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Thursday, July 23, 2015

The 8 Best Summer Fruits and Vegetables

The 8 Best Summer Fruits and Vegetables

The 8 Best Summer Fruits and Vegetables
Summertime is officially here and that means lots of new, fresh, bright produce options for our kitchen counters!
Did you know that seasonal fruit is picked at the peak of freshness? You can probably tell, since fruits and vegetables are extraordinarily juicy tasty and fresh when they're in season. It's the same reason you don't buy fresh pumpkin in July or fresh watermelon in December! If they're not growing at a particular time, that means the versions they have in the store have been manipulated to stay fresh as long as possible - for months, even - depleting the natural nutrient stores that makes them good for you.
Well, lucky for you, each season brings with it a wealth of new fruits and vegetables that you can Blast in a snap. Summer has lots to offer, so get your grocery list ready and let's go!
What are YOU Blasting with?
1. Arugula
Arugula grows best from the spring through the early summer, so now is an excellent time to load up on this peppery green. Aside from its fresh, zippy flavor, arugula offers a hearty dose folate, as well as vitamins A, C, and K.
With its bold flavor, arugula pairs nicely with strong, sweet fruits like pineapple and mango in NutriBlasts.
2. Basil
This aromatic herb adds a fresh bite to any dish, and a surprising, sophisticated twist to your NutriBlasts. Though basil is available throughout the year, this plant flourishes in warm, sunny months, and pairs beautifully with other summer stunners like tomato, watermelon, and summer berries.
Basil also ranks high on the health charts, providing vitamin K, flavonoids, and special volatile oils found to have antibacterial properties!
3. Summer squashes (zucchini, yellow squash, etc.)
As their name specifies, summer squashes flourish in the hottest months of the year, providing a light, delicate presence amidst the powerful flavors of the season. Summer squashes contain powerful carotenoid antioxidants and should be eaten with their outer skin to reap the most of these benefits.
Summer squashes add bulk to NutriBlasts without adding much distinctive flavor, so they mix well with most flavors. To prepare for blasting, simply rinse and dry the squash, cut off the woodsy stem, and cut into chunks for easy distribution. If you prefer to cook your squash, opt for steaming over boiling, roasting, or sautéing; it will better preserve the nutrients contained within.
4. Bell Peppers
These bright, punchy veggies hit their prime from July through November, making them an excellent addition to your late summer diet. Filled with vitamin C, beta carotene, and lycopene, bell peppers are also excellent in savory NutriBlasts, pairing nicely with greens and spices like turmeric and cumin.
5. Berries
Though new farming methods make them available year-round, berries flourish during the warmer months of the year, providing exceptional nutritional value in tiny, delicious packages. While different types of berries have unique nutritional profiles, all are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and contain relatively low amounts of sugar.
Blackberries: June-October; Peak: August
Blueberries: May-September; Peak: late June/early July
Raspberries: June-October; Peaks: June-July and September
Strawberries: May – September; Peak: late June/early July
6. Stone fruits (apricots, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries)
Named for the hard pit at the center of their tender flesh, stone fruits hit their peak during the summer. Loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and nutrients like vitamin C and K, these hot weather favorites bring nourishment and hydration along with their delicious flavor. As with berries, their harvest season varies depending on fruit type, variety, and region, but their prime availability generally ranges as follows:
Apricots: May-July
Cherries: June-August
Nectarines: August-September
Peaches: June-August
Plums: May-September
7. Melon
Cool, sweet, and juicy melon is one of summer’s star produce players. Read on for a more in-depth look at your favorite varieties:
Cantaloupe
This silky-sweet melon is high in vitamins A & C, and helpful in fighting chronic inflammation. Cantaloupe is available year-round, but the sweetest, juiciest melons can be found in the summer months, from June through September.
Honeydew
Load up on fiber and water with the sweet, delicate honeydew melon. Like cantaloupe, honeydew is available year-round, but is best served from June through September.
Watermelon
Aside from its distinctive crispness and juicy finish, watermelon is known for its exceptional lycopene content—an antioxidant found to play a role in cardiovascular, bone, and prostate health. Peak watermelon season lasts from late May through early September.
8. Tomatoes
Filled with lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber, succulent tomatoes make an excellent addition to your summertime diet. While some tomato varieties are available year round, summer brings the best and brightest varieties out to play—from massive lumpy heirlooms to jewel-sized grape tomatoes.
Enjoy their powerful flavor by making a Bloody Mary-inspired NutriBlast! Mix your favorite tomato variety with romaine, celery, carrot, a sliver of avocado, lemon juice, and a little pinch of sea salt in the NutriBullet and enjoy a savory and oh-so-healthy summertime treat.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Healthy Tips for the Summer Months


During the hot months of the summer many of us spend our time outdoors being more active and enjoying water sports as well as the beach and pool.  It is important to protect our skin with sunscreen and to keep hydrated while the temperatures soar in California.  Many of the typical sunscreens that are available today have an array of harmful chemicals and ingredients. I have included a list from the Environmental Working Groups with the 15 Best Natural Sunscreens to use.
Happy applying!

Environmental Working Groups with the 15 Best Natural Sunscreens

1. Tropical Sands All Natural Biodegradable Sunscreen, Coconut Scent, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $18.99 for 8 oz.)
2. Loving Naturals Clear Body Sunscreen, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $14.99 for 2.5 oz.)
3. Goddess Garden Everyday Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.90 for 6 oz.)
4. All Terrain TerraSport Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.90 for 6 oz.)
5. Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $14.39 for 4 oz.)
6. Badger Sunscreen Cream, Unscented, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $13.43 for 2.9 oz.)
7. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.69 for 5 oz.)
8. BurnOut Ocean Tested Physical Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.50 for 3.4 oz.)
9. TruBaby Everyday Play Sunscreen, SPF 30+ (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $13.99 for 2 oz.)
10. Butterbean Original Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $12 for 3 oz.)
11. Derma e Antioxidant Natural Sunscreen, Body, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.26 for 4 oz.)
12. Raw Elements USA Eco Formula, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.25 for 3 oz.)
13. Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16 for 3.75 oz.)
14. The Honest Company Honest Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $15.45 for 3 oz.)
15. Block Island Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 (EWG rating: 1, lowest hazard. $16.99 for 3.4 oz.)

One of America’s favorite summer pastimes are pool parties and BBQ’s.  Some of my fondest memories of summer include steaks on the grill and corn on the cobb, with that being said there are a few precautions that I’d like to address before you start up the grill for your next pool party.  Grilling meats can lead to the production of carcinogenic (potentially cancer-causing) chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HAs) as well as unhealthy PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). The good news is it simple to reduce these risks by following these healthy Grilling tips will make the food you BBQ healthier and just as delicious for you and your guests.

 A Guide to Healthy Grilling

-Pre-cook your foods in the oven or on the stovetop and finish them off outdoors - less grill time means fewer carcinogens.
-Marinate your meats. Marinade may help reduce HA formation, especially if it's made with spices such as ginger, rosemary and turmeric.
-Avoid charcoal lighter fluid or self-starting packages of briquettes in a charcoal grill - they will leave residues of toxic chemicals in your food. A healthy alternative is an inexpensive chimney lighter      that uses a small amount of newspaper to ignite a mass of charcoal in a large metal cylinder. Gas grills are good alternatives to those that use charcoal.
-Limit the quantity of meat you grill, and make grilled vegetables the main course.

Healthy Vegetarian BBQ Side Dish
Super Simple Salad Recipe: Tomato + Avocado Caprese

Summer is the season of overflowing bushels of tomatoes and avocado trees. But what do we do with an abundance of these great ingredients? Make Tomato Avocado Caprese Salad, of course.
This caprese is perfect for any dairy-free foodie. The avocado takes a bold stand as a substitute for mozzarella, and still satisfies with it’s creamy and “buttery” taste. Serve this at your next picnic or barbecue.


Tomato + Avocado Caprese

Serves 2
Ingredients
  • 1 large avocado
  • 1 large (or 2 small) tomatoes
  • 8-12 large basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt + fresh ground pepper
Preparation
1. Slice avocado and tomato thinly.
2. On a large plate, begin to layer your ingredients: avocado, basil, tomato. Repeat until all avocado, tomato, and basil are used.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Enjoy immediately.


References