​With summer winding down and days now shifting ever shorter, here is a the perfect healthy recipe to celebrate the season and welcome the Fall, at least outside of Florida.

This great looking recipe is courtesy of a House in the Hills.com.  

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 1/2 cups micro arugula
• 1 cup blackberries (ripe and sweet!)
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1 ear red corn, cut off the cob
• 1/2 bunch white asparagus
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic, pressed
• 2 tablespoons chopped caper berries (stems removed)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of mint, finely chopped
• sea salt
• black pepper

METHOD:

• In a small mixing bowl combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, mint, garlic, chopped caper berries and a pinch of salt.  Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Trim ends off of asparagus (I trimmed a good 1 1/2- 2 inches off of mine to get to the softest part). Lightly coat spears with olive oil and cook on medium heat over a grill pan or on your grill until seared to your preference. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and pepper.  Cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
• Assemble the salad by combining Woodlynne Farms microgreens, corn, asparagus, blackberries and pine nuts in a large bowl.  Add salad dressing (recipe makes enough for some leftovers, depending on preference). Toss well and serve immediately!
• Enjoy!

This recipe serves two persons.

Sunflower microgreens are large, substantial greens that are crunchy and have a pleasant nutty flavor. We love to use them as a base for any microgreen’s salad or as a substantial topping for any salad or main dish. They make an excellent snack and your kids will even try to sneak them!

Sunflower microgreen are a perfect source of complete protein. In fact, they are considered to be the most balanced of all of the sources of essential amino acids, helping to repair muscle tissue and aid in enzymatic functions in the body.  They also help build our skeletal, muscular, and neurological systems. 

They are known to activate every cell of the immune system and help to keep gut bacteria healthy, thus improving our ability to fight disease.  They boost fertility as they contain high amounts of zinc. Zinc is a well-researched mineral that is essential for the development of sperm. 

Sunflower microgreens are a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins A, B complex, D, and E; they also contain minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. The are high in B vitamins, especially folate. Folate is a necessary B vitamin for pregnant women. Folate helps to protect babies from developing neural tube defects (NTDs). The combination of B vitamins also assists in the mother’s circulation as well as aids in stress relief. In fact, sunflower sprouts are rich in all of the nutrients that are important during pregnancy such as iron, calcium, essential fats, and folate. 

They are a rich source of lecithin which helps to eliminate accumulated deposits in arterial walls, and break down fatty acids into an easily digestible water soluble form.  They are a natural expectorant for chest congestion.

Sunflowers are low in calories and high in nutrition, making them ideal for any natural and healthy fat loss program. 

Most importantly Sunflowers just taste good and they are good for you!