When it comes to winter people tend to underestimate the power of winter fruits. To be fair not many people know which foods occur during which season. This is mainly because in the United States we have access to all foods year-round. Unfortunately, when we force foods to grow outside of the season they are meant to they tend to lose nutrient value and flavor. Winter is a season in which food tends to be more difficult to find and as such these foods are power-packed to help ensure your body gets the building blocks it needs to survive.

Top 5 Winter Fruits

Just like winter vegetables, winter fruits are a one-stop-shop for nutrient-dense foods. While there are more options than most of us realize available during the winter months, there are five fruits that take the cake as far as I am concerned for the winter season.

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 that 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 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. 

Antioxidant-Rich Pomegranate

These help keep free radicals from bouncing around your body, which has been linked to cell damage and diseases such as cancer. But while most fruits have some sort of antioxidants such as vitamin C, pomegranates have the benefit of especially potent ones called polyphenols that also give the fruits their color. These polyphenols are the same compounds that give green tea its healthy edge. They also contain almost half of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, and have three times more antioxidants than tea or red wine, according to Medical News Today. 

Pomegranates can aid your digestive tract in more ways than one, which is especially helpful during the holiday season when the meals get a little bigger. Juice from pomegranates has been found to reduce inflammation in the gut that’s related to Crohn’s disease and colitis, allowing food to pass more freely. Meanwhile, pomegranates also contain a pretty healthy dose of dietary fiber – about 7-grams per cup of arils (seed coverings) according to Healthline. Not only can the fruit juice help stop the hardening of the arteries (known in the medical world as atherosclerosis), but also it may even be able to reverse the damage and clear clogged passages, according to WebMD.

Perfect Pears

Pears are also relatively low in calories and have no added sugar. Boasting 6 grams of fiber, pears have more fiber than a 1-cup serving of kale! From helping you maintain a healthy weight to reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, eating enough fiber is integral to a well-balanced diet. Not to mention, we’re very thankful for the digestive benefits a high-fiber diet provides (fiber makes your poop softer and bulkier, making it easier to go), and we love that we can get over 20 percent of our daily recommended value from a pear. Even though pears have some natural sugar, their high fiber content ensures your blood sugar won’t go soaring after eating one (which makes them a perfect on-the-go snack for people with diabetes) Plus, their low-glycemic-index means you won’t be hungry minutes after snacking on one.

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.

Amazing Apples

Apples are not only great at getting you up and on your way they are perfect to aid in weight loss and management. Apples are high in fiber which aids in digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. The fiber in apples also helps lower the risk for heart disease and aids in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Apples are also low in calories and high in water content which helps the body naturally detox and thus, removes excess weight that can be stored toxins. When our bodies come into contact with something they either do not recognize or consider an enemy they encase it in fat as a form of protection. During detoxing our bodies force out these fat-encased toxins which result in a lower number on the scale.

Apple Fritters With Maple Glaze

Gluten-Free, Vegan Serves 20

• 1 Cup Oat Flour
• 1/2 Cup Almond Flour
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Ginger ground
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg ground
• 2 Flaxseed Eggs (2 Tbsp ground Flaxseed & 2 Tbsp water)
• 3/4 Cup Whole Fat Coconut Milk
• 2 Tbsp Vegan Butter melted
• 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• 4 Apples peeled and chopped

Maple Glaze:

• 1 1/3 Cup Powdered Coconut Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Whole Fat Coconut Milk
• 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• 3 tsp Pure Vanilla
• Flaky Sea Salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well. Add in flaxseed eggs, butter, 1/2 cup milk, and maple. Mix until just combined being careful not to over mix. If the batter feels thick add 1/4 cup milk to thin. Fold in the apples. Heat 1 inch of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop 1-2 Tbsp size portions of batter into the oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until golden on all sides. Remove from oil and place on a wire rack to drain. To prepare glaze combine all ingredients except salt. Drizzle glaze over warm fritters and top with flaky sea salt.

Spiced Persimmon Old Fashion

Gluten-Free, Vegan, Serves 1

• Juice of 1 Clementine
• 2 Tbsp Persimmon Puree
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
• 8 oz Bai Coconut Water
• Cinnamon Stick
• Star Anise
• Orange Peel

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice and blend well. Serve cold for an adult version add in 2 oz bourbon of choice.

Grapefruit Gingersnap Pie

Gluten-free, Vegan, Serves 10

Crust:

• 5 oz Gluten-free vegan gingersnaps
• 1 cup walnuts
• 3 Tbsp Brown Coconut Sugar
• 4 Tbsp melted Vegan Butter

Filling:

• 1 Cup Coconut Sugar
• 4 Tbsp Cornstarch
• pinch of Sea Salt
• 1/2 Cup Cashew Yogurt Plain
• 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
• 1 1/2 Cups Pink or Red Grapefruit Juice Fresh!
• 5 Tbsp Vegan butter divided
• 2 sheets of Agar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put the gingersnaps, walnuts, and sugar into a food processor until finely ground. Add in melted butter and pulse until it starts to combine. Push the crust into a pretreated 9-inch pie plate/pan making sure to build up the sides too. Bake for 10-12 minutes and set aside to cool. Into a heavy saucepan add sugar, cornstarch, salt, and yogurt. Mix ingredients well and whisk in the juices. 

Heat the mixture on medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil. Add in Agar and cook at a boil for one minute exactly. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter pieces one at a time. Strain the filling through a mesh strainer if desired and fill the pie shell immediately. Let cool and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 4 hours.

No Time Like The Present

Keeping your body free of toxins and free radicals is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a healthy mind. Add any of these foods 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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