Beautiful Beets!

Now is the perfect time to go out and buy some beets. Although they are available year round their season is June through October. They are known for their vibrant magenta color and can also be found in golden yellows, oranges and rainbow colors. The attractive coloring of beets signals to us that they are high in antioxidants.

Beets benefits us by...

Lowering blood pressure
Preventing birth defects
Detoxifying the liver
Colon/stomach cancer prevention
Preventing Osteoporosis

Not only are the beets themselves highly beneficial to our health, but so are the green leaves that are attached to the beetroot. Enjoy your beets raw, cooked, steamed or juiced.

Beet salad

Ingredients:

* 4-5 large beets
* water for boiling
* 1 orange, peeled and cut into segments
* 2 apples, sliced
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tbsp raspberry or red wine vinegar
* dash salt
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 2 bunches spinach or other salad greens
* 3 tbsp walnuts or any other seeds/nuts (optional)
* sweetener if desired (maple syrup, sugar)

Preparation:

Steam beets until tender. Remove beets from steam and cut into thin slices once they have cooled down.

Place the beets, oranges and apples in a large bowl.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sweetener if desired, salt and garlic. Pour this dressing over the beets and fruit, tossing to coat.

Serve the beets and fruit over spinach or greens and top with walnuts if desired.