Spring has finally sprung! With April finally, here it means we see an increase in fruits and vegetables that have our back. April showers bring more than just May flowers. All the water this month commonly brings with it means the fruits and vegetables are full of hydration. Spring fruits and vegetables are chock-full of metabolic boosting foods. Most, if not all of us, are looking to shed our winter coats. What better way to do just that than to fill your plate with powerful fruits and vegetables designed to burn fat and even slow down aging. Just like that, spring has just become one of all of our favorite seasons.

Let’s face it, we all want to look and feel our best. One of the best ways to do just that is by providing our bodies with the building blocks they need. During the month of April, mother nature fills our cupboards with fruits and vegetables that help bring out the best in all of us. Spring fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that support immunity, slow aging, boost metabolic rate, improve oral health, reduce seasonal allergies, and more! The following is a list of the best fruits in April along with their health benefits.

Powerful Persimmons

Persimmons are rich in betulinic acid which has anti-tumor compounds. This acid has the power to cause tumor cell apoptosis. Essentially the tumor cells die before they have a chance to develop. If you have a tumor already, the betlulinic acid helps prevent the tumor from growing larger or metastasizing. Because persimmons are so rich in antioxidants, they have the power to neutralize disease-causing free radicals. Persimmons are rich in nutrients like potassium which has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Once the blood pressure is reduced, there is significantly less strain on the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Known to help regulate blood sugar levels, persimmons are a portion of food that people who have diabetes should consider adding to their diet. Persimmons are rich in fiber, so they can leave you feeling fuller for a longer period. 

Outrageous Oranges

Oranges are popular due to their natural sweetness, the many different types available, and the diversity of uses. For example, a person can consume them in juices and marmalades, eat them whole, or use zested peel to add a tangy flavor to cakes and desserts. This popular citrus fruit is particularly known for its vitamin C content. However, oranges contain a range of other plant compounds and antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and work against disease. As an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C, oranges may help combat the formation of free radicals that cause cancer. Although an adequate vitamin C intake is necessary and very beneficial, the amount a person would need for the desired therapeutic effect on cancer is more than they could realistically consume.

Oranges contain no sodium, which helps keep a person below their daily limit. On the other hand, a cup of orange juice can boost daily potassium intake by 14%. Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure. However, increasing potassium intake may be just as important for reducing a person’s risk of high blood pressure, as it can help support the relaxation and opening of blood vessels.

Super Strawberries

Strawberries are high in vitamin C which is great for boosting your immune system. They are high in antioxidants making them ideal for anti-aging. Strawberries also contain ellagic acid which prevents collagen breakdown and reduces wrinkles. They are high in anti-inflammatory properties which lower blood pressure and heart health. They are high in fiber which makes them ideal for weight loss, detoxing, and digestive health. Strawberries contain high levels of manganese which improves mood and lowers stress levels. They are also great for your teeth and bones, they can even help whiten your teeth! Strawberries can prevent your skin from sunburn and improve hair, skin, and nail health. They improve brain function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease. Strawberries are also great for aiding in hormone regulation and supporting a healthy pregnancy. It is clear these berries are more than just sweet. 

Killer Kumquats

Kumquat contains a rich source of limonene, which has proven to the depletion of gallstones in up to 75% of the cases. The high fiber content of kumquat makes it perfect if you’re trying to lose some extra pounds. The high fiber makes your stomach walls stretch. Kumquats are an excellent source of such fibers that can aid the digestive process. Not just this, but it can effectively clear out your colon and small intestine by doing so. It helps prevent stool retention, constipation, and colitis. Like most citrus fruits, Kumquats can provide a large proportion of RDA (Recommended daily intake) for vitamin C. It can give a boost to skin cell regeneration and gives your skin a cleaner, brighter look. Kumquats are regarded as being loaded with Phyto-nutrients along with a bulk of vitamins, dietary cellulose fibers, and natural pigments, which are all essential to your body for proper function.

Madness Mangos

Eating mango is a great way to improve your skin from the inside out. Mangoes are rich in vitamin C, which plays a major role in skin health and may even help reduce the signs of aging. Along with its high vitamin C and antioxidant content, a single one-cup serving of mango also has about 10% of our daily dose of vitamin A, another must-have to support a healthy immune system. ​​One of the benefits of mango is being able to help with weight loss. A one-cup serving of mango has 2.6 grams of fiber, which can help you stay feeling full longer. 

A serving of mango boasts more than a few nutrients to support the healthy development of your baby. One cup of this marvelous fruit has significant amounts of vital vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, A, B6, and folate, amongst others. Fiber is a must for promoting a healthy digestive system and mangoes really deliver in the fiber department. Eating more fiber can do everything from keeping you regular to helping control blood sugar, lowering cholesterol—and may even help with reducing the risk of heart disease. Eating for eye health isn’t all about carrots. The world’s most popular fruit has the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin as well as vitamin A and beta carotene, all of which are crucial to supporting eye health and maintaining eyesight. In addition to having all sorts of vitamins and minerals, mango is low in fat and only has about 100 calories per serving.

Rhubarb Muffins

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 12

• 10 dates pitted
• 1 cup Oat Flour
• ⅓  cup Coconut Flour
• 3 small stalks Rhubarb cut into 6-8 inch pieces
• 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
• 2 Tbsp ground Flaxseed
• ½  cup Almond butter
• 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla
• 2 Ripe Bananas
• ½  cup Vegan Greek Yogurt of Choice
• 2 tsp ground Cinnamon
• ⅓  cup Coconut Sugar
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Blend the dates in a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the rhubarb into the food processor and combine them into a dough. Cut rhubarb into 1/4 inch pieces and mix rhubarb into the batter by hand. Pour the batter into a non-stick treated cupcake pan (I use cupcake holders) and evenly distribute the batter. Make sure to hit the bottom of the pan to push any air bubbles out. Bake for 30 minutes and cool in pan for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool to the desired temp. 

Chicken Breast with Mustard and Candied Kumquats

Gluten-free, dairy-free, Serves 4

• ½  cup dry White Wine
• 1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 4 Chicken Breast skinless, boneless
• 1 ½  tsp Grainy Mustard
• 6 ounces Kumquats sliced into 1/3 inch stripes
• ½  cup Coconut Sugar
• 1 tsp Fresh Chopped Rosemary
• ½  cup Water
• 1 jalapeno seeded and sliced thin
• 2 medium Shallots sliced thin
• 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

Directions:

In a shallow dish, combine the wine, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp rosemary, and 1/2 tsp grainy mustard. Place the chicken into the mixture and coat evenly. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add in the kumquat slices and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Drain the kumquats. In the same pan, combine sugar and 1/2 cup of water, bringing to a boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the kumquat slices and simmer for 8 minutes—transfer kumquats and syrup to a heatproof bowl. 

In a large skillet, heat the remaining Tbsp olive oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, making sure to reserve the liquid. Season the meat with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until brown, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the chicken and repeat cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes and remove to a warm plate. Add the shallots, jalapeno, and rosemary to the skillet, cooking until soft, about 4 minutes. Pour in the reserved marinade and simmer for about 3 minutes. Add in the kumquats with syrup and bring back up to a simmer. Mix in the dijon mustard and remaining mustard mix well. Add chicken back into the sauce and cook until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and pour the sauce leftover the chicken. 

Kumquat Cake

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 8

• ½  cup Full Fat Coconut Milk
• 1 cup Coconut Flour
• ⅓  cup Vegan Greek Yogurt
• 1 ½  Tbsp Coconut Oil Raw melted
• ½  cup Almond Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• ¾  tsp Sea Salt
• ¼  tsp Baking Soda
• ¾  cup Kumquat pureed
• ½  cup Coconut Sugar
• ¼  cup Macadamia nuts chopped

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine oil, milk, and yogurt in a large bowl. Meanwhile, combine all dry ingredients (except the nuts). Mix well and slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet. Gently fold in the kumquat puree and nuts. Pour the batter into a non-stick pan and bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean at 350 degrees F. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Get Started Today

Keeping your body free of toxins and free radicals is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a healthy mind. There are tons of foods you can add to your regular diet to help your body with its critical detoxifying processes. If you are looking for a safe and all-natural way to detox your body at home be sure to check out my Balancing Abundance Program. Because detoxing is so important and realistically everyone should be doing it on at least a seasonal basis I have taken the time to put together a program to help you do just that. Here’s the thing, I know working with me one-on-one can seem difficult to get into (due to limited space) and I wanted to be able to give everyone an additional solution that has no limits. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and successful at everything you do so here are some recipes to help set you up for success!

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A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. We all have to deal with our health daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day, you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help, I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as acting as a sounding board, do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected], or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!