Beet it to Defeat it.

 “Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)

No one wants to be defeated

Showin' how funky and strong is your fight”

(Beat It – Song by Michael Jackson)

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“Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it

Get yourself an egg and beat it.”

(Eat It - Song by "Weird Al" Yankovic”

From the moment of birth, our bodies begin to die; it is just a fact of human life.  However, that does not mean that we simply sit around and wait for that last moment.  Instead, we live!  If the Fates allow, we develop into different stages of humanhood – baby, young child, teen, young adult, adult, senior adult.  We become educated, discover our likes and dislikes, create a business or work for others; friendships, loving relationships, partnerships are formed.  Perhaps have children of our own and impart on them what wisdoms we have learned throughout our own years.

One aspect of life that has been explored by religion and science is the extension of life itself.  With death, do we go on, but in other forms, or simply to not exist ever again?  If we extend life age, how does the body and mind cope?  …and welcome to the wonderful world of health care, anti-aging products, health/anti-aging clinics and spas, and your average, everyday snake oil salesperson.  The advertisements are everywhere!  However, it is not just about how to be so healthy that aging is made progressively slower, but how easy it can be by just taking supplements.  Pop a magic vitamin capsule, and increase the ingredients that help the body from breaking down. 

Personally, we take supplements, have for decades.  We have learned what items make us definitely feel better, and what products are hype.  Why?  Honestly, we do not eat all the foods that Tom, Dick and Harry tell us to, as we would be grazing all day.  Who has time for that!?!

Then again, while we still enjoy the foods labeled as “bad for you”, we do focus on foods we certainly know are “good for you”.  It is basically all about the balance, and compromise too.

Currently a new fad I have seen marketed is “Super Beets”; whether in a chew, or powder added to liquid, “May Help Support Healthy Blood Pressure & Improved Stamina”. (quote from Super Beets website).  …and my question is, “May?”

Well heck, I know it is scientific fact that beets contain folate, manganese (good for bone health), magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, boron, silica and selenium.  They have been proven to: Lower blood pressure, increase stamina and muscle efficiency, slow dementia, help maintain healthy weight, reduce risk of heart attack, stroke, and prevention of some cancers.

The ”order online or buy off the shelf” supplement contains: “Non-GMO Beetroot Powder, Non-GMO Beetroot Powder (fermented), Natural Apple Flavor, Malic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbate, Stevia Leaf Extract”, and “may” help you.  See people, have to do your research and learn what is better for your body, a supplement, or the real deal!  …and guess what, beets are delicious!

Enough preaching to the choir, and how about a recipe for one of our favorites, Pickled Beets and Eggs.  Whether as a snack or added to a salad, this is a great way of eating your beets, and getting the benefits of defeating certain illnesses.  By the way, you do not have to follow the recipe religiously and add in the hard-boiled eggs, the beets themselves are great alone.  So long as they are stored in an air tight container, pickled beets can be refrigerated for an average of six weeks.  That is, if they last that long.  Oh, one warning of caution, eat a lot, and as my husband says, “you’ll be peeing out blood.”  Really?  No, but your urine will definitely become a reddish color.  Why?  Betanin is a naturally occurring enzyme, in beets, giving it the reddish/purple coloring.  So, another reason to eat beets is this enzyme which activates antioxidant defense mechanisms, helping to prevent LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation and DNA damage.  

Sorry, preaching again, let’s get to that recipe…

Now if I use cans of beets, it is due to convenience, and that is the only reason.   Otherwise, I use fresh, whole beets and slice them up myself.  For the fresh, whole beets, do this first:

Scrub beets and trim tops to 1 inch.  Place in a Dutch oven; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 25-30 minutes or until tender. Remove from water; cool. Peel beets and slice; place in a bowl and set aside.

 

Pickled Beets and Eggs

 

Ingredients

9 eggs

2 cans (15 ounce) cans sliced or whole beets, juice reserved

½ cup diced red onion

¾ cup sugar

1 cup white vinegar

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

6 whole cloves, or ¾ tsp. ground cloves

Preparation:

Place eggs in saucepan and cover with water. Bring to boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs sit in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, and peel.

    

Place beets, onion, and peeled eggs in a cold/heat proof glass (canning jar is best) or plastic container. Set aside.

In a medium-size saucepan, combine sugar, 1 cup reserved beet juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and cloves. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

    

 

 

 

 

 

Pour hot liquid over beets and eggs; seal lid and refrigerate 48 hours before using.

 

Makes 9 single egg servings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, beet it, beet it, eat, it, eat it, and do the very best you can at maintaining health…. live long and prosper!

Mary Cokenour