One of the most common questions I get from family, friends and readers several times a week is “Isabel, how are you able to stay on a healthy eating plan so well? I mean, don’t you want to eat something tasty?”

Obviously these people have not been in my kitchen because I really don’t ever eat anything that I don’t enjoy. That is really how eating healthy food has become such an easy way of life for me. My days are filled with meals that I love and look forward to and I can’t imagine having it any other way (although I do recall in my past “diet days” the boiled chicken breast and steamed broccoli…Yuck…that was not fun and completely not necessary).

With that being said, I do make an effort to attempt one new recipe each week. Yesterday I made my sister’s “Garlicky Mashed Cauliflower that I want you to believe are Mashed Potatoes” (What? Too long of a name?)

My favorite part about this recipe is the Garlic. Yes, I enjoy the taste of garlic, but this one ingredient offers such a long list of health benefits that many people don’t realize. Anyone who’s been around me while I’ve had a cold knows that I reach for my raw garlic way before I resort to cold medications. I’ve even been known to rub raw garlic in olive oil on my feet for faster healing (and have ruined perfectly good socks in the process).

Garlic has incredible antibiotic and blood cleansing properties (which is why it is so great for a cold or other infections). It has been shown to have 1% of the potency of penicillin and can ward off a number of bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptococcal meningitis, Candida albican and Staphylococcus. The problem with most antibiotics is that bacteria develops resistance to them, however this is not the case with garlic. These benefits were first realized back in the early 19th century when English priests caught infectious fever. The French priests living in the same area, who ate garlic every day, did not.

Here are just a few ailments that may be helped by a few extra garlic cloves each day:

1. Acne – Although I don’t believe eating garlic on its own will cure it, I do believe the blood cleansing properties can be a great help.

2. Cardiovascular Health and High Bad Cholesterol – A good diet and exercise program is the most essential component when working to reduce your risk for heart disease, but a bit of garlic to cleanse the blood each day can be quite helpful.

3. Antioxidant – Garlic has also been shown to contain Allicin which naturally increases antioxidant enzymes. Since we are continuously exposed to free radicals every day, a couple extra antioxidants here and there is a good thing.

4. Being left alone – Garlic is not just for warding off vampires. Nasty co-workers you want to avoid or just people in general will not even go near you if you’ve eaten enough of it. Trust me. Just have a few raw cloves and see how many of them invite you to lunch. (No, I’m not serious.)

Here are a few important tips when using garlic:

* Garlic is most effective when crushed or chopped and when raw.

* One clove a day will improve your health and 2-3 cloves will help prevent a cold.

* When cooking garlic wait until the last 10 minutes of cooking to add the garlic.

* Be careful about taking too much as it can cause digestive discomfort.

* Don’t put garlic in the microwave. It kills the active ingredients.

* Garlic is not a replacement for a healthy balanced diet.

* Garlic supplements may interact with certain drugs such as anticoagulants. Be sure to check with your doctor if you are on any medications.

Now on to my sister’s delicious recipe…

“Garlicky Mashed Cauliflower that I want you to believe are Mashed Potatoes”

Ingredients

·1 head of cauliflower

·1 small onion (red or yellow)

·1-2 TBSP organic butter

·1-2 cloves of garlic (this will depend on your taste)

Directions

Steam or boil the cauliflower. Chop the onion and sauté it with either olive oil, butter or coconut oil. (My sister used olive oil. I used butter).

Add the cooked cauliflower to the sautéed onions and sauté together for approximately 8 minutes.

Take the cauliflower and onion sauté and puree in a food processor or blender. Add a tablespoon or more of butter and blend.

Take 2 cloves of garlic and chop them up into small pieces. Add more olive oil, butter or coconut oil to pan and cook the garlic until brown (but try not to burn it).

Pour the garlic into your mashed cauliflower and mix by hand.

I don’t really believe you are going to convince your family that these are potatoes, but even my sister’s husband, a Non- Cauliflower Fan, devoured his portion because they were so delicious.

Let me know if you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!

In health and happiness,

Isabel De Los Rios

www.TheDietSolutionProgram.com

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Health, Weight Loss by Isabel