Spring Has Sprung & New Produce Has Too
Ahh, what a beautiful time to be alive! The first day of Spring is here!
Personally, Spring is my favorite season. (I’ll say this again when Summer & Fall come around…Winter…although I appreciate you for what you are, unfortunately, I can’t say that it’s love).
In Spring life just feels so awake. The birds chirp a little louder expressing what I like to think is gratitude for the return of warmth & the abundance of bugs. Afternoon rain showers leave the pavement smelling crisp & the chill left in the air feels invigorating.
Annnnnnd the produce! My, my! The produce!
Tangy citrus still holding onto its time in the spotlight for a liiiiitle longer, kiwis are eager to show off their vibrant flesh that is hiding behind their not-so-vibrant fuzzy outer layer, & pineapple is just BURSTING at the seams ready to provide us with so many benefits…it is all so beautiful to me.
Food is beautiful to me.
Food rotates with the seasons for us. Did you know that white potatoes are full of vitamin C? Back when modern grocery stores & imports were a thought far from reality, many people became ill will scurvy when winter would roll around due to the lack of fresh fruit & veggies. Especially those who found themselves on boats during long voyages. Potatoes were like the superheroes of winter, swooping in to save the day with their mighty dose of vitamin C, keeping scurvy at bay. These spuds weren't just tasty; they were the ultimate lifesavers.
Love watermelon, tomatoes & cantaloupe? Their peak seasons are around mid to late summer, the time when the sun is the strongest! Is it a coincidence that so many foods rich in Vitamin A are available to us during the summer? Potentially. But I like to think it is because God knows exactly what He is doing…down to the tiniest detail.
Lycopene & Beta-carotene are forms of vitamin A, specifically, forms that in some scientific studies, have been shown to help provide us with some protection against the sun’s UV rays.
I’m not sure if watermelon & tomatoes are our strongest option when it comes to protecting our skin from that big ball of fire in the sky. But I do know that I love eating them & even if they are helping provide just a little protection, I’m here for it!
-J
