Why Eating Tomatoes is Good for You

Tomatoes are good for your health

Eating tomatoes is good for you for several reasons:

Nutrient-rich: Tomatoes are a great source of several nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and folate. They also contain small amounts of other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, and iron.

Antioxidants: Tomatoes contain several antioxidants, including lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. These antioxidants can help protect your body against damage from harmful molecules called free radicals, which can contribute to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Heart health: The potassium in tomatoes can help lower blood pressure, which is important for heart health. The lycopene in tomatoes may also help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and reducing inflammation in the body.

Cancer prevention: Some studies have suggested that the lycopene in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer.

Skin health: The vitamin C in tomatoes can help promote healthy skin by supporting collagen production and protecting against damage from the sun and other environmental factors.

Overall, eating tomatoes as part of a balanced diet can provide a range of health benefits and may help reduce the risk of several chronic diseases.

Two recipes that feature tomatoes:

Caprese salad:

Ingredients:

2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced

8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Arrange the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter.
• Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the top.
• Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the salad.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.

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Tomato and basil pasta:

Ingredients:

1 lb pasta

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 large tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and basil to the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and the mixture has thickened.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Toss to combine.
• Serve the pasta topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Top 23 Health Benefits Of Tomatoes That You Should Know

There are more reasons to eat tomatoes than good taste. Tomatoes are packed with health- enhancing properties. Actually, consuming tomatoes can help improve your overall health. Besides, they can be prepared in a variety of dishes, as well as they can be eaten alone. Now, keep both of your eyes on this interesting article to discover some of the main reasons why you need to include more of these superfoods in your daily diet.

Top Health Benefits Of Tomatoes:
Tomatoes are the great source of the powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which has been associated with many health benefits. Besides, they are also rich in vitamins A, C, K, and minerals like potassium, calcium and folate. Tomatoes are often red when mature, but they can also have other colors like orange, yellow, green and purple. There are lots of subspecies of tomatoes, with different flavor and shapes. 

Lycopene, which is also found in other yellow, red, and orange vegetables, is a valuable alternative that is capable of widening blood vessels by more than 50 percent according to research.

Here are some of the best health benefits of tomatoes that you should know and then consider including more tomatoes in your diet plan. 

1. Prevent Some Types Of Cancer
Some studies have been shown that the high content of lycopene in tomatoes can help reduce your risks of developing colorectal, prostate and stomach cancer. Lycopene is known as a natural antioxidant, which works to slow cancerous cells growth. Just remember that cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene than fresh tomatoes, so why you do not cook up your tomato soup this dinner?

2. Provide Powerful Antioxidants
Tomatoes are very rich in vitamins A and C, both of which work as natural antioxidants to reduce the effects of harmful free radicals in your blood. According to recent studies, free radicals in the blood can lead to cell damage. Just remember that cooking destroys vitamin C, so if you want to neutralize the free radicals, you should eat raw tomatoes.

3. Provide Essential Vitamins And Minerals
A single tomato can offer about 40% of your daily requirement of vitamin C. Besides, tomatoes also contain high contents of vitamin A, potassium and iron. Iron plays a vital role in keeping blood circulation normal while potassium is important for maintaining nerve health. Moreover, vitamin K, which is important for controlling bleeding and blood clotting, is also found in tomatoes.

4. Improve The Vision
As we mentioned above, tomatoes are packed with vitamin A, which is very good for the eyes. Besides, consuming tomatoes is known as one of the natural ways to prevent night blindness as well as macular degeneration in both children and adults. Lots of vision issues occur because of the negative effects of harmful free radicals and by consuming tomatoes, you can prevent these vision problems and simultaneously improve your vision. 

5. Maintain Strong Bones
If you want to know health benefits of tomatoes, you should not skip that they can help maintain strong bones. Tomatoes also contain high contents of Vitamin K and calcium. We all know that both nutrients are important for strengthening the bones and healing the bone tissues.

6. Improve Skin Health
We all know that tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which is used in many pricy facial cleansers available on the market. If you want to include tomatoes in your skincare routine, you just need to peel about 8-12 tomatoes and then place the inside of these tomatoes onto your facial skin. Leave them on for at least 10 minutes before leaving them and washing. And then you will notice that your facial skin will feel clean and shiny. In some cases, people with sensitive skin can experience some redness, but they will fade with time.

7. Reduce Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular disease is known as the most common cause of death. Due to the appearance of potassium and vitamin B in tomatoes, they help in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Besides, tomato products have also found to fight against inflammation and oxidative stress. Also, they have a protective effect on the blood vessels and may reduce the risk of developing blood clotting. Therefore, by consuming more tomatoes in your daily diet, you will be able to prevent strokes, heart attacks and other heart-related diseases. 

8. Reduce The Risk Of Kidney Stones
According to some studies, consuming tomatoes without seeds has been found to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.

9. Repair Damage Caused By Smoking
It sounds strange when it comes to learning health benefits of tomato, but they can help repair damage caused by smoking cigarettes. This is because tomatoes contain chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid, both of which work to protect the body from harmful chemicals produced from cigarette smoke.

10. Keep The Hair Strong And Shiny
Keeping the hair strong is worth mentioning in this list of health benefits of tomatoes. The vitamin A found in tomatoes can help keep your hair strong and shiny. Actually, tomatoes work as a natural conditioner. You just need to apply some tomato oil on your hair. This oil will work as a leave-in conditioner that keeps the hair shiny, healthy and frizz free.

11. Help Fight Hair Loss
Tomatoes are known as a wonderful treatment for hair loss. Simply, apply the tomato juice along with its pulp to your hair. Let it sit on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off as usual. Repeat this remedy 3 times a week.

12. Treat Itchy Scalp And Dandruff
Tomatoes are very effective in treating itchy scalp and dandruff thanks to their high content of vitamin C. You just need to take the thick pulp from 2-3 ripe tomatoes. Add 2 tbsp. of lemon juice to the tomato and then mix them well to create a smooth paste. After that, apply this pack on the scalp and wait for 30 minutes. Finally, wash it off with clean water and let it dry naturally.

13. Help With Digestion
Tomatoes can help keep your digestive system healthy by preventing diarrhea and constipation. They also help prevent jaundice and simultaneously remove toxins from your body. Besides, tomatoes are rich in fiber, which can help stimulate peristaltic motion in your digestive muscles and simultaneously release digestive juices. By regulating the bowel movements, tomatoes can help improve your digestive health and reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

14. Manage Diabetes
A study shows that daily intake of tomatoes can help reduce the oxidative stress in those who are suffering from type 2 diabetes. Besides, according to a new research, lycopene in tomatoes can help balance biochemical responses in diabetics.

15. Prevent Gallstones
Regular intake of tomatoes can offer you a relief from gallstones. Many studies have shown that tomatoes contain powerful properties that can fight against many chronic diseases. Daily intake of tomatoes provides your body with essential vitamins and minerals and hence, having a protective effect on your body.

16. Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
The intake of tomato can help reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer and urinary tract infections. The reason for that may be that tomatoes have high content of water, so they can stimulate urination, as well as remove the toxins, excess water, salts and some fats from the body. 

17. Enhance Flavor Naturally
Tomatoes can help enhance the flavor of most cooked dishes. Chopped tomatoes, whole tomatoes and tomato sauce work well for cooked dishes. Also, cooking tomatoes make the fruit healthier and stimulates its cancer-fighting ability. Although during the cooking process, a large amount of vitamin C loses, it can increase the levels of phytochemicals that are beneficial for health. Research shows that the process of heating can actually enhance the tomato’s nutritional value by increasing the content of lycopene.

18. Reduce Dangers Of Statin Drugs
When it comes to learning health benefits of tomatoes, you should not skip that tomatoes can help reduce the dangers of statin drugs. Recent studies show that about 2 ounces of tomato paste daily could be enough to reduce dangers of dangerous statins, which can result in heart problems.

19. Improve Immune System
The daily intake of tomatoes can help increase the levels of vitamin C in the blood. This may inhibit the stress hormone levels and simultaneously improve the immune system. As a result, you should consider drinking tomato juice in order to help reduce tension and stress.

20. Increase Fat Burning Capacity
Consuming tomatoes can increase the levels of the amino acid called carnitine that has been found to stimulate the fat-burning capacity of the body by over 30%. Actually, this is known as one of the best health benefits of tomatoes that you should not look down. 

21. Reduce Blood Clot Risks
Tomato juice has been found to help reduce the risk of developing blood clots. The excessive buildup of platelet cells can lead to blood problems in terms of blockage and clotting. Therefore, preventing this excessive clumping is very essential for keeping the heart healthy. The high levels of phytonutrients found in tomatoes can help prevent blood clotting.

22. Prevent Acidosis
According to a study, the human body tries to maintain a pH of 7.365. Nonetheless, irregular food patterns, our diet and no exercise make our levels of acid higher. This can lead to acidosis, reflux and congestion. Basically, you can maintain the body’s pH balance by taking calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium. And, tomato flesh and seeds are rich in these essential minerals. Plus, tomato seeds help maintain the normal pH balance, hence preventing acidosis.

23. Prevent Sunburn
According to a research, people who ate 5 tbsp. of tomato paste daily for about 3 months had ability to fight against sunburn. Besides, sunburnt skin can also be relieved by applying tomato directly on the affected skin areas. To prevent sunburn with the help of tomatoes, you can try making a pack by combining 2 tsp. of tomato pulp with 1 tsp. of plain yogurt. Then, apply this mixture on your neck, face, hands, and feet. Tomatoes can cool the skin while plain yogurt can make the skin supple and soft. 

Tomatoes are sweet and juicy, full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so they may be effective in fighting several diseases. Therefore, you should include this vegetable in your daily diet plan such as sauces, dishes, pickles, purees, etc. 

After reading this article, we hope that you can know more about health benefits of tomatoes and then include these tomatoes in your daily diet plan.

This article first appeared in Prevent Disease

10 Best Companion plants for Tomatoes

Companion planting is part science and folklore. Putting plants together in the garden can help enhance growth and flavor they say.  I know that planting some of them together does help deter insects and make for pretty containers.

If you can't grow them yourself pick up great
heirloom varieties at your farmers market

Here are 10 companion plants I grow with my tomatoes in containers.  Great Recipe at the Bottom so keep reading...

1.  Thyme - My favorite for spilling over the edges of containers full of tomatoes.  

2.  Basil - I turn my tomato containers into herb gardens.  And almost everything you grow a tomato for can use a little basil.  Since both are annuals, at the end of season it all comes out.

3.  Chives - Another easy grower. Since theses can be perennial i tuck them into the corners of my containers... (with thyme trailing down.. so pretty)

4.  Peppers - I have a theme here... if it goes into cooking with tomatoes it goes into grow pots either with them or right next to them.  I put both peppers and tomatoes iinto  the same 20 gallon container and let them both grow up through a trellis and then tie them to my fence.  

5.  Onions - I tuck these into all the edges of my containers where i DON'T have chives although they can go right together.  I find when they are little i can't tell them apart. 

6.  Leaf Lettuce - Since lettuce likes a little shade and a tomatoe plant gets big i simply trim back the bottoms of tomatoe plants and plant around them. Lettuce has a shallow root so it doesn't compete with the deep root tomatoes.

7.  Marigolds - again.. these come super easy from seed so i plant them everywhere.. they help keep bugs away since they make a natural pyrethrin.

8.  Sage - i don't cook much with it but some of the new sages have pretty flowers and bugs hate them and stay away from the plants they are near.  

9.  Borage - This helps keep hornworms away... or so they say.  I think all the companions that deter bugs help so plant this one too.  You can pluck it and add it to your leaf lettuce.

10.  Cilantro - Another herb that we use daily in our cooking that bugs seem to hate to be near.  There is a rumor that cilantro improves tomatoes flavor.  Don't know the science about that.  I simply regrow amazing heirloom tomatoes that have beautiful flavor.  

Companion planting is an easy way to get more usage out of your garden and everything listed on our companion list is super easy to grow.. have fun...

Tomato and White Bean Salad

2 cups of Cherry tomatoes

1 cup of cooked, drained and cooled white beans

Small clove of garlic diced

Small onion sliced

1/4 cup basil diced

Olive Oil

Red wine vinegar to taste

Toss it all together and serve...  we make a different version of this with cilantro instead of the basil and add peppers and green chilies making it a western salad.

They're back! Farmer's Market Tomatoes

Small organic tomatoes I purchased yesterday

Yesterday I arrived at my local Tahoe City farmer's market just as it was closing.  I was delighted to see the first of the summer tomatoes were in.  They were small, but as it turned out later, tasty.  I grabbed a bagful and began planning dinner.

In a few weeks we'll have these! (Photo from last year's market.)  

And these!  (Also from last year.)

Chicken Penne Pasta with Sage Wine Sauce and Summer Tomatoes (Low Gluten)

1 large organic chicken breast with skin and bones
1-2 T olive oil
sea salt and cracked black pepper
2 T butter from grass fed cows (anti-inflammatory when it's from grass fed cows)
2 T chopped shallots
2 T einkorn flour (low gluten)
1/3 c white wine
2 c chicken broth or more
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1 8 oz. pkg. quinoa penne pasta (gluten-free--I used Ancient Harvest brand)
2 c chopped fresh summer tomatoes
1 T fresh sage minced
2 green onions sliced

1)  Roast the chicken:  Place the chicken on a baking dish, drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the sea salt and cracked black pepper.  Roast in the oven at 350 degrees until just done, about 35 minutes.  When chicken is done, remove the chicken from the bone and cut into bite-sized pieces.

2)  Make the sauce:  In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and add in the shallots sauteing gently for a minute or two until the shallots are softening.  Stir in the einkorn flour and keep stirring for a minute while the mixture thickens.  Add in the wine and keep stirring.  Add in the chicken broth and keep stirring for several minutes.  If mixture is too thick, add additional broth.  Season with the white pepper, sea salt and dried sage.

3) Make the pasta:  Follow package directions to make the penne.  When penne is cooked, drain and pour into a serving bowl.  Stir in the chicken and the sauce.  Top with the tomatoes, fresh sage and green onions.

Follow Sue Pipal, master gardener and chef at www.eatthriveheal.com

Organic Vegetables Are More Nutritious Due To An Environment That Forces Survival

Laziness makes people more lethargic, decreases their ability to metabolize nutrients and leads to a general state of unhealthiness. The same applies to the plant world. When we raise crops on conventional farms riddled with pesticides and shelter them from what we consider to be harmful elements, their nutritional content decreases and we end up with an inferior plant kingdom that can no longer support itself. According to research in the open access journal PLOS ONE, greater plant stress on organic farms causes tomatoes to accumulate higher concentrations of vitamin C and lycopene compared to those grown on conventional farms.

Oxidative stress is crucial for life. Mainstream science may have us believing otherwise, but oxidation reactions are extremely important to balance plants and animals and maintain complex complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E as well as important enzymes. When we attempt to reduce oxidative stress through artifical means, we immediately decrease vital nutrients in organisms. Nature is built to fight for survival.

Some studies sponsored by the biotech industry even suggest that removing artificial chemicals from the food supply will not deliver healthier or more tasty produce and using modern, artificial, chemical infested methods may be better for us. It's junk science at its best.

Bigger Isn't Better

In their study, the researchers from the Federal University of Ceara, Brazil, compared the weights and biochemical properties of tomatoes from organic and conventional farms. They found that tomatoes grown on organic farms were smaller than those grown by conventional techniques, but they also accumulated more compounds linked to resistance of the elements.

According to the authors, organic farming exposes plants to greater stress than conventional farming and that stress may be the reason organic tomatoes have higher levels of vitamin C and pigment molecules like lycopene, an anti-oxidant compound and important phytochemical associated with a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The increases in these anti-oxidants are associated with the biological response to stress.

More Nutrition in Organic Produce 

Tomatoes grown by organic methods contain more phenolic compounds than those grown using commercial standards, say researchers. The previous published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry -- analysed the phenolic profiles of Daniela tomatoes grown either using 'conventional' or organic methods, finding that those grown under organic conditions contained significantly higher levels of phenolic compounds than those grown conventionally.

"The nutrient composition of plants, including secondary plant metabolites, may be affected by different production systems, such as organic and conventional," noted the researchers, led by senior author Rosa Lamuela from the University of Barcelona.

"Organic farming doesn't use nitrogenous fertilizers; as a result, plants respond by activating their own defence mechanisms, increasing the levels of all antioxidants," explained study lead Anna Vallverd Queralt.

The fundamental differences between organic and conventional agricultural systems are in fertilization strategy and soil fertility management, which in theory affect the nutrient composition in plants and provide healthier better tasting produce.

Organically produced apples have a higher antioxidant capacity than conventionally produced apples, says a study from Germany. The report published in the Organic Center at America’s Organic Trade Association argued that organic produce is 25 per cent more nutritious than conventional foodstuffs.

Higher antioxidant levels, lower pesticide loads, lack of genetically modified seeds, and overall better farming practices are indeed a convincing difference between organic and conventional foods in both nutrient content and health benefits. 

Based on these observations, the authors suggest that growing strategies for fruits and vegetables should aim to balance plant stress with efforts to maximize yield and fruit size, rather than trying to eliminate stress to increase yields.

Marco Torres is a research specialist, writer and consumer advocate for healthy lifestyles. He holds degrees in Public Health and Environmental Science and is a professional speaker on topics such as disease prevention, environmental toxins and health policy. 

This article first appeared in Prevent Disease

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20 Amazing Health Benefits of Tomatoes That Should Make Them A Daily Staple In Your Diet

Just one serving a day of tomato-based foods can have an incredibly beneficial effect on your health. 

Not only can they reduce heart disease, but they could potentially prevent and reverse dozens of diseases if eaten daily. This is one fruit you don't want to leave out of your diet. 

1. REDUCE HEART DISEASE
According to Tufts and Boston University researchers, the highest average intakes of lycopene were linked to almost a 30% reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, respectively, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

2. VITAMIN AND MINERAL RICH
They provide the body with a tremendous amount of natural vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, excellent vitamin C, folate, iron, potassium, magnesium, chromium, choline, zinc, and phosphorus.

3. TOMATOES CAN REDUCE DAMAGE BY SMOKING INCLUDING SECOND HAND SMOKE
Tomatoes can reduce the amount of damage done to your body by smoking cigarettes or inhaling second hand smoke. Tomatoes contain coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid that work to protect the body from carcinogens that are produced from cigarette smoke.

4. THEY NATURALLY ENHANCE FLAVOR
Tomatoes can enhance the flavor of almost any cooked dish. Whole tomatoes, chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce freeze well for future use in cooked dishes. Cooking tomatoes -- such as in spaghetti sauce -- makes the fruit heart-healthier and boosts its cancer-fighting ability. All this, despite a loss of vitamin C during the cooking process, substantially raises the levels of beneficial phytochemicals. Research demonstrates that heat processing actually enhanced the nutritional value of tomatoes by increasing the lycopene content

5. DENSE IN PHYTONUTRIENTS
In terms of phytonutrients, few vegetables compare with tomatoes. They contain flavonones, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, carotenoids, glycosides and even fatty acid derivatives. Better antioxidant protection has also been shown using broad measurements of oxidative stress in different body systems including neurodegenerative diseases.

6. ORGANIC TOMATOES ARE KING
Tomatoes grown by organic methods contain more phenolic compounds than those grown using commercial standards, but be sure of your source as many organic tomatoes imported from Mexico contained residues of pesticides exceeding allowable limits.

7. IMPROVES DIGESTION AND PREVENTS CONSTIPATION
They help to improve the functioning of the digestive system and the liver, and the prevention of constipation, especially when mixed with spinach juice.

8. REDUCES DANGERS OF STATIN DRUGS
Recent evidence just two ounces of tomato paste or a pint of juice a day could be enough to help many patient avoid dangerous statins the class of drugs commonly prescribed for these conditions which can lead to heart problems.

9. PREVENT KIDNEY AND GALL BLADDER STONES
They work as a disinfectant to protect the body from diarrhea and prevents the appearance of kidney stones and gall bladder stones in the long term. They also dramatically reduce the incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms.

10. HEALTHY HAIR
Drinking tomato juice constantly improves the appearance and texture of hair, and since it is rich in vitamin k, it helps to strengthen the tufts of hair and increase its luster as well as the revitalization of growth.

11. SKIN HEALTH
Rich tomato components fight acne and prevent damage to skin cells. Studies have indicated that eating two cups of tomato juice a day helps to improve the overall appearance of the skin in a short period of time.

12. BONE HEALTH
Tomatoes help maintain healthy bones strengthened by enhancing the ratio of calcium in the body. Interestingly, the connection of tomato intake to bone health involves the rich supply of antioxidant in tomatoes.

13. STRENGTHENS IMMUNE SYSTEM
9 Daily consumption of tomatoes is working to increase the proportion of vitamin C in the blood, which inhibits the levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. So drinking tomato juice helps ease tension and stress.

14. REDUCE BLOOD CLOT RISKS
Tomato juice helps to reduce the risk of blood clots. The excessive clumping together of platelet cells can cause problems for our bloodstream in terms of blockage and unwanted clotting, and prevention of this excessive clumping is important for maintaining heart health. Numerous phytonutrients in tomatoes have been shown to help prevent excessive clumping of our platelet cells.

15. INCREASES FAT BURNING CAPACITY
Tomatoes stimulate the production of the amino acid carnitine which has been shown in research to speed the body's fat-burning capacity by over 30 percent.

16. PROTECTS VISION AND DEGENERATIVE EYE DISEASE
Because tomatoes are a rich source of the phytonutrients beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, they can help improve vision and protect your eyes from degeneration.

17. PREVENTS STROKE
New research in the journal Harvard Health Letter found that diets rich in tomatoes can help prevent stroke. The scientists chalk up the results to tomatoes' rich lycopene content.

18. RESTORES BIOCHEMICAL BALANCE IN DIABETICS
According to new research in the journal Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, scientists created diabetic conditions in animals and fed some lycopene while others were fed their typical diet free of lycopene. The biochemistry of animals fed lycopene returned to normal while the others stayed at diabetic levels. This study shows promise that lycopene (found in tomatoes) can help restore biochemical balance in diabetics.

19. REDUCES PROSTATE CANCER RISK
Tomatoes are rich in natural fiber which maintains the health of the colon as it reduces the risk of prostate cancer which affects 1 in 8 men. One key tomato nutrient that has received special focus in prostate cancer prevention is alpha-tomatine. Alpha-tomatine is a saponin phytonutrient and it's shown the ability to alter metabolic activity in developing prostate cancer cells. It's also been shown to trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) in prostate cancer cells that have already been fully formed. Research on alpha-tomatine has also been conducted for non-small cell lung cancer, with similar findings.

20. REDUCES BREAST CANCER RISK
Breast cancer can also be reduced with tomatoes. Exciting research in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows that higher amounts of carotenoids including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and total carotenoids may have a reduced risk of breast cancer.

Tips for Preparing Tomatoes

Before serving, wash tomatoes under cool running water and pat dry.

If your recipe requires seeded tomatoes, cut the fruit in half horizontally and gently squeeze out the seeds and the juice. However, we encourage you to think about the recipe and consider whether the tomato could be incorporated with seeds intact. There are simply too many valuable nutrients in the seeds that you would not want to lose unnecessarily.

When cooking tomatoes, we recommend avoidance of aluminum cookware since the high acid content of the tomatoes may interact with the metal in the cookware. As a result, there may be migration of aluminum into the food, which may not only impart an unpleasant taste, but more importantly, may have a potentially unwanted impact on your health.

Whenever possible, try to develop recipes that make use of the whole tomato. We've seen research showing higher lycopene content in whole tomato products. For example, when the skins of tomatoes are included in the making of the tomato paste, the lycopene and beta-carotene content of the paste is significant higher according to research studies.

Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
whfoods.com
sciencedaily.com
cambridge.org
nature.com

Dr. Marianna Pochelli is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine specializing in the treatment of disease through superfoods and herbal strategies. She actively promotes detoxification, colon cleansing, and a vegetarian lifestyle using living foods as a platform to health. 

This article first appeared in Prevent Disease

The Best (I GIVE UP!) Home Made Tomato Sauce EVER

We laughingly call this our "I GIVE UP" sauce here on the ranch.   What that really means is we have Tomatoes, bellpeppers and every other veggie coming out of our ears AND we have had the first hint of cooler weather.

Since the farmers market tables are brimming over  what does that mean?  Time to make a one time push, make a pile of sauces and can.   We are all about no work here so we do it a little different.

No Work " I GIVE UP" Tomato Sauce

Our secret?  We make the sauce over several days in the OVEN in a huge dutch oven.   This lets us add to it as we are gleaning out the garden and gives it that slow cooked taste.  Our other secret? Put anything in.. and can up special versions of sauce as we go!

In a BIG covered Dutch Oven in your Oven (at 250 degrees)

Use Tomatoes from the Farmers Market

• Fill the bottom with 1/4 an inch of olive oil and coat the sides
• All the tomatoes you can find 
• Bell peppers
• Other peppers (if you like it a little spicy)
• Basil
• a Few shredded carrots (this cuts the acid from the tomatoes)
• and anything else...(wine, a little water?)
• Since we have the oven going anyway we always put garlic in oil and let it roast... THEN put it in the pan.

Or just keep adding all your garden tomatoes 

Just let it cook... but don't let it scorch so figure out your oven.  You can continue to add to it for a few days if you like... giving you time to tackle those out of control garden areas one at a time and add them to the pot

NOW.... From time to time use a strainer and push the mixture through it removing tomato skins or things you don't like.   

THEN... Pot up in different pots mixtures as you go (and have time) and turn the tomato base into  salsa or hot sauce.   Or, add chilies  and beef broth and create enchilada sauce, or egg plant to make a smooth purple marinara ... but just keep cooking your big dutch pan base. 

Go ahead and can each special sauce version.  Ladle it out of the main Dutch Oven, put it in a food processor then back into a new pot to cook for 25 min at a very low boil with any special veggie or seasoning add ins.  Put directly in sterilized jars leaving a 1/2 an inch.  Immerse in a pressure cooker for the recommended time. (read all about canning here)

At the very end take any remaining  tomato sauce left in the Dutch Oven and can that too.

HINT:  Eat Pasta or dinners with your special sauces each night... that takes care of  meal planning AND you can for the future.

Photo credit E. Borgnis

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Follow the Castle Gardener.   Perfecting permaculture and organic practices that are NO WORK and can be done by a farm girl with nails..

Think Italian with the late summer harvest: eggplant...tomatoes...basil

Picked up a couple of eggplants from the farmer's market yesterday along with the usual armload of summer tomatoes and basil.  There's a reason the Italians combine these flavors together.  Not only do they taste wonderful with each other, but they all come to harvest at the same time, making them a summer farmer's market natural.

 

 I also picked up this gorgeous torpedo onion and some locally grown garlic.

Here are the two small eggplants I chose.

Of course, I tossed it all in a pan and cooked it up.  The results...a delicious summer evening side dish.

Summer Eggplant Saute'

 

Ingredients:

• 2 T olive oil
• 1 torpedo onion or regular sweet onion chopped
• 2 small eggplants peeled and chopped into 1/4-1/2" pieces
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 t Himalayan pink salt crystals
• 1/2 t dried oregano
• 1/2 t dried thyme
• 1/4 t Valle del Sol chilli powder
• 4 tomatoes chopped
• 2 T butter
• 2 T fresh chopped basil

Put the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the onion.  Saute' at medium heat until the onion starts to turn translucent.  Add the remaining ingredients and continue to saute' until all vegetables are soft.  If needed add an extra tablespoon or so of water to the pan. 

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Follow Gourmet Chief and Master Gardner Sue Pipal.  She writes at Eat Thrive Heal

     

What to make with Tomatoes

It is that time of year. Tomatoes everywhere.  We love to pick them right off the vines and make a delicious salad.  Of course you can get heirloom tomatoes at your local farmers market too.

Here is our fav salad at the moment.

• Fresh tomatoes
• Basil or small sliced onions
• Red onion 
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil whisked together with 1/2 tsp lemon drizzle with a pinch of crushed thyme

Or Soup.

• Saute Celery and onion till soft (about 15 min) in 1 cup of chicken stock and 1/4 tsp thyme
• Add 8 cups of water
• Add a dozen  tomatoes 
• Cook for 20 Min.
• Mush slightly and the skins will come off.  Remove skins
• Blend in a food processor
• Add 1/4 cup of cream and serve immediately

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