Today's tips start with a suggestion to nibble on fiber-rich red fruits and vegetables that are gifts from Mother Nature, 'cause they're not only colorful but they're heart-healthy, too:
- When cherries are in season, grab them up along with other red fruit that packs antioxidants, like cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. Canned cherries are also great! My Polka Dot Pie is loaded with 'em.
- Juicy watermelon and vine-ripened tomatoes are rich in powerful disease-fighting lycopene and antioxidants, and make a perfect partner for our favorite grilled foods, as with this Watermelon Salsa.
- Carrots and Bright Lights (a colorful and sweeter Swiss chard) are packed with good-for-us beta carotene. But they're not the only vegetables on the block that pack in the beta carotene. Red peppers also boast that beneficial antioxidant which has been said to improve our eyes. Raw, roasted or grilled, their mild zest adds excitement to our dishes.
- Here's something to toast to: red grapes. Or, should I say, grape juice or red wine (in moderation)? Their antioxidant properties and tannins are said to reduce the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol. A tasty way to enjoy those benefits is with my Grape Berry Salsa.
