| The first tentative color | | | | greens, arugula and chard are good choices. |
| Peaks out, looks around, | | | | Green cruciferous vegetables may help prevent |
| And feeling her warm welcoming embrace | | | | certain cancers by increasing enzymes that help |
| Knows spring has arrived... | | | | eliminate toxins from our bodies, and are good |
| Wake up Sleepy Head! | | | | sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Broccoli, green |
| All is well! | | | | cabbage and kale are essential to a healthy diet. |
| Winter has finally loosened its icy grip on the land, our | | | | Blue and purple fruits and vegetables are finally |
| bodies and our psyches. Like molting animals, we | | | | coming into their own as important for healthy heart |
| trade the old, tired cover for something new, vibrant | | | | and brain function. They are powerhouses of |
| and alive. Nowhere is this more evident than farmers | | | | vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Good |
| markets around the country. Nature, at her organic | | | | choices are eggplant, blueberries and blackberries. |
| best, most nutritious and delicious, brings us a | | | | Many people enjoy outdoor grilling during warmer |
| symphony of colors, flavors, and textures. | | | | weather. Punch up nutrition by marinating broccoli, |
| Medical professionals have told us for decades that | | | | onion, red pepper, carrots and corn on skewers in |
| for optimum health we must include more fresh fruits | | | | your favorite light vinaigrette dressing for about an |
| and vegetables in our diets, and less pre-packaged | | | | hour, turning occasionally. Place skewers on the cooler |
| processed foods. Nowhere will you find more freshly | | | | part of the grill and turning occasionally, cook right |
| grown produce, harvested just hours before reaching | | | | long with your meat. You not only have a delicious, |
| your table than at local farmers markets. | | | | healthy accompaniment, but also the equivalent of a |
| People, who are trying to lose weight, maintain a | | | | one-pot meal. Treat yourself to a healthy alternative |
| healthy weight, or simply want to eat healthier, will | | | | to French fries by slicing sweet potatoes, sprinkle |
| find the palette of bright, vibrant colors and textures | | | | lightly with olive oil, place in aluminum foil, and grill |
| at farmers markets irresistible. Choosing healthy | | | | along with the rest of your meal. |
| foods in a variety of colors is extremely important to | | | | Cool off a hot, steamy day buy preparing a main dish |
| health and well-being. Each color contains many | | | | vegetable salad, topped with your favorite reduced |
| compounds needed to keep our bodies running | | | | calorie dressing, and served with garlic bread. Skip the |
| efficiently and at peek performance. | | | | fattening desserts. Those fresh berries you |
| Red foods like tomatoes contain lycopene, a | | | | purchased taste wonderful with plain yogurt or over |
| phytochemical believed to protect against prostate | | | | your favorite low fat ice cream. Fill a half cantaloupe |
| cancer. Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamins A, | | | | with fresh berries, top with yogurt, cinnamon sugar |
| B, and C, and potassium. The fiber in one medium | | | | and almonds, walnuts or pecans |
| tomato equals one slice of whole wheat bread and | | | | Shopping local farmers markets makes getting the |
| contains just 35 calories. Strawberries are delicious, | | | | recommended servings of fresh fruits and vegetables |
| and a good source of Vitamin C and fiber. | | | | into your diet easy, without the distractions of |
| Orange foods, such as carrots, cantaloupe and sweet | | | | supermarkets. Taking advantage of locally grown |
| potatoes, contain beta-carotene giving them their | | | | produce from local farms helps you choose the right |
| bright color. The body converts antioxidants found in | | | | foods, and protects you from chemical sprays used |
| orange foods into Vitamin A, helping keep eyes, | | | | in commercially grown produce. |
| bones and immune systems healthy, and clearing | | | | The health benefits of incorporating fresh produce |
| away free radicals. | | | | into your eating plan cannot be underestimated. You |
| Yellow and green vegetables with phytochemicals | | | | will look and feel better. This season make your local |
| lutein and zeaxanthin, help prevent age related macro | | | | farmers market your partner in good health. |
| degeneration. Summer squash, corn, lettuce, mustard | | | | |