The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating

This article - The 11 Best Things You Aren't Eating - was first published in The New York Times in 2008, but has been re-released this year and is now the most e-mailed, most read and likely most talked about on the Times' website.

Luckily for you - and for us, we must admit - eSutras Organics sells many of these products! We're going to give you our two cents on these Things, because we agree: they are some of the best! Follow the links to read the Times article, or find the products we offer on eSutras.com.

eSutras Organics Turmeric Powder

1. Beets

2. Cabbage

3. Swiss Chard

4. Cinnamon: In the East, Cinnamon has been used for years to cure bronchitis, asthma, diarrhea, nausea & vomiting, flatulence, fever, headaches, bad breath and toothaches. According to the Times, it may help control blood sugar and cholesterol. A regular panacea!

5. Pomegranate Juice: The Ayurvedic tradition holds not only the juice of the pomegranate, but also its many other parts - seeds, rind and flowers included - sacred. The Times says it may help to lower blood pressure and is chock full of ever-essential antioxidants. But we think it may do more for your body, too! The juice may help to impede development of cataracts and the rind can be used to slow nose bleeds, treat dysentery & intestinal parasites, or even tone your skin. eSutras sells Pomegranate Peel, which can be steeped in tea or ground up into spice form.

6. Dried Plums (Prunes!)

7. Pumpkin Seeds: We've heard these miraculously delicious seeds are used in the treatment of prostate ailments, and that some eat them to offset the effects of clinical depression (as they are high in L-tryptophan). Pumpkin Seeds are the most nutritious part of the pumpkin and are packed with magnesium, high levels of which are associated with lower risk for early death (according to the Times article you MUST read!). Lightly roast them to ensure they retain all their vital nutrients.

8. Sardines

9. Turmeric: The Times calls it the "superstar of spices" because of its supposed anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Amazingly, you can also apply turmeric to wounds, as it acts as an anti-septic as well. eSutras sells Turmeric as a powder used commonly in cooking, as an essential oil and in supplement form.

10. Frozen Blueberries

11. Canned Pumpkins

More recipes and news on these fine products to come later!

Stay healthy, everybody.

Discover how delicious eSutras Organic Tofu is!

Adding soy to your diet is easy. You can cook tofu in all types of recipes : use it as a meat substitute in stir-fry, make spreads or dips with it to serve on veggies, bread & crackers or purée it in a delicious chocolate mousse. Use soy milk as you would regular cow's or goat's milk, for soups and cream sauces or ice creams and cereal.


Japanese-style tofu like ours here at eSutras has an uncanny capacity to pick up flavor. For the fullest-bodied flavor, it is best to let your tofu marinate in spices or sauces for at least 30 minutes.



I just curried and grilled some eSutras Japanese tofu the other day and it became an instant hit. People have been asking ever since for my delicious tofu kebabs, so without further ado, here's the recipe - and they're totally vegan!

Curried Tofu Kebabs
1-8oz. pkg. eSutras Organics Firm Tofu, cut into 1" cubes
1 large zucchini, cut into 1" cubes
1 large green pepper, sliced vertically and then horizontally
1 large red pepper, sliced vertically and then horizontally
1 large red onion, cubed 1 inch size
1 small box cherry tomatoes
15 skewers (soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes before using to prevent burning)

Marinade:
2 tbsp eSutras Organics Garam Masala
1 tbsp eSutras Organics Tangerine Salt
2 tbsp salt-free Soy Sauce
1 tbsp eSutras Toasted Sesame Oil
1" fresh ginger, chopped fine

Cut vegetables as described and tofu in to 1" chunks. Thread onto skewers alternating vegetables, tofu and onion. In a saucepan combine marinade ingredients and blend well. Pour sauce over skewers, marinate for at least 20 minutes. When ready to grill, brush lightly with oil and grill for about 5 minutes per side.

You can also broil these about 6 inches from the source of heat. Brush with leftover marinade and serve. They are simply fantastic!

Sugar : Something Sweet to Think About

eSutras Organics Lavender Sugar

Pure organic raw cane sugar is good for health!
Sugar occurs in greatest quantities in sugar cane and sugar beets, from which it is separated for commercial use. Sugar from both sources is produced in nature as all green plants produce sugar: as a means of storing the sun's energy. The "simple" sugars, or monosaccharides (such as glucose), store energy which biological cells use and consume.

Sucrose is a larger sugar molecule that breaks down into glucose and fructose in the intestine during metabolism. Glucose is the vital fuel that the brain cells use. It is also fuels energy in the body.

eSutras Organics Rose Sugar

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicinal paradigm, holds organic cane sugar - the kind with little refinement - in the highest regard. Sugar is sweet, nourishing, develops semen, is beneficial for the eyes and gives your body strength. It eliminates excessive humors of wind and bile in the body and keeps the toxicity of cells in check. Why are we telling you this? Because we here at eSutras believe in the powers of our own organic cane sugar! And we've constructed our business model and the products we sell around the principles of the Ayurvedic tradition.

Uses of raw sugar according to Ayurveda :
When sugar is chewed in its raw state or eaten, undissolved, in a food, its properties and effects become hot. That is to say, if you eat a spoonful of raw, refined sugar, it will give you a quick burst of energy that soon leaves you feeling lethargic and weakened. When you dissolve sugar in a glass of water, however, its properties become cold, satisfying your thirst and strengthening your outlook.

eSutras Organics Berry Limone Sugar

+ Drinking a hot or cold beverage in which some sugar is dissolved produces a calming effect on the brain, while increasing stamina.

+ Dissolved in a cup of yogurt, sugar provides stability in the intestines.

+ Drinking water mixed with sugar brings quick relief in dysentery.
(Of course the excessive use of sugar is harmful. It causes many complications in the body like acidity, inflammation, swelling, diabetes and rheumatism. Everything in moderation, as they say!)

And remember, eSutras.com has some divine sugar products that will produce those cold effects your body will love! Try our Cool Mint Drinking Cocoa Mix or our Mocha Vanilla Sugar, Lavender Sugar, Rose Sugar & Berry Limone Sugar (all pictured in this post).

eSutras Organics Mocha Vanilla Sugar

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010, everybody. We dropped the ball on some of those free products; we had to take a holiday too! But to make up for it, we're giving a free gift with every order made on eSutras.com. Check it out!