• Article Author: Red Jen
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The Farmers’ Corner: Seasonal Citrus in Surprising Colors with Spring-Cleansing Benefits

Of course we know that citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines and lemons are high in Vitamin C, and that accordingly they help strengthen our immune system.  But did you know they help to detoxify the blood, too?  Surprisingly colorful varieties of citrus provide additional health benefits and tremendous bang for your bite!  Please your eyes and scintillate your taste buds with these vibrant fruits peaking in California right now:

• Blood Oranges are tarter than traditional oranges and their gorgeous deep red hue is a tangy surprise.   High in fiber, potassium, and age- and disease-fighting antioxidants, the bloods, in particular provide super anti-inflammatory anthocyanins.  Their juice works great as a salad dressing in place of lemon juice and paired with olive or flaxseed oil and is lovely splashed into sparkling water or champagne to make a “RosaMosa.”
• Cara Caras, or Pink Navel Oranges, have an intense orange flavor with underlying cherry undertones and very few seeds.  Lower in acid than regular oranges, folks with Blood Type A may find these more digestible.   Plus an added benefit, Cara Caras also provide the super cancer-fighting carotenoid, lycopene, which is purportedly great for eye and heart health and known to fight all types of cancer, especially prostate cancer.   
• Rub Red Grapefruits are high in vitamins B1, B2, as well as potassium and even calcium, and are even high in lycopene, as found in the Cara Caras.  Eating grapefruits can also increase the flow of digestive juices and, thus, ease irritation in the stomach and intestines. These are definitely what I reach for when my digestion feels sluggish and irritated, and personally, I aim to eat one grapefruit per day to keep the doctor away! 
• Kumquats are tiny orange bites of sweet and sour with the surprise that the skin is actually sweeter than the flesh!  And since the rind actually tastes sweet, you can easily eat the whole fruit to get the super cancer-fighting liminoids in their rinds.  Liminoids have been shown to prevent and halt the spread of cancer in lab conditions.  So eat your Kumquats rind and all:  slice and use in salads, in oatmeal, or over yogurt to add a zippy tang. 
•  Pummelos, the largest citrus fruit, closely resemble grapefruit but typically have green skin and deep pink flesh.  Less acidic than grapefruit, they taste sweeter and more aromatic, and have similar benefits to the Ruby Reds.
• Oro Blancos, a hybrid between white grapefruit and the pommelo, are sweeter and less bitter than grapefruit.  Their yellow rind is a bit thicker than typical grapefruit and hides golden flesh inside, which tastes like grapefruit but with the sugar already added.

When choosing citrus, opt for fruit that weigh heavy in your hand to ensure ideal ripeness and optimal juiciness.  Do your best to eat the whole fruit (instead of drinking the juice) so as to reap the colon-cleansing benefits of their high fiber content, too.  To enjoy, just peel and eat ‘em right out of your hand, or slice them into half-moons and toss them into a salad with fennel and walnuts or with avocado and arugula.  One of my signature dishes features the zest and juice of blood oranges mixed with sundried tomatoes and chili sauce, then poured over fish and baked in the oven – simple and utterly delicious!  Whichever citrus you choose, enjoy a variety of colors to rev your immune system, clean your digestive tract, and keep cancer and other inflammation-related diseases at bay!

The Farmers’ Corner 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 Thursdays from Noon to 5 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!  Contact her at www.redjenford.com or 917.971.1941.  Find more on the Westwood Farmers Market at www.westwoodfarmersmarket.com.