Pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots are all on the Super Food list, and for good reasons.  Without overdoing it this week, suffice it to say that these orange veggies are great foods to include in your diet.  If you’re like most American families, mine included, carrots are ubiquitous in your meals, but pumpkin and sweet potato are rare occasion foods.  Let’s make it a goal this week/month to find new recipes for pumpkin and sweet potato – don’t worry, I’ll help you out!

For those who are interested, here are the main nutrients in all three orange vegs:

• TONS of Vitamin A
• Vitamin C, anti-inflammatory (sweet potatoes)
• Super antioxidants (cancer fighters and system healers)
• Good source of fiber
• Carotenes (the orange thing)
• Antioxidant
• Fights heart disease
• Fights cancer
• Increases absorption of Vitamin A, especially when paired with fat
• Helps eye health
• Boosts immune system

Eat orange vegetables with an amount of fat (butter, olive oil, salad dressing, etc) in order to make the best use of the Vitamin A.

Dirty Dozen Notes

Carrots, of course, are on the Dirty Dozen Produce List.  They are my favorite from the list, because they are about the only one that you can buy for the same price as conventional carrots.  If you have organic carrots, no need to peel them.  The skin holds a good amount of nutrients, so just scrub well and enjoy.  (Conventional carrots should be peeled, even if this doesn’t impact the dirty dozen pesticide thing!)

Wish you had more to read?

• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes
• Pumpkin and here

This week you can look forward to:

• Katie’s Cabbage Soup with Secret Super Food (which orange veg will it be?)
• Easiest, Moistest Pumpkin Muffins ever!