have i told you how much i love the autumn months? i’ think i may have mentioned it in a few of my past posts!

one of the things i love most about this time of year are the incredible varieties of interesting looking and tasting fruits and vegetables.

the other day at my local farmers market, i came across these beautifully colored fuyu persimmons. they were calling my name. i love their shape, their look and their flavor.

i like to buy the fuyu persimmons for recipes in which they’re raw and uncooked. if you are planning on eating them raw be sure they are soft and ripe, otherwise you’ll be feeling quite bitter (your taste buds included!).

i’m a fan of fuyu persimmons, here’s why you should be a fan too

• immune boosting. persimmons are high in nutrients and rich in vitamin C which help protect against colds, flu and other infections.
• fuyu persimmons are very high in fiber so they help improve digestion, the sugar in the raw form helps. relieve constipation. the tannins in the heated form help relieve diarrhea.
• fuyu persimmons contain anti-oxidants and help ward against free radicals which help protect against cancer.
• the anti-oxidants in fuyu persimmons also help slow down the aging process, keeping you looking and feeling younger.
• helps with blood pressure and blood clotting.
• natural anti-inflammatory
• high amounts of potassium and calcium in fuyu persimmon relieves the problem of water retention in the body, therefore it’s an ideal natural diuretic remedy.
• natural detoxifier
• energy boosting. its juice is helpful in lowering tension and warding off stress and  fatigue.

after i picked up these beautiful persimmons, i saw this stunning pomegranate across the way. i could tell the persimmons and pomegranate were drawn to each other and who am i to keep these scrumptious fruits apart?

pomegranates have got it going on…really. they have a look, flavor, color and texture like none other. they just stick out in a crowd and rock their individuality. wouldn’t it be nice if we all embraced our uniqueness, stopped trying to be like everyone else, stopped needing everyones approval? people are just so much more interesting when they’re genuinely themselves.

i’m mad about pomegranates. here’s why you should be mad about them too

• the pomegranate is known as a super food, its jewel-like seeds (arils) have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
• packed with powerful antioxidants and vitamins
• helps relieve stomach upsets
• relieves menopausal hot flashes
• relieves hemorrhoids
• relives conjunctivitis
• prevents osteoarthritis
• lowers blood pressure
• stimulates the immune system, wards off colds, flu and infections
• reduces inflammation
• reduces risk of heart disease and lowers cholesterol
• protects against heart attack and stroke
• helps combat against prostate cancer and diabetes
• all parts of the pomegranate have health benefits! the peel is good for the heart and blood vessels; the white membrane is good for stopping diarrhea and good for wounds and ulcers of the mouth and throat. the fruit strengthens the brain and cleanses the body and blood from toxins.

i love superheroes. i watch every superhero movie that comes out. there should be a movie about the superhero pomegranate. i mean really…the list of health benefits is incredible. i’m working on creative superhero names for it as we speak. any suggestions?

when i brought these persimmons and this pomegranate home, i could tell they were meant to be. the persimmon with its sweet, unique flavor and the pomegranate with its vibrant color and crunchy texture. a love affair in the making! you know like in the superhero movies where the superhero falls in love with a non-superhero and they know they are meant to be but its just so hard carrying on a relationship with a superhero who is always saving the world so they decide to just be friends but can never truly let go of that connection and love they have for one another. that’s the story of the pomegranate and the persimmon. i digress…

i like to try new recipes using what i have in my refrigerator and cupboards so i threw this little salad together with some of the things i had laying around.

persimmon, pomegranate and arugala salad with walnuts and feta

here’s how the recipe goes

1 organic fuyu persimmon

1 organic pomegranate

1/4 cup walnut peices

1/4 cup feta

organic spring mix with arugala

slice top off of a ripe fuyu persimmon. cut into slices. some recipes call for you to peel the persimmon but it’s not necessary for this recipe.

slice the pomegranate in half

use a butter knife to dig the pomegranate seeds out of the pomegranate

add fuyu persimmon slices and pomegranate seeds to spring and arugala mix.

top with walnut pieces (you can see the benefits of walnuts here)

sprinkle with feta. add balsamic vinegar dressing and there it is!

persimmons and pomegranates make a platonic pair no doubt!

eat. enjoy. don’t be afraid to try something new. variety is the spice of life. stand tall in who you are. be you. be soft and sweet or crunchy and vibrant. whoever you are is who you were meant to be. love yourself. let others love you. love good food and it will love you back. love yourself and others will love you back.

much love Shawnee