The Daily Balance

Hello new readers! Just a quick reminder that the blog makes a lot more sense if you start here and read a bit more about me.

With all my talk about this weekend’s cookouts, I figured I’d share some of the goods!

Corn on the cob, salad and BBQ chicken!

Close up on the salad

Finger-lickin' good!

 My mama made the delicious salad! The star ingredient? Tomatoes from my Grandpa’s garden. I am telling you – you CANNOT beat fresh, homegrown tomatoes. The flavor is UNMATCHABLE! Nothing like the watery, flavorless globes you typically find at the grocery store (Am I right Summer Tomato?!). My mouth watered with every bite.

And of course, we all know about lycopene, the tomato’s power nutrient, right? Well, just in case you’ve been living under a rock you missed it, here’s some information, courtesy of WHFoods:

In the area of food and phytonutrient research, nothing has been hotter in the last several years than studies on the lycopene in tomatoes. This carotenoid found in tomatoes (and everything made from them) has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties. The antioxidant function of lycopene-its ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen damage-has been linked in human research to the protection of DNA (our genetic material) inside of white blood cells. Prevention of heart disease has been shown to be another antioxidant role played by lycopene.

In contrast to many other food phytonutrients, whose effects have only been studied in animals, lycopene from tomatoes has been repeatedly studied in humans and found to be protective against a growing list of cancers. These cancers now include colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. While lycopene may play an important role in tomatoes’ health benefits, it seems that it is not the only nutritional star integral for giving this food a red-hot reputation for health promotion; recent research discussed below in the section “Protection Due to Synergy of Tomato’s Nutrients, Not Just Lycopene” describes how scientists are finding out that it is the array of nutrients included in tomatoes, including, but not limited to lycopene, that confers it with so much health value. All the while, it’s still important to understand the many benefits that lycopene provides.

 To learn more about lycopene, and the other nutritional benefits of tomatoes, check out the WHFoods tomato profile.

image credit: tinyfarmblog.com

What is your favorite way to eat a tomato? I like eating them in omelets, in a cheese sandwich, on a salad or simply sliced!

9 Responses to “Daily Delish – Homegrown goodness”

1. Jenny said:

   my dad started growing his own tomatoes and they are incredible — i will never buy them in the store again! there’s nothing like fresh off from the vine goodness

   Posted on August 17, 2009 at 6:06 pm | Reply
2. Lizzy said:

   i really like to eat them just straight up. sometimes i eat it like an apple. hahah

   Posted on August 17, 2009 at 6:21 pm | Reply
3. K said:

   Homegrown tomatoes blow store tomatoes out of the water! SO much juicier and actually taste like a tomato

   I like eating them sliced with just S&P!

   Posted on August 17, 2009 at 6:40 pm | Reply
4. Caroline said:

   I love tomatoes plain too (maybe with a little basil), but I’ve recently been on a major gazpacho kick!

   Posted on August 18, 2009 at 12:29 am | Reply
5. AnnQ said:

   The chicken looks yummy!

   My favorite ways to eat tomatoes are with buffalo mozzarella and vinegar, or just sliced with salt.

   Posted on August 18, 2009 at 8:27 am | Reply
6. AnnQ said:

   The chicken looks yummy!

   My favorite ways to eat tomatoes are with buffalo mozzarella and vinegar, or just sliced with salt.
   Sorry, forgot to add great post! Can’t wait to see your next post!

   Posted on August 18, 2009 at 1:01 pm | Reply
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