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Yams for the Holidays

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on November 7, 2014

Written by Claire Allen, graduate dietetic student in the MSCP program at The University of Illinois at Chicago. It’s that time of the year, the colors are turning on the trees, there is a brisk breeze in the air, and the holidays are right around the corner.  Having lived in the midwest my whole life, I have always been a big fan of autumn, one of the main reasons being the different foods that are in season.  With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, I thought it’d be a great to talk about yams, a vegetable commonly consumed this time of year.  One medium yam (about 4.5 oz) provides 120% of your daily Vitamin A needs and 4 grams of fiber at just 100 calories.  Vitamin A is vital for proper night vision, whereas fiber is influential in maintaining regular digestion and steady blood sugar levels.  Jewel yams may be prepared via boiling, steaming, stir-frying or roasting cooking methods.  To store yam, keep them in a cool, dark, well ventilated cupboard in a brown paper bag with holes punched in for up to ten days.  I have included a delicious light roasted yam and kale salad recipe for your enjoyment. 

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Yam-and-Kale-Salad/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=jewel%20yams&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%