Eat More Artichokes

(Picture of Emerson enjoying artichoke)

Did you know that artichokes are a super food?  We love artichokes and have them available in our house whenever we can find ripe ones at the store.  Artichokes are one of Emerson's favorite foods!  

Why are artichokes good for you?  Artichokes are a great source of Vitamin C and folate.  They are also heart healthy.  Artichokes are full of fiber, anti-oxidants, Vitamin K and B-Complex.  They even have healthful minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium.  If that is not enough, Dr. Sears has even ranked artichokes among his top vegetables and family foods for their protein, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals.

While they take some time to prepare, they are delicious and fun to eat!!  You can grill them, steam them or bake them.  For ease, we usually steam them.  Simply steam them for about 30-45 minutes until the leaves easily pull from the artichoke.  To eat scrape the meat from the leaf with your teeth.  Emerson loves eating these...it is so fun!  Then, of course, you cut them open and eat the hearts.  

This Memorial Day serve up some artichokes as an appetizer for your family.

YUM!!

Sources: livestrong.com, nutritionandyou.com, askdrsears.com