Visit Beth's blog for useful green tips and ideas.

Summertime means fresh basil, cherries and more!

With farmer's markets brimming full of fresh fruits and vegetables, I thought it might be nice to focus on a couple of my favorites.

Cherries, so delicious right now, you could eat them by the bagful (just avoid the pits). Cherry season is short so hit your local farmer's market and try the fantastic selection of summer cherries available right now!

A growing body of science reveals tart cherries, enjoyed as either fresh, dried, frozen cherries or cherry juice, have among the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, when compared to other fruits. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate. ??Emerging evidence links cherries to many important health benefits - from helping to ease the pain of arthritis and gout, to reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Cherries also contain melatonin, which has been found to help regulate the body's natural sleep patterns, aid with jet lag, prevent memory loss and delay the aging process. Cherries also contain an ibuprofen-like substance that works as an anti-inflammatory. This substance helps reduce arthritis pain. Besides helping promote sleep, cherries also have many anti-cancer properties, and a substance in cherry juice may help prevent tooth decay!

For a quick snack pack a small container full of fresh or dried cherries for a nutrient-rich sweet treat.

This month on FHI Online magazine read Kath Ibbetson's article, Basil, King of Italian Herbs, to find out some interesting information and cooking tips/recipe on this fragrant edible herb.

The herb that's most popularly associated with Italian cuisine is basil (Basilico). There are several varieties, but you're most likely to find sweet basil in the shops--it has large, aromatic leaves. Cooking with basil, especially if you grew it yourself, is wonderfully satisfying (continue reading).

The benefits of certain healthy "skin" foods can be read in Cher Murphy's article, Dining Tips for Healthy Skins. According to the CDC, there are around 25 million visits to dermatologist offices in the country. The largest organ of the body, skin weighs in between 6-9 pounds and covers two square yards. It plays an essential role in the body, providing everything from protection from viruses to sensing hot and cold, and even regulating our body temperature. Our skin is also the most noticeable thing on our bodies, and our diet can have an impact on whether it looks dull or glowing (continue reading).

Whether you're going to the beach or heading to the office, be sure to pack your bag full of healthy fresh-grown local fruits and vegetable this summer--your body will love you for it.