Yesterday I shared 1-12 of the "25 Ridiculously Healthy Foods" and today, I'm sharing the rest with some of my recipes. What I didn't mention yesterday, and should have...is that I truly believe in the notion of eating healthy as opposed to sticking fast to the latest diet trend. And, while I really am a South Beach Diet 
fan...because it includes all of our favorite foods and is easy to do... I never did count the calories or stick to the absolute letter of it. Whenever I take that route, I get bored, or frustrated...or both, and there goes the whole diet thing out the window. Choosing healthy foods and putting them together in my favorite dishes is much healthier and easier to manage. Admittedly, some are more my favorites than others, that said...on with the list....13. Broccoli - well really, did you think your mother only told you to eat it as a joke? From a quick steam, stir fry or roasted, they are awesomely good for you and don't forget cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts and the rest of the cabbage family. You'll find tons of other choices here.
14. Spinach - lutein for eye health; iron to oxygenate your blood for energy...just like Popeye. Baby spinach is great in a salad, tossed last minute into soups or quickly sauteed as a side.
15. Tomatoes are the most common source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and breast cancer. Another one of those veggies I have to hide from my Honey. That said, I love simple tomato salads especially in August & September when they are ripe for the harvest.
16. Sweet Potatoes are the best source of Vitamin A that protects your eyes, skin and linings of all our organs. Good thing it tastes so good...from latkes to roasted to "chips", well sort of chips.
17. Garlic...seriously good for you, not just to keep vampires at bay. As for me...other than in desserts, breads or cakes, you'll be hard-pressed to find a recipe of mine without this.
18. Red peppers provides more vitamin C than oranges and is a great way to keep those wrinkles in check. And just think of all the other ridiculously healthy things you can stuff them with...like these charred peppers stuffed with anchovies and other goodies.
19. Figs, high in potassium and calcium - 20% of your daily needs. I really do have to start eating more of them.20. Blueberries...I'd love them even if they weren't so full of antioxidants (more than any other fruit). This photo of blueberry salsa looked the prettiest, but I love them in salads, pancakes, muffins,
21. Asian pears - who knew that they contain 10 g of cholesterol-lowering fiber, about 40% of your daily need.22. Lychees - they have the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols of all fruits tested—nearly 15% more than the amount found in grapes. I've only eaten canned...I wonder where that ranks and will now hunt for fresh - presuming I can find any.
23. Apples...well you know the saying "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away". Apparently a study showed that along with red wine and pears, they were the most effective at reducing risk of "death due to heart disease and lung cancer" Yikes! I do lots with apples, but the two most favored around here are the Normandy Apple Tart and the Apple Crisp.
24. Guava (which I don't think I've ever tried) has 5 times as much Vitamin C as the same amount of orange juice. I'm adding that to my shopping list too.25. Dark Chocolate - I saved the best for last and...really...do you need a reason?
My question to you....which of these are on your list?
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Along with the benefits to eye health that lutein is known to provide new research has shown another benefit. A study recently completed at Harvard by Dr. Salvador Gonsalez concludes that it can protect us from UVB light. This is the type of light which causes sunburn and skin cancer.
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