April was a busy month! I’m excited to get back into routine, which includes my Sunday farmers market trips.  And the month of May could not be more enticing…there are tons of new fruit and veggie crops that will brighten market aisles, as well as my dinner plates.  

Here’s this months list of what’s in season!

• Apricots (1st month!)
• Artichokes
• Arugula
• Asparagus
• Avocados
• Basil (1st month!)
• Beets
• Blackberries (1st month!)
• Blueberries (1st month!)
• Bok Choy
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chard
• Cherries (1st month of only 2 months!)
• Collards
• Garlic
• Kale
• Lemons
• Mushrooms
• Nectarines (1st month!)
• Onions
• Oranges
• Peaches (1st month!)
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Raspberries (1st month!)
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Summer squash (1st month)

Amazing list! Enjoy filling your fridge this month!!!!

So many labels.  How do we make the best purchasing choices at the grocery store when there are 10 different options to choose from?

Love this easy guide for buying the best eggs by Takepart.com; lists what to avoid, what to look for, and where to shop!

• Cage-Free: This label simply means the absence of a cage. It doesn’t mean the absence of fences or enclosures in general. It also doesn’t guarantee that chickens have access to an outside area. Birds that qualify as cage-free can still be packed tightly into an overpopulated and darkened barn.
• Free-Range: When chickens are free-range, they’re required to have access to the outdoors—but that may amount to a narrow patch of dirt. Access to it can be a tiny door cut into the back of the shed, which in an overcrowded barn stuffed with hens, the birds may not ever notice, let alone use.
• Organic: This label dictates that the birds are antibiotic and hormone-free, in addition to being provided with access to the outdoors. Still, some organic farms abuse the system by housing their hens in overcrowded sheds—with a small, unused door. Under certain conditions, some may also make their chickens endure the painful process of beak trimming that’s common in factory farms.
• Certified Humane: According the Humane Society, even this certification allows for farmers to house chickens indoors at all times if they choose, and also allows beak cutting. A similar term, “American Humane Certified” even allows laying hens to be caged.

Instead, look for Pasture Raised chickens.  ”A label used increasingly by smaller, sustainable chicken farms to indicate that they legitimately raise their birds outside, on an actual pasture. Hens also enjoy access to shelter when they choose to take it, and they’re raised without the use of harmful chemicals or painful procedures.”

Where can you find Pasture Raised eggs?

• Whole Foods
• Real Foods
• Your farmers markets!

Read more here: http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/03/28/ethical-eggs?cmpid=tpfood-eml-2013-3-30-eggs

I absolutely loved this meal.   Such a refreshing and light take on a traditional baked salmon dishes, and uses such fresh and beneficial whole ingredients.  Best of all - yeah, it might look like a gourmet dish, but takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.  

Cucumber Mint Wild Salmon

1. Prep wild salmon by rinsing, dressing with a dash of olive oil, pink sea salt and lemon.  Wrap in parchment paper and place in 350 degree oven.  Start your timer. 20 minutes.
2. Dice 1/2 organic cucumber, 1/2 organic red onion, 1 organic garlic clove, and a heaping handful of de-stemmed fresh organic mint leaves.
3. Whisk in 1/2 cup of organic plain Greek yogurt.  I love Wallaby Organic brand, found at Whole Foods.
4. Mix all above ingredients into bowl and flavor with 1/2 organic squeezed lemon and 1/4 teaspoon of cumin.  
5. Check salmon at 20 minute mark and be sure cooked through to your liking.
6. Dress salmon with your mint chutney, and serve with a side of steamed organic broccoli.

Not like I have to sell this anymore, but the dish is 100% gluten-free, VERY low dairy intake due to the Greek yogurt variety, no sugar, low salt, and about a bajillion health benefits on your plate.

Another salad recipe, but this one is specifically packed with virus and cold killing ingredients, and is sure to give your immune system a kick in the butt!

The base of this salad is dark leafy greens, the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food.  TONS of antioxidants and beneficial proteins, giving energy to your immune defense and cell walls.  I used organic dino kale and organic spinach.

Ooh, the toppings! 

• Pumpkin seeds for zinc.  Zinc stops viral replication.
• Avocado for Vitamin E.  It’s the best fruit source of this vitamin, which promotes antibody production to fight off infection and disease.
• Celery for its anti-inflammatory properties and rich water content.
• Zucchini for Potassium.  Potassium serves as an electrolyte that helps to maintain your fluid balance
• Baby grape tomatoes for the antioxidants and Vitamin C.  One cup of raw red tomatoes gives you almost half your daily intake of C!
• Cilantro! The king of virus killers! Contains phytochemicals that promote immune system activities.
• Parsley for it’s luteolin.  Luteolin searches out and rids the body of free-radicals that cause oxidative stress in cells.
• Quinoa, yes quinoa.  For its super-protein power, filling you up and giving you energy.

This is all tossed in organic extra-virgin cold pressed Olive Oil (great source of mono-saturated fat), tons of lemon (rich in vitamin C), a tablespoon of flax oil (helps to encourage your cells to absorbe all of the above benefits), and salt/pepper to taste!

Good luck you cold/flu virus.  You dont stand a chance. 

Meet Astara:

An all-natural skin care brand I am becoming utterly obsessed with.  The below blurb on their website fully explains my infatuation with Astara’s line.

“Astara was founded on the belief that the human body is a beautiful, self-healing organism if given the proper nourishment and environment. Eating an enzyme-rich diet of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, seaweeds and sprouted seeds has proven to have a profound effect on health. We at Astara Skin Care believe that optimum health and beauty can be achieved by the intake of raw, chemical-free, enzyme-rich foods, which detoxify and rejuvenate the body and its skin at its most essential level.

Astara believes this paradigm applies also to skin care. The skin, as the largest organ in the body, is a true reflection of overall health. In order to bring the skin’s healing properties to maximum performance and radiance, Astara Skin Care products provide essential, life-giving energy to the cells, using powerful, raw ingredients from elements of nature around the world. As a result, each natural ingredient is carefully chosen to support the skin’s healing process. Our products nourish the skin through the use of natural ingredients including flower essences, antioxidants and botanical extracts.

We understand that heating the life-giving ingredients above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) destroys their very necessary enzymes and oxygen, which are vital for optimum health. The latest research clearly suggests that the cooked and processed foods we eat have no vital healing energy, leading to illness, chronic disease and premature death. Because we believe in the value and integrity of our life-giving nutrients, our active ingredients are never heated above 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius). Therefore our products maintain the power to heal deeply, to regenerate cells, and to assist the skin in attaining optimum health and a more youthful appearance.”

I recently began using their Blue Flame Anti-Bacterial Purifying Toner and their Blue Flame Oil Free Moisturizer.  My face has instantly felt cleaner, tighter and softer.  I have also been using their Blue Flame Purification Mask for almost a year now.  It’s enriched with Tea Tree Oil, a mega bacteria killer and healer.  I use it almost every night before bed and swear by it.  Majorly celebrity endorsed as well:  http://www.astaraskincare.com/the-buzz/celebrities

The product will be a bit hard to find at your local store, but their site offers a really easy locator by address to learn where you can purchase.

(Source: astaraskincare.com)

What I’m buying and cooking with during the month of February?  Green smoothies sweetened with apple, brussel sprouts roasted in coconut oil and chili flakes, and my last fix of winter squash in soups and atop organic arugula salads.  

Ohh but there’s so much more to enjoy… Here’s the list of Bay Area seasonal specialties you should stock your fridge with over the next month.  

• Apples
• Arugula (1st month!)
• Asparagus (1st month!)
• Beets (YR)
• Bok Choy (YR)
• Broccoli (YR)
• Brussel Sprouts 
• Cabbage (YR)
• Carrots (YR)
• Cauliflower (YR)
• Chard (YR)
• Collards (YR)
• Garlic (YR)
• Grapefruit 
• Kale (YR)
• Lemons 
• Lettuces (YR)
• Onions (YR)
• Oranges 
• Spinach (YR)
• Squash, winter (last month!)

*YR = year round crops

Teaser.  What can you look forward to lining the farmers markets’ asiles in the next few months?  My mouth is already watering…

• Artichokes!
• Strawberries!
• Avocados!
• Peas!

Shop Seasonal lists are based on information from the “Buy Fresh Buy Local: The Eater’s Guide to Local Food”. Bay Area, 4th Edition).