vitamins

Superfoods 101: Passion Fruit’s Many Health Benefits

Passion fruit is a member of the family of Passifloraceae in the genus Passiflora and is native to the wild regions of subtropical South America. It was introduced in Hawaii and Australia but succumbed to viruses and could not be sustained as a commercial crop in either region.

Superfood 101: Persimmons!

Persimmons are in the family Ebenaceae, commonly known as the Ebony family in the genus Diospyros L. Of the seventeen species, only two are native to America: the Diospyros virginiana L, also known as the common persimmon P; and the Diospyros texana Scheele, commonly known as the Texas persimmon P.

Superfood 101: Radicchio!

Radicchio is a member of the family Asteraceae, commonly known as the aster family in the genus Cichorium L. and the species Cichorium intybus L. or chicory P.

Superfood 101: Clementines!

Clementines were accidently created by Father Clement Rodier who was planting Mediterranean mandarin seedlings that pollenated with a willow-leafed ornamental variety of C. aurantium, commonly known as Granito, in the garden of an orphanage near Oran, Algeria. The plant was brought to Florida in 1909 and taken to California in 1914 by H. S. Fawcett of the Citrus Research Center, Riverside.

Superfood 101: Grapes!

Grapes are a member of the Vitaceae family that has eleven genera. This fruit bearing genus is Vitus, which has approximately sixty species. The plant was cultivated by humans around 6500 B.C.E. and by 4000 B.C.E. the grape could be found in vineyards from Transcaucasia east to Asia Minor and south to the Nile river delta. The grape existed long before humans walked the earth and could be found throughout the world. The Old World grapes were used as a snack food and dried to make raisins, but in Europe the main use of the grape was to make wine.

Superfood 101: Cabbage!

Cabbage is a member of the Brassicaceae family, commonly known as the mustard family. There are 107 genera in the family; the cabbage is in the genus Brassica L. The origin of the plant is quite complicated because of the number of genera. The earliest cultivation of cabbage took place in Northern China, approximately 4000 years ago. In Europe the plant was cultivated about 3000 years ago and became a world staple. In the wild it was a leafy plant like kale and was produced in the form of a head in 14th century England.

Superfood 101: Turnips!

Turnips are a member of the family Brassicaceae, also known as the mustard family. Native to Europe and found in colder climates, turnips have been a staple food since prehistory.  They were also used for livestock fodder since the 14th century and in modern agriculture they are planted in fields for grazing animals.

Seasonal Eating: Matcha Kale Smoothie

Salads may top the menu in summertime when we are all trying to perfect that bikini body, but don’t overlook the value of a nutritious and delicious salad over the cold winter months when festive holidays can pack on the pounds. One of my favorite go-to winter greens is kale.

The What, Why & How Of Strong Bones

Bone is living tissue, meaning that how we treat it is how it will respond (in most cases). Osteoporosis—a condition in which bones become brittle and easily broken—and osteopenia—the thinning of bones—are life-changing conditions that can result in a number of problems, including fractures and joint pain.

Superfood 101: Apples!

Apples are a member of the family Rosaceae, the Rose family in the genus Malus Mill. or apple P. This genus contains thirty-six species. There are about 10,000 varieties of apples throughout the world, of which 7,000 can be found in the United States.