All kinds of beautiful and colorful freshly harvested produce can be
found at your local farmer’s market right now.
If you’ve not visited a farmer’s market it is really worth the trip. You can take a leisurely walk through the market and let your eyes feast on tables groaning with the local farmers’ bumper crops. There are baskets and boxes of all sizes holding among other things, different varieties and colors of potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, striped and speckled squash, corn, zucchini, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
If you don’t make it to the farmer’s market all these delicious vegetables can be found at the grocery store as well and probably on sale too! Look for Michigan home-grown produce. Not only do you get produce as fresh as it can get, but you can help support the local farmers as well.
For a warm cozy fall meal, try roasting some root vegetables in the oven. In general, the root vegetable family includes, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes, anything that has to be pulled up or dug up from the ground. The great thing about roasting vegetables is that you can put just about any combination together.
If you buy organic there’s no need to peel them because they have been grown without the use of pesticides and you can take advantage of the nutrition in the peel. Whether you peel or don’t peel, make sure to scrub them under running water. With a clean, lint-free towel, dry them gently and start chopping!
Below is a basic recipe for roasted vegetables. A rule of thumb is to choose vegetables of similar texture to ensure they cook in the same amount of time. For example carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and squash make good neighbors in a roasting pan. These fall vegetables can help get your body ready for winter because of their nutritional value.
The combination in the recipe below includes good sources of vitamin
C, potassium, fiber, and folate.
• Vitamin C helps boost your immune system.
• Fiber is good for moving waste through your intestines.
• Potassium is helpful for normal heart, digestive and muscular
function.
• Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new
cells. If you’re thinking of getting pregnant or just found out
that you are, it is especially important for the growth and
development of the baby.
Recipe for Roasted Vegetables
3 carrots cut into 1-inch chunks
4 small potatoes cut into 1-inch chunks (mix and match multi-colored
potatoes for fun)
2 parsnips cut into 1-inch chunks
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeds scooped out and cut into 1-
inch chunks
1 coarsely chopped yellow onion
About a ? cup extra virgin olive oil or your favorite cooking oil
1 tablespoon dried basil, oregano, or thyme or a combination
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Combine all the vegetables and herbs in a roasting pan.
3. Drizzle about half of the olive oil over the vegetables and toss
to coat well. They should look shiny if not, add a bit more oil and
toss again.
4. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.
5. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. If a fork or knife cuts them
easily they are done.
About Lola:
Lola Kern has dedicated her life to helping others re-empower and heal their relationship with food as she did for herself in the last several years. She developed her own weight loss plan that included nutritious recipes and a fitness program. She lost 85 lbs. during the course of two years and has successfully maintained a healthy weight since.
Lola is a certified Internal Energy Plus™ consultant and has also earned her first level black belt in the Chinese martial art system of Kang-Nei-Chin Gung-Fu. As a certified IEP™ Consultant, Lola focuses on helping others overcome their food and body image challenges and subsequently re-empower and heal their relationship with food. To contact Lola directly call 1-866-758-7496, ext. 707 or log onto www.internalenergyplus.com You can also check out her blog at lolakern.blogspot.com
