FRESH FACTS

WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2008

The human body is an amazing machine and once you discover Don Tolman’s exciting and comprehensive new 2-volume book, “Farmacist Desk Reference: The Encyclopedia of Whole Food Medicine” (www.thefdr.com) , you’ll gain invaluable information about making the best usage of your food purchasing dollar.

Tolman is adamant about the fact that if you want radiant health and energy, “you get it from whole foods, not from a bottle. Whole foods are the best way to get nutrient density (the amount of nutrition the food contains compared to the number of calories.).”

“FDR: The Encyclopedia of Whole Food Medicine” opens the reader’s eyes to the never-ending ways that FRUIT, VEGETABLE, NUT and HERB consumption benefit the body mentally as well as physically.

An APPLE a day not only prevents constipation, thanks to its high fiber content, it can also help prevent stroke and heart disease. For the opposite digestive problem, diarrhea, BANANAS are a fast acting remedy thanks to their potassium and Vitamin B content.

Want eagle-sharp vision? Chow down on those raw CARROTS, which can also help strengthen teeth and gums. Eating PAPAYA regularly also helps prevent macular degeneration.

Feeling weak and lunchtime is still an hour away? NUTS help to regulate your blood sugar level.

To lessen the occurrence of colds year-round, ORANGE and GRAPEFRUIT consumption is just the ticket. GARLIC serves as an over-all booster of the body’s immune system, but keep some fresh PARSLEY handy. It’s a natural breathe freshener that also helps strengthen bones. PINEAPPLE juice serves as a natural cough syrup and also helps to loosen cold mucus.

RADISHES are a smart pick to top your luncheon salad – they help cleanse the blood system of plaque. ENDIVE helps strengthen bones.

If smog and air pollution are giving you a sinus headache, reach for some CHILI PEPPERS, GARLIC, GINGER or HORSERADISH for quick relief.

PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS has been successfully used to treat adult-onset diabetes, and LEMON juice is an excellent detoxifying agent for the liver when too much fatty foods or alcohol have been consumed.

Don’t forget to add some ALFALFA SPROUTS to your sandwich to lower cholesterol levels, but if you are getting forgetful, DRIED PLUMS (PRUNES) boost the memory.

This Week in FRUITS

California STRAWBERRIES are in peak production, with prices decreasing. Delicious sliced over vanilla ice cream, blended into yogurt smoothies or as a topping onto breakfast waffles with whipped cream.

NAVEL ORANGES from California orchards have decreased in price thanks to plentiful volume. Other good CITRUS FRUIT values now include KEY LIMES, RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT and MINNEOLA TANGELOS.

KIWIFRUIT is in steady supply at economical prices. Serve sliced atop a bed of baked meringue with BERRIES, PINEAPPLE and whipped cream for a classic Pavlova dessert.

Edible FLOWERS like PANSIES and ROSES, make great plate garnish for spring dishes. Brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle with superfine sugar and let dry.

RHUBARB is in good supply through summer but must be cooked first to enjoy. Pair with STRAWBERRIES in pie or cook with STONEFRUIT such as PEACHES and PLUMS and serve warm as FRUIT compote to accompany pork chops or spare ribs.

Both CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW MELON volume continues to increase as prices ease. Serve a slice for breakfast or enjoy with a scoop of frozen yogurt for dessert.

D’ANJOU and BARTLETT PEARS continue to be in steady supply at moderate prices.

Sweet-tart FUJI and BRAEBURN APPLES from the Pacific Northwest are among the best values in the APPLE cart this week.

Large sizes of MANGOS are the best value. Serve slices or cubes drizzled with COCONUT cream or sprinkled with toasted COCONUT.

As Chile’s summer FRUI T season winds down, good values continue on RED FLAME SEEDLESS GRAPES.

PINEAPPLE from Hawaii is decreasing in price thanks to plentiful supply. Serve ham or breakfast sausage with grilled PINEAPPLE rings as a brunch offering.

ROMA TOMATOES are holding steady at moderate prices. Add chopped TOMATOES to scrambled eggs, your favorite guacamole recipe or add a thick slice to grilled cheese sandwiches.

SEEDLESS WATERMELON continues to be an excellent value, a great low-calorie snack that’s perfect for any day part.

This Week in VEGETABLES

CUCUMBERS are one of the most economical VEGETABLE choices this week, very low in calories but high in versatility. Use in salads, sandwiches or slice thinly, dry from excess moisture and blend with minced SHALLOTS and sour cream for a tasty side dish.

ASPARAGUS continues to be in good supply at moderate prices. Enjoy it steamed or roasted, then dressed with a LEMON sauce and garnished with SESAME SEEDS.

FENNEL is a good companion for ASPARAGUS in salads, dressed with mustard vinaigrette and accented with feta or goat cheeses.

Both CAULIFLOWER and BROCCOLI are excellent side dish choices, in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices.

SUGAR SNAP PEAS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Serve stuffed with shrimp or crabmeat salad as an appetizer course or steam with MUSHROOMS as a side dish.

ROMAINE LETTUCE leads the list of reasonably priced salad offerings this week, including ICEBERG LETTUCE, RED and GREEN LEAF LETTUCES, GREEN CABBAGE and SPINACH.

Salad toppings in plentiful supply include SPROUTS, JICAMA, CARROTS, CELERY, RADISHES and GREEN ONIONS.

GREEN BEANS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Coat with rice flour and try them flash fried.

RUSSET POTATO prices are decreasing. With skin-on, cut into slices and oven-roast, then serve seasoned with black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese and minced GARLIC.

YELLOW SQUASH, BROWN ONIONS, SWEET RED and GREEN BELL PEPPERS are among the ingredients in plentiful supply to create VEGGIE kabobs.

ZUCCHINI SQUASH is plentiful at economical prices. Try it battered and fried, stuffed and baked or sliced and sautéed with ONIONS, MUSHROOMS and GARLIC.

This Week in FLORAL

LILIES, TULIPS, DAISIES, CARNATIONS, TUBEROSES and DAFFODILS are among the many spring blooms making beautiful cut arrangements. In blooming potted plants, look for good values on MINIATURE ROSES, VIOLETS, TULIPS and ORCHIDS.