“Organic Swiss Chard & Red Pepper Pasta”

Here is a really tasty meal that’s packed full of great nutrition of swiss chard that will do the body good. This dish is quick and easy to fix and will keep a person going all day long. And this great looking pasta feast requires only 15 to 20 minutes of prep time.

Ingredients:

1 - Large Bunch of Organic Red Swiss Chard - Chopped
2 - Large Red Organic Bell Peppers - Chopped
1 - Large Organic Onion - Chopped
10 - Cloves of Organic Garlic - Minced
12 - Oz of Organic Black Olives - Sliced
1- Tablespoon of Organic Olive Oil
2 - Tablespoons of Organic Tomato Paste
1 - Tablespoon of Organic Garlic Powder
8 - Oz of Gluten Free Pasta of Any Kind
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Cook pasta as directed

In a heavy 17 inch pan add the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic. Then add the bell pepper, black olives, and tomato paste, then next add the chopped swiss chard. Allow everything to wilt and mix well but don’t cook too long because all the goodness of the veggies will be lost. Then at the last minute add the garlic powder and mix well and salt and pepper to taste… that’s it!

Pour over cooked gluten free pasta and you have a wonderful lunch or dinner.

Serves 6 to 8 people

Health Benefits of Organic Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard has 12 or more polyphenols that protect the heart from the ravages of free radicals, prevent strokes, and also cancer. Swiss Chard also contains flavonoids such as kaempferol which is great for preventing disease.

And Swiss Chard also contains syringic acid which helps lower blood sugar and at the same time regulate blood sugar levels making it important for those suffering from diabetes. And like like beets Swiss Chard contains lots of betalain which is important as a anti-inflammatory agents and for helping to detox the body.

Plus Swiss Chard contains isobetanidin, isobeanin, alanineabetaxanthin, 3-methoxytryramine, betaxanthin, and many more powerful antioxidants that slow the aging process and prevent disease. Swiss Chard also contains epoxyxanthophyll carotenoids which are important for eye health and nervous system health. And lots of chlorophyll which is a very powerful anti-oxidant and detoxing agent for the body.

Swiss Chard has over 7 times that daily amount of Vitamin K needed for good health and preventing unwanted clotting in arteries, twice the daily amount of Vitamin A which is important for boosting your immune system , and half your needs of Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. Plus Vitamin E for preventing cataracts and lowering cholesterol. B Vitamins for energy, metabolism, and vitality, plus tryptophan for a good nights rest.

And Swiss Chard has lots of wonderful trace minerals including phosphorus and calcium for strong bones, zinc for boosting your immune system so you don’t catch colds, copper and iron for anemia, manganese for preventing osteoporosis, plus magnesium for enzyme creation and regulation. And Swiss Chard has lots of fiber for colon health… and for creating the best environment for the growth of probiotic bacteria. And Swiss Chard contains some protein and hardly any fat making it great for weight loss. Swiss Chard is a good anti-inflammatory agent helping with arthritis, diabetes, and atherosclerosis… and even contains zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and lutein for preventing macular degeneration.

And Swiss Chard can lower LDL or bad cholesterol and lower blood pressure too, thus helping to keep your cardiovascular system going for many years to come. And because Swiss Chard contains biotin it’s important for strong healthy looking hair.

Remember - Always eat organic, regular swiss chard at the markets contains 6 cancer causing chemicals, 12 hormone disrupting chemicals, and another 10 disease causing chemicals. Eating organic is really the best way to stay healthy.

Enjoy this great pasta!

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist