Keep away vampires and cancer!!

You know the old saying, garlic wards off vampires (Sorry Twilight Fans), well it also wards off germs and cancer. Yes, you will need a mint after eating it, but it is a great herb to add to your dishes.

Garlic is part of the onion family. When you purchase garlic you are buying it by the bulb. When dishes call for cloves of garlic they are referring to the little sections on the inside. Garlic has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal properties and has been used to treat bacteria, virus, fungi and yeast skin conditions. It has been used lately as a supplement that helps enhance your immune system and overall health.

Garlic contains a sulfur compound name allicin, which is where it's distinctive odor and flavor  comes from. When you chop or chew garlic it produces this chemical. Allicin is a powerful antibiotic and greatly helps prevent the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. Having high levels of Vitamin C, it is well know to help promote a healthy immune system.

Garlic is one of the most popular foods to eat to help prevent cancer. Scientists think that because garlic boosts the production hydrogen sulfide that it is extremely successful at fighting off a variety of cancers. Hydrogen sulfide occurs both naturally and from human-made processes.  Hydrogen sulfide is produced during the digestion of food containing vegetable or animal proteins.There are numerous studies on the effect garlic has on cancer. You should check out the National Cancer Institute to find more info.

So not only is garlic awesome at helping you stay healthy but it is very delicious. I joke by saying I add garlic to everything, which is only partial a joke. I really do add garlic to just about every dish. I always add more garlic than is asked for in a recipe, but do be careful, it can make a dish taste spicy. If you want a subtle garlic taste, add the garlic at the start of cooking. If you want a stronger garlic flavor, add the garlic right at the end of cooking. If you are anything like me and really love the taste of garlic, add some in the beginning and end.

I also have this nifty little garlic chopper that has wheels on it to make the job of chopping easy. If you have children that like to help out in the kitchen I highly recommend it. My kids love to roll it all over the countertops!