Cool Off, Get Lean and Pump Up Health Benefits of Summer Fruits and Vegetables

Summer is around the corner and the temperature outside will be super sizzling (in many places of the western hemisphere). Most all children will be out of school and frequenting the water sources (beaches, pools, lakes and backyard sprinklers). What are perfect healthy summer treats that cool the active and hot body? Summer is a great time to eat more antioxidant-rich and sweet juicy fruits and vegetables. It is a time where our metabolisms are in full charge, which in turn should create more momentum, movement and drive for total body circulation, detoxing and slimming down. Flu season is behind us. Now is the time to enjoy the local and seasonal deliciousness of health, relaxation and summer!

Remember that eating seasonally is not only environmentally sound; it is good for our bodies! Purchasing local foods in-season drastically decreases environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles. The damage is associated to CO2 emissions needed to grow and transport the food we eat. When unprocessed fruits and vegetables are grown and consumed in their correct season, they contain more of the immunity boosting antioxidants and taste fresher and more flavorful. Summer is a great time to save money on organic produce because most fruits are in season and when people eat local and seasonally, long shipping, costs for fuel and faux greenhouse procedures are skipped because less energy is used for transit and you will be following the laws of Mother Nature (eating what is ripe at the right time).  

What are the fruits and vegetables to aim for in the summer?

Summer (May to late early September) is a season filled with refreshing, sweet, produce bursting with flavor and phytonutrients that keep us healthy, cool and hydrated. Below is a list of such goodness that gives an overall idea of seasonally ripe produce for the summer season. For a more accurate list of specific produce separated by each state, please visit: http://fresheverydayproduce.com/in-season/ and click on the state that applies to you. Remember to try to eat as organically and locally as possible and grown in the United States as you can.

❦ Peaches
❦ Watermelon
❦ Basil
❦ Figs
❦ Plums
❦ Eggplant
❦ Tomatoes
❦ Mushrooms
❦ Summer squash
❦ Zucchini
❦ Blueberries
❦ Strawberries
❦ Mango
❦ Cucumbers
❦ Cherries
❦ Rhubarb
❦ Nectarines
❦ Lettuce
❦ Broccoli
❦ Okra
❦ Coconut Water
❦ Avocados
❦ Arugula
❦ Shallots
❦ Hot Peppers