Family Nutrition

Plant Based Diet - Full-time, Part-time or Sometimes

Plant Based Diet - Full-time, Part-time or Sometimes

The public health messages we receive about improving our health and lowering our risk for disease, include recommendations to eat more plant-based foods and/or, depending on the entity giving the recommendation, maybe only eating plant-based foods.

How do we figure out what the best approach is for our lives? Let's explore all of the different types of plant-based diets, so you can decide what the best fit is for you. 

V & G Kitchen Creations

V & G Kitchen Creations

This week we're deviating from the usual content of the blog because, last week, after posting my first YouTube video about baking fresh pumpkins, my adorable grandchildren, Vinny and Giada, were very inspired to try it out themselves.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twenty-Two

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twenty-Two

At this later time of the season, we find the beautiful ruby red or purple cabbage at the farmers markets.

Pucker up for Purple Power!

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twenty One

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twenty One

Now that fall is appearing, it’s time to focus on some of the cool-season vegetables we find popping up at the local farmers markets.

Palatable potatoes are right at our fingertips so, let’s pick some up for our meal planning today.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twenty

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twenty

Turnip (Brassica rapa)

It’s that time of year when we see, the cool-season crop, turnips adorning farmers markets.

When you spot turnips at the market, you’ve stumbled upon another versatile vegetable that offers wonderful nutrition benefits in both its root and greens.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Nineteen

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Nineteen

Onion (Allium cepa)

These beautiful round bulbs were brought to North America by Christopher Columbus and, today, continue to give us wonderful flavor and fabulous nutritional benefits.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Eighteen

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Eighteen

Until late September early November, you can still find many delicious melons at your local farmers markets and grocery stores.

Different types of melons offer a variety of wonderful nutritional benefits for our bodies. 

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Seventeen

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Seventeen

Corn on the Cob

There is an ongoing argument about whether or not corn is a vegetable, fruit, or grain but, we’re not going to debate that today.

All we care about, is that corn is scrumptious and offers us all kinds of nutritional benefits!

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Sixteen

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Sixteen

Pears (pyrus communis) are no longer hanging on the trees but hanging around at the farmers markets waiting for you to bite into a juicy one.  

5 Powerful Reasons to Pick a Pear Today!

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week 15

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week 15

Radishes have been available at the farmers markets for quite a few weeks. This week we are focusing on them for a really special reason, Vinny and Giada, my two adorable grandchildren. 

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Fourteen

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Fourteen

Aubergine (French), Eggplant (English) is finally making its appearance in our gardens and farmers markets. Eggplant (solanum melongena) is in season August through October.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Thirteen

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Thirteen

Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum)

Let's see why including tomatoes in your daily eating, is a great habit any day of the year. 

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twelve

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Twelve

AHHHH Leeks

They offer such a beautiful, subtle, sweet, and oniony flavor to so many wonderful dishes. 

Unfortunately, leeks are another vegetable that is often overlooked because people are unsure of how to pick, prepare, and eat them.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Eleven

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Eleven

Okra has made its way to the farmers markets! 

Let's see why okra is part of the Functional Foods at Farmers Markets series. 

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Ten

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Ten

Yahoo! We're seeing them now at the Farmers Markets.  A hearty welcome comes to the beautiful little tender green summer squash known as Zucchini.  It also comes along with those delicious yellow blossoms! 

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Nine

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Nine

The Northern Illinois Farmers Market guide tells us it’s time for us to grab some of the splendid green prickly globes known as artichokes. Many of us have never eaten or prepared one, so let’s take a look to find out what a wonderful functional food they are.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Eight

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Eight

Beets are a perfect functional food now arriving at your local farmers markets.

If you're willing to give them a try, they're ready to deliver many wonderful health benefits.

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Seven

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Seven

Green Pea - Pisum Sativum

Right now, Green Peas are ready and waiting for you to grab at any of your local farmers markets.

They are also known as Spring Pea, Garden Pea, Common Pea, Field Pea, and English Pea.

 

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Six

Functional Foods at Farmers Markets - Week Six

We’re starting to see apples at the farmers markets and will continue to see them throughout the next few months.

As you enjoy that first crispy bite into one, with the sweet juice gently trickling down your hand, you can imagine using this year’s apple crop for baking a sweet treat or a savory dinner, as a base for a delicious salsa, a rosy colored batch of beautiful applesauce, or to make a tasty and calorie friendly smooth apple butter.