Blood is the body’s vehicle for nutrients, oxygen, and other substances from the heart to the other parts of the body. While blood volume and blood pressure vary from one person another, having adequate blood is necessary for survival. This means that low blood volume and decreased red blood cell count can lead to a person’s death. In line with blood production, the following are some meal recipes one can prepare.
Beef and Beans Chili
Meat like beef, plus beans, provides decent amount of iron, according to Natural Healthy Concepts. Thus, the recipe is a good choice when it comes to the promotion of blood cell production. For the ingredients, as cited by Food Network, the recipe includes three pounds boneless beef chuck (cut into three-fourth-inch pieces), two 15-ounce cans pinto beans (drained, rinsed), shredded cheddar cheese (or sour cream and diced avocado), one-third cup of brewed espresso or strong coffee, one three-fourths cups of low-sodium beef broth, one 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes (coarsely crushed), two tablespoons tomato paste, one teaspoon dried oregano, one-third cup and two tablespoons chili powder, eight garlic (chopped), two large onions (chopped), two to four tablespoons vegetable oil, salt, and ground pepper.
To prepare, half tablespoon vegetable oil is heated in a large pot over medium-high heat. Then, the beef is patted dry and season with salt and pepper. Next, it is browned in batches for about four minutes and is transferred to a plate. Next, the heat is reduced to medium and one and a half tablespoons of oil are added to the pot. The onions and garlic follow and are cooked and stirred for six minutes until they become golden brown in color. After that one-third cup of chili powder, tomato paste, and dried oregano are added, cooked, and stirred for 30 seconds. Once done, the meat is returned to the pot and the tomatoes are stirred in, along with the pinto beans and the espresso. The food is brought to a boil and the heat is reduced and simmered for two hours, until the beef becomes tender. After that, the remaining two tablespoons of chili powder are added. Finally, the dish is topped with cheese or sour cream and avocado.
Chicken, Leek, Wholegrain Mustard Bake with Potato Toppings
A dish with chicken, plus whole grains and potatoes, help in boosting red blood cell levels, since the aforementioned food choices are rich in folic acid and vitamin B12, which assist in blood cell production. According to I Love Cooking, the ingredients include four large chicken fillets (diced), two medium-sized leeks (sliced thinly), a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard, five to six large potatoes, one ounce butter, half tablespoon oil, four rashers of smoked bacon, six mushrooms (sliced), three cloves garlic (crushed), one ounce plain flour, two dessert spoons cheddar cheese (grated), half glass white wine, 400ml milk, 50ml pouring cream, 25g fresh white breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
To prepare, he potatoes are put into thick slices, placed into a large pot of salted water, and are brought to a boil for eight to ten minutes until they become tender, but not fully cooked through. They are strained to a colander and are allowed to cool. Then, butter and oil are heated in a large but shallow saucepan. Then, the chicken and bacon are added and cooked for four to five minutes, and are followed by the garlic, leeks, and mushrooms. After that, flour is sprinkled to dry up the liquids in the container, as well as to thicken the sauce. Then, the white wine, milk, and grated cheese are added and stirred, bringing the mixture to a slight boil. Next, the cream and wholegrain mustard are added and the food is allowed to simmer for five to six minutes before transferring to a casserole dish. Then, the dish is topped with the sliced potatoes and is sprinkled with breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Finally, the food is baked in a preheated oven for about an hour.
Overall, the blood transports nutrients and beneficial substances throughout the body system. Without adequate blood, the body will not be able to carry out its normal functions, which could lead to morbidity and death. Aside from doing the aforementioned recipes, it is assumed that proper circulation of blood is activated by regular exercise and healthy blood cell production is supported by adequate rest.
