From Activewear Designer and Active Living Advocate Lorna Jane

The weather is pretty cold right now in Australia, so it’s great to escape to our new home in Los Angeles and enjoy the summer heat. It also means a change in how I eat because buying seasonal, locally grown produce is where it all starts for me. I find that is what my body craves; they are fresher, taste better and are usually less expensive. The cornerstone of my food shopping is a weekly trip to the Farmer’s Market to discover the best quality product possible. I plan my meals for the week ahead from the very best the season has to offer. Right now, I’m mixing up my menu with more salads, more smoothies and more fresh juices – yum!

There are so many health benefits when you choose to eat in the rhythm of nature; it essentially means you are chowing down on the best in fresh produce, and being kinder to the environment – not to mention your wallet as well.

Right now, there are an abundance of delicious fruits and vegetables to add to your summer diet. To stay in-the-know, I have prepared this handy guide to in-season summer produce that you can take on your next trip to the Farmer’s Market.

Nothing says ‘Summer’ more than fresh fruit – and the bonus is that fruit is jam-packed full of nutrients. So here’s what’s in:

Cherries

Blueberries

Blackberries

Grapes

Cantaloupe

Watermelon

Peaches

Plums

Raspberries

Strawberries

Mango

Nectarine

Apricot

Pineapple

Lychee

Veggies pack an even more powerful nutritional punch when they’re in season and these ingredients are available right now – and perfect for whipping up a nutrient-packed and deliciously fresh salad!

Asparagus

Beans

Beetroot

Celery

Cucumber

Chili

Eggplant

Sweet Corn

Turnips

Zucchini

Rhubarb

Lettuce

Arugula

Mushroom

Carrot

Here is one of my favorite summer smoothie recipes that you might like to try. It’s a jazzed up version of the classic strawberry shake that we call our Spiced Strawberry Smoothie. If you love sweet strawberries with a bit of zing, you’ve got to try it!

For more from Lorna Jane, see her post on Active Living. Also click here for some of her favorite smoothie recipes.