Rounding out your diet by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is so important because each Fruit and veggie has its own unique health benefits, and incorporating more types gives you the extra health boost you need. Also, eating in season is also a powerful way to eat, too, because you’re getting something that’s grown right then, fresh and ready for the picking! And in the case of pears, something that’s been hand-picked one by one!

I’d love to share a tip that’s been very helpful for me to become more healthy.  I find it’s all about making these healthy choices easier – especially when you’re possibly not thinking about eating so healthy! That’s why I make sure to keep healthy fruits and vegetables on-hand and directly in view. This constantly reminds me to grab something that will benefit my well-being, and having these forefront is especially important for those days when I’m pressed for time. Keeping my fruits that I want to eat in plain sight makes these eating choices much easier. For example, having pears beautifully showcased in a bowl on your kitchen counter top, or in a pretty basket, is pear-fect! Then it’s just as easy to grab a piece of fruit as grabbing something processed from your pantry or fridge. So, keep them out (and make it pretty!) and I assure you this will keep your healthy eating top of mind and will feel like you’re having a luxurious treat for your health.

Right now I’m fueling my health by having pears from my friends at Starr Ranch® Growers on-hand. If you thought of pears as just a holiday food or dessert, think again! Pears are so versatile – they come in so many delicious varieties, with different flavors, ways to use and eat them, and the beautiful colors! Plus, they’re in season NOW – through APRIL! It’s the health benefits that I really appreciate as well – different than many of the other popular fruits. Every sweet bite is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals – like other fruits, of course. However, pears have the extra plus because it has the needed dietary fiber for your gut health. Not all fruits have these specific benefits as pears, so there’s something very important about eating pears.  In fact, 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, so consuming pears can be especially important!

Bottom line, when I eat more farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, I feel more vibrant and energized throughout my day.

DON’T FORGET! It matters where they come from. It just does, and I like to know who’s behind the food I’m buying! That’s why I feel good knowing that pears from Starr Ranch® Growers are grown sustainably with care in beautiful Mt.Hood, Oregon, and in ways that I respect. I had the opportunity to visit their amazing orchards, and I learned how they cared for the soil, how they handled each pear tree, and how each tree took almost 60 years before it would even produce the pears that would be brought to market. There is so much care that goes into each tree, each pear, and they really are delicate little fruits. So, the way that Starr Ranch® Growers is taking care of the orchards, the trees, and the fruits make me feel not only good about eating pears, but great about getting the ones grown by these hard-working folks.  You can read more about my visit in this article.

If you’re wondering how exactly to incorporate more pears in your meals, check out some of my favorite pear recipes below – straight from the Farm Star Living kitchen! Hope you find these pear-fectly delicious,  whether you eat them singly or cooked in a delish recipe below. ENJOY!

Roasted Pear & Caramelized Onion Bruschetta – tangy caramelized onions pair with the sweet, soft, and smooth bite of the golden yellow Bartlett pear. Delish!

JUICI Apple & Bartlett Pear Salad – At the core of this recipe is the incredible crunch of apples plus the addition of the sweet and soft Bartlett pears. Use this sleek salad recipe for family gatherings, friendly get-togethers, or add protein to make it a whole meal.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Starkrimson Pear – The fat-bottomed fruit is turning heads with this recipe. Not your average pear, the skin on a Starkrimson pear changes from a dark crimson to bright crimson red as it ripens. These pears are sweet and juicy, perfect for a snack, bake, or salad. Pears are packed with nutrients such as dietary fiber, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, so don’t hesitate to spoon on as much blue cheese as you’d like!

Red Anjou Pear & Walnut Galette – You can have both – sweetness and nutrition – with this delicious dessert recipe. A Galette is a flat round pastry that can be filled with numerous foods, usually savory. It’s a Norman word that literally means “flat cake,” and it’s literally as easy as pie!

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