Parsley: The Garnish that Fights, Fights, Fights!!

- by Carol Jensen

If you think parsley is just something old-fashioned that Grandma put on her plate to make it look pretty, think again, girl. Parsley has come of age, and is finally being recognized as a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. Recently it has been recognized as a superb addition to any green smoothie.

Parsley: The world’s most popular herb

Named “rock celery” in the early Greek culture because it grew on stony hillsides, parsley has more than 30 varieties, but curly-leaf and Italian flat-leaf are the most well-known. The curly variety is more commonly added to fresh dishes, because it keeps its crispness and is milder, while flat-leaf is often added to cooked foods because of its tendency to wilt and its more pungent flavor.

Parsley has come to the attention of the green-smoothie community because of its aesthetic appeal, healing properties, reputation as a trusted herb, and ease of obtaining, storing and preparing.

Parsley: Fighting Bad Breath and Tight Budgets

Its appeal goes beyond the fact that it adds a splash of color to an otherwise colorless meal. When added to a smoothie, it turns the drink a delightful bright green. Not only that, it has breath-freshening properties, too. Available year-round in any super-market, it is inexpensive, especially compared to other greens. One bunch of parsley is usually available for a dollar or less.

Parsley: Fighting Cancer

Parsley’s two most favorable healing properties are its volatile oils and its flavanoids. The volatile oils have been shown in studies to inhibit tumor formation and to neutralize certain carcinogens, thereby classifying them as “chemoprotective.” Flavanoids, of course, serve as anti-oxidants, preventing free-radical damage to cells. In combination, parsley’s volatile oils, flavanoids, and high Vitamin A content may help reduce cancer risk.

Parsley: Fighting Bone Loss

Parsley contains 150% of the RDA for Vitamin K. This vitamin allows blood to clot normally and fights osteoporosis because it protects bones from fracturing and minimizes postmenopausal bone loss.

Other important healing elements of parsley include Vitamin C (anti-arthritis), folic acid (heart health) and iron (formation of red blood cells).

Parsley: More than Just a Garnish

Parsley’s reputation is at least 2,000 years old. It was sacred to the Greeks and was used to make crowns for athletes much like laurel for the Olympians. Legend has it that when Greek hero Archemorus was killed by poisonous serpents, parsley sprang up where his blood spilled on the ground. To the Hebrews, the Passover herb represented spring and rebirth. Even Charlemagne and Catherine Medici were said to have grown parsley in their garden. It is reportedly Catherine who popularized the parsley in Europe.

To select parsley, look for leaves that are not yellowed or wilted. Rinse it in cool water and shake or spin it dry. Store it in an airtight plastic bag or plastic storage container in the refrigerator to keep it crisp until use. If you have an abundance of parsley, that’s easy too. The flat-leafed variety can be dried on paper towels on the counter then put in an airtight container. The curly-leafed variety can be wrapped in foil or plastic and then frozen.

Green Smoothie Recipes with Parsley Power:

To ramp up your next green smoothie, try one of these combinations:

Parsley Pear Pair

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 3 pears
• 2 stalks celery
• 3 cups water and ice

Mango Gorilla

Ingredients:

• 1 mango
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 3 cups water

Green Tropics

Ingredients:

• 2 pears
• 1 mango
• 1/2 bunch parsley
• 1 cup coconut meat
• Water for blending

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