Sesame Street

A few years ago, a woman approached me, claiming that her iron levels were relatively low. I offered her several ideas for improving her iron levels, with the main suggestion being the consumption of sesame. She took my advice and indeed, over time, her iron levels increased. Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of the high-quality and relatively inexpensive foods available on the market - sesame.

Many of us are familiar with sesame through the various products made from it, such as tahini, halva, candies, topping on buns, and more. However, these products are primarily based on hulled sesame, but it's important to know that the recommended variety to use is whole sesame of a light brown color. Whole sesame contains a high percentage of protein, a high concentration of iron, and various other minerals with calcium being the most prominent, as well as a significant portion of vitamins, including A and E.

Recommended combinations for sesame include raw vegetables and dried fruits, such as dried dates. Here are some ideas for using sesame: a dish consisting of 3-4 tablespoons of ground sesame with a raw vegetable salad plus a bit of tahini to moisten the salad serves as a very filling and nutritious meal, usually with no need to eat anything afterward.

Another use for sesame grinding is a halva-flavored treat. You can put a few tablespoons of raw tahini in a cup, add some honey, sweet molasses, or silan, and dilute with a bit of water. Then, you can add a little carob powder for taste. Mix everything together and enjoy eating. This treat can serve as an afternoon snack for children and is a healthy alternative to the so unhealthy candies filling supermarket shelves. In the summer, you can freeze this mixture and consume it as a popsicle – tasty and healthy.

Another option is "sesame milk," which is one of the tastiest, most nutritious, and recommended foods. Soak several dried dates in water overnight. In the morning, transfer the dates with the water to a blender. Add 3-4 tablespoons of sesame, and add water or dates as needed (some prefer it sweeter or less sweet, and some prefer it thinner or thicker). Then blend, serve, and enjoy drinking.

Eliyahu Schechter is an iridologist and natural healer