Expert Organic Vegetable Gardening Tips

In recent weeks, we’ve spent plenty of time discussing the many benefits of eating organic foods so you already understand the importance of this key health choice. Some of you may be wondering how you can have success at home growing your own organic vegetables. It isn’t as easy as you might think but with the right education and a little determination, you can grow your own organic fruits and vegetables as a hobby. Watch this short video and get some great tips that you can start putting to use right away in your own backyard!

Get healthy with us and contribute to our nutrition community! Share your favorite tips and suggestions and we might just select you for a feature article next month.

Seasonal Fruit

One of the biggest and most important factors in getting great tasting fruit is to select choices that are in the prime of their natural growing season. While modern technology and global shipping networks have allowed most of your favorites to show up on store shelves at almost any time, true quality and natural flavor still depends heavily on seasonality. Here is an overview of which fruits are currently in season:

1. Grapefruit

2. Guavas

3. Lemons

4. Limes

5. Mandarin Oranges

6. Strawberries

7. Oranges – Nearly all varieties

 

Over the next 3 or 4 weeks, several others will be reaching their prime. Here are a few to look forward to in the near future:

 

1. Cherries

2. Apricots

3. Blueberries

4. Nectarines

5. Peaches

6. Plums

7. Raspberries

Spring is a great time to enjoy the sweet naturals that kick off the summer season. Are you getting sick of eating the same thing over and over again? Try a little something new and different in your lunch this week such as a fresh fruit salad or a blended smoothie. The added boost of valuable vitamins and minerals will help to keep your body performing at a high level and prevent cravings for sweet snacks. As always, look for delicious organic fruit from the organic gardens of Mark Tahiliani at your local grocery store. For a list of available inventory, visit our website or contact Mark directly for details and specials.

Mark Tahiliani’s Fruit Facts

Fun Weekend Health Tips and Facts

The weekend is almost here and with warmer weather starting to build across the country, it’s time to start thinking about spring. Before you pack up the family and head outside, be sure to have a cooler full of fresh organic snacks to keep fatigue from setting in early. Remember, coffee and other sugary caffeinated beverages only give you a temporary boost of energy followed by a crash. Fresh fruits and veggies are a great wholesome source of natural energy that can keep you and your kids going longer; no matter how old your are!

Test Your Nutrition Knowledge

Do you think you know quite a bit about fruit? Even if you think you are already an expert, pay close attention and you just might learn something valuable. Here are some fun facts that you may not be familiar with:

Cherries – That familiar sweet taste and delectable juice also packs a serious health punch. At only a few calories a piece, they may be low in calories but they are loaded with flavonoid compounds known as anthocyanins. These antioxidant rich pigments that give cherries their deep red color can help to transport toxins from your body and limit the damage from free radicals. Several recent studies have cited powerful ant-inflammatory properties making them an outstanding compliment to exercise and brisk physical activity.

Pineapple – The spiny skin, shape and size are likely to lead you to exclude this from your weekend picnic but after some quick dicing, pineapples are worthy of consideration. Just a single cup will give you more than a third of your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C! With no cholesterol or saturated fat, this an excellent for sweet snacks such as candy or chocolate. In addition to a healthy dose of Vitamin C, pineapple is also a great source of Vitamins A and B along with cell-boosting potassium.

Remember, adding a little variety to your daily selections is a great way to get maximum benefit from your meals. Think of it as portfolio diversification for your body! Be sure to check out the latest arrivals at Mark Tahiliani Organic Gardens. This week, we’ve seen some of the best looking strawberries of the season along with tasty raspberries and some fantastic peaches. Get out and enjoy the warming, early spring weekend weather before any last-minute cold temperatures decide to make an appearance!

 

 

All About Apples

Mark Tahiliani Nutrition Guide Part 2

They come in a variety of sizes and colors but for the most part, the red or green apple is the most recognizable. Did you know that there are well over 2000 different types of apples found throughout the world? What is it about this delectable fruit that makes it so popular? The sweet flavor and exceptional nutritional benefits have been sought after for centuries. Whether the intended use was as a sweet and delicious snack, the production of juice, or as a preventative health measure; it is clear that this fruit is no secret!

Believe it or not, the apple is actually a member of the Rose family. While you might not normally equate the flower to the fruit, they are similar in many ways. So why is it important to make this fruit a regular in your household? Besides the fabulous flavor it provides at the peak of freshness, the nutritional value is off the charts! An average size serving (1) weighs in at around 75-80 calories with no refined sugars or preservatives of course. One of the most exciting benefits is the high concentration of antioxidants that help to remove harmful free radicals from the body. Recent scientific research has shown that apples reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. They may also be beneficial in helping to control cholesterol and heart disease. This low calories snack is a good source of Potassium, Vitamin C, and Dietary Fiber. Secondary benefits include Vitamin A and Iron.

As you can see, this is on item you will not want to leave off of your grocery list the next time you go shopping. Fortunately, you can find high-quality apples on store shelves at almost any time of the year. As with any other fruit or vegetable, it is best to go with something organic so you do not have to be concerned with pesticides or residue left over from other potentially harmful chemical treatments. At Mark Tahiliani Organic Gardens, we grow only the finest organic produce. Be sure to check our current inventory to see what’s in season and what we expect to see over the next several weeks. We want you and your family to achieve optimum health and to do so with the confidence that you are buying the best organic apples on the market. Give us a try and you will quickly see why we have such a strong reputation for delivering fresh organic produce. Be sure to check back for our upcoming weekly feature on berries as we explore their health benefits and unique nutritional profile.

Welcome to Fruits and Veggies!

Mark Tahiliani’s Nutrition Guide

We all know how important it is to get plenty of fruit and an abundance of vegetables in our daily diets but few people actually understand what the real benefits are. The folks at Mark Tahiliani Organic Gardens would like to share their extensive nutritional knowledge so you can be a more efficient and effective grocery shopper. The purpose of this site is to provide an education on both common and lesser-known items that you are likely to run across at your local grocery store. This lesson in nutrition will explain why certain types of produce are so good for you and what they contain that your body responds positively to. Just about anyone can tell you that an apple would be a healthy choice as a snack, but why? Here we will slice open that juicy red or green apple and take a closer look at what’s inside so the next time you visit your local supermarket, you will know exactly what you are putting in your shopping cart.

Best of all, we will explain it in simple non-scientific terms that you can easily understand. Whether your goal is to improve your own health and wellness, lose a little extra weight, or teach your children how to make smart eating decisions, we will help you understand your options and have a little fun at the same time.

Do you think you’re already an expert when it comes to making dietary decisions? Test your existing knowledge about fruits and vegetables!

1. How many calories are there in an average size Banana?

Answer: Anywhere from 100 to 120

2. Which fruit has the most Vitamin C?

Answer: Most would guess that it would be an Orange but it is actually the Guava which contains a whopping two and a half times the amount of Vitamin C per fruit!

3. What fruit has the highest concentration of antioxidants?

Answer: Did you guess the Pomegranate? You were wrong, it is actually a type of berry! Interested in finding out which one and joining us for an adventure that will help you become a better food shopper? Bookmark this page and add it to your favorites list so you can see all of our fun and exciting updates. Starting this week, we will be featuring a series on antioxidants and other key nutrients. We look forward to answering your questions and responding to reader feedback so please take the time to share your thoughts as you explore the blog.