At Tommy’s Superfoods, our goal is to provide vegetable blends that are tasty, easy to prepare, and, most importantly, healthy! That’s why we spend so much time in our kitchens pairing up the best possible veggie combinations and seasonings. Today, we’re highlighting an old favorite that’s got a new twist: Asparagus & Kale, now with Green Chickpeas!
Red, Green, & Tasty All Over
Our Asparagus & Kale blend has been a favorite with veggie-lovers, but we wanted to make it even more protein-packed than before. So, we added delicious and nutritious green chickpeas with asparagus, kale, and red bell pepper for a nutritious punch and fresh flavor. Keep reading for even more tasty tidbits on Asparagus & Kale’s new look.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a spring vegetable that’s packed with health benefits, but not carbs! In fact, asparagus is one of the lowest-carb vegetables out there, with only 2 net carbs per 3.5 ounces. Some of the nutrients in asparagus include:
- Antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and slow signs of aging
- Plenty of fiber to help you manage your weight and control your blood sugar
- Good amounts of folate to keep your brain healthy and happy
- A source of glutathione, a compound that can fight and protect against cancer
Kale
Kale is a superfood in more ways than one! This dark, leafy green has a long list of nutrients to keep you feeling your best. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to add to your diet, whether you’re in the mood for a sandwich, burritos, or even waffles. Here are some of the health benefits of kale:
- Loads of antioxidants, which fight signs of aging, inflammation, and diseases
- High levels of Vitamin C, which is important for producing collagen and boosting your immune system
- Great source of Potassium which reduces cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and risk of heart disease
- Good amounts of Vitamin K, which help the body heal wounds
Green Chickpeas
You might be thinking: “Wait, there’s a green chickpea?!” Well, there are actually a few different colors of chickpeas, including green, red, black, and the typical light brown. Green chickpeas are simply the younger sister of those brown (garbanzo) beans you might see in the grocery store, and they are absolutely chock-full of great taste and nutrients. Eating green chickpeas can:
- Lower your cholesterol, triglycerides, and risk of heart disease
- Help regulate your blood sugar and support healthy digestion
- Provide you with 8 of the 9 necessary amino acids
- Keep your bones healthy and strong
You can learn more about the awesomeness of green chickpeas here – we have a whole blog post about them!
Bell Pepper
Bell pepper does more than provide some color amidst the green. It also adds flavor, texture, and even more key nutrients. The health benefits of bell pepper include:
- High levels of Vitamin K, which supports bone health and heals cuts
- Great amounts of Vitamin E, which is essential for healthy muscle and nerve function
- Lutein and zeaxanthin for improving eye health
The Seasonings
When we create our vegetable combinations, we ensure that every ingredient provides great taste and even better health benefits. Even down to the last grain of salt! Here’s why we chose these specific seasonings for Asparagus & Kale.
Apple Cider Vinegar
You may have heard about apple cider vinegar, but how exactly does it provide benefits? Well, there are lots of ways that apple cider vinegar can keep you healthy! Some of its benefits are:
- Lowering blood sugar and fighting diabetes
- Helping with weight loss and management
- Lowering cholesterol and helping with heart health
Sea Salt
While salt can be bad for your long-term health in large amounts, Sea Salt actually has important benefits for your everyday health. We (sparingly) use Sea Salt in our hand-crafted seasonings. The benefits include:
- Electrolytes, like potassium and calcium that help promote brain and heart health
- Minerals that reduce inflammation and regulate blood pressure
Dehydrated Onion
Onion is a flavorful and beneficial addition to our blends. It’s low in sodium, fat, and calories, but high in plenty of other vitamins and nutrients. Some of these nutrients can:
- Lower the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease
- Promote strong, healthy bones and muscle function
- Aid in healthy digestion
Celery Seed
Celery seed is really an unsung hero in the spice world. But we at Tommy’s love it so much, we’ve even written an entire post about the benefits of this spice! Some of these benefits include:
- Magnesium, which regulates blood sugar and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease
- Strong bones, thanks to high levels of calcium (just one tablespoon contains 12% of the recommended daily intake!)
- Lots of iron, which helps form new red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body
Mustard Seed
When you think of mustard, the first image that pops into your head is probably a bright yellow bottle. And while the contents of that bottle do come from the mustard seed, the seed provides flavor and nutrients that you won’t find in your typical yellow condiment. The health benefits of mustard seed include:
- Relieving migraines
- Lowering blood pressure
- Protecting against cancer
Turmeric
You may have been recently introduced to turmeric as it exploded in popularity over the last few years (turmeric lattes, anyone?), but we’ve been fans of this spice for years. Turmeric provides a wide variety of benefits, including:
- Reducing inflammation, aches, and pains
- Improving liver function
- Aiding digestion and helping with balanced blood sugar
Dehydrated Garlic
While we love garlic for its rich flavor and great benefits, we’re not the first ones to use it to promote health! In fact, garlic has been used as a medical ingredient since the time of Hippocrates. Some of garlic’s health benefits are:
- Fighting sickness, like colds, and supporting a strong immune system
- Providing plenty of Vitamin C, fiber, and cancer-fighting antioxidants
- Compounds that reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol
Paprika
Paprika is bright, zesty, and, you guessed it, full of essential nutrients. Including paprika in your diet can:
- Support healthy digestion
- Encourage healthy hair and skin
- Decrease your risk of heart problems
Going Beyond the Label
When you pick up a bag of Asparagus & Kale with Green Chickpeas, you’re picking up more than just what’s on the label. You’ll get the time we spend creating seasoning blends, picking vegetables at peak freshness, and pre-washing and cutting them to save you time. That’s what’s inside a bag of Tommy’s.
What do you love about Asparagus & Kale with Green Chickpeas? Leave us a comment and let us know!
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