The gardens are certainly plentiful this time of year.

Although I missed out, once again, on a year of garden boxes in my own yard, I continue to be blessed by the bounty of friends.
This week I found myself with a basket full of cucumbers (and green beans and squash too!).
With a little bit of extra red cabbage staring back at me from the fridge, I decided to embark on something super tasty, but also something super salubrious for the belly.

Cabbage: Cabbage can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits. The fiber-related components in cabbage do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they’ve been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it’s easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Raw cabbage still has cholesterol-lowering ability though, and all types of cabbage have been shown to have anti-cancer properties, as well as gut-healthy properties. Long and short, cabbage is good for your belly and every other part of you!

Apple Cider Vinegar: The most popular vinegar in the natural health community is Apple Cider Vinegar. It is claimed to lead to all sorts of beneficial effects… some of which are supported by science. This includes weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and improved symptoms of diabetes. It is antibacterial, gut healing, useful for lowering blood sugar, good for weight loss, may help to prevent cancer… The list goes on and on…

Raw Honey: Again, another super extensive list of health claims come from raw honey consumption –

Balance blood sugar Body Fat Brain Health Harmonize the liver Diabetes Loaded with ‘Good’ Bacteria Neutralize toxins Blood pressure  Anti-Cancer properties  Wipe out toxins that cause diarrhea Calm the nerves  Digestion  Cold, Flu and Sinus  Anti-Allergenic  Anti-Inflammatory Cough & Expectorant Wound Healing

Laxative Ulcers  Anti-Toxic Prevent Cavities Manage & Slow Disease Fever-Reducing Leukemia Heart Attacks and Arrythmias Chronic Bronchitis Sleep Stress and Cortisol Chronic Rhinitis Cholesterol  Allergic Rhinitis  Sinusitis  Nerve Damage Sedative

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: And get this – olive oil is good for your sex life, it’s your “weight loss secret weapon,” a diabetes deterrent, good for pain relief, your skin savior, strengthens the immune systems, keeps the body (and more) running smoothly, is a pregnancy aid, and helps with longevity.

Cucumber: It’s full of water, sweet smells, and just tastes really great!

And regardless of all the amazing health benefits of this little salad, it tastes more than amazing.

Cucumbers and Cabbage

2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 medium cucumber, sliced
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. stone ground mustard
sea salt and pepper
1 tsp. raw honey (optional)

Steam cabbage over a pot of boiling water for about 3 minutes, until soft. Once cooled, combine with the cucumber.
In a small covered jar, combine the broth, oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper, and honey. Shake, shake, shake well, until emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the veggies, tossing gently.

Savor. Enjoy. Eat.