Crops in season
Crops in season are often cheaper than those out of season. In July, the following crops are in season in Michigan, they’ll be sweeter, better quality, and cheaper.
Apricots
Broccoli
Bell peppers
Beets
Blueberries (July 8th is National Blueberry Day)
Carrots
Cantaloupe
Celery
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Peaches
Strawberries
Raspberries
Cherries and more
Use this What’s in Season application to see what fruits and veg are best this time of year.
Happy Independence day!
July is National Bean Month! Beans are an amazing food! Rinse canned beans and heat them on the stove or in the microwave to add to your favorite rice or pasta dish. Rinse them and mix them into your favorite salad or blend them up to make a bean dip.
Fun Facts about Independence Day:
- Americans will eat an estimated 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July.
- July 4th wasn’t made a national holiday until 1870, almost 100 years after the nations founding.
- The official vote to declare independence occurred on July 2nd, 1776 and the declaration was published in papers on July 4th, 1776.
- Charles Thompson and John Hancock are the only two signers who signed the declaration on July 4th, 1776. The other 54 delegates signed over the course of the next month.
National Bean Month!
July is National Bean Month! Beans are an amazing food! Rinse canned beans and heat them on the stove or in the microwave to add to your favorite rice or pasta dish. Rinse them and mix them into your favorite salad or blend them up to make a bean dip.
- Beans are a legume.
- Beans are a great way to get in plant-based protein.
- Beans are high in folate, iron, and magnesium.
- Beans are high in fiber which promotes healthy digestion and helps with constipation.
- Beans can help lower your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Beans can help regulate blood sugar.
Give this recipe a try:
Cowboy Caviar
Prep Time: 10 Min | Serves: 10
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup corn, canned (drained) or frozen (thawed)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
- Lemon juice to taste (fresh or bottled)
- Garlic powder to taste
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Directions
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Chop all ingredients and mix together in a large bowl. Add Lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with chips, on top of an omelet, put in a tortilla for a burrito, use as a side dish, or mix into rice or pasta dishes.
Recipe modified from: Cowboy Caviar
Exercise Safety in summer for Older Adults
With hot weather, we must be cautious about exercise in the summer months. Some safety tips for exercise include:
- Let others know where you’re going and when you plan to be back.
- Carry your ID, emergency information, and cell phone, especially if you’re going alone.
- Exercise with a friend, family member, or neighbor when possible.
- Stay hydrated, drink lots of water, and don’t wait to drink until you’re thirsty.
- Choose the cooler times of the day to exercise such as early morning or evening.
- Exercise indoors. Go to a gym for a walk on the treadmill or the shopping mall to walk where there’s air conditioning.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Signs of heatstroke include: headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion.
