The Value of Eating Produce In Season

Hello, September has left us and here in Tennessee the cool fall air has set in. I enjoy "harvest" season because it seems as though everything turns golden and orange and vivid. As the land prepares to enter into its Winter slumber, I prepare to receive the nutritional bounty left behind in this earthy season.

For me, this season holds warm and comforting memories. I reminisce of my childhood Fall experiences spent in Ohio with my Grandmom.

Closing my eyes I remember the smell of the cool air mixed with yellowing and browning leaves as I went out onto her front porch, (she had a wonderful porch swing I loved to lay on and sing songs) I remember buckeyes all over the yard and her constantly reminding me not to put them into my mouth because "those ain't chestnuts!" I remember wearing my special Bonney Doon wool socks (and they always seemed to rise above my knees) I also remember the smell of her cooking and its aroma wafting through her screen door mixed with autumn air and hitting my face. I smile as I am reminded of that little cup of hot apple cider and cinnamon she would prepare with so much love just for me.

God in all His loving, marvelous & magnificent ways has also prepared for us a special bounty for all the special seasons of our lives! In His great intelligence and design, He created unique and specific foods that the human body needs at the various times throughout the year. It is a good idea to eat from the harvest He provides according to the seasons so that our bodies can receive the ultimate nutritional value from those foods we eat. In summer He has created high water content fruits, like watermelon to keep us hydrated. In fall and winter, our bodies require more immune building and protective nutrients so that we may better withstand the climate change and so He provides a variety of winter fruits and veggies that contain higher amounts of vitamins like "C, D, E, Beta Carotene," etc.

I encourage you to take time and discover in your local markets (if you don't have a garden or can gather from someone who does) to choose fresh produce that is "in season". Eating your fair share of these may mean the difference between a healthier fall/winter and one plagued by colds and other winter discomforts.

If you don't know what produce is in season in your area, then scroll down on the right side of our page to our handy "What's in season in your area" tool. Click on the appropriate state and your seasonal fresh produce will be shown!

To celebrate the beginning of the Harvest month I'm highlighting one of my favorite squashes (drum roll please!)

The Glorious Great Pumpkin!

To honor the Great Pumpkin I've got some awesome RAW PUMPKIN recipes for you to try! Like many, I enjoy hardy soups during cooler weather, so I've included this Raw Pumpkin soup recipe for you to create. This recipe is loaded with all sorts of vitamins and minerals your body needs during colder seasons. These soups may be served cool (as a form of beverage) or the way I like mine, warmed. (Remember, we don't heat our food above 118 degrees in order to retain the vitamins, minerals and most especially the cell building, life restoring enzymes! I hope that you will take a moment and think about your favorite autumn fruits and veggies and will make an effort to serve more of them to your family this season. I also hope you will open up to new and exciting ways to prepare them and in a raw manner.

I've included one recipe here, but you can get the rest by subscribing to my weekly recipe elist go to the right side of the page, click the blue and white envelope. In the subject type "send recipes" and you will be added to our weekly raw foods recipes list!


RAW PUMPKIN SOUP
Chef: Kymythy R. Schultze
*NOTE: (This is a savory pumpkin soup, while some of our recipes are considered more sweet).

Choose a pumpkin that’s firm and heavy for its size. The skin should be free of blemishes, and some of its stem should remain on the squash; store in a dark place and refrigerate only after cutting its skin.

Ingredients
2 cups pumpkin, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 cup carrot juice
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree. Pour into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped pumpkin seeds. Makes about 4 cups.

*HEATING NOTE: If you do not own a dehydrator don't despair , then you can use your oven to warm this soup. (if you have dehydrator:) Place soup mixture into a pyrex and place in dehydrator.
(If using an oven), turn oven on lowest heat setting and leave door of oven slightly open. Let warm for about 45 minutes.
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I have now started a "Ghetto Raw Moms" group on Facebook too! Take a moment and visit and join if you're on Facebook by clicking the link on the right side of the page!

Now,
Let's look at some fun new resources:

First,
I want to promote my new resource - The Ghetto Raw Weekly Recipes!

This started as a help to some of my family members toying with the idea of eating raw. What I did for them was create a weekly list that includes a minimum of 3 raw foods recipes. Some are my own discoveries and others are from recipe sources and chefs I totally love and admire! The goal was to get them to substitute at least 1 cooked meal with a raw meal over the course of their week.

I'd like to especially encourage those of you who are new raw foodies like me to subscribe to my weekly recipes as well as those of you who may want to incorporate more raw foods into your current diet. These recipes will be a blessing to you and I have chosen recipes for the most part that don't require super exotic or expensive ingredients and require minimal specialty kitchen equipment to get them done! Most can be prepared within 10-15 minutes (minus any overnight soaking) and ready to serve fresh and fast! To subscribe, click the link on the right with the blue and white envelope and we'll add you to our weekly list.

Next,

Here's a wonderful Christian based Natural Health Retreat! I know for most vacation season is over, but here's a really cool place to consider for next summer or if you are currently in need of alternative health assistance for a health challenge.
It's the TOTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE RETREAT CENTER.
Located at:
23 W. 525 Saint Charles Road
Wheaton, IL 60188
(630) 871-0000
Fax (630) 871-9450

Their mission is as follows:

"Our mission is to touch the world with the revelation of the total health of the body, mind, and spirit one person and one family at a time. God created mankind to live life to the full- in total health of body, mind, and spirit. At Total Health Institute, we believe everyone in the world can experience this abundant life....."

This retreat offers a place of prayer, fasting & expert therapy for the recovery of many modern diseases. It is definitely a place you'll want to consider if you are being challenged with any sort of physical disease. Take a moment and visit their website and sign up for FREE updates on their site. The Total Health Institute may very well be your answer to prayer!

Looking for a one stop shop for all of your Raw Foods Needs? Have a very limited budget to work with? Then may I suggest: http://www.discountjuicers.com
This place is awesome! and it has every type of kitchen appliance or gadget specific to raw foodies you can imagine! The cool thing is, they even have a place where you can buy or sell your used kitchen gadgets which can save you dollars! Click on the link to learn more. Discount juicers is also a part of one of the largest raw foods communities on line.

Here's another resource for natural, raw & healthy food & personal care items!
Visit the Whole Food Farmacy!

The Wholefood Farmacy opened for business in March 2003 with a mission to supply healthy, convenient, whole food based meals & snacks, non-toxic personal care items, and to educate the public regarding a preventative based lifestyle.
This is one of my favorites. The snacks are DELICIOUS!!!! I have enjoyed a variety of their personal care products as well, like their tooth paste, sinus relief products & deodorant. I love the raw fruit blend called "Fruit-a-licious" it really is and my mother loves their whole foods soups (which only require the adding of water). The other thing is you can join their affiliate program and earn some cash for your referrals and as a member get a discount on your product purchases. Right now they have Pure Virgin Coconut oil on special, when you buy one you get the 2nd jar FREE! I encourage you to take a moment and give them a try and become an affiliate as well.

Well,
Until I blog again!
Blessings & Shalom!
Miss Yna