By now, you all know I really love ‘eating’ my medicine and gravitate towards foods that are richly delicious and medicinal on a physical and spiritual level.
Amidst the emotional peaks of Cancer season, this household favorite came through as a grounding meal that will also nourish you and replace calories lost during the high energy season from mid Summer through early Fall. It’s a balancing dish that reminds us that for what we expend we should also receive, and both in abundance!
This bake has hormone balancing properties, fiber, protein and an abundance of healthy calories from the addition of macros like black beans and yams as well as quinoa and kale. Topped off with ripe plantains and founded on polenta, this dish balances sweet and savory through the chocolaty, spicy tones of molé negro.
Overall I find this dish grounding on a physical level in terms of its richness and comfort, but also in that it features foods from Mesoamerica and Africa, which feels supportive to my roots.
Medicinal Properties:
Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamins A and C, benefiting immunity and eye health as well as tissue regeneration. The low glycemic load of these root veggies helps the body manage blood sugar, something partially originating in the richness of fiber in this food which also helps hormone balance, satiety (and thus supporting a healthy relationship to food), and gut health!
Black Beans: Black beans provide healthy fat, protein, carbs and are packed with colorful immune-boosting flavonoids. Black beans are also known to reduce the risk of cancer and lower cholesterol (something largely attributed to the particular kind of fiber in them- a fiber rich diet helps keeps waste from building up in the gut and thus blood, removing toxins from the system before they can cause trouble!). These beans are anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, a great dietary staple for anyone who wants to give their body strong support for the long term.
Cilantro: While generally seen as a flavorful garnish or salsa ingredient, I highly recommend eating cilantro as often as possible because not only is it delicious, this anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory herb may help stave off neurological decline by chelating heavy metals from the nervous system! It is also anti-bacterial and anti-viral, so it rightfully deserves a spot on your plate.
Pumpkin Seeds: Immunity! Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which boosts immune function. They also offer heart-healthy fats and add yet more protein to this meal. These seeds also manage to lower bad cholesterol AND balance hormones. How great is that? Pumpkin seeds also attack gut parasites and prevent kidney stones, so add liberally.
Cacao: Delicious? Yes. And also energy-boosting, anti-bacterial, mood lifting, vitamin rich and antioxidant! Cacao here in the form of nibs and powder is good for your mind and heart and also helps with circulation as well as loads of other benefits. One note: eating this dish too late at night is not recommended as cacao is also lightly caffeinated.
The rest of this dish’s ingredients are wonderfully nutritious on their own- overall this meal is high in fiber and protein as well as healthy resistant starch (plantains!) and flavonoids. Dig in!
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