One of the greatest things about the summer, aside from the hot weather and bright colors all around, is that finally the fresh fruits and veggies are in! There’s no time like the summer season to incorporate a myriad of deliciously fresh organic foods into your diet. It’ll give you the extra energy you need and keep your body healthy, ready to really take on all the outdoor activities and overall buzz of these hot few months.
If you don’t believe us, take a stroll through a farmer’s market one morning. You’ll experience the array of smells, colors and freshness that will get your mind going with fun recipes to try out during the summer. In case you haven’t already started filling your plates with all the goodies, here are some organic foods we think you should definitely incorporate into your diet this season, along with a few recipe ideas to get your started. Your stomach will growl just anticipating the goodness.
- Zucchini. What a treat! A go-to source for healthy fiber that’s far from boring and plain. Zucchini will bring flavor, manganese and vitamin C to your diet. This versatile veggie can be a great companion to your meals. There’s always the option to slice it, pop it in the oven along with some eggplant and enjoy a healthy, addictive side dish. For this season however, and to make the most of its freshness, we suggest you incorporate zucchini squash into an easy-to-make organic dip. Get some garlic, sesame seeds, sunflowers seeds and a dash of olive oil, blend it with the zucchini and some water, add salt and there you go, a delicious healthy snack you can take on the go or show off on the hors-d'oeuvre’s table at your next summer gathering.
- Tomatoes and cucumbers. Have you seen how good they are this season? Add color to your diet with the help of these fresh foods. Tomatoes, like zucchini, also provides plenty vitamin C, along with vitamin K and beta-carotene, not to mention fiber and the much needed potassium, a nutrient we need to keep replenishing during the summer since it is lost easily through sweat. Cucumber is a power house on its own. It’ll keep you hydrated, it’s a natural body temperature regulator and flushes out toxins. An ideal summer food. Making these two into a salad might seem like the obvious choice here, but you can mix it up by adding grilled slices of sourdough bread and some basil. You’ll have an excellent barbecue salad that will have you coming back for seconds, no guilt attached.
- Sweet corn: Nothing says “summer” like eating delicious, sweet-tasting, grilled corn right out of the cob… Is your mouth watering yet? Getting your taste of organic corn this summer won’t be just for the sake of your stomach. Corn is rich in antioxidants that will help keep cancer at bay, and their action will only increase when the corn is cooked. Also, the lutein in sweet corn works towards maintaining a healthy vision, not to mention this food is another source of good dietary fiber. You don’t need us to tell you what to do with those freshly picked ears of sweet corn, but in case you get tired of grilling, there’s always a variety of salads you can try that incorporate both sweet corn and fresh tomato, or how about some scrambled eggs with goat cheese and this time you bake the tomatoes with a little bit of olive oil? The possibilities are endless.
There’s really a lot of interesting, healthy and delicious foods that will “summerize” your diet. And we didn’t even get into the fruits! From avocados to fresh berries of all kinds: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, even tart cherries. Remember the aim is to stay hydrated, energized, and healthy, helping your body protect itself from the sun rays and process all the heat. Bringing these foods into your diet this season will go a long way towards that goal. Grab a slice of watermelon, carry a water bottle with fresh, cool juice with you out the door, and turn all these foods into creative organic meals and snacks. You’ll have a summer filled with wellness and health.