Tag archive for ‘healthy eating’

  • In Season Now: Lavender, limes and okra

    Lavender is not only a fragrant, drought-resistant addition to the garden, the blooms can also be used in a variety of recipes. Columnist Michelle Beck shares some of her favorite uses for lavender, as well as limes and okra.

  • In Season Now: Figs, eggplants and peppers

    For an assortment of eggplant and fig varieties, beyond the one or two you might find in the grocery store, try the farmers’ market or even your neighbor’s yard! Columnist Michelle Beck offers some unique recipes for this seasonal produce. And, if you’re heading to the Coast, try some of her favorite spots for sustainably-grown foods.

  • In Season Now: Summer squash, loquats and mulberries

    Our fresh produce expert, Michelle Beck, gives us tips on what to do with all that summer squash coming into season now. Plus, ideas for actually eating ornamental fruits such as loquats and mulberries. Time to raid your neighbors’ yards!

  • Inner city LA farmers put down organic roots in Buttonwillow

    Four years after being evicted from their 14-acre community garden in South Central Los Angeles, these city farmers-turned-nonprofit cooperative have opened a new, 85-acre farm in Buttonwillow – and added Kern County to its mission to serve communities with affordable, accessible, organic, pesticide-free produce.

  • In Season Now: Apriums and Memorial Day barbecue ideas

    With Memorial Day weekend ahead, it’s time to think about firing up that barbecue. Here are some ideas for healthy grilling, salads, and fruity desserts. Also, if you’re not into early apricot varieties, try apriums – a cross between apricots and plums – which are in season now.

  • In Season Now: Cherries and berries

    Columnist Michelle Beck delights us with sweet and savory recipes for all those juicy little fruits that are in season now. Early cherries are now available, as well as boysenberries, blackberries, olallieberries and marionberries. It’s a very berry time of year!

  • In Season Now: Avocados, garlic blossoms, blueberry planting

    Columnist Michelle Beck highlights the newest finds at local markets: California-grown avocados and mild-tasting garlic blossoms. Also now is the time to plant blueberries and fennel, and here are some ideas for making your own yogurt and cheese at home.

  • Dispelling myths about diabetes in the Central Valley

    One in 10 adults in California has diabetes, but in the rural communities of the Central Valley, many myths surround the disease. To open the discussion about diabetes on Valley Public Radio’s Quality of Life program, correspondent Shellie Branco visits one support group for Spanish speaking adults with diabetes. Here is her report.

  • In Season Now: Asian greens

    Bok choy, mei qing choy and other Asian greens are delicious sauteed or added to salads. Look for an abundant choice at the Farmer’s Market. Here are some recipe ideas from columnist Michelle Beck.

  • Cafe closure leaves vegan void

    Elaine’s Cafe becomes the second downtown lunch spot to close this month as owner Tracy Thompson makes the difficult decision to end the nearly two-year run of Bakersfield’s only vegan restaurant.