Pine nuts are a seed produced by a mature female pine cone.  Once maturity and dryness has been reached, the pine cone opens up to reveal ready-to-eat pine nuts.   Pine nuts are rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, which lowers bad and raises good cholesterols, thus preventing coronary artery disease and strokes.  They also contain the essential fatty acid, pinolenic acid, which has been shown to potentially curb appetite.  The presence of essential minerals helps the body develop a resistance to infection, fight free radicals and maintain integrity of cell membranes within the body.  The garlic helps prevent alzheimer’s and dementia, protects against cell damage and aging, has been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity, aids in digestion and elimination of wastes from the body, purifies the bloodstream and remedies stomach inflammation.  The black pepper promotes sweating and urination, and stimulates the breakdown of fat cells.  Vegan caesar dressing is also a great source of copper, iron, manganese, selenium, potassium, phosphorous, vitamins B6, C and E, and many other compounds believed to have anticancer properties.

Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pines. About 20 species of pine produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting; in other pines the seeds are also edible, but are too small to be of notable value as a human food. Pine nuts are calorically dense and very high in monounsaturated fat, or “good fat”. Pine nuts are a good source of vitamin E and B vitamins as well as manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Pine nuts contain an essential fatty acid pinolenic acid which research has shown curbs appetite. Pine nuts are good for cardiovascular health and the nervous system.

 

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with salt and the fungus Aspergillus oryzae, known in Japanese as kōji, and sometimes rice, barley, or other ingredients. Miso is typically considered to be a high-sodium food, but recent research has shown that in spite of its high-sodium content, miso does not appear to affect our cardiovascular system in the way that other high sodium foods sometimes can. Miso contains decent amounts of zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin K. It has many antioxidants and it is packed with nutrition from fermentation that is still not well understood. Miso has been shown to have a positive effect on digestion and the cardiovascular system – and to aide in preventing cancer.

Yeast paste is a food paste often made from the byproduct of beer brewing. Yeasts are eukaryotic microorganisms classified in the kingdom Fungi, with 1,500 species currently described. Homemade yeast paste is often made by mixing nutritional yeast with water. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is sold commercially as a food product. Yeast is a great source of B vitamins, particularly vitamin B12 – yeast is one of the only vegetarian sources of vitamin B12. Nutritional yeast is a great way for vegetarians and vegans to up their mineral and B vitamin content.

 

Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Garlic is a powerful anti-fungal agent and has been used traditionally to ward off sickness and infection. Studies show that garlic reduces cholesterol production, reduces blood pressure, and is preventive against stomach cancer.

 

 

The coconut tree is a member of the family Arecaceae. It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. Coconut water is actually the juice in the endosperm of young, tender coconuts. Its water is consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefiting properties. The water is obtained by opening a tender, green, healthy, and undamaged coconut. Inside, it’s clear liquid is sweet, and sterile and composed of unique chemicals such as sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids, cytokine, and phyto-hormones. Coconut water helps electrolyte balance and blood sugar regulation.

 

Stevia is a sweetener and sugar substitute extracted from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia has zero calories, zero carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index – making it a safe sweetener for diabetics. Stevia is also up to 200 times more sweet than sugar, meaning a very small amount is used in recipes.

 

 

Sea salt is a mineral substance composed primarily of sodium chloride, derived from seawater. Salt provides sodium, which is absolutely essential for cell function and human life itself. The average American diet contains far too much salt, making this ingredient a good one to avoid if you are uncertain how much you are getting in your food. Over-intake of sodium is a cause of many health problems, including cardiovascular disease. Sea salt contains other crucial trace minerals and is a healthy food consumed in moderation.

 

Black pepper is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Black pepper is high in manganese, copper, and Vitamin K, and is mostly comprised of fiber. Black pepper has been used traditionally to improve intestinal health and digestion, however some modern nutrition experts consider black pepper an irritant to the digestive system.