Dijon Sweet Potatoes

Fall Detox Tip  
Keep a couple of sweet potatoes in your refrigerator, already baked, for a snack.  Warm them up, with a little ghee, salt, cinnamon or cumin.  Or, try the light Dijon dressing below.  Enjoy the potent packed benefits of this potato powerhouse:

Symptoms
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) a weak Spleen/Stomach channel (Late Summer) hinders the transportation of food causing Large Intestine (Autumn) to become sluggish resulting in the  following symptoms.  Sweet potato can aid in the treatment of:

• Bloating (especially after eating)
• Constipation
• Diabetes (Type II)
• Edema
• Headache
• Lack of energy
• Weight gain

Studies have shown sweet potato extract to have potential anti-lipogenic (reduction of fat production), anti-inflammatory and radical scavenging effects, helping the maintain vital nerves and tissues throughout the body.1

Despite a high sugar content, they have also been shown to help regulate blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients by increasing blood levels of adiponectin which is involved in regulating glucose levels and fatty acid breakdown. 2

Aid Digestion & Elimination
By promoting digestion through the Spleen/Stomach channels, sweet potatoes improve intestinal peristalsis, helping to clear constipation.

Strength, Instinct & Groundedness
According to TCM eating autumn’s root vegetables strengthen your sense of groundedness. Developing trust in a deep, rooted sense of self in autumn will help us to move forward in the unfolding of the next season’s cycle.

“All our progress is an unfolding, like a vegetable bud.  You have first an instinct, then an opinion, then a knowledge as the plant has root, bud, and fruit.  Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dijon Sweet Potatoes
4 medium sweet potatoes, baked and cubed
1 small red onion, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1/2 c. parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp.  lemon juice
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
Optional:  2 Tbsp. chives, chopped

1. In a large bowl, place sweet potatoes, red onion, celery, parsley.  Mix well.
2. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, vinegar, Dijon.  Drizzle over potatoes.  Enjoy !Be sure not to over bake the potato, so it remains firm.  Or choose to cube and saute for a more firm texture.  Also, you can include the potato skin which contains fiber, potassium and other nutrients.

This is just one of 30+ recipes you’ll receive in the PULSE 21-Day Detox.

Gloria Gonzalez, CMT SEP, is CCO/Founder of Eight Elements West, an Institute for Somatic Education and Integrative Wellness.  Her private practice works with nutrition, accumulated stress and trauma through:  PULSE 21-Day Detox, Somatic Experiencing, Visceral Manipulation and Craniosacral Therapy.

Sources:
1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861722, Anti-obesity and antioxidative effects of purple sweet potato extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro, Sep. 2013
2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17645559.   Improved metabolic control by Ipomoea batatas (Caiapo) is associated with increased adiponectin and decreased fibrinogen levels in type 2 diabetic subjects, Feb 2004