Description:It is believed that the Greeks probably named asparagus, which means “young shoots”. British settlers brought the veggie to North America during the 1600s in the form of “crowns”. Crowns are the first year growth of the underground stem and roots from which the asparagus is usually grown. The crowns are used to start the plants to cut down an extra year if plants from seeds are used. Asparagus (female plant) has red berries, which birds like to eat and then carry to other fields or parts of the garden so that asparagus can be non-cultivated. Asparagus is a perennial and in the first year is not harvested and looks much like a fern. After three or four years, the asparagus plant can produce crops for about 15 years. Generally speaking, European consumers prefer the white asparagus because of its tenderness and sweetness. Rule of thumb on whether to use a knife or fork when eating It’s okay to eat asparagus with your fingers as long as the stalks are not dripping with a sauce or butter.

Nutrient content According to Meredith Sayles Hughes in Stinky and Stringy Stem and Bulb Vegetables, “asparagus provides an amazingly well-balanced range of substances. Included are potassium, which keeps our water levels in balance; fiber, which keeps our digestive systems running smoothly; vitamin B6, which helps make the best use of our food; and thiamin, important for daily energy. Of all vegetables, asparagus has the highest content of folic acid, the key component necessary for blood cell formation. Asparagus has no fat and very few calories, about four per spear.” Also, it neutralizes poisonous chemicals. The green variety has more vitamin C than the white.

Peak season: Peaks in March and April. Can be available all year round. In the U.S., California, New Jersey, Washington, and Michigan are the chief sources of asparagus.

Selection: Look for spears that are uniform in appearance and deep green color, which indicates higher quality. Buy stalks that have compact buds and taut skin. Select stalks about the same size for even cooking. How to tell if stalks are firm? Hold a stalk from the bottom and it should stand up straight no matter how thin the stalk.

Storage: Can store several days wrapped in a damp towel in the refrigerator or wrap stalks in a damp paper towel with foil around the paper towel.

Preparation: Spears that are larger than your pinkie finger will need to be peeled. Break off the woody or tough part. When serving cold, place cooked asparagus in an ice bath or run under cold water. For cooking, find the tender part by bending the spear several times until you find the most flexible place and snap it off at that point. Then you can make an even cut with your knife.

What types of foods are you eating? Are you eating fast food regularly? Many chemicals and preservatives are included in processed fast food and over time, they will build up to toxic levels in your body. Do you regularly purchase potato chips, soda (regular or diet), or frozen foods? All these items that we consume include chemicals and preservatives that accumulate in our bodies over time.

The sticky issue is that our lifestyles result in toxic build up that takes place over a long time period. Actually, over the course of our entire life. Pollution occurs slowly. Our bodies tolerate the toxins up to a certain point, but eventually they break down and when the damage is done, and sometimes it cannot be repaired.

Many products are available to assist with body cleansing; there are also a variety of diets that claim that toxins can be eliminated from your body if you consume a particular food — whatever the latest dietary cleansing fad is. This is not to criticize those diets and items that do not do what they claim. Most likely they are supported by good data, scientific studies and results.

What steps do you take after the toxins are out of your body? Do you start using alcohol and tobacco and consuming soda, chips and fast food again? If that is the case, you only clean up your system to mess it up all over again. You must begin consuming unprocessed food.

You need to stop or at least cut back on smoking and drinking. And you must stop consuming soda and chips. You will want to cook your own food. It may require learning how to cook. Or find a person to do your cooking.

You will come to understand that our bodies are marvelously designed. By starting healthy habits, your body is able to take out the toxins in its own natural way. Begin living a healthier life today.