It was thought that humans began domesticating chickens around 7,000 -10,000 years ago, but this wasn’t for eating – it was for cockfighting. Recent evidence from archaeological excavations in Israel suggests that chickens weren’t eaten in significant numbers until about 2000 years ago.
Today, chicken is the world’s most common type of poultry. This is not surprising considering they are relatively cheap to raise compared to cattle, pigs, and other popular meats.
Chicken is also incredibly versatile. It can be served in dozens of ways, from baked to grilled to fried and barbecued. It’s often cited as a healthier meat source than red meat, thanks to its lower concentrations of cholesterol and saturated fat.
Buying organic chicken is almost certainly better for your health. Organic chickens are grown to at least 70 days old, which is more in line with their natural pace. This also means they contain less saturated fat but higher omega-3 fatty acids, which have enormous health benefits for your body.
Organic chickens are also free from antibiotics (unless necessary), while factory-farmed chickens are regularly fed antibiotics to prevent the spread of disease.
Sweet potato is the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. It’s one of the oldest vegetables in the world: archaeologists believe it made the 5,000-mile trek across the Pacific Ocean long before Columbus landed in the New World. Research suggests that this humble spud came to Polynesia from the Andes Polynesia from about A.D. 1000 to A.D. 1100.
Today, sweet potatoes aren’t just a feature at Thanksgiving. They’re delicious in every meal from breakfast hash to lunchtime salads, dinner soups or dessert sweeteners.
Unlike raw white potatoes, which contain the dangerous enzyme solanine, sweet potatoes are safe to eat raw. Cooking sweet potatoes for long periods of time reduces their beta-carotene levels, although boiling seems to help retain more nutrients than baking.
Here's a tasty salad that combines meat, vegetables and fruit. You can finish the salad with a simple dressing of your choosing.
If you're stuck for ideas, there's a really easy way to make a tasty, homemade salad dressing.
Simply combine one third lemon juice and two thirds olive oil in a small jar. Shake thoroughly and drizzle on the salad!
