Alternative Community Farmer/WPB.FL

Why it is ESSENTIAL to eat tropical fruits and grow Fruit Trees in S.FLORIDA  ?Check out why they are sooo goood for you!

By ORGANIC Master Gardener: Tony Dagher

http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M20618

Most of us get confused when asked why S.Florida is called TROPICAL.

No more.It falls between the laterals of the Cancer and Capricorn tropics. Just like a sandwich or sub that squeezes all those juicy tomato fruits and tropical veggies like halloo…S.Florida is squeezed in a SUB-TROPICAL zone 10-11.Voila !GO NATIVE ..TRO...TRO... TRO-PICAL

Now what the heaven do we have for fruit cocktail other than the usual RUM? Here are some healthy fruits to order when you are enjoying a S.Florida visit:

Avocado uses: Culinary-salads fresh example: Gucomole! Medicinal: Helps you lose weight and lower the cholesterol level as per the native folk’s recipes!

Banana: Rich in Potassium and good for body building. A complete food!

Carambola: Or star fruit. Good source of vitamin C…

Guava: Ask a Latino what is the best SWEATS …pastel to eat and the answer will be GUAVA!

Coconut: The water is a good source of trace minerals. Women swear by its effects on the kidneys and other female challenges (hot flashes for example as per the native grandmother’s tales!)Men: Drink as much as you want and you will never get drunk but your immune system will soar and score high. I call it the fountain of youth still to be discovered by a future expedition to the TROPICS~! :)

Elderberry: They prepare medicine from it in EUROPE and we just ignore it here!

Grapefruit: In France they start the Entree with a half grape fruit before they start their dinner to cleanse the system first before we nourish it. Great source of Vitamin C and helps to lose weight when eaten regularly before the meal!

Loquat: Now in season. Grows wild in Florida. The leaves are used for tea to clear the soar throat .When eaten ripe it helps in digestion.

Lemon: Helps to fight the common cold and flu...and boosts the immune system and offcourse assists in losing weight when eaten with salds...olive oil and garlic. Bon appetite Italiano!

Lychee: Ask the Chinese .Good for you…sure!

Mango: Rich in vitamins A and C…Tastes soooooo good!

Orange: Ask a local! Good for the flu and good for you!

Papaya: Mama mia…Papa what?The Japanese and Chinese make tea from the leaves.We here in S.Florida eat ripe and fresh…Helps in digestion and has a great enzyme:Papayin that helps out in digesting meat…Another name:Meat tenderizer as the Island people call it!

Want to know more….Stay tuned to the Topics from Tropics!