So. Many. Tomatoes.

My garden is going crazy! We have three tomato plants, Cherry, Roma and Heirloom, and they are growing like crazy! Last year, we got about 2 good tomatoes all season, but this year is a different story.

I've had to get pretty creative with how to use all of them, and those ideas (and some recipes) are listed below.

But first, let's talk about why I planted so many tomato plants this year. Tomatoes are so beneficial for our health, and I wanted to make sure I had plenty on hand. It's so satisfying to make dinner using produce picked right from your garden!

Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins. A single tomato can provide about 40% of your daily recommended minimum of vitamin C! Just one tomato! They also supply vitamin A, which supports immunity, vision and skin health. Vitamins are so important right now (and always) to keep our immune system in tip top shape!

Tomatoes increase immune function. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene fights molecules called free radicals that can damage your cells and affect your immune system. Because of that, foods high in lycopene may make you less likely to have lung, stomach, or prostate cancer. Some research shows they might help prevent the disease in the pancreas, colon, throat, mouth, breast, and cervix as well.

Tomatoes protect the heart. They contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which is responsible for their deep red color. Higher blood levels of lycopene are tied to lower death rates for people with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that raise the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Tomatoes improve your vision. The lycopene in tomatoes is good for your eyes. However, tomatoes also contain the protective nutrients lutein and beta-carotene. These nutrients support vision and protect against eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration.

Here's a few ideas for how to include more tomatoes into your diet!

• Serve them sliced and drizzled with balsamic and garnished with fresh basil

• Add fresh tomatoes to omelets and salads

• Make Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce - https://www.sustainablecooks.com/crockpot-spaghetti-sauce/#wprm-recipe-container-91620

• Make this yummy salsa (I've made a lot of this considering I'm also growing jalapenos, cilantro and lime) - https://southerndiscourse.com/fresh-salsa-with-cilantro-lime/#wprm-recipe-container-14111

• Stuff them! Kind of like a pepper. Core them out, and add whatever you'd like! Chicken salad, tuna salad, eggs (bake these)...there are so many options!

My 10 day meal plans include a variety of healthy foods to ensure you're getting all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants you need in a day. If you need help getting enough fruits and veggies in your day, or just want to learn more about certain foods, feel free to reach out! I'd love to help!