If you are like the majority of Americans, you were brought up to hate vegetables. Much of the American mythology about children centers on the "fact" that it is hard to get them to eat vegetables. Many parents spend a lot of time making this myth come true. The problem is that children are honest. If you serve overcooked, badly chosen (or canned) vegetables, they are as likely to give them to the dog or hide them in a flower pot as to eat them.

Fruits and vegetables, however, are an essential part of every diet. The USDA recommends that we eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. They are a vital source of vitamins and minerals that are difficult to get from any other source. Today, with more and more people choosing not to eat meat, they are becoming even more important.

More importantly, fruits and vegetables offer a wide range of taste, texture and color to our diet. Without them, the food we eat would be a bland pallet of whites, browns, grays and reds. Without fresh fruits and vegetables, eating would hardly be worth the trouble. It would certainly be less interesting.

Serve fresh, appetizing, well-chosen vegetables that have been cooked only enough to make them tender and bring out their flavor. Children and adults will eat them and enjoy them. It's only natural. We've been doing it for thousands of years. It's true that not everyone will like every vegetable. Personal taste is an important factor in the foods we choose to eat. Experiment. Have fun. Find the foods your family likes to eat. Choose them well. Serve them in an appetizing manner. These are the keys to good nutrition.

I would like to say a quick word about pesticides. They are dangerous, but they are difficult to avoid. If you can find and afford organic produce, you will be well-rewarded with better and more flavorful produce. Many fruits on today's market were picked immature and artificially ripened. This makes them look good but does nothing for their flavor. Another downfall of this method is that the most nutrients are available when produce is allowed to ripen in the field. Unfortunately, most produce today is grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Always wash your produce carefully.

California has passed some strict laws about pesticide use, and many states have followed suit. This is good for us, the consumers. Mexico, and many countries that we import produce from, have very good anti-pesticide laws. These are not also enforced, however. I'm not saying that foreign produce is dangerous. I'm saying be aware. Always carefully wash your produce before you eat it.

I hope you find this website helpful in your exploration of fresh fruits and vegetables. I hope you find some surprises -- fruits and vegetables that you like that you hadn't previously heard about and new information about old favorites. One way to explore the vast variety of fruits and vegetables is to try something new every week! You may discover that you enjoy a lot more than you thought and eating will be a little more interesting! Eating a variety of foods will also ensure that you are getting all the nutrients your body needs. I hope you have as much fun using this website as I have had creating it. Happy eating!