Fresh Facts - Week of November 19, 2006

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, already busy schedules and hurried lives really feel the time-crunch. And one of the first things to go is good nutrition, with meals skipped or packaged foods devoured hurriedly on the run. With a little bit of advance planning, you can keep your blood sugar levels stable and avoid consuming lots of unhealthy junk food as you prepare for the holidays.

Spend an hour or two creating several snack mixes and package them into plastic Baggies, which can be conveniently kept in car glove compartments, school lockers, purses and book bags.

Combine unsalted PEANUTS with dried CRANBERRIES or RAISINS and finely chopped caramel-chocolate candies. Mix pretzel sticks, RAISINS and ALMONDS. Pair shelled PISTACHIO NUTS with dried APRICOTS and CHERRIES. Or create your own granola mix to-go, rich with ALMONDS, PECANS, MACADEMIA NUTS, DATES and RAISINS.

There is a bounty of delicious TREEFRUIT this fall, all easily transportable in pocket or purse, nutritionally dense and high in fiber. RED or YELLOW DELICIOUS APPLES, BOSC PEARS, BARLETT PEARS, D’ANJOU PEARS, GALA APPLES or super sweet HONEYCRISP APPLES are all excellent choices.

MEDJOOL DATES are Nature’s very own candy bar. Remove the pits and fill with peanut butter. Or slather pitted DATES with crunchy peanut butter, then roll in shredded COCONUT for a tasty take-with snack.

Whole CITRUS FRUIT make a great energizer while on the road between holiday errands. NAVEL ORANGES are super easy to peel and rich in Vitamin C and fiber.

And don’t forget that favorite produce department staple, the BANANA. Easy to carry in its own peel-away pouch, BANANAS are a great source of potassium to keep your energy level high during this hectic season of holiday preparations.

New crop seedless NAVEL ORANGES are among this week’s best values. Great for out-of-hand snacking, or combine with CRANBERRIES and WALNUTS to make delicious chutney or relish. Other good CITRUS FRUIT values now include LIMES and seedless CLEMENTINE TANGERINES, great for kids because they’re easy to peel and eat. Add TANGERINE segments to SPINACH salad with bacon bits and PECANS.

CRANBERRIES are in peak production at reasonable prices. Remember to buy extra bags now because they freeze beautifully for future use.

PINEAPPLE from Hawaii is an excellent value this week. Grill PINEAPPLE slices and serve with ham or dice PINEAPPLE and stir into rice as a side dish.

RASPBERRIES and STRAWBERRIES are in good supply, although prices have risen to premium levels thanks to strong holiday demand.

HASS AVOCADOS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Add diced pieces to your favorite salsa recipe.

Fresh CHESTNUT price are easing gradually as volume improves. Add CHESTNUTS to poultry stuffing or roast and enjoy hot right from the shell.

POMEGRANATES are in steady supply at moderate prices. The juice is perfect for sauces and salad dressing; enjoy the jewel-like edible seeds in desserts or salads.

This is the season for LADY APPLES, with delicate colors that make this FRUIT a nice decoration for buffet tables.

RED GLOBE GRAPES and RED SEEDLESS GRAPES are both in steady supply at moderate prices.

TOMATO quality is good, with prices in the moderate range.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is among the most economical VEGETABLE values this week and leads the list of good salad choices, along with GREEN CABBAGE, ROMAINE and LEAF LETTUCES. Salad toppings in steady supply include RADISHES, JICAMA, GREEN ONIONS, CARROTS, CELERY and ENOKI MUSHROOMS.

ASPARAGUS is a holiday favorite, although prices are near premium levels thanks to high demand. Enjoy it combined with tuna and feta cheese as a salad course.

Ready to eat roasted ELEPHANT GARLIC is the latest offering from Frieda’s. Perfect as a cracker spread, to create quick party appetizer on toast with goat cheese, or combined with POTATOES and BELL PEPPERS as a salad offering.

RED and WHITE ROSE POTATOES are an excellent value this week. Try them steamed and served with browned butter and BASIL or ROSEMARY.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS are in peak supply, with prices easing. Cut in half, steam and serve with sliced MUSHROOMS or slivered ALMONDS. BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER continue to be in plentiful supply and both are an economical side dish choice. Or cook, puree and blend with seasonings, light cream and chicken stock to create soup.

Quality is excellent on SWEET WHITE CORN; enjoy it steamed or grilled.

EGGPLANT is in plentiful supply. Roast, puree and blend with minced GARLIC and ONIONS for a delicious cracker spread.

GARNET YAMS are a good source of Vitamin B. Peel, slice and bake in a casserole topped with miniature marshmallows and diced PECANS.

FLORAL THIS WEEK:

There are plenty of good values in cut arrangements showcasing SUNFLOWERS, MUMS, LILIES, DAISIES and POM PONS. POINSETTIAS and MINIATURE ROSES are among the best values in blooming potted plants.

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