• Article Author: Red Jen
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Savor The Season with Summer Squash & Sweet Stone Fruit!

Eating seasonally is a simple, sustainable and enjoyable way to balance your health.  And it’s especially easy when you shop at your local farmers market or farm stand.  From an Ayurvedic perspective, if you are a fiery Pitta like me (hence the nickname Red Jen), you tend to run hot and need more than ever to choose cooling foods during the heat of summer.  And, nature is here to provide!  Cooling foods such as sweet stone fruit and summer squash are abundant right now.  Whether you’re craving a sweet treat or a savory meal, these foods can help balance your internal heat or quench your thirst for cool hydration after a hot yoga practice.

What savory treat have you tasted that's fabulous lately?  How about summer squash? You’ll find them at farmers markets in shades of yellow, pale green and the more traditional emerald hue of zucchini.  With names like pattypan, crookneck, and straightneck, look for squash in various shapes and sizes from round and cylindrical to pear-shaped.  High in nutrients such as manganese, vitamin C, vitamin A (including beta-carotene), folate, copper, riboflavin, and phosphorus, studies suggest summer squash may help to fight cancer and prevent atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease.  Their high concentrations of magnesium and potassium may also help reduce high blood pressure.  High in fiber and with only 36 calories per 1-cup serving, this delicious low-calorie and high-nutrient food provides tremendous bang for your bite!

Using a simple box grater, I love to grate yellow crookneck squash and green zucchini and toss them raw into salads – looks like confetti on a salad plate!  Or, for a summer barbecue, trim the ends, and then slice the squash lengthwise into one-quarter to one-half inch thick pieces.  Season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and olive oil, and then grill them for a few minutes on each side.   Grilling imparts a smoky flavor, but also brings out their natural sweetness. The peak of the season runs through July, so grab a bunch and start grating or grilling! 

Or, if you’re looking for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, stone fruit are here!  At the farmers market, you know summer has officially begun when you see the gorgeous array of peaches, nectarines, plums, and apricots spread across the stalls.  Watch for the newer hybrids that cross apricots and plums to create wild combinations of colors and tastes called apriums and pluots.  With names like Dapple Dandy and Flavorosa, these globes of magic blend a unique balance of tart and sweet and display fabulous color combinations, too.  Bite into Dapple-Dandy’s speckled lime green skin to discover bright fuchsia flesh beneath, or slice through the black skin of the Flavor Rich to reveal its bright orange insides.  Wow, talk about bang for your bite!  High in fiber, Vitamins A and C, potassium and iron, plus a range of cancer- and age-fighting antioxidants, studies suggest stone fruit can help fight macular degeneration, protect against heart disease, and boost your digestion and immune systems.  Just be sure to grab a napkin before digging in, or else their gorgeous juices will trickle down your wrist faster than you can slurp them up!

Your Fabulous Food tip brought to you by Red Jen Ford, Certified Holistic Health Coach and Yoga Instructor.  As Manager of the Westwood Farmers Market, located in the Vets Garden and open from Noon to 6 PM, Jen teaches her customers and busy clients the simplicity of eating local, sustainably grown food.  Starting with incredibly fresh and tasty ingredients makes putting a healthy meal on the table quick and easy!  Learn to savor the season and make small changes to live a fabulous, healthy and more balanced life!

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