A key message at MiniNutrition is that there is no “one size fits” all method to healthy eating. We aim to empower our clients with the information they can use to make informed nutrition decisions that will work best for their body and their lifestyle.
Making these decisions day in and day out can be challenging, especially in the beginning of nutritional change when much of the information is new. To help empower you to make informed food choices, we are excited to provide you with our Mini Picks! Mini Picks are food items, as well as health and fitness related products, that we love and want to give our stamp of approval.
August’s Top 5 Mini Picks from Bartlett’s Farm
We are excited to team up with Bartlett’s Farm to highlight five Mini Picks that can be found in their Market. Check in every month for new, healthy, and helpful goodies to add to your shopping list.
This month the focus of our Mini Picks at Bartlett’s Farm is around eating locally and eating the rainbow. Both methods of eating will improve not only your health, but also the health of your community. How? By increasing the nutritional quality of the food you’re purchasing while also decreasing the carbon footprint needed to get those nutrients onto your plate. Dive in and eat the rainbow!
1. Starship Squash
This bright green summer squash is a member of the patty pan family. A great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folic acid, and fiber this tiny little squash packs a big punch. The reason we love this vegetable so much is because it’s easy to prepare and maintains a crunch. While most summer squash can become soggy during the cooking process, a quick sauté in a cast iron skillet with a little EVOO and fresh garlic will provide the perfect side to any meal.
2. Listada De Gandia Eggplant
Aubergines AKA Eggplants are a superfood in our book. The fruit of this nightshade is a wonderful addition to anyone’s plate because it’s low in fat and carbohydrates and chock full of vitamins and minerals. The most important quality of the purple eggplant is found in its vibrant color. The deep purple color reveals to us that within the skin lie powerful phyotchemicals, more specifically anthocyanins. This grouping of phytochemicals has been linked to the reduction of cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, and cognitive decline.
Our favorite way to prepare this vegetable is to oven roast it with a little sea salt and olive oil. Simplicity at its best.
3. “Bartlett’s” Corn
Did you know that Bartlett’s Farm grow’s many varieties of corn? Therefore, the type of corn on your plate will most likely be different from one week to the next. The best news is that their crop is always of the highest quality and will never be grown from a GMO seed!
When incorporating this delicious treat into your meal be sure to remember that corn is a grain and not a vegetable. So pass on the potatoes, rice, or bread this August and replace it with the freshest starch this island has to offer… Corn from Bartlett’s!
4. Tomatoes
If you you’re not a fan of tomatoes, we dare you to try this delicious fruit picked fresh from the vine, and we guarantee you’ll be converted into a tomato lover. This crop is plentiful, and there is a wonderful array of varieties to choose from at The Farm. No matter which kind of tomato you choose, the powerful antioxidant lycopene will be there to greet you. Lycopene helps to rid your body of free radicals aiding in the prevention of heart disease, Alzheimers, and many cancers. So if the taste of these tomatoes doesn’t convince you into adding them to your shopping list perhaps the health benefits will.
When you can get tomatoes fresh from the vine we recommend eating them that way. Sliced with a drizzle of white balsamic vinegar is the best way to enjoy these red beauties.
5. Lemon Verbena
This fabulous herb packs a lot of flavor with virtually no calories. A wonderful way to add delicious flavor to grilled fish or roasted poultry with out added calories or sodium. Like most herbs, this lemon scented leaf packs a healthy punch. Lemon verbena has been found to aid digestive discomfort, reduce inflammation, and boost your immune system. For a few fun recipes using this lovely herb check out our most recent online article in Nantucket Magazine.
We hope your enjoy this combination of Bartlett’s finest produce! Please share with us your favorite recipes using these ingredients.
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