One pearly yellow ear of corn has an estimated 800 juicy individual kernels. During the summertime, we can’t seem to get enough of these delicious tiny morsels. It is no wonder then that corn is America’s number one field crop, leading all other crops in value and volume of production.

Fortunately our country’s top crop is very resourceful. Every part of the corn plant is useable. Typically the husks are used in making tamales, the kernels for food, the stocks for animal food, and the corn silks for medicinal tea.

When purchasing corn, choose plump ears with fresh-looking husks and dark-tipped tassels. Refrigerate pre-husked corn, loosely wrapped plastic, and use within two days. August is the heart of corn season, so be sure to enjoy this sweet veggie!

 

NUTRITION FACTS for one cup of corn:

                        Calories: 132

                        Fat: 1.8g

                        Carbs: 29.3g

                        Fiber: 4.2g

                        Protein: 5g

           Is a healthy food that comes with its own serving bowl too good to be true? Certainly not. Cantaloupe is a refreshing summer fruit that not only lightens the dirty dish load but also provides numerous nutritional benefits.

            This melon is best from June through September. Whole cantaloupes last about a week if kept cold. To enjoy, simply cut one of these sweet-smelling fruits in half and dish out with a spoon!

            This delectable fruit contains only 60 calories for one 6 ounce slice. Additionally, one serving of cantaloupe provides more than 400% of your daily vitamin A and 100% of your daily vitamin C. This melon is certainly one sweet treat you should savor within the next two months!

      Blueberries, delectable and refreshing bite size fruit that surprise your mouth upon every taste. Whether sour or sweet these berries will always be a great source of antioxidants. In fact, blueberries are one of the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. They also contain anthocyanin which is good for your eyesight. One cup of blueberries contains just 84 calories and offers 14mg Vitamin C and 0.8mg Vitamin E.

      Fortunately, this nutritious fruit is available for 8 months of the year. When purchasing blueberries be sure to select ones that appear firm and are free of any green or red patches. Keep your blueberries in the refrigerator and enjoy this healthy munchy for a week!