My Brand Recommendations for Extraordinary Foods: Fruits & Veggies

Ok, we're about to wrap up the recommendations for the Extraordinary Foods list! Here's my recommendations for fruits and veggies!

I will give brand recommendations when applicable, but mostly, I recommend purchasing ORGANIC, and as fresh as possible! Hit up your local Farmer's Markets, or better yet, grow your own!

And one note, just because you buy it at a Farmer's Market doesn't mean it's healthy- a fruit or veggie that's been sprayed with pesticides and a slew of other chemicals since its planting isn't healthy just because it's local. Buy organic and local for true toxin free fruits & veggies!

Veggies: Raw fermented veggies (no vinegar) I love, love, love Rejuvenative Foods raw sauerkraut, and their other fermented veggies. Check them out at your local health food store, and if you don't see them, ask to place a special order! (They'll let you order just one jar)
Squash (winter or summer)
Broccoli Artichokes (French, not Jerusalem)
Asparagus
Beets
Cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Cucumbers (So easy to grow your own in season, and wonderful to make homemade pickles! Buy seeds from the old heirloom varieties, not from modern hybrids)
Eggplant
Pumpkins
Garlic
Onions
Leafy Greens (Kale, collard, broocoli rabe, mustard greens)
Salad Greens (radicchio, escarole, endive)
Okra
Lettuce
Spinach
Mushrooms
Peas
Peppers
String Beans
Tomatoes Again, grow your own, grow your own! (When the weather's right!)
Sprouts (Brocooli, sunflower, pea shoots, radish, etc)
Sweet potatoes
Sea vegetables (Kelp, dulse, nori, kombu and hijiki)
White potatoes
Corn

Fruits:
Blueberries
Strawberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Lemons
Limes
Apples
Apricots
Grapes
Melons
Oranges
Pineapples
Bananas Organic bananas are SUCH a great food. Don't buy conventional ones, however, thinking they're "ok" because of the thick skin. Companies use chemicals that are not even approved for use in the U.S., and that is saying something. In particular certain chemicals are sprayed into the plastic bags which cover bananas as they ripen on trees- which then bake in the tropical sun all day long! Check out this website for more info.
Mangoes Papayas Dried Fruits (no sugar or sulfites)
Raisins Make sure they don't have added oils, just plain raisins!
Figs
Dates Our family loves organic medjool dates rolled in coconut as a healthy treat!
Prunes
Peaches
Grapefruit