Healthy Foods, list

I'm trying to put together a summer cost-less "wellness" program.  After doing some research on fruits and veggies, I wanted to share some great facts with my readers today!  I hope you find this useful, and as always feel free to drop me a few lines! No matter where you live, you can find some great  foods—which also happen to be good for you. I'm providing a  list of some of the things you'll find in the produce aisle of your grocery store, or in your local farmers' market. ( Remember the local farmer's market's will be opening soon, let's show our local support as much as we can!)  Apples  Different varieties come in season starting in mid- to late summer and right on through autumn. Be sure to eat the skin to get the best health benefits. ( I love honey crisp apples!!!)  1 box of strawberry jello, 2 honey crisp apples a hand full of walnuts and a can of crushed pineapple is all you need to make a great healthy snack!!   add 1cup of hot water to the jello mix add, walnuts, apples (diced) and pineapple! refrigerate for two hours and enjoy!!  Apricots  Originally from China, apricots are not only delicious, but they're also a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium. Look for fruits that are plump, firm, and uniform in color. Avocados  Though their seasons vary, summer is a good time to find ripe avocados in your local stores. High in monounsaturated fats, they also contain vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, plus a couple of those B vitamins. Basil  Summer is the best season to enjoy this aromatic herb—a great ingredient to liven up pastas, sandwiches, or salads. ( there  is something about "fresh" basil in sauce.) Blueberries Rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, a handful of these babies are great when you toss them into a low-fat smoothie or on top of some yogurt for a nutritious snack! Yum, Chicago prep!!  Carrots  Not only are carrots good road-trip snacks, they also have pro-vitamin A carotenes that can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Chard  Like spinach, chard is low in calories and contains phytonutrients including syringic acid, which inhibits carbs from breaking down into simple sugars, thus warding off issues like diabetes by keeping blood sugar steady. Cherries Cherries are high in vitamin C and potassium, and if you go pick them yourself, you'll get the additional benefit of some good old-fashioned exercise. ( warning do not bring hungry children, you will be up all night!!!!, trust me on this one!! ;-) Corn A summer staple, its folate and B vitamins can contribute to improved cardiovascular health. (locally grown in our area!)  Cucumbers  Cucumbers are great for your skin, muscles, and connective tissue, plus they're full of water, fiber, and vitamin C. Eggplant The beautiful purple skin found on these late-summer vegetables is good food for your brain. Fennel  This Mediterranean bulb is rich in vitamin C and phytonutrients, especially anethole, which have showed to have some anti-cancer effects. Figs  Fresh figs available during the hot months are a great source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. Garlic  Volumes have been written on the benefits of this stinky bulb, which include how good it is for heart health and how its antiviral properties may be able to help keep us from getting sick.( I swear this was a daily "vitamin" in our home growing up!!!)  Grapes Great for snacking, they're low in calories and contain the heart disease-fighting phytonutrient resveratrol, normally associated with red wine. (remember never pass up those Muscadine grapes, (Vitis rotundifolia) Green beans   Steamed  these are great  crisp vegetables for a healthy side dish that's filled with carotenoids, which are great for your heart and more. Lemongrass. Used in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking, this citrusy herb is high in folic acid and has been shown to have antioxidant and disease-preventing properties. You can purchase lemongrass juice frozen in the health food isle of the grocery store! ( this is a family favorite!!)  Lettuce  Not all greens are equal, so go for the mixed greens, romaine, or red leaf lettuce for the best benefits in your salads.  Mangos Though higher in calories, one cup of diced mango can provide 75 percent of your daily vitamin C recommendation. Great for helping out the immune system of right before boarding a plane! -:)