May 31, 2018

Six Foods to Add to Your Early Summer Grocery List

A great way to welcome the warmer weather is to add some seasonal favourites to your shopping cart. Here in Ontario, the early summer growing season offers an abundance of amazingly delicious produce.

Here are 6 of my favourite springtime additions to a healthy, well-balanced diet. All of these items are easily available at your local farmers market.

1. Radishes

Radishes are a great addition to a summer salad or snack plate! They have a peppery taste and a satisfying crunch. They are great raw or roasted and filled with lots of nutrients like fibre and vitamin C. They are great for regulating digestion and protecting the liver.

2. Nettles

Stinging Nettles are mineral-packed powerhouses. These little plants grow wild all over North America with a preference to damp shaded areas. Be careful when harvesting and make sure to wear gloves; they really do sting! If foraging doesn’t appeal to you, no problem! You can easily find Nettle in herbal tea at your local health food store.

Nettles are packed with iron, magnesium and calcium and vitamin A. Drinking nettle tea each day is a great way to boost immunity and to support liver detoxification. Because nettles are so full of minerals they are great for boosting hair and nail growth too.

3. Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is an amazing addition to your summer diet. It has a slightly sweet flavour and a bit of crunch. Bee pollen tastes great on top of toast, yoghurt, fresh fruit or granola.

Bee pollen is also packed with nutrients like vitamin B complex, folic acid, amino acids, minerals and anti-histamines. Having a small amount of bee pollen each day is a great way to help decrease seasonal allergies.

4. Sauerkraut

Summertime is a great opportunity to enjoy fermented foods. Sauerkraut not only provides your gut with probiotics, it also helps to boost the immune system and detoxify the liver, perfect for getting a spring back in your step.

Making a simple sauerkraut is easy to do it just takes a little effort and some time.

Find more about fermented foods here

5. Sprouts

Sprouts are packed with fibre, protein and minerals. These tiny plants have a ton of available nutrients and make a great addition to salads, sandwiches and just about anything else you can think of!

I recommend trying your hand at making mung bean sprouts. They are delicious and easy to make. All you need is a few tablespoons of dried mung beans, a mason jar and a bit of patience.

6. Asparagus

These beautiful green stalks are a great signifier of the spring season. A member of the lily family asparagus is full of vitamin K, folate, fibre antioxidants and several other nutrients.

Asparagus is great for helping the digestive system with its gentle, mucilage and anti-inflammatory properties. Have it roasted, grilled or steamed in salads or as a side dish.

Get in your kitchen and inspired by the summer season and enjoy a wide variety of different foods in your diet!

xo Fran

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