Avoid Seasonal Sickness with Tasty Produce from Farmview

The fabulous weather of late, has us flocking outdoors, but watch out. The mild winter and early warmer temps have caused everything to bloom early, which means pollen is here! But pollen isn’t all bad – it means fresh spring produce and a natural way to boost your immune system and avoid seasonal sickness. Farmview Market recently received the latest spring crop from our local farmers, and we’ll be adding more each month. All of these fruits and vegetables are great additions to your diet especially if you want to ward off any seasonal sickness. Better yet, you can find them all at Farmview Market! Check out our top 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. 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 a 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 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.