Sesame Seeds
If you think that "open sesame" are the magic words that open the door to the riches come from Ali Baba, you will be surprised to learn that it actually comes from the sesame plant itself. The command makes sense when you see the sesame plant. They are densely packed pods that when matured burst open and spew out the treasures of the seeds.
Sesame seeds are tiny, flat pear shaped seeds with a nutty taste. These nutrient dense seeds have been around since prehistoric times. They are grown for the seeds and their oil.
Sesame seeds are a blood tonic that support the kidney, liver and large intestines. They contain more that 35% protein, more than any other nut. They contain heart-healthy mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids. A mere tablespoon contains a gram of fiber. They are a good source of vitamin E, copper, magnesium, iron and zinc. Sesame seeds are one of the two best sources of lignans. (The other being flax seeds), a group of disease fighting phytochemicals that have strong anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory properties. While they are also calcium rich , researchers cannot tell us exactly how much calcium we take in because of the high levels of calcium- binding oxalates.
Sesame seeds, tahini, (paste) and sesame oil are simple to add to your diet. You can toss them into your salads, stir-frys, on your grains or baked goods. I have created five different blends of Sesame Sprinkles. These are toasted sesame seeds that are combined with the appropriate herbs and seaweed. My favorite snack is to air-pop corn and add olive and flax oil and then top with Mimi's Natural Sesame Sprinkle. It is available in Original, Asian, Mexican, Turmeric, Dandelion and Burdock.