One of the best ways to stay healthy in any season is to incorporate fresh produce into your daily diet. Help your family eat healthier this fall by picking up some of fall’s best produce options. Use the resource link on our site to locate farmer’s markets or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s) in your area.  http://momshealthzone.com/resources/ or check for local produce at your grocery store for these fresh fall fruits and vegetables.

The Best Fall Fruits

Apples: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This is probably because apples are high in vitamin C and fiber, and are packed with antioxidants, which may help prevent chronic illness and slow aging. Apples come in a wonderful variety of flavors, textures and sizes, so this fall fruit is a great quick treat for anyone on-the-go. One of our favorites is the Honey Crisp; check it out!

Cranberries: A fall fruit most commonly found dried, juiced or canned, cranberries have a number of health benefits no matter how they are consumed. Fresh cranberries are at their best October through November. According to Kelly Fitzpatrick, “Research suggests cranberry concentrate can help prevent urinary tract infections and fresh cranberries can prevent oral diseases and slow the growth of breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancers.” We just found a delicious recipe using yams and we substituted dried cranberries for the golden raisins and it was absolutely delicious! We didn’t toast the pistachios either so the green color adds to a beautiful presentation. We eat first with our eyes so putting attention on presentation adds to the enjoyment factor at mealtime. http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/10/roasted-yams-with-citrus-sauce?printable=true

Pears: These sweet fall fruits hail from either Europe or Asia, although the European varieties like Bosc and Bartlett are most common in the U.S. and grow on the west coast during fall. “Pears are high in soluble fiber, which helps lower ‘bad’ cholesterol, or LDL. To get that daily dose of fiber or to satisfy a sweet tooth, incorporate pears into anything from savory entrees to creative cocktail recipes,” says Fitzpatrick.

The Best Fall Vegetables

Beets: While beets may be available year-round, they are at their best in the fall. Look for firm, smooth bulbs and bright, crisp greens. Be sure to trim these right away though, since the green, leafy part can leech the beets’ nutrients including betaine, a compound that may help prevent heart and liver disease, and nitrate, which may increase blood flow to the brain and potentially reduce risk of dementia.

Brussels Sprouts & Cabbage: Both of these fall vegetables are packed with vitamins C and A. They’re also packed with a high concentration of cancer-fighting glucosinolates.

Pumpkin: Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating anymore. Their sweet flesh makes a wonderful soup and is also good in risotto. The pumpkin flesh is also high in vitamins A and C in addition to folate. Pumpkin also offers a wealth of alpha- and beta-carotene, which can be converted into retinol to promote healthy vision and cell growth.

At Moms Health Zone we’re dedicated to helping you keep you and your family healthy. Check out our other blog posts to see what we’re all about.

“Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa

Not only can smiling improve the lives of the people around you, it can also improve your life. Smiling is an incredibly easy way to make your life happier and healthier. At Moms Health Zone, we want you to be happy and healthy. We’ve put together this list of 5 health benefits of smiling.

1. Smiling lowers blood pressure

Take your blood pressure when you’re not smiling, then take it again with a smile on your face. The proof is in the pudding. You will notice your blood pressure is lower when you’re smiling, possibly because of the reduced stress. Read more →

Think you don’t have time to workout? Recent studies show that working out for less than 30 minutes can produce the same effects as working out for an hour, and it may be better for your body. These workout routines will help you get fit in just 15 minutes a day.

The Real Simple 15 Minute Workout – This workout routine uses a fitness ball to increase its impact. Just start with the Dynamic Push-Up; then roll into The Frog, ending in position for another dynamic push-up. Go slowly enough to maintain control. Do 15 repetitions. Then go into the Supported Side Crunch, 15 reps on each side, followed by the Rolling Reverse Plank, 15 reps. Repeat this four-move sequence two more times. Read more →