With all the summer farmers’ markets open it’s a great time to take advantage of the all the fresh produce that is in season. Eating fruits and vegetables that are in season provides our bodies with the nutrients they are craving at this time of year. I have chosen just a few of my in-season favorites to share the nutritional values and give you a few ideas on how to prepare them.
Cucumber
I will start first with the cucumber, which is one of my favorites. Cucumbers are great to eat during the summer heat as they contain a lot of water, and helps our bodies cool down. Cucumbers are a great source of vitamin C and silica, which is important for our connective tissue and the skin. Cucumbers also contain fiber, potassium, and magnesium. I enjoy slicing a cucumber and lemon and putting them in a pitcher of water. I also put them in salads, and just slice them and eat them raw.
Green beans
Green beans contain vitamin K, calcium, and fiber. Eating green beans can benefit your body by helping the heart, and digestive system, along with helping bone health. Here is a simple idea to incorporate them into your diet. Drizzle them with your favorite olive oil, garlic, and fresh ground pepper and roast for 25 minutes turning them half way through. Very easy and very tasty!
Kale
Kale is high in vitamin K, A, and C. Vitamin K helps the heart, the blood to clot, bone health, and can also help prevent cancer and diabetes. Vitamin A supports the skin, helps with your vision, and also has properties that may help prevent diabetes. Vitamin C is important for the immune system and also helps your joints. Kale is great in smoothies. Just toss in a blender with your favoriteberries, apple or carrots and you have a healthy and refreshing summer drink. Kale is also good in salads.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain fiber, vitamin C, B6, K, A, and E. Some of the benefits of consuming blueberries: helps build healthy bones, improves your complexion and hair, increases energy, and helps lower blood pressure naturally. Collegen relies on vitamin C for fighting wrinkles. I’m going to start eating buckets!! To get this fruit into your diet try putting them in your oatmeal or cereal in the morning, add them to smoothies or yogurt, or toss them in your salad.
Peaches
Fresh peaches are low in calories and are loaded with vitamins. Each peach contains vitamin A, C, E, and K. Vitamin A is essential for night vision and maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Peaches are rich in fluoride, iron, and potassium. Iron is required to make red blood cell formation. Fluoride is a component of our bones and teeth. Potassium is a component of cell and body fluids that help regulate our heart rate and blood pressure. Ways to enjoy peaches: Just pick one up and start eating it! You can also cut some chunks into your salsa, or slice some into a green salad.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and are able to get to farmers’ market close to you soon.
To your health!
Gail Grieger
Cucumber
I will start first with the cucumber, which is one of my favorites. Cucumbers are great to eat during the summer heat as they contain a lot of water, and helps our bodies cool down. Cucumbers are a great source of vitamin C and silica, which is important for our connective tissue and the skin. Cucumbers also contain fiber, potassium, and magnesium. I enjoy slicing a cucumber and lemon and putting them in a pitcher of water. I also put them in salads, and just slice them and eat them raw.
Green beans
Green beans contain vitamin K, calcium, and fiber. Eating green beans can benefit your body by helping the heart, and digestive system, along with helping bone health. Here is a simple idea to incorporate them into your diet. Drizzle them with your favorite olive oil, garlic, and fresh ground pepper and roast for 25 minutes turning them half way through. Very easy and very tasty!
Kale
Kale is high in vitamin K, A, and C. Vitamin K helps the heart, the blood to clot, bone health, and can also help prevent cancer and diabetes. Vitamin A supports the skin, helps with your vision, and also has properties that may help prevent diabetes. Vitamin C is important for the immune system and also helps your joints. Kale is great in smoothies. Just toss in a blender with your favoriteberries, apple or carrots and you have a healthy and refreshing summer drink. Kale is also good in salads.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain fiber, vitamin C, B6, K, A, and E. Some of the benefits of consuming blueberries: helps build healthy bones, improves your complexion and hair, increases energy, and helps lower blood pressure naturally. Collegen relies on vitamin C for fighting wrinkles. I’m going to start eating buckets!! To get this fruit into your diet try putting them in your oatmeal or cereal in the morning, add them to smoothies or yogurt, or toss them in your salad.
Peaches
Fresh peaches are low in calories and are loaded with vitamins. Each peach contains vitamin A, C, E, and K. Vitamin A is essential for night vision and maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Peaches are rich in fluoride, iron, and potassium. Iron is required to make red blood cell formation. Fluoride is a component of our bones and teeth. Potassium is a component of cell and body fluids that help regulate our heart rate and blood pressure. Ways to enjoy peaches: Just pick one up and start eating it! You can also cut some chunks into your salsa, or slice some into a green salad.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and are able to get to farmers’ market close to you soon.
To your health!
Gail Grieger
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