Fennel *Bri's Keys*

 Fennel your way to a flatter stomach???

A crunchy, hearty, unique vegetable with a refreshing taste that I love to use in soups, salads or just eat roasted! If you have never tasted fennel before, you may be in for a treat! Many desserts use fennel seeds for flavor & even some natural toothpastes! Fennel, along with Anise which it is commonly mistaken for has a flavor unlike any vegetable I've ever tried. Fennel is often used to season Italian sausage & the taste is something you will be familiar with if you enjoy Sambuca or black jelly beans. If you do not typically enjoy these delicious treats do not assume you will not enjoy the much more subtle & cooling flavor of this healthy plant.

The fennel plant & its seeds are commonly used to treat heart burn, indigestion, gas, and bloat. When consumed, fennel acts as a natural diuretic helping eliminate water weight & eliminate toxins through urination. Fennel is another great source of fiber! Fiber helps keep you full longer & promotes a healthy colon along with waste removal. To me along with reducing bloat this translates to a flatter stomach! To read more on the benefits of fennel visit Livestrong.com

The Dr. Oz Show includes fennel seeds in their 5 Ways to Fight Fat with Ayurveda. The suggested detox tea "includes a combination of ingredients that help to improve digestion, break down fat, and “unclog” the channels in our body by removing ama."  I have personally tried this tea & would absolutely recommend it to anyone who feels the need to get their digestive system in gear!

I boiled a pot of water in the morning, added my fennel, coriander & cumin seeds to steep & then put the hot tea in my thermos mug to keep warm & drink throughout the day. You can also visit Joyfulbelly.com for information about this helpful tea!

Would you like to try some fennel with tonight's dinner?...
My most favorite way to prepare Fennel is the simplest!
Simply take 2 fennel bulbs & cut off the stalks. Slice each bulb lengthwise several times to create inch thick pieces. Coat a baking dish with a little olive oil, lay fennel pieces flat and lightly spray each piece with balsamic vinegar. Roast fennel in the oven at 375 for 30-40 minutes until you see a little browning or caramelizing taking place.





This post is a part of Bri's Keys: Daily Improvements with Ease
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