Great Onions, Great Cause.

As we hopefully all know by now, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s the time of year when people and organizations across the globe endeavor to spread awareness of the terrible disease that claims so many lives, and strive to encourage others to be mindful, well-informed and proactive. It affects one in eight women in the U.S. in their lifetime – and that is just too darn many.

Peri & Sons Farms, a family farm that specializes in growing premium onions in Nevada and California, is again joining this great cause – as they have for many years.

Every year, they hold their “PINK” Breast Cancer Awareness promotion that helps spread the word and promote prevention. Even better, they let YOU choose which breast cancer charity to donate money to! To help cast your vote for your favorite charity, just let them know!

One of the ways they are also doing their part is through encouraging people to have healthy eating habits. Peri & Sons believes that healthy foods are an important part of any cancer-fighting program. And we couldn’t agree more.

Here are some cancer-fighting tips from the Farm Star Living and Peri & Sons teams.

Develop a Healthy Lifestyle.

Research shows that your lifestyle can impact your susceptibility to cancer, so it’s important to make sure you’re being healthy with your food choices.

If you feel like you’re struggling with this, eating lots of fruits and vegetables is a great way to get started!

TIP: Toss the chips and crackers, and start keeping an array of fresh fruit where you can see it.

TIP: Also try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your everyday meals – like omelets, yogurt, salads and sandwiches.

TIP: Another helpful tip: keep pre-cut veggies and berries at eye-level in the fridge for easy, healthy and delicious snacking!

TIP: For some vegetables, such as onions and broccoli, gently cooking them actually makes it easier for the nutrients to release inside our digestive tracts. Generally speaking, though, the traditional rules about cooking vegetables still hold true: the longer a vegetable is exposed to heat, the greater the nutrient loss.

Onions: A Healthy Staple.

Onions are fat- and cholesterol-free, low in sodium, high in vitamin C, and a good source of fiber.

Organosulfur and other compounds in these savory veggies help increase circulation, lower blood pressure, and prevent blood clotting. They also detoxify the body and skin, and fight the free radicals that can cause cell destruction and disease.

Onions also contain generous amounts of a flavonoid called quercetin. Quercetin is a potent antioxidant with anti-allergy, antiviral and antihistamine properties. Studies show it may also protect against cataracts, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Basically, onions are a superfood and you should be trying to incorporate them into as many meals as possible. Look at all the benefits and disease-preventative qualities! And luckily, we know a great supplier of premium onions! As well as some delicious recipes. We love this chicken soup!

More Breast Cancer Foiling Tips.

Maintain a Healthy Weight.

Excess fat cells can increase estrogen levels and breast cell growth, which may increase your risk of cancer.

Get Moving.

Shoot for at least 30 minutes of non-stop, medium- to high-intensity physical activity, such as power walking or running, each day.

Eat Lots of Plant-Based Foods.

Make fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds the focus and bulk of your daily diet.

Limit Your Processed Food Intake.

Avoid convenience/fast foods. They tend to contain unhealthy additives, chemicals, sugars and sodium. When at the supermarket, try to stick to the outer aisles and edges of the store, as they typically hold the healthiest foods. The processed stuff is typically in the inner aisles.

Cut Back on Red Meat. Reducing your weekly intake of red meat will reduce your consumption of saturated fat and help lower your risk.

We all know the awfulness that is breast cancer. That’s why October is all about spreading awareness, promoting prevention and helping fund research. Just as importantly, we all need to be aware of the foods we’re consuming and the lifestyle we’re living to be preventative and help lower our own risk. You can reduce your chances just by switching up your diet.

Are you ready to be proactive? Incorporating more onions into your diet is a good place to start. Check out some of Peri & Sons Farms’ delicious recipes for creative and flavorful ideas! Follow them on FACEBOOK!

See you on the farm!

Comments