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The Healthy Kitchen

by Rob Endelman

Looking for a lifestyle diet that actually works? Instead of following the most recent food fad, how about subscribing to the world's oldest (and most effective) nutritional plan? Eating real food is a great way to feel and look healthier and stronger. It truly is that simple, and real food is starting to appear at our local farmers markets as we head into warmer weather.

Personally, I choose to buy as much of my food as possible at farmers markets. Fruits and vegetables start to lose their flavor and nutrition the moment they're picked. It's almost certain that a strawberry picked two days ago thirty miles from your home is going to be juicier and healthier than one culled two weeks prior halfway across the continent.

For a quick and easy dish using fresh asparagus, try the following:

Easy Asparagus

• Preheat oven to 350.
  
  
• Snap ends off asparagus. (If you carefully bend asparagus, they will break naturally. Keep more delicate tops and discard tougher bottoms.)
  
  
• Place asparagus on cookie sheet in a single layer.
  
  
• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and roll asparagus to coat evenly with oil.
  
  
• Sprinkle with Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper and (if desired) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
  
  
• Place cookie sheet in oven and bake until asparagus start to turn bright green (about 4 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness).
  
  
• Remove cookie sheet from oven and let asparagus cool. (Asparagus will continue to cook after you take them out of the oven, so fight your urge and remove them before they are 100% cooked.)