What is in Season?

-
It is no secret that fruits and veggies provide health benefits – people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.

Health benefits:
  • Reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke, obesity and type 2 diabetes
  • May protect against certain types of cancers
  • May lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss
  • Fruits and vegetables  can be lower in calories, so consuming them may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake
One of the most common barriers for not eating more fruits and vegetables is cost. A quick way to combat that is to shop for what is in season. This website will show you what is in season in Vermont! Shopping local at Farmers Markets is a nice way to support your community and get your produce. Find a market (indoor or outdoor) near you!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Stay Active When the Weather is Bad

-
Image
When the weather turns cold and wet, it’s easy to skip your usual exercise routine. However, staying active is important for your health and can help reduce stress. Here are some simple ways to keep moving, even when the weather isn’t great. 1. Try Indoor Workouts:  If it's freezing rain, bring your workout indoors. You can follow workout videos online, do yoga, or try simple exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks at home. 2. Walk Indoors: If you can't walk outside, try walking in larger stores or other indoor spaces. Even just pacing during phone calls in your house can add up! 3. Make it Social: Invite family or friends to join you in your workout. Play an active video game, have a dance party, or go bowling to keep it fun. It can also help the conversation keep moving when you are suddenly hanging out with that cousin you have nothing in common with! 4. Set a Schedule: Make a plan and stick to it. Set aside time each day for some physical activity, even if it
Read more

Saving Money in November

-
Image
  November is a great time to start saving money, especially with the holidays around the corner. Here are some simple tips to help you stretch your budget this month. 1. Plan Your Meals: With cooler weather, it’s a great time to cook at home. Plan your meals around what’s on sale, and use seasonal produce like sweet potatoes, squash, and apples, which are often cheaper. Cooking at home not only saves money but also lets you make healthier choices. 2. Host Wisely: When hosting a gathering, spread out the effort and cost by encouraging friends to bring something. Even simple contributions, like bringing a drink to share can help. This can also help ensure that picky eaters have at least one thing they are comfortable with. 3. Shop Sales Smartly: Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer big discounts, but don’t buy things just because they’re on sale. Make a list of what you need, set a budget, and stick to it. Look for deals on items you were already planning to buy. 4. DIY Gifts: The ho
Read more

How to Build a Low Cost Home Gym

-
Image
So many of us wish we could get more use out of our gym memberships, but with hectic lives and unpredictable schedules, it's not always so easy. If you find it too hard to get out of your house every day for a workout, why not bring the gym to you? Creating a gym in your home can save time and money -- there's no need to own the same heavy, expensive equipment found at a standard gym. You may be surprised at how easy it is to tailor a home gym to fit you personal needs. All you need are a few tangible pieces and a motivational vibe! Below are five necessities to start building your home gym. Atmosphere: Think about what you like most about the gym and figure out how to bring some of that atmosphere to your own space. If natural light is a must have for you, find a space upstairs with great windows to create the look you want. If you like to watch TV while you sweat, set up your gym in a room that has screen access. Need a little visual motivation? Try something simple like
Read more

November Recipe Inspiration: Roasted Root Vegetables

-
Image
  Ingredients 1  large   carrot 1  medium   parsnip, peeled 1  medium   beet, peeled 1   medium   red onion 1   medium   sweet potato 3   tablespoons   extra-virgin olive oil 1 ½   tablespoons   apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar 1   tablespoon   fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary or sage (or 3/4 tsp dried) ½   teaspoon   kosher salt ½   teaspoon   ground pepper Directions Preheat to 425 degrees F and prepare a rimmed baking sheet or 9x13 baking dish. Cut veggies (or substitutes of your choice) into approximately 1/2-inch-thick chunks, onions can be a bit larger.  Toss the with oil, vinegar, herbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl until well coated. Spreading into a single layer on a baking sheet or pan. Roast the vegetables, rotating the baking sheets top to bottom halfway through, until fork-tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Enjoy!!!
Read more

Turn Your Food Scraps into a Hearty Broth

-
Image
Making broth from food scraps is an easy and sustainable way to reduce waste while creating a flavorful base for soups, stews, or sauces. Here's a step-by-step guide to turn kitchen leftovers into a delicious broth. Ingredients Vegetable scraps: Carrot peels, onion skins, celery leaves, garlic ends, herb stems, etc. Avoid bitter scraps like broccoli or cabbage. Meat scraps (optional): Chicken bones, beef bones, or leftover meat trimmings. Water: Enough to cover your scraps. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, or parsley. Equipment A large pot or slow cooker Strainer or cheesecloth Storage containers for freezing or refrigerating Instructions Collect your scraps: Save vegetable peels, bones, and her stems over time. Store them in a bag or container in the freezer until you're ready to make broth. Prepare your ingredients: Take out your scraps from the freezer and rinse them if necessary. If using bones, roast them in the over for added flavor (optional). Simmer the br
Read more

The "Unhealthy" Fruit

-
Image
We all know that a healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits and vegetables. You may not be aware, however, that choosing just any "fruit" may not be the best way to meet your fruit quota for the day. Below is a list of foods that you may want to limit or avoid: Fruity, sweet cereals. Fruity, colorful cereals that leave your milk pink, orange or blue are definitely void of nutrition. But what about the cereals that contain dried fruit? Sure, they may taste good, but most are also filled with added sugars and unneeded calories - even if they supposedly have real fruit flavors. Begin weaning yourself from the "fruity" cereals by chopping some real, fresh fruit into a bowl of healthy, non sugar-containing, cereal. Fruity Desserts. Strawberry ice cream. Raspberry cheesecake. Cherry Pie. Yum! We know they have fruit in the name, but it doesn't mean they're healthy for us. Opt for healthy fruit-based desserts such as fruit parfaits and fruit sorbet. If you mu
Read more