ACHS Aromatherapy Bar at the Beaverton Farmer's Market June 25

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our community wellness booth at the Beaverton Farmer's Market last Saturday, June 25! We've posted a few photos from the event for those who were not able to attend in person: Pictured left, ACHS Acting Director of Operations Tracey Miller (right) and volunteer Erin Pech and pictured right, ACHS Director of Marketing Kate Harmon (left) and ACHS Chief Institutional Officer Erika Yigzaw (right).

Did you enjoy our aromatherapy bar and demonstrations? We've posted a link to our demonstration of How to Use an Essential Oil Travel Kit to our YouTube channel, ACHStv, here: http://www.youtube.com/ACHStv#p/u/0/lOGYkuuTZds Stop by ACHStv, rate our video, and subscribe for immediate notification of when new videos are posted.

If you weren't able to make it to the Market this time, we have two more schedule dates this summer. Catch ACHS at the Beaverton Farmer's Market July 30 and August 27.

For a full listing of 2011 ACHS community wellness events and holistic health courses, visit us online at ACHSedu (www.achs.edu)

We always love to hear from you! If you have an idea for a community wellness workshop or ACHStv demonstration, let us know! You can post your suggestions here and to ACHS Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu

Eating Seasonally May Cut Down On Food Miles And Increase Nutrition

Did you know that produce grown in the U.S. can travel 1500-2500 miles on average before it reaches your plate? That's a lot of food miles!

We mention this because diets rich in fruits and vegetables help maintain healthy weight and one way to eat more fruits and veggies is to focus on local seasonal foods. Seasonal foods are fresher, can be purchased locally (reducing transportation time, costs, and environmental factors), may have greater nutritional benefits, and often taste better.

Here's a link to download the National Resources Defense Council PDF Food miles: How far your food travels has serious consequences for your health and the climate

Are you headed to the farmer's market this weekend? Post a pic of your local market!!!!

7 Food Storage Tips to Help Retain Nutrients

Fresh fruits and veggies are packed with phytonutrients (organic components of plants thought to promote human health) and vitamins. But fruits and veggies can quickly lose these valuable nutrients if they are not stored properly. It's the perfect time to take stock of your fruit and veggie larder.

Did you know that in some instances, frozen veggies may actually have more vitamins than fresh veggies that have been sitting on a store shelf for a week or more. How long have your perishables been sitting? Next time you head out for groceries, consider your local farmer's market first. Fruits and veggies at the farmer's market are often harvested and sold the same day.

Here are 7 food storage tips to help retain nutrients in your fruits and veggies:

1. Keep veggies covered and chilled.
2. Don’t soak your veggies.
3. Don’t keep food hot for too long, as vitamin levels will start to fall within a few minutes.
4. Store your fruits and veggies at the bottom of the refrigerator or in a cool, dark cupboard.
5. Store bananas away from other fruits, which will help keep them from ripening too fast.
6. Don't sore bananas in the refrigerator.
7. Refrigerate prepared juices and store them for no more than 2 or 3 days.
   

Do you have food storage tips to share? We'd love to hear from you. Post your best tips as a comment and on the ACHSedu wall here http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu.

Eating for Summer: What's Fresh Now?

It's summer, which means lots of fresh fruits and veggies are in season. Whether you grow your own or go to your local farmer's market every Saturday, it's a great time to eat fresh (and can fresh so that you have yummy fruits and veggies year-round).

Canning and cooking at home are not only great ways to save money, they can also provide great family time and fun activities to share with friends. Plus, you know what you're eating! You can pick all your favorite seasonal items and herbs, and grill them or eat them raw or make delicious salads ... or, or, or however makes you feel healthy and satisfied.

But, how to know what's in season now? The Mother Earth News website has taken the guesswork out of eating for summer. Here's a summary of what's in season by category from their article "Summer Recipes: Fresh, Easy and Healthy":

Herbs: basil, borage, chives, cilantro, dill, garlic, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, summer savory, thyme

Salad Greens: arugula, beet greens, lettuce, mizuna, radish greens, sorrel, spinach, tatsoi

Cooking Greens: bok choy, chrysanthemum greens, collard greens, kale, mustard, turnip greens, Swiss chard

Garden Veggies: artichokes, avocados, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Chinese cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, onions, peas (field, snow and snap), peppers, potatoes, radishes, tomatillos, tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini

Sea Veggies: dulse, Irish moss, various kelps, nori (laver), sea palm, wrack

Fruits: apricots, berries (blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, mulberries, raspberries, strawberries), cherries, figs, grapes, lemons, melons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums

Ephemeral Garden Treats: edible flowers (the blossoms of arugula, basil, calendula, chives, cilantro, lavender, marjoram, nasturtium, oregano, roses, rosemary, sage, thyme and violets), squash blossoms

Wild Edibles: beach peas, burdock, cat brier, lamb’s quarters, purslane, red clover, wild berries, yellow dock

Animal Products: Eggs and milk from animals eating summer’s bright green grasses are highly nutritious. Summer is prime chicken season, and lamb is most tender in early summer.

Fish: bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, trout, walleye

Nuts & Seeds: almonds, sunflower seeds, walnuts

Mushrooms: bearded tooth, bolete, cauliflower, chanterelle, coral fungi, fairy ring, maitake, lobster, matsutake, mousseron, oyster, porcini, puffball, shaggy mane, shiitake, sulfur shelf, wood blewit (Note: Before you go out harvesting mushrooms, get a good field guide and be sure you know what you’re doing. Learn to identify various mushroom species with absolute certainty, so that you won’t pick anything poisonous!)

Are you interested in exchanging recipes? We're collecting healthy, holistic recipes on ACHS Facebook for exchange. Get some new ideas, share some new ideas here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=99091122240&topic=13172