Holy Guacamole! That's a Lot of Produce for $15

It's no surprise that a good chunk of my whole foods diet comes from fresh fruits and vegetables. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out Bountiful Baskets opened a pick-up site in my neighborhood. I think I signed up within 30 seconds of the announcement.

What's this fresh produce program all about?
If you haven't heard about Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op (BBFC), they're a volunteer-run, grassroots organization working to get fresh healthy food to you! The program offers whole fruits, vegetables, artisans breads, organic produce and other surprise goodies for a modest contribution. Conventional baskets are $15, while an organic option is $25.

Want to learn more? Check out the BBFC website for more details and to learn how to sign up.

What's in the basket?
Here's the good part. Take a peek below at what I received in my first basket. Mind you, the cost was just $15 for all of this fresh goodness. (Plus a $3 first timer basket fee and $5.50 shipping fee to cover fuel expenses.)

• 7 bananas
• 6 oz. blueberries
• 1 lb. of strawberries
• 8 nectarines
• 1 bunch of celery
• 5 limes
• 10 green apples
• 7 Roma tomatoes
• 3 red bell peppers
• 8 red potatoes
• 4 long green peppers - Poblano peppers?
• 2 spaghetti squashes

I'm estimating this amount of fresh vegetables and fruits would have cost at least $40 if purchased at the grocery store. But by participating in a co-op, I'm able to get rock bottom prices on healthy food. Nice!

Have you ever participated in Bountiful Baskets or a similar food co-op program? Tell me about your experiences in the comments below.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

5 Minute Spring in Winter Salad

Spring-in-Winter Salad. Photo: Angela Tague

I can't wait for the snow to melt so I can start digging around in the garden. So, lately I've been bulking up on fresh, raw produce to soothe my "I wish it were spring" cravings.

One of my favorite salad bases to experiment with is cabbage. Well, actually those bags of pre-cut cabbage slaw. They usually contain shredded red or green cabbage and shaved carrots. As a bonus, these are usually quite inexpensive during the winter in my neck of the woods.

Yesterday I whipped up a zesty salad that instantly made me think of warmer weather. Try this 5-minute cabbage salad as a side dish with dinner tonight!

Spring-in-Winter Salad

• 1/2 bag of cabbage-based cole slaw mix
• 1 big apple
• 2 limes
• 1 cup salted almonds

  

  Photo: Angela Tague

1. Pour approximately 1/2 of the bag of cabbage-based cole slaw mix into a large mixing bowl.
2. Wash the apple and limes. I like to use a bright red apple such as Fuji, Braeburn or Jazz. Chop the apple into bite-size cubes. Place them on top of the cabbage mix. 
3. Slice the two limes in half and squeeze the fresh juice over the apples. This helps prevent browning and adds the zesty spring flavor to this salad.
4. Use a small food chopper or food processor to chop the salted almonds. Then, sprinkle them on top of the apples. Use a pair of tongs to toss and mix the salad. That's it!

If you're making this salad for a holiday celebration, try using two small apples: one red and one green. You can also add dried cranberries or raisins to this salad for an extra touch of sweetness.

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: Visit me on Twitter to read more articles about health and nutrition!

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How to Make Zest

Citrus fruits! Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Want to add a burst of natural flavor and color to your cooking? Add zest! Lemons, limes, oranges and any other citrus fruits can be used to make zest.

How to Make Zest

1. Thoroughly wash a whole citrus fruit.
2. Use a peeler or pairing knife to trim slender, thin slices of the fruit peel. Be careful not to get the white underside of the peel known as pith. It has a bitter flavor.
3. Chop the peelings into tiny slivers (I believe chefs call this julienne) or small pieces.
4. Or, use the fine grating on a cheese grater to shave zest from the fruit peel. Hold the whole fruit against the grater and gently shave off the skin.
5. That's it! The zest is ready to use. If you have extra, store it in an airtight container and use it within a day or two before it dries out. 
   

Add Zest to Your Meal

Here are a few ways I like to add the fresh flavor of citrus zest to food.

• Sprinkle lime zest on a bowl of cranberry sauce at the holidays.
• Add lemon or orange zest to a sugar cookie recipe for a springy, refreshing flavor.
• Dust the tops of pancakes with powdered sugar and orange zest.
• Whisk citrus zest into homemade vinaigrette salad dressing.
• Garnish a chocolate cake or cupcakes with slivers of orange zest.

How do you enjoy your zest? Please comment below!

Until Next Time,
Choose Healthy!

Angela Tague
Whole Foods Living

PS: This may be the last day of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, but don't forget to drop by on occasion and see what I've got cookin'! Or, follow me on Twitter and Facebook and I'll let you know what I've been up to! :)

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