At the higher elevations in the Southern Appalachian Mountains grows a special and sacred tree whose red berries glow in the full sun against a clear blue-sky. Steeped in folklore and traditions brought by European settlers and colonizers, the sight of the rowan tree (Sorbus americanus) must have filled the hearts of Scotch and Irish descendants with nostalgia for home. 

Question: I have been having issues with constipation and my doctor told me to get more fiber in my diet.  What foods have fiber and how much should I get? 

You should be seeing local and regionally grown peaches in your Ingles Markets produce section. There’s nothing quite like biting into a sweet and juicy fresh peach, but what are some other ways you can use those peaches? 

As both kids and parents head into summer vacation, thinking about having easy and inexpensive snacks available becomes more important: 

If you need a reminder of the sweet soul of humanity, visit your local farmers market on a Saturday morning.

When you’re busy it’s easy to grab something like a candy bar or soda to give you a quick hit of energy, but the reality is that those types of snacks are high in sugar which won’t keep you full, satisfied or fueled for long. Some better snack ideas: 

Question:  Should I buy my fruits and vegetables based on the “Dirty Dozen” list? 

One item I often have in my fridge is plain Greek yogurt. I like it because it has no added sugars, is high in protein, a source of calcium and contains probiotics that may help with gut health. 

Whether you’re going for a short or long hike or on a day or multi-day road trip; planning on taking snacks with you can save money and also make it easier to fuel yourself and your family when you might not be close to your local Ingles store. 

Question: I’m trying to lose weight, should I cut out eating fruit?