, besides the fact that it's peppery and delicious?

Speaker 2: 4:57

Well, it's not a surprise that they're a great source of fiber, but they are a great source of antioxidants because they have anthocyanins, which you find in a lot of red berries, red produce. It helps to give it that bright red color and it has a very low calorie count. High water content, so low calorie content. But it has a superpower it has ethocyanates in it which are known to have an antifungal effect, so they can help combat candida overgrowth in our bodies.

Speaker 1: 5:29

That's something great to know, because a lot of people are looking for ways to fight yeast. That's a great thing to know. That's a natural yeast fighter Radishes.

Speaker 2: 5:37

Yeah, not something you would expect with radishes, but if you're getting it on salad, you're getting it in spring rolls, you're getting it regularly and it's helping to combat this stuff all under the surface. God put amazing stuff in food to do things. We had no idea that they were even there, absolutely. We're just looking at the bright colors, the crunchy textures, the fantastic flavors and it's doing all this under the surface for us.

Speaker 1: 5:59

Think about that. It's amazing he's so good to us, all these things he created to help our bodies heal, these natural living foods that give life to our bodies when we eat them, particularly when we eat them raw. Raw is so good for us. Get your raw radish on your salads in your wraps and don't just use them in this way. Come up with some other creative ways that you like using radish too.

Speaker 2: 6:24

Now another produce that I've been seeing a lot lately in the produce section is asparagus.

Speaker 1: 6:30

Love. It Makes me so happy. Costco has big packages of asparagus and they're organic. Usually our Costco's carry organic ones. They're wonderful, but I say our Costco. You know we drive two hours each way to get to Costco. So if you have a Costco that's closer than two hours, count your blessings and go and get some asparagus. But if not, go to your local farmer's market. That's even better, right, you're getting it closer to the farm. It's going to have even more nutrients in there and asparagus is amazing for you.

Speaker 1: 7:00

And I'm telling you, it is as easy to make as simply snipping off the end of it, not the flowery end, but the other end, because that end is tough Snap it in half and wherever it breaks as low as you can get it to break that's where you want to break it Put it on a lined sheet pan and bake it just until it's crisp, tender. But before you put it into the oven, put it on a lined sheet pan after you've washed it and broken it and squeeze lemon juice all over it and bake it. You will not believe how good it tastes just with that one ingredient on it. It is so delicious. You can also eat them raw. We have a client whose husband used to walk by. She would wash them.

Speaker 1: 7:41

I forgot about that, yes, right, she would wash them, she would leave them in a cup for him, sitting there in water like the base of them in water? Yeah, and he would just walk by and snack on them all day. They're great. They're wonderful for party platters. You don't think about putting raw asparagus on there. They're very good for you, raw delicious. But what are the actual benefits besides the great flavor?

Speaker 2: 8:04

asparagus will provide a third of the folate you need per day, which helps provide for dna synthesis, healthy cell division, so it's very necessary for your body to function normally.

Speaker 1: 8:15

It's high in fiber, not really a surprise there so of course that's where you're going to get your fiber right. Animal products have no fiber. Zero zilch, nada not a surprise a surprise, not a surprise.

Speaker 2: 8:25

But this is a very good source for a specific type of fiber called inulin, which is a prebiotic that feeds our beneficial gut bacteria. So not only do we love asparagus, our gut bacteria love it too. It's their food, and so when you feed them well, they will treat you well.

Speaker 1: 8:40

They'll love you back.

Speaker 2: 8:41

Exactly. They'll provide all kinds of things that you need, so don't skip the asparagus in your produce section. Next up, number three, we have green peas.

Speaker 1: 8:50

Delicious.

Speaker 2: 8:52

Now many times. We can find this all year round because you'll typically find them in the frozen section of your supermarket, but they do come in to harvest in springtime and, if you can get them fresh, they offer a very sweet flavor and they can be eaten lightly cooked or even raw.

Speaker 1: 9:08

They're so good. Raw and fresh, they're wonderful. Put them on your salads, put them in your soups and stews as well. There are so many different uses for these. You should be eating them often and enjoying them. You can even cook them and eat them by the bowl full. You'll never go wrong with that.

Speaker 2: 9:24

And some of their health benefits. They are actually high in protein, not that we ever worry about it, but a cup of green peas offers 8.6 grams of protein, isn't it?

Speaker 1: 9:34

awesome how all plant foods have protein. You know I've got to put that in there because people don't know and so they're hearing add your side of protein when you go to a restaurant. Do you want a side of protein? Do you want some protein on it? What are you going to have for your protein? It's like my bowl is filled with protein because it's filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, so I'm pretty good on the protein department.

Speaker 2: 9:55

I always find that humorous. So when you get a salad, and what protein would you like on that, it's like I'm good, thank you.

Speaker 1: 10:00

I don't really need extra protein in my protein because extra protein causes problems and we don't want that. But we're not told that, are we? No, we're not. No, we're not.

Speaker 2: 10:10

So with green peas you also get a nice vitamin C boost. A cup of green peas will give you almost 100% of your daily need of vitamin C. We always think of oranges yeah, of your daily need of vitamin C. We always think of oranges. Pull out the green peas if you feel like you're low in vitamin C. That's good, but if you eat plant-based, you should never be but low on vitamin C. The surprise with green peas is that they are rich in saponins, which are known to help suppress cancer cells.

Speaker 1: 10:35

Could I wash my laundry with green peas? Probably not you know I'm asking that because of soap nuts. If you're a natural person and you've ever washed your laundry with soap nuts, you'll know what I'm talking about saponins yes, saponins probably related. You could try that and if you listen, we're not, we are not recommending, we're not recommending it.

Speaker 2: 10:56

But if you're listening to this podcast episode right now and we know that you are because you're here. If you try that and it works, let us know, shoot us an email.

Speaker 1: 11:04

Please don't try that. You're going to ruin your clothes. Do not do that.

Speaker 2: 11:08

But they stimulate cancer cell death and inhibit new blood vessel formation to the tumor cells. So then those tumor cells do not have a blood supply to feed them, so they can't grow, they can't proliferate or thrive.

Speaker 1: 11:23

That's amazing. It is, that's amazing Green peas.

Speaker 2: 11:26

So whenever your parents said you can't get up until you eat all your green peas, they were doing you a favor. Exactly, you were mad at them, but they were doing you a favor.

Speaker 1: 11:36

Well, for me it was green beans, not green peas, but some of you may have been green peas. I don't know.

Speaker 2: 11:41

Not green peas, but some of you may be green peas, I don't know Somebody out there had a hate relationship with green peas back in the day. I just know it. But love them because they're loving you back.

Speaker 1: 11:50

Yes, all right.

Speaker 2: 11:51

Number four strawberries, oh you saved the best for last.

Speaker 1: 11:57

How much have we been buying strawberries lately?

Speaker 2: 12:06

We've been actually buying quite a few. I went to the store earlier today and grabbed a few more packages because they're in season and there's nothing like a fresh strawberry. They're sweet, they're delicious they make you feel good.

Speaker 1: 12:13

There is nothing better than just sitting and eating fresh fruit. Just fresh raw fruit is so good.

Speaker 2: 12:21

They're rich in anthocyanins, which help to reduce inflammation and can help lower your bad cholesterol. They're rich in vitamin C. One cup of these provides 150% of your daily need for vitamin C. So you chase these with maybe some green peas, you are set. And as always, they have fiber. But here is their hidden superpower. I was kind of surprised when I learned this first one. They have malic acid, which helps to whiten teeth they actually help to remove stains from your teeth love that.

Speaker 1: 12:53

I thought that was well. And keep them in your mouth a little longer yes, I found that surprising.

Speaker 2: 12:58

Also too, they are the richest known source of a compound called fisetin, which has a neuroprotective effect and helps to eliminate old cells within the body. And then for a bonus we have spinach.

Speaker 1: 13:12

You know I love bonuses, especially when the bonus is spinach.

Speaker 2: 13:15

Spinach thrives in the cooler season, but it's very abundant in the month of May and then, as we get into the warmer part of the year, it's going to become less available. So now is the time to take advantage of it, enjoy it. Enjoy it. Some of the health benefits. All right. Spinach rich in iron you get 2.7 milligrams per cup. It's not just for Popeye. Remember? Popeye had the big muscles.

Speaker 1: 13:42

I remember his muscles and he ate canned spinach. So if you can get that kind of muscles with canned spinach, you need to be eating some fresh spinach and see what's going to happen to your muscles, right?

Speaker 2: 13:52

Even more so. Spinach also not just good for your muscles, but good for your eyes. It's a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthine, which helps to protect against age-related macular degeneration, which preserves your vision, and also it's high in flavonoids, which helps to reduce inflammation.

Speaker 1: 14:09

And a lot of people, as they age, are put on lutein and zeaxanthine as medication for, like you just said, macular degeneration, right? So why not start eating this now? Why not start eating your spinach and all these wonderful things that you can get now and not have to take the things pulled out of what they were created in? It's going to work so much better in your body if you start adding the things. So you're hearing us talk about five different types of produce that are in season right now, which means you're getting the most nutritional benefit and they're going to taste better to you right now. Add the one you're not eating enough of. You know what you're eating and not eating on the regular.

Speaker 1: 14:49

If you're only eating like tacos and chili during the week and you don't put any lettuce on your tacos and there's no spinach in the tacos or chili, maybe you need to get some spinach in your life, right? So think about what am I not eating of these things they've mentioned? What if I'm not been getting into my life and add one or two of them? It is going to make such a difference for you over time, because God put a different nutritional profile in each one of these foods, and they're all things that bring life, that give life to our bodies, that make us feel good, that give us energy, that help reverse disease, reverse inflammation, so that we can finally feel great, to do all the dreams that God's called us to do, to actively live that life that we have in mind, that we want to live.

Speaker 1: 15:32

But we're sick of being on the sidelines right Just watching our life passes by. So this is how you do it Don't wait till you have to quote take a medication, take your produce right. Take your produce. It's so much cheaper and it's so much more enjoyable.

Speaker 2: 15:49

And if you take these things on the front end, then maybe you just won't have to take them later on as a medicine.

Speaker 1: 15:55

Exactly. You could just keep enjoying your spinach, your peas, your asparagus, your strawberries and your radishes.

Speaker 2: 16:03

Now, before we close this out, Anita, we forgot the superpower of spinach.

Speaker 1: 16:07

What is the superpower?

Speaker 2: 16:09

The superpower is that Muscle building. Well, that's a superpower, but no, this is one that I think this will surprise people. It is a source of sulfoquinovosal diacylglycerol.

Speaker 1: 16:24

Please say that for me five more times right now. No I will not say that five more times for you. Does that have an abbreviation? I have a feeling it probably does.

Speaker 2: 16:31

Oh, absolutely SQDG. It's a sulfur containing molecule that is shown to have anti-cancer properties. It inhibits DNA replication in cancer cells. That is awesome. So if you inhibit the DNA replication where it's making more of itself, then it inhibits tumor growth and also the formation of new blood vessels that then feed the tumors.

Speaker 1: 16:54

Fantastic.

Speaker 2: 16:55

Yes, and you know I had to say that one.

Speaker 1: 16:57

I couldn't forget to say that one because I've been practicing on that particular word and of course you also knew the abbreviation.

Speaker 2: 17:04

I did. But I'm just going to say I nailed it. Okay, I nailed the pronunciation of that word, that's hilarious.

Speaker 1: 17:12

I love that. I want you to say that for me five times.

Speaker 2: 17:14

But this highlights how all these different foods we break it down into oh, it has fiber, or it has vitamin C, or it has some of these different properties that we're familiar with. But how much more do these things have that maybe we've never heard of before but yet are amazing for our health?

Speaker 1: 17:33

So many things, many things that they have discovered and know about that we haven't talked about today, and so many things that are in there that they've discovered and haven't named yet. They know they're there but they haven't officially given them names, and so many things they don't even know about.

Speaker 2: 17:48

And probably have yet to discover what they do. And where did we find these foods In our grocery store?

Speaker 1: 17:55

Or in our garden.

Speaker 2: 17:56

Or, even better, yes, or in our neighbor's garden.

Speaker 1: 17:59

Or at the farmer's market In that neighbor's garden.

Speaker 2: 18:02

But if you find it in your neighbor's garden, be sure you have permission to pick it. Please do Be sure you have permission to pick it. That's called trespassing. Don't do that.

Speaker 1: 18:10

Yes, thievery Stealing, not good, not good, all right. So, as we wrap this up, I want you to think about all of these different types of produce, just five, we've only named five. There are more than this for spring, but I want you to just walk away and pick the one thing, just that one thing that you're going to do right now to change your life today. Eat more of that thing this week, not just one day, couple of days, and before long you're going to add another thing and another thing and you're going to start feeling better and better and better. Why? Because you're not going to freak yourself out and worry about remembering every single benefit of everything we've even mentioned today, just those five things. Why, that's not going to do you any good. Remembering this is good for this and this is good for that, and this is good for this and this. No, what you want to do is just remember. God has created fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes to help my body stay well and to help it repair when it's not well. And so I am going to look at what I'm not getting on a regular basis. I'm going to find new ways to enjoy those, not force myself to get those, but enjoy those, and before long. Life is going to look so much different for you in a great way, sunshine. There are great days in store for you and we are so excited to be a part of it all.

Speaker 1: 19:27

If you have not gotten on the waitlist for Accelerator, go and do that right now. The doors are going to open soon and you are not going to want to miss this. We just have a graduating class that came out. They got amazing, amazing results, and you'll want to be a part of this too. So go right now to poweronplantscom forward slash accelerator. That's poweronplantscom forward slash accelerator, and there you can get on the waitlist. If it's not open yet, because we only open it a couple of times a year you do not want to miss out. This is your chance. Your life is never going to be the same.

Speaker 1: 19:58

We have a full course in there where we walk you through our five-step formula for finally feeling better so that you can do all the wonderful things that you want to do in life. I take you behind the scenes, you get in the kitchen videos where I'll walk you through step-by-step how to make the easiest, most delicious meals you can imagine. We have coaching calls. We're there for you daily, but we have weekly coaching calls and all the replays and it's just a wealth of information. But it's not so much that you're going to be bogged down.

Speaker 1: 20:25

We've been very intentional at how we've created it. It drips out so you don't get overwhelmed. We're very much about getting you results. It's no fluff. You come in, you learn what you need to know, you apply it and you're going to get results. So go ahead and get on the wait list. What are you waiting for? Poweronplantscom forward slash accelerator. Friend, we look forward to getting to know you more inside accelerator and we are so excited about what's ahead for you. Know that you are loved, you are prayed for and we will see you again soon. Thank you.