Month-Month List of Fruits and Vegetables That Are In Season

As we near the end of March and National Nutrition Month®, here is a list of foods by month that are "in season."  Following this list will give you a good idea of what the freshest fruits and vegetables are and also save you some money. 

January	Broccoli Cabbage Cauliflower Grapefruit Leeks Lemons Oranges Papaya Tangelos Tangerines
February	Broccoli Cauliflower Grapefruit Lemons Oranges Papayas Tangelos
March	Broccoli Lettuce Mangoes Pineapple
April	Artichoke Asparagus Broccoli Lettuce Mangoes Pineapple Rhubarb Spring peas Zucchini
May	Apricot Artichoke Asparagus Broccoli Cherries Lettuce Okra Pineapple Rhubarb Spring peas Zucchini
June	Apricots Blueberries Cantaloupe Cherries Corn Lettuce Peaches Strawberries Watermelon
July	Apricots Blueberries Cantaloupe Corn Cucumbers Green beans Kiwi Lettuce Peaches Plums Raspberries Strawberries Summer squash Tomatoes Watermelon
August	Apricots Blueberries Cantaloupe Corn Cucumbers Eggplant Green beans Kiwi Lettuce Peaches Plums Raspberries Strawberries Summer squash Tomatoes Watermelon
September	Apples Eggplants Grapes Lettuce Persimmon Pomegranate Pumpkins Spinach Tomatoes
October	Apples Broccoli Cranberries Grapes Lettuce Pomegranate Pumpkins Spinach Sweet potatoes Winter squash
November	Apples Broccoli Cranberries Mushrooms Oranges Pears Persimmon Pomegranate Pumpkins Spinach Sweet potatoes Tangerines Winter squash
December	Broccoli Cauliflower Cranberries Grape fruit Mushrooms Oranges Papayas Pears Pomegranate Sweet potatoes Tangelos Tangerines

Source: ~www.thisfoodthing.com

Stay Mentally Active

Mental decline as you age appears to be largely due to altered connections among brain cells. But research has found that keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells and connections. You could even generate new brain cells.

Low levels of education have been found to be related to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s later in life. This may be due to a lower level of life-long mental stimulation. Put another way, higher levels of education appear to be somewhat protective against Alzheimer’s, possibly because brain cells and their connections are stronger. Well-educated individuals can still get Alzheimer’s, but symptoms may appear later because of this protective effect.

You don’t have to turn your life upside down, or make extreme changes to achieve many of these benefits. Start with something small, like a daily walk. After a while, add another small change.

Keep your brain active every day:

• Stay curious and involved — commit to lifelong learning
• Read, write, work crossword or other puzzles
• Attend lectures and plays
• Enroll in courses at your local adult education center, community college or other community group
• Play games
• Garden
• Try memory exercises

~Source: Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org)