Did you know that blueberries are considered one of the only foods naturally blue in color? They get their blue and purple coloring from the antioxidant anthocyanin. Celebrate this colorful berry throughout July for National Blueberry Month!   There is so much to enjoy with this delicious blue fruit. The anthocyanins that give this berry…

The winter months are coming and, unfortunately, so many of our fruit and vegetable staples are out of season. But, fear not! The humble and delicious Pear is in season basically all year round. December is National Pear Month, and is the perfect time to learn all about this delectable fruit!   Pear Facts  …

When you think of citrus fruits, you probably first think of oranges, not grapefruit, right?  Hence why grapefruit is often considered the forgotten citrus. But, there is nothing that should be forgotten about it!  February is National Grapefruit Month and is the perfect time to learn more about this delectable fruit.   Grapefruit got its…

Summer is coming up fast! It feels like just yesterday spring began and now we’re already in the middle of June. So many of the delicious summer fruits have begun to make appearances once again. One of the returning stars of the summer- apricots- has finally reappeared in the supermarkets. These little orange fruits are…

One of my favorite summertime foods is salsa and the best part is that it is so easy to make! Not only is salsa delicious but it can also be a healthy addition to any meal.   So what exactly are the health benefits of this festive dish? And what are some of my favorite…

Mandarins, tangerines, satsumas- did you know all of these names are referring to the same citrus fruit many of us have come to know and love? Did you also know that this is the perfect time of year to buy these delicious little orange fruits?   Tangerines are often preferred over the orange because they…

January is the first full month of winter. With a new season comes a new selection of vegetables that are at their peak ripeness for consumption. This winter, play around with one of the most interesting and dynamic vegetable around, the artichoke. Artichokes have history dating all the way back to the time of the…

Happy October everyone! October is one my favorite months- cooler weather, changing leaves, autumn clothing, and apple picking! As I was speaking with my interns about how I love this time of year, Kimberly shared how her favorite family tradition is their annual trip out east to go apple picking. Her family always make it…

Ascorbic acid is everywhere. It’s in your food, it’s in your pharmacy and you quite possibly might even be taking it as a supplement. That’s because ascorbic acid is better known as vitamin C, one of the most commonly consumed vitamins around. Deficiencies in vitamin C are uncommon in western culture- but back in the…

I bet you’ve all been wondering what the food of the month is for August. I’ll give you a hint- it’s round, orange-pink, and has some fuzz. If you guessed peach, then you’re right!   Peachy Keen   I happen to love peaches! I would definitely place them among my top 3 favorite fruits. One…

July is National Blueberry Month! These fruits may be small in size, but they are packed with nutrients and have great amounts of potential health benefits.   To start off, blueberries have been around for hundreds of years, dating back to before the British settled in North America. The Native American tribes harvested them and…

Strawberries are among the most eaten fresh fruits enjoyed in the United States, so it is no wonder why today, February 27, is National Strawberry Day. While strawberries are available for fresh picking across the country, most of the strawberries you will buy from a grocery store will be from California or Florida due to…

Let’s talk about why we love apricots in honor of National Apricot Day. Not only apricots are full of health benefits, they can be sweet or tart in flavor for use in many ways.   Not to be confused with their relative, the peach, apricots are yellow or orange skinned stone fruits with a sweet…

The days are getting shorter and the nights, longer.  The brisk air is slowly creeping in, which is a sure sign that winter has arrived!   Before flu season is in full swing, I thought now would be the perfect time to provide tips on how to boost your immune system to kick off the start…

Fall is in full swing – trees are shedding their leaves, the air is brisk, and fall produce are plentiful. During this month, we are turning the spotlight on one of my favorite root vegetables, the sweet potato, for National Sweet Potato Awareness Month. Sweet potatoes are popular in the conversation on health due to…

The Nutritional Power of Cauliflower Kale better brace itself because there is a new “it vegetable” in town and that is cauliflower! Because of its naturally mild flavor, cauliflower is extremely versatile. It can be roasted, broiled, cooked, and steamed. It’s wonderful eaten on its own, added to soups and salads, or even manipulated into…

August 22nd is nationally known as Eat a Peach Day! What could be a better way to celebrate than to sink your teeth into a delicious peach?  Don’t have any ripe peaches handy? Don’t worry! Crack open a can of peaches (preserved in water or its natural juices instead of syrup of course) or take…

As you know, eating fruits and vegetables contribute to your health and well-being. But, did you know that the number of servings of fruit and vegetables you eat daily is a factor in the equation?  It turns out that an apple a day may not be as sufficient as you once thought!   Researchers analyzed…

Did you know that the month of February is National Potato Lover’s Month?  Though this tuberous vegetable is a food staple in Irish culture, you don’t have to be Irish to appreciate all that potatoes have to offer. Potatoes are a favorite in my home…give my husband and daughter potatoes with dinner and they are…

Did you know that February is National Cherry Month? This doesn’t seem to make much sense since cherries are typically in season from May to August. Although, with the availability of out-of-season fruits and vegetables increasingly more available any time of year, you are sure to find cherries somewhere in the middle of winter. Of…