This super charged veggie should have vitamin A emblazoned on its bright orange skin, but that is not the carrot’s only claim to fame. Did you know that the original colour of the carrot was the white centered purple ones appearing on our shelves now and they have 10 times more antioxidants than the orange carrot. The dutch are responsible for the orange colour to Jazz up the colour on our plates. Orange Carrots are also a cornucopia of beta-carotene,  vitamin’s B1, B2, B3, B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, fiber, folate, manganese, molybdenum, potassium and phosphorous.

Wellness

Savvy health and fitness aficionados know that the likelihood of saying, “what’s up, doc?” is greatly reduced by regularly munching on these crunchy vegetables.  Carrots have some profound health benefits including but not limited to:

Cancer Prevention Carrots contain a naturally occurring compound called falcarinol which has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers including breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer.  Carrots are rich in beta-carotene which works as an antioxidant and helps counter cell damage.

Healthy Vision Beta-carotene is transformed into vitamin A inside the body.  Vitamin A produces an important pigment in the eye responsible for strong night vision.  Beta-Carotene also provides protection against macular degeneration and has even been shown to fight cataracts in the elderly.

Heart Health The wealth of beta-carotene in carrots works as an antioxidant and protects against cell damage.  The munificence of fibre in carrots helps the body excrete harmful stomach acids, keeps the arteries clean and lowers cholesterol levels.
Immune System Carrots are natural born disease and infection fighters with their high concentration of Vitamin A and their flesh can even be applied directly to a skin wound in order to stave off infection.

Stroke Prevention Scientific studies have shown that people who ingest carrots on a daily basis are far less likely to have a stroke than their compatriots who eat little to none.

Beauty

Anti-Aging The high amount of alpha-carotene in carrots works as a powerful antioxidant against naturally occurring cell damage and premature aging.

Healthy Skin & Healthy Nails The vast amount of Vitamin A and antioxidants found in carrots provide remarkable protection against sun damage.  Consuming vitamin A on a regular basis helps retain healthy moisture levels in hair, skin and nails and prevents brittleness and dryness.

Weight loss

A Natural cleanser due to high Vitamin A which works in accordance with the liver to rid the body of unwanted fat and bile.  The great amount of fibre in carrots works to effectively sweep the body of natural wastes.  And don’t forget that carrots are low-calorie and low-fat and make for healthy, filling snacks between meals.  One cup of carrots is only fifty-calories and has a mere third gram of fat!

Cooking

A best secret is that cooked carrot is a great healthy sweetener.

Carrots are delicious and nutritious and highly versatile in the kitchen.  They can be chopped, sliced, diced, shredded or pureed. Roast in a slow oven wrapped in foil with butter cardamon and honey.

In order to retain maximum flavor and nutritional value, however, your best bet is to eat them raw or steam them

Preserve them in Green Ginger Wine, cider vinegar with fresh ginger and Vietnamese mint. “one of my best kept secrets”.

Quench your thirst with a cup of fresh carrot juice, bathe them lightly in your favourite guilt-free dip

Braise grated carrot with lemon thyme and a little coconut oil for a twist on this versatile veggie.

Slice them into a healthy salad for some pops of colour and crunch, I recommend carrot, coconut, mint and pineapple juice salad or gently steam them (about five minutes) , season them with a pinch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper or dress them up with a laze  made from a little butter and maple syrup or candied ginger.

Another favorite is soup with carrot,  ginger. leather wood honey and coriander and a hint of chilli.

 Heaven is the place where the donkey finally catches up with his carrot;

hell is the eternity while he waits for it.” ~Russell Green