Zucchini Carrot Cakes with Super Herb Turmeric!

Nutritional Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini is often an overlooked vegetable. It has many health benefits and is nutrient dense. Zucchini are high in magnesium and potassium, copper and and manganese great for heart health and lowering cholesterol. It also contains phosphorus and important nutrient needed for bone growth. Zucchinis are also high in Vitamin C and Vitamin A which are great for the immune system and for good eye health. They are low in calories at 35 calories a cup! Zucchinis are also high in dietary fiber which help to regulate your system and prevent colon cancer.

Nutritional Benefits of Turmeric

Curcumin has shown some promise in treating depression, an incredibly common disorder. In a controlled trial, 60 patients were randomized into three groups . One group took prozac, another group took a gram of curcumin and the third group took both prozac and curcumin. After 6 weeks, curcumin had lead to improvements that were similar to prozac. The group that took both prozac and curcumin fared best. According to this (small) study, curcumin is as effective as an SSRI antidepressant. Depression is also linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and a shrinking hippocampus, a brain area with a role in learning and memory. Curcumin boosts BNDF levels, potentially reversing some of these changes. There is also some evidence that curcumin can boost levels of the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Recipe

Zucchinis 3

Carrots 2

Purple onion 1/2 (1 whole onion if you like onion)

2 cloves of garlic

Turmeric 1 teaspoon to 1 1/2 teaspoons

Garlic Powder 1/2 teaspoon

Egg

Flour 1/4 cup

Bread Crumbs 1/4 cup

Salt and Pepper

Olive oil

Directions

Shred zucchini with a box grater. Once the zucchini is grated be sure to squeeze out the excess water by putting the shredded zucchini in a clean cloth, or paper towel, then squeeze. Put the zucchini in the bowl and then shred the carrots and the onion. Next add one egg, salt pepper, flour, bread crumbs, turmeric, garlic powder, and minced garlic to the mixture. Stir until well combined. Next heat a skillet with olive oil. Form vegetable mixture into patties. Cook patties about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. You can make then without carrots also.

Links
Healthy Holistic Living