Eating a healthy, natural diet in the summertime is an easy choice, because there are so many delicious and colorful fruits and vegetables in their peak this season. The warmth of the sun brings produce to life with fruits that are bursting with juiciness and vegetables that are so sweet they don’t need any seasoning. To shop intelligently for your cleansing raw diet this summer, pick up these fresh choices from your local farmer’s market or grocery co-op.
Peaches
Plump and juicy peaches are the perfect afternoon snack for summer, and they are typically available in all parts of the country. These amazingly sweet fruits pack in 10 different vitamins—including vitamins A, C, E, and K. Surprisingly, white peach varieties tend to be more nutrient-dense than their yellow counterparts, so try these when you have a craving for something sweet.
Tomatoes
The rainbow of heirloom tomato varieties available in the summertime may inspire you to create a wide range of dishes from raw pizzas to soups and salsas. Throughout the summer, these fruits come in a huge selection of colors, textures, and sweetness with every variety boasting high doses of lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin C.
Zucchini
Zucchini is a great selection to grow in your own garden, because it is easy to grow and offers a plentiful harvest throughout the season. With plenty of fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C, zucchini is a great choice for the centerpiece of your meals or served dressed in fresh herbs for a mouthwatering side dish and oh so good raw.
Blueberries
A top source for cleansing antioxidants, blueberries are an iconic fruit for the summer harvest. In the summer months, blueberries are perfectly sweet with only a slight hint of tartness, and they can be used in a plethora of ways. Still, eating blueberries by the handful may be one of the best ways to savor them.
Basil
Fresh herbs can liven up your meals without the addition of salt and excess fat, and basil has the bright herbal aroma you will be craving all summer. You can easily grow basil at home and enjoy some surprising nutritional benefits, such as a high concentration of vitamin K to promote bone health and blood clotting.
Are you ready to make a transition in your lifestyle with positive changes for your body, mind and spirit? Optimum Health Institute’s unique three-week holistic healing program can provide you with the tools you need to change your life and bring all aspects into balance through ancient spiritual disciplines. You can learn more about our program to cleanse the body, quiet the mind and awaken the spirit online at www.optimumhealth.org or at (800) 993-4325