MMMmmm..figs

Figs are now officially on my list of favorite fruits. Today while I was exploring the fresh produce section at a grocery store called Hows I spotted the baskets of fresh figs next to the mangoes and said to myself: "I'm going to try them once and for all!" Let me tell you once I placed that delicious morsel into my mouth, my taste buds were dancing with shear delight. Figs have a surprisingly light sweetness to them and unlike most fruit are not overwhelmingly sweet. I enjoyed them so much I decided to share a little information about them.

The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia and to have been distributed by man throughout the Mediterranean area. Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5,000 B.C. The fig grows best and produces the best quality fruit in Mediterranean and dryer warm-temperate climates. Rains during fruit development and ripening can cause the fruits to split. With extra care figs will also grow in wetter, cooler areas. Diseases limit utility in tropical climates. Fully dormant trees are hardy to 12° - 15° F, but plants in active growth can be damaged at 30° F. Fig plants killed to the ground will often resprout from the roots.

Figs and health
Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. Figs have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants. They are good source of flavonoids and polyphenols[2]. In one study, a 40-gram portion of dried figs (two medium size figs) produced a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity[3].

***Gasp***Man that was a lot of info to take in but hopefully it helped provide some knowledge useful for cocktail parties. As far as my day, it was glorious because I went to a new part of the city I haven't explored by foot before. Although I always feel like a failure when I go on these rendezvous lately because I know I shouldn't be overly active due to my weight. To be honest, it scares me deeply to think that I might lose another pound because that is detrimental to my health. But what do I do when walking is the only thing that allows me to cope with this hole I'm in?

Aye! and the problem lays in my eating.

What does a vegan eat for dinner? Well, I'm only one of millions of compassionate eaters so I can't say for sure what others eat. But I concocted a raw veggie delight I call

Kristy's Avo Stuffed Bell Peppers

Here's the recipe:

Serving: 1

1/4 cup avocado

1/4 cup shredded zucchini

1 red bell pepper cup (you choose the size)

1 tsp red onion

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp fresh cilantro

garlic

Chili Powder

To assemble just simply mash together the avocado, zucchini, red onion, cilantro, lemon juice, garlic, and chili powder then spoon it into the bell pepper. Voila! The meal is ready for your dining pleasure.

Sadly, this doesn't amount to the proper calories needed to keep me well nourished and I was already stuffed by the time I was finished. Pathetic huh. That is why I must rely on Ensure as my savior. It is also my enemy though because it upsets my stomach and kills my beliefs as a vegan. It contains dairy therefore I have disappointed vegans everywhere. Someday I will make it up to them. My restoration to better health will be my redemption to them. Hopefully they will provide the nourishment for others that it cannot properly provide for me at the moment.