Smart Nutrition Notes – August 2016

Toma-Whatties?
What are they and why are they good for you?

Dear Friends,

In northern New England you can already tell that the days are getting shorter. The energy is shifting as kids get ready for back to school and adults begin to feel that the lazy, hazy days of summer are coming to an end.

But in reality, summer doesn’t end for another 4 weeks. Let’s make the best of it. I want to wring every light infused moment out of as many days as I can for the next several weeks. I’ll bet you do too!

Being true to that spirit, I want to be outside in nature. So I am taking a vacation from the August newsletter article. I hope you do something fun like that too.

Instead of spending time on the computer I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite seasonal August recipes instead. Because this is such an amazingly productive time for fruit and veggie harvests, you will find some great recipes in this month’s issue. I love the Eggplant Stacks because they are super easy to make and you can make them on the grill which is always great for a summer night when you don’t want to turn on the oven or spend a lot of time cleaning up.

tomatillos-rI had to share some tomatillos recipes because our garden is exploding with the fruit right now. Tomatillos, also known as the Mexican husk tomato are a key ingredient in Mexican and central American green sauces or “salsa verde.” A great source of fiber, tomatillos are often mistaken for green tomatoes. I love them in Guacamole because they add flavor and depth as well as make the dish lower in calories and more nutritious. They have a very distinct tang and sweetness that adds interest to dishes. And, they’re healthy, too.* Be sure to try the Shrimp and Tomatillos recipe.

Peach and Mango Salsa is tasty with either grilled fish or pork tenderloin. It’s an easy recipe to make and gives you a great way to use the second mango in those 2 for $5 sales!

This is a great time of year for fresh green beans and our garden is prolific. Green Beans Gremolata is a great recipe. One of the ways that I add big flavor to food without a lot of calories is by using the zest of citrus fruits. This recipe is a great example.

Enjoy! I hope you have a happy and healthy end to your summer.

Warmly,

Ruth