Regular readers know I’m doing 50 healthy things this year in honor of my 50th birthday. Here’s number 30- try a new fruit or veggie.
A lot of people say eating enough fruits and veggies is one of their biggest challenges when it comes to healthy eating. It’s definitely easy to get into a rut – either out of habit or for fear of not liking the taste of something new. I know plenty of intelligent adults who easily regress into picky kid mode when it comes to produce, especially veggies. I think many of us remember the mushy, canned green stuff, e.g., spinach and asparagus that our mothers forced on us during childhood.
Fortunately, our current options for fresh produce are much more abundant. I hated asparagus as a child. Now, it’s one of my favorites. Just for fun, a group I’m in has been challenging each other to regularly try new foods this year. Some of my top picks have been kumquats, a tart fruit, and purslane, a leafy green that resembles a weed.
But today, my colleague, Erin Carlson, introduced me to my favorite so far: the watermelon radish. 
It literally looks like a watermelon with a luscious green rind and bright red center. Originally from China, this nutritious root vegetable has long been recognized in that culture for its healing powers, as it is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Apparently, one can eat a whole cup of watermelon radishes for only 16 calories too.
Just one bite of its zingy taste with the just the right amount of heat had me hooked. Erin said she scored this luscious treat at a local farmer’s market. Apparently, fall is the peak season, although they may be available year round.
I challenge all of you to try a new fruit or veggie today. Send me your pics, and we’ll post them.
