Okra is a member of the mallow family, which places it in the same family as cacao, hibiscus, and cotton. It’s a flowering plant, native to West Africa. Traditional belief is that it made its way to the Americas coincidentally through the slave trade.

It is a good source of fiber (3.2 g./c. raw), vitamin A, vitamins B6 and B9 (folic acid – 88 mcg./c.), vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. See vitamin notes at end of article.

Okra is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it beneficial in controlling blood sugar, increasing regularity while preventing hemorrhoids and constipation, and assisting with weight loss, while lowering the cholesterol absorption.

For some strange reason it seems that many non-vegans believe that a diet including meat is the only way to get all the nutrients you need. Well for me that is neither her nor there because I know differently and you what “to each his own”.

Here is a quick lesson on amino acids.

Amino Acids are the building block of protein. They can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and other vegan friendly foods. There area about 20 different amino acids, eight of which must be present in the human diet. These eight are the essential acids.

This is the best time of year for fruit lovers. There is more fruit in season than ever before.

Melon, berries, grapes, apples, oranges, exotic fruit, and more. All of these fruits are waiting for you to grab a basket full, take them home and enjoy. Even better is the fact that you can introduce your children who may be junk food junkies to the beauty of fruit unleashed.

Grab an apple chop it, add some strawberries, mangoes, and grapes. Have a fruit salad sprinkled with honey and granola.

Yum!!!

There is hardley a soup, stew, or mixed vegetable dish that does not have the addition of a pretty bright carrot. A simple root vegetable, this orange beauty offers nutrition to help the eye see clear and so much more.

We have all heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but many of us have not taken the time to find out why. Granted that eating on apple a day will not necessarily keep the doctor away, but it sure does help.