Salsa is the breath of summer, dancing or eating, salsa makes life livelier, more colorful and food tastier. Zesty salsa can spice up your meals while improving your health. Grab a variety of fruits and vegetables at a Harvest Home Farmers Markets near you. When making salsas, be creative, this is an easy way to add more flavor to your meals by using fruits and vegetables.
Salsas are not just for dipping, put it in salads, add it to sandwiches, mix it with rice or beans, and marinate meats. Brighten up your food and your body at the same time by adding more fruits and veggies to your meals. How? Fruits and vegetables have a lot of antioxidants that keep your body “running” smoothly. Antioxidants act as the body’s cleaning crew.
Here’s how it works: Our bodies are constantly working to generate energy. As the body works, it produces free radicals. Like emissions from a car engine, “free radicals” are tiny waste products caused from creating energy. Needless to say, you want to get rid of them.
Different antioxidants clean out different free radicals. The more you vary your fruits and vegetables the more “free radicals” you clean out. Improve the way you feel and give your meals some extra zest while you give your body an extra boost with a variety of salsas. See recipes below.
SALSA YOUR WAY THROUGH THE SUMMER!
Recipe: Corn, Black Bean and Avocado Salsa
Quick and Easy: Black beans add more protein. Vary the amount of jalapeno to make this hot or not so hot.
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels cut from cob
1 1/2 cups canned (cooked) black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 cup diced tomato
1 avocado, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lime
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
Summer Watermelon and Cucumber Salad: Refreshing with chips or on fish or chicken or tossed into a salad.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups watermelon, cubed
1 seedless cucumber, cubed
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil or cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon lime juice or apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Tips: Get Creative with Your Salsa
Eating raw fruits and vegetables gives you the best taste and the most health benefits.
Keep in mind, there are different antioxidants that do different “cleaning jobs.” So mix things up. The more variety of ingredients, the more benefits to your body.
Antioxidants Power in Fruits and Vegetables
Dark green leafy vegetables have vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps the immune system fight off disease.
Tomatoes have lycopene for bone health and fight heart disease.
Melons have vitamin C and extra water you need in the summer. Great for your skin.
Cucumbers have antioxidants that help your immune system and are good for skin and eyes.
Blueberries are the super fruit of antioxidants. They cleanout and protect all your systems.
Avocados aren’t just delicious, they are powerful: 20 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect your eyes and contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
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