Cabbage: Healing Powers?

If you do a little research on cabbage, you will find claims for the health benefits of cabbage include treatment of constipation, headache, excess weight, skin disorders, eczema, jaundice, scurvy, rheumatism, varicose veins, leg ulcers, peptic and duodenal ulcers, arthritis, gout, eye disorders, heart diseases, ageing, Alzheimer's disease and probably a few others. WHY?

Here are some quick facts:

• Cabbage is very rich in fiber. This helps retain water and forms the bulk of the food and the bowels. Thus it is a good cure for constipation and related problems.
• Cabbage is abundant is Vitamin C.(Vitamin C, being one of the best anti oxidant, reduces free radicals in your body which are the basic causes of ageing. It also helps repairing the wear and tears in the body.)
• Cabbage is rich is sulphur so it helps fight infections in wounds and ulcers.
• *Vitamin C + Sulfur = Detoxifying effects! (purifies blood and removes toxins)
• Cabbage is rich in iodine so helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system, apart from keeping the endocrinal glands in proper condition.
• Cabbage contains various other nutrients such as vitamin-E which keeps the skin, eye and hair healthy, calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc., are very useful for overall health.

So what will you make with your cabbage to help you live a longer healthier life? Cole slaw? Cabbage soup? Cabbage caserole? Add it to your salad or stir fry?

Did I mention it's rather inexpensive? Here is a recipe to try if you are feeling a bit under the weather or any time you are looking for a comforting boost of the rich nutrients in cabbage.

Cabbage Soup

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped (adjust to your onion preference)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

6 cups of chicken broth

1-3 cups of water (depending on if you add the extra potatoes listed below)

1 salt, to taste

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

1/2 head cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped

1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, drained and diced

*Some people like to add a 1/2 pound or cubed potatoes to give the soupe more volume and girth

*Another popular addition is 1 cup of cooked white beans (or 1 can of white beans, drained)

Directions:

In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in water, bouillon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir in cabbage (and potatoes). Simmer until cabbage wilts, about 10 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes (and beans). Return to a boil, then simmer 15 to 30 minutes, stirring often.

Interested in more recipes?

MORE CABBAGE RECIPE (Green only)

80 Breakfasts: Cabbage, Chickpea, and Chorizo Soup
All Recipes: Farikal
All Recipes: Summer Grilled Cabbage
All Recipes: Turkey Cabbage Rolls
CHG: Beet and Cabbage BBQ Slaw
CHG: Hot and Sour Cabbage Soup
CHG: Napa Cabbage and Red Onion Salad
Cooking Light: Asian Pear-Cabbage Salad
Cooking Light: Barbecued Cabbage with Santa Fe Seasonings

Cooking Light: Cabbage Gremolata
Cooking Light: Plantation Beans and Cabbage
Cooking Light: Sweet Cabbage Salad
Cooking Light: Waldorf Cole Slaw
Daily Unadventures in Cooking: Linguine with Green Cabbage and Pancetta
Eating Well: Beef Cabbage Stirfry
Eating Well: Hot and Sour Slaw
Eating Well: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Epicurious: Napa Cabbage Kimchi
FatFree Vegan Kitchen: Irish White Bean and Cabbage Stew
Kalyn’s Kitchen: Braised Napa Salad with Shitake Mushrooms
Karina’s Kitchen: Stuffed Cabbage with Roasted Sweet Potato & Quinoa
Orangette: Braised Green Cabbage with Onions, Carrots, and a Poached Egg
Recipe Zaar: Cabbage Salsa
Recipe Zaar: Curtido De Repollo - El Salvadorean Cabbage Salad
Recipe Zaar: Curried Cabbage
Recipe Zaar: Hungarian Noodles and Cabbage
Recipe Zaar: Weight Watchers Zero-Point Cabbage Soup

Get a higher appraised value for your house!

Because appraisers hold considerable power in determining market value of a house, you’ll want to make sure your home is as ready for judgment day as possible.

If you find a buyer for your house but your house appraises below the agreed-upon price, you might have to lower your sales price. This is because the house appraisal industry now operates under tightened regulations in the form of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) implemented in 2009 which has resulted in real estate appraisers tending to give more conservative estimates than they once did. Lenders won’t grant a mortgage for more than the house is worth, and even if a buyer has the cash to pay the difference, the deal often dies.

How big is it?
According to the American Society of Appraisers, the best way to improve the value of your home is by adding square footage. Beauty and aesthetics are important to buyers, but the number of square feet matters most to the appraiser. The same goes for the garage: the bigger, the better. Buyers and appraisers see dollar signs when they see the extra storage space.

But before you go doubling the size of your house, consult with a local appraiser to get a cost-benefit analysis. Your appraiser will estimate how soon you'll break even -or if at all. Having the largest home in the neighborhood hurts more than it helps. Paying for a professional appraisal beats making an expensive renovation mistake.

Counting Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Appraisers count the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in a home and attribute value to each one. However, as I mentioned before, don’t over-improve your property for the neighborhood, because you won’t get your investment back at resale. If the largest house in your neighborhood has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms, having five bedrooms and four baths is going over he top.

Kitchens, Kitchens, Kitchens
Though the kitchen functions as the heart of the home, don’t go crazy with renovations. If no one else on the block has granite countertops and custom cabinetry, you shouldn't install them. Conversely, if you’re the only owner on the block with old laminate counters, consider updating the surface. Make your home as nice as homes in your neighborhood – no more, no less.

The Little Things Count
You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck by doing simple projects, like landscaping the front yard or replacing old faucets and dirty carpet. Installing new fixtures and painting the walls a shade of white, beige or gray are your best bets, according to the Appraisal Institute. It’s not necessary to go overboard with major updates, especially in a soft real estate market. And make sure you get permits as illegal improvements might actually hurt the appraised value.

Help the Appraiser
If you’ve added significant but unseen improvements, bring them to the attention of the appraiser. List features such as underground sprinkling, central air conditioning, in floor heating or other concealed improvements. You or your real estate agent can also give the appraiser a list of recent comparable sales in the area, highlighting any features that might make your home more valuable like fireplaces and decks. Though you’re not permitted to influence the price, you can provide data.




MORE:
Getting the Best Price for your Home |  Curb Appeal  |  Home Selling Tips  |  Home Renovation

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Chili Seasoning - You really don't need to buy a packet!

Chili Seasoning Mix

Ingredients:

4 teaspoons chili powder

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper (optional - more or less for heat)

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 tablespoon dried, minced garlic

2 teaspoons white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

In a bowl, stir together chili powder, red pepper, onion, garlic, sugar, cumin, parsley, salt, basil and pepper. Store in an airtight container.