Got Mercury? Eat Cilantro.

If you read yesterday's post, Eat Fish? Got Mercury?, and visited the link http://gotmercury.org/ to calculate how much mercury you are ingesting from the fish you eat, then you may be wondering how to detoxify your body from the harmful substance. Fortunately, it can be as simple as eating cilantro. It also helps to take chlorella as a supplement. Together they work to release and expel the heavy metal from your body. Below are several delicious recipes that include lots of fresh cilantro to help you get enough in your diet. Of course, if you suspect you have mercury poisoning, you should see a doctor.

For more information on mercury toxicity, you may want to read Dr. Joseph Mercola's article published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (March 2001). Also, Alternative Medicine has an informative article, Diagnosis: Mercury, at their website about mercury posioning, treatment and diagnosis.

Cilantro Salad Dressing

This is a delicious, flavorful dressing. I love to serve this with a pecan crusted salmon over a bed of greens.

1 1/4 cups (packed) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons white wine vinegar
(or 4 Tbsp of rice vinegar and 2 Tbsp of lemon juice)
2 garlic cloves peeled
1-1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp sea salt

dash of cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in processor. Blend until almost smooth. Cover and refrigerate until use. Can make a day ahead. Makes about 1-2/3 cups.

Authentic Guacamole

This is my favorite guacamole recipe. It's my husband's creation. I can't get enough of it.

1 ripe Hass avocado
2 dry arbol chili pods*
1-1/2 Tbsp white onion
1 clove garlic peeled
1 small tomato
2 Tbsp of finely chopped cilantro
2 tsp lime juice
Tabasco sauce to taste
salt to taste

Powder the pepper in a mini processor. Then add the onion and garlic, and blend until finely chopped. Next add the cilantro, lime juice and half the tomato, and blend again. Cut avocado in half lengthwise and remove pit. Cut into the flesh of each avocado half, making slits both down and across to form a grid. Scoop out avocado from skin and place in a bowl and smash with fork. Dice the other half of the tomato and add to bowl. Add the processed mixture and mix with a fork. Then add the salt and Tabasco sauce to taste. Serve with fajitas or tortilla chips. Serves 2.

* According to http://www.foodsubs.com/, you can substitute the arbol chilis with cayenne pepper or pequin chilis.

Photo: courtesy of Kalyn's Kitchen