The claim: Agave nectar has gotten some positive press for being better for you than sugar and many other sweeteners because it metabolizes more slowly. Food manufacturers who package and sell agave in the U.S. market also claim that it has been used medicinally by indigenous people in Mexico and Central America for centuries.

The reality: How fast or slow agave metabolizes depends on its level and method of processing. Derived from a starchy root, agave has been used in Central America for centuries, but not always as medicine. Indigenous people both fermented it to create an alcoholic beverage and also boiled it to make miel de agave, a reduction they used as a sweetener. But that sweetener, which was minimally refined and probably slower to digest as a result, bears no resemblance to the agave nectar now on most store shelves.

The fine print: The modern process for producing agave nectar is not unlike the process of converting corn into high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Most industrially produced agave syrup is processed with enzymes and other harsh chemicals that convert the starches into fructose, according to osteopathic physician and best-selling author Joseph Mercola, DO. The finished product, agave nectar, is 70 percent (or more) fructose, on par with HFCS.

Bottom line: If you’re avoiding added sugars, and especially fructose, don’t give commercial agave syrup a special pass.

2. I also want to share this article on asparagus. I don't like it unfortunately BUT for those that do or for those that do & don't eat it that much, check this out:

Cancer-Fighting Asparagus

So, asparagus. According to the National Cancer Institute, asparagus is the food highest in glutathione, an important anti-carcinogen. It is also rich in two cancer-blocking vitamins (A and C) as well as the mineral selenium. These three nutrients have been singled out in several studies as fierce cancer fighters. A 5.3 ounce serving (only 20 calories!) provides 60 percent of the recommended daily allowance for folacin which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, that cause paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year. It is also an excellent source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, vitamin B6, and is one of the richest sources of rutin, a compound which strengthens capillary walls.

From Jody - Click on the link for more info on how to look for the freshest & most tender asparagus as well as a simple roasted asparagus recipe.

3. My last offering to you - 12 Ways to Slash Your Cancer Risk (and Your Waistline!). I think you all will enjoy this link & the info in it. Some of the points made & you can read the explanation by clicking on the link. I LOVE their play on words too! Just a few of the 12 below: Go for Yolk; Hail a Cabbage; Bite a Blackberry; Get a D; Color Your Plate; Be like Popeye

So, what are your thoughts on agave? I am curious since I don't use it & I know many more knowledgeable people out there.
 
Are you an asparagus lover? If yes, pass on your fav recipe.

Do you eat/do many of the 12 ways to slash your cancer risks? I do some but not all due to things I do or do not like but I may have to start acquiring a taste for those I am not thrilled about!