With November marked as National Healthy Skin Month, now is a great time to learn more about the foods and nutrients that support healthy-looking skin at any age. Over the years, we often get asked whether diet and nutritional supplements benefit the skin. The answer is a resounding yes! It makes sense that what… Continue Reading
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Green Beans
(Phaseolus vulgaris) Green beans belong to the legume family. Other members include shell beans such as pinto beans, kidney beans, and black beans. All of these beans are referred to as “common beans”, a tribute to a shared ancestor that originated thousands of years ago in Peru. Traditionally referred to as string beans… Continue Reading
Peaches
(prunus persica) The peach is quite possibly the sweetest, juiciest member of the rose family. All peaches, like apricots, plums and cherries, are classified as stone or drupe fruits because their flesh surrounds a hard center seed. In peaches, this seed is red-brown, oval shaped and surrounded by a wood-like exterior. There are… Continue Reading
Spinach
(Spinacia oleracea) Spinach is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in the United States. A member of the same family as Swiss chard and beets, spinach shares the same taste profile – mildly sweet flavor when raw and a slightly salty, bitter flavor when cooked. Spinach is native to an area near… Continue Reading
5 Phytonutrient Color Groups to Target
Summer is in full swing and that means plenty of fresh, ripe produce at the grocery store, farmer’s markets and on the dining room table. Yet, over the last few years, researchers and government organizations have been reporting that Americans are not eating enough fruits & vegetables. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) cites… Continue Reading
Sweet Bell Peppers
(Capsicum annuum) Sweet peppers, also known as bell peppers, are members of the nightshade family, which also includes potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. It’s easy to see why sweet peppers acquired the nickname “bell” – their lobed shape is quite reminiscent. Sweet peppers can be traced back thousands of years to their wild origins… Continue Reading
Papaya
(Carica Papaya) Reputably referred to by Christopher Columbus as the “fruit of the angels”, papayas have long been revered for their sweet, musky taste and ample health benefits. Papayas are spherical fruits with a buttery flesh, similar to that of a soft melon. Papaya skin ranges in color from green–orange to red–yellow. The… Continue Reading
Kale
(Brassica oleracea) Kale is a peppery, mellow flavored form of cabbage with central leaves that do not form a head. Kale descends from wild cabbage that originated in Asia Minor and is considered to be closer in taste and form to its ancient ancestor than any other type of domesticated cabbage. Known for… Continue Reading
Summer Squash
(Cucurbita pepo) Once you see summer squash in the vegetable aisle of the grocery store you know that it’s summer. A relative of the melon and cucumber, summer squash is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. This plant family consists of other familiar members such as pumpkins and watermelons. Summer squash refers to… Continue Reading