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5 Fresh Foods That Ward Off Seasonal Illnesses

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With the weather in flux and the pollen inches thick, a rash of colds has us running for the medicine cabinet. If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your immune system, why not try adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet?

The weather change and onset of spring means fresh produce! Farmview Market recently received the latest spring crop from our local farmers. All of these fruits and vegetables are great additions to a healthy diet. And if you would like to try an all-natural cold remedy, here are the top 5 foods that ward off seasonal illnesses. Better yet, you can find them all at Farmview Market!

Check out these five choices below and try our suggestions for adding them into your daily diet.

Red Bell Pepper: Surprise! Red bell peppers have almost three times the vitamin C of an orange. In fact, just half of one pepper will give you your recommended daily dose of the stuff. Plus, bell peppers are amazing raw or cooked! Try dipping pepper slices in hummus for an afternoon snack or toss it in a stir-fry for dinner.

Blueberries:  All berries are good for you, but blueberries pack the most punch. These blue-hued beauties have the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, according to research. The vitamin C in blueberries also blunts the effects of stress by reducing free radicals and bolstering your immune system, which means blueberries will also help alleviate your allergies! Bake an organic blueberry tart or just enjoy them whole.

Pumpkin Seeds:  This tasty snack has zinc, a mineral that jacks up the immune system by inhibiting viral replication. The seeds have also been shown to reduce the duration of cold symptoms. Try them on your yogurt or oatmeal for a little crunch or add them to a healthy trail mix.

Mushrooms: You already know that eating any fruit or vegetable regularly is a good thing for your health, but when it comes to germ defense, mushrooms have an edge. Research suggests that the fungus may have antiviral and antibacterial properties. Any type will do the trick, but if you're still looking to up your intake for immunity-strengthening vitamin D, button mushrooms are a potent source.

Kale: The almighty, green superfood. Kale helps your body with everything from reducing cholesterol, anti-inflammatory responses, and even reducing risks for five types of cancers. Best of all, kale can be added to a variety of recipes. You can add kale to your breakfast smoothie, if you’re craving a sweet treat. And, kale is amazing braised. Research shows that chewing the veggie triggers the release of chemicals, possibly helping your body regulate infection-fighting white blood cells. So, run into Farmview because our organic kale is in stock for spring!

Make sure you check out these foods that ward off seasonal illnesses, and more selections to come as we work our way into late spring and summer! And visit us on April 30th for our Grand Opening Event to shop the varieties of fresh, local produce at the kickoff of our Farmers Market! We hope to see you there.