by Chef Kendall Huff
Native Foods Cafe
Salt has obviously been around for a very long period of time and is used all over the place. Not only is it one of the basic human tastes, but salting is also an important method of food preservation. Salt is also essential for animal life, but in small quantities.
For our consumption, salt is produced in many different forms, like unfined aka sea salt. My favorite is Fleur de Sel. It’s a natural sea salt from the surface of evaporating brine in salt pans.
Refined salt (table salt) and iodized are the other kinds. It can also be found in different colors such as white, pale pink, light grey and even black.
Too much salt or too little salt in ones diet can lead to muscle cramps and dizziness. Long term high salt intake can result in stroke, high blood pressure and edema.
So lets chat about some other ideas for seasoning our foods then. There are many different ideas to play with to keep that sodium count down.
Squeeze or Zest of fresh lemon
-Digestive aid, immune booster, liver cleanser, Vitamin C and calcium
**Try Grilled Asparagus with fresh lemon juice and Nutritional Yeast
Ground Black Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes
-aids in digestion and relies in bloating
**Make Black Pepper Cashew Cheese or Sprinkle those flakes on your pizza
Chopped Fresh Ginger
-helps with motion sickness, reduces inflammation, relieves heartburn, cold and flu prevention, helps migraine
**Sautéed Bok Choy with minced ginger or Soba Noodles with ginger zest
Garlic Powder (not salt)
-Immune strengthener, reduce cholesterol
** Popcorn with Garlic Powder and Liquid Amino
Apple Cider Vinegar
-lower cholesterol and blood pressure
**Pickled veggies using ACV Dressing, drizzle over steamed veggies or couscous
Hot Sauce- Sriracha
**It’s just the best thing ever! Put it in everything!
Fresh Herbs:
Cilantro
-Anti inflammatory, relieves stomach gas, reduces nausea, adds fiber
Rosemary
-Vitamin A, C, Folic acid and Iron
Oregano
-Vitamin K, Antioxidants, Minerals, Fiber and Omega-3’s
Basil-
-Blemish destroyer, stress stopper, and liver detoxer,
My personal favorite is the Umeboshi Plum or Plum paste. Yes it contains salt, but it allows me to keep on eye on my intake. For example, I eat ¼ of a plum in brown rice, it gives it just the right amount to spice.
Native Foods Cafe, vegan, vegan food, vegan restaurant, less salt more herbs day
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