"Vitamins to Grow for a Nutritious Diet"

We all owe it to ourselves to have a healthy balanced diet full of vitamins and minerals that will keep our body trim and reduce the possibility of illness and disease. Nutritious foods are essential to a healthy mind, body and soul.

By now, most of us have heard of the five-a-day rule, and it really is important to make sure we eat five portions of fruit and/or vegetables every day to keep the system going strong.

Vegetables and fruit contain the most vitamins and minerals we can find on the planet and also in the most natural form. Our bodies are natural organic life forms, and although we all tend to abuse them on a regular basis, we are always in a position to be able to put that right and begin to create a healthy and natural body in which to live.

With a small patch of land, fruit and vegetables can be grown at home - or in an allotment - and eaten fresh, and chemical free every day. It really is possible to eat something from your garden every day of the year with a little careful planning, even if it is just a few herbs - which are also high in nutrients.

Many herbs and smaller plants can be grown indoors, in a conservatory, a windowbox, or simply on a windowsill. Grow a pot of basil next to the door and you will repel flies all summer and still have a great tasting herb to enhance your tomatoes every day!

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Grow your own organic vegetables to make the finest meals for your family....

Thompson and Morgan are online worldwide suppliers of seeds and other products and they have some great pictures to drool over!

broad beans brussel sprouts Carrots

Chile Peppers Sweetcorn Tomatoes

Thompson and Morgan UK
Thompson and Morgan US
Grow Your Own Vitamins with Thompson and Morgan Worldwide

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Plan your garden well. Planning really does save you work in the long run, and when you are dealing with possibly digging over large areas of ground, you really don't want to be doing more than you need to! Respect your self, and your back and do as little digging as possible.

When planning your garden, include herbs and edible flowers. They will encourage the good bugs to your veggie patch and help to pollinate your plants. It's a good idea to have as much variation as possible, not only to satisfy the taste buds but also because some plants will be higher in certain minerals than others.

There are nine vitamins we can easily produce ourselves, and are essential to a healthy balanced diet. They are: A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic acid) and Folate.

Others include B12 and D. B12 is found in meat and dairy products and D mostly from the sunshine. Getting out in the garden every day will ensure a generous dose of Vitamin D, and B12 is found in meat products, eggs and other dairy produce. Unless you are seriously considering a self-sufficient lifestyle or running a small holding or farm, then B12 will have to brought in from other sources.

What you grow in your garden will depend heavily on your climate, your space and the amount of time you have available. The 'time' part can always be adapted. Time management is essential for our general well-being and any time spent outdoors must be good for you.

To get a general idea of what you can grow in terms of producing the nutrients you need to keep you and your family healthy, I have listed below a few fruit and vegetables under vitamin headings that you may want to have a go at growing.

A:

apricots, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, french beans, pumpkins,watercress,

B1:

artichokes, cauliflower, leeks, mushrooms, spinach, sweet corn,

B2:

artichokes, asparagus, garlic, okra, onions, turnip greens,

B6:

aubergine, bananas, courgettes, nuts, raspberries, tomatoes,

C:

apples, blackberries, citrus fruits, parsley, peppers, swedes,

E:

blueberries, most green leafy vegetables, soy beans, sunflower seeds,

B3 (Niacin):

artichokes, leafy green vegetables, parsley, peas, sweet corn,

B5 (Pantothenic acid):

avocado, broad beans, chicory, lentils, sweet potatoes,

Folate:

brussels sprouts, celeriac, cos lettuce, legumes, parsnips, spinach,

This list is in no way complete, but gives you an idea of where to start. You can find more about growing your own vitamins and lots of recipe ideas in my book recently published with Findhorn Press. Grow Your Own Pharmacy You really can grow enough fruit and veg to keep your family glowing with good health!

Good Health!

More "Healthy" reading

http://www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/vitamins.html