Zucchini or Squash? Squash or Zucchini? What's the difference?

Green zucchini

Whenever I heard people say zucchini and squash, I never realized
that it was actually the same thing.  Zucchini is squash and squash is zucchini!  They are related to both the melon and the cucumber and come in many different varieties.  Even though they can differ in shape, color, size and flavor, they all share one common characteristic – You can eat the entire vegetable, including its flesh, seeds and skin.  For some squash plants the flowers they produce are also edible.  The best squash are the summer variety.  The zucchini is the narrow squash that looks like a cucumber in shape and can come in green or yellow in color and can actually have stripes or specks.  The Crooked neck and straight neck squash generally have yellow skins.  The natural state of this squash is crooked (swan like neck) while their straight neck cousin has been genetically engineered to lose the crooked neck shape.  The Pattypan Squash looks like a saucer with wavy edges.  This can come in green or a golden yellow.  This is probably my favorite of the summer squashes because it’s a bit sweeter in flavor than the others.   Squash is great sautéed, grilled and raw and especially delicious as bread!  It’s filling, satisfying and really, really good for you.

Pattypan and Straight

Zucchini is very low in calories and high in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and can provide protection against cardiovascular disease, and even cure asthma (due to anti-inflammatory properties).  This vegetable helps to prevent diseases like scurvy and bruising because of the Vitamin C.  Other nutrients include foliate, potassium and Vitamin A necessary for proper functioning of the human body.  Lutein coupled with the vitamin C is great for your eyes and vision.  Vitamin B6, riboflavin, manganese and phosphorus helps the body in the arrangement of capillaries and the building of healthy bones.  Manganese also helps to support a healthy immune system.  It aids in the digestion and use of essential fatty acids which is crucial for developing natural antibodies.  Magnesium in the vegetable has roles n increasing energy, metabolism along with improving muscle contractions and nerve impulse transmission.  Regular consumption can be beneficial in the prevention of colon cancer, heart disease and protects the cells from oxidation damage.

Crooked Neck 

Wild squash originated in an area between Guatemala and Mexico.  It has been consumed for over 10,000 years now and was first cultivated for their seeds because early squash was bitter and didn’t have much flesh to eat.  As time progressed, squash cultivation spread through the Americas and better varieties with sweeter tasting flesh were developed.  Christopher Columbus brought squash back to Europe from the New World.  Portuguese and Spanish explorers introduced their cultivation throughout the world.  Today the largest commercial producers of squash include China, Japan, Romania, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and Argentina.

I was surprised not to find California on the list, with all the squash and zucchini varieties sold at the Farmers Market each week!  Bon Appétit!

written by Autumn, 15 - El Camino High School

The Power Packed Pomegranate! Ultra-Healthy and Delicious!

As we enter the season of colds and flues, there is no better natural substance than the pomegranate!  This strange fruit with red rough skin and packed with tiny ruby-red juicy seeds is loaded with anti-oxidant nutrients, which act as an excellent immune booster.  Drinking pomegranate juice at the onset of a cold is a great way to prevent it from getting worse.  The anti-inflammatory agents in pomegranate juice will also significantly reduce the soreness and redness of your sore throat.


Pomegranates are categorized as a “super food” because of their many health benefits.  Other agents found in pomegranate juice have been found to fight against the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) by reducing the oxidation of the bad (LDL) cholesterol that clogs and clots and causes hardening of the arteries.  In fact studies have shown that regular consumption of pomegranates can actually reverse the progression of this disease, protecting and healing you from blood vessel damage.

As I researched further, I learned that other studies positively proved that pomegranates contain a powerful agent against cancer, such as breast cancer and especially prostate cancer.  The anti-oxidant content protects the cells from damage of free radicals, keeping cancer at bay.

Healthy Choices: What's in Season? Citrus, Beets & Broccoli

Paradez Farms Oranges at Sunrise Mall
Farmers Market by BeMoneySmartUSA

I eat citrus fruits and broccoli frequently, and eat beets every once in a while, but I never realized how beneficial these few foods were to my health until recently.  If these foods aren’t on your menu at home already, after reading this article you’ll be inspired to expand your repertoire!

With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to make cold, refreshing citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, your new favorite snack.  Citrus fruits not only contain vitamin C, but they also contain phytonutrients and antioxidants that are proven to decrease chances of heart diseases and some types of cancer.  In addition, eating citrus fruits once a day can reduce the risk of stroke by almost 20%.  While oranges are widely renowned for their vitamin C content, grapefruit is ranked among the highest for antioxidants.  Grapefruit also seems to help symptoms of inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatiod arthritis and lupus.

What Constitutes A Certified Farmers Market in California

In the State of California there are three ways you can open and run a certified farmers market. You can either be an association, a government agency or a non-profit corporation. As a non-profit, BeMoneySmartUSA is permitted and licensed by the California State Department of Agriculture to run and manage a Certified Farmers Market (CFM) where all of the farmers and vendors are all certified by the State of California Department of Agriculture and under the regulation of the County Agricultural Commission. The CFM was created by the State of California to allow farmers the opportunity to sell their produce directly to the public exempting them from certain packing standards, labeling, and sizing requirements, which saves the farmers money and those savings get passed onto you! There are also regulations and permits through the County Department of Health that we must comply with in order to have non-certified products which would include prepared foods like bakery goods and sauces.

Patrons who visit any one of the Farmers' Markets sponsored by BeMoneySmartUSA can expect that everyone of the Farmers represented are certified and in many cases certified organic Farmers.  Each of them will display their updated permit - Certificate of Agriculture - that lists all of the produce they grow and sell at our markets.  They sell what they grow and they sell locally grown produce.  In addition to the local produce found at these markets, patrons can also enjoy gourmet specialty food items that include home made fresh pastas, sauces, and jams.  Other specialties include a variety of salsa blends, ground corn fresh baked tortilla chips, tamales, Soups to go, fresh breads, pastries and interesting healthy blends of dips, hummus, and many other delicious choices.  

BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers' Markets are locations includes: Saturday, 8 am - 1 pm in Citrus Heights, Sunrise Mall behind Sears; Sunday, 9 am - 2 pm at the Carmichael Park in Carmichael; Wednesday 9 am - 1 pm in front of the Veterans Hospital at Mather and in the evenings from 3 pm - 8 pm at the Fair Oaks Plaza Park on Main Street in the Old Fair Oaks Village. All markets are open all year round, rain or shine.

BeMoneySmartUSA supports farmers, community and youth as part of the mission to provide educational programs to youth in our communities! Thank you for your support!
Written by Austin, 18 – Sonoma State College

BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers Market Offers Amazing Opportunities to Teens!

With economic times as tough as they are, teens too are in trouble when it comes to getting jobs.  That is why it is so fantastic that, through their  Farmers Markets, BeMoneySmartUSA offers a variety of job opportunities to teens not only to earn money but to learn valuable business skills.

Through the nonprofit’s Rent-A-Teen program, local farmers and vendors can hire youth who have been trained in the BeMoneySmartUSA business and financial literacy workshops to assist at the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market.  In addition,

BeMoneySmartUSA offers other paid positions.  Teens may work in hospitality, greeting and helping those who come to the Farmer’s Market. They can also act as freelance writers, interviewing customers and vendors and sharing information in the Farmer’s Market monthly newsletter.

In addition to training teens, BeMoneySmartUSA gives back to the community! Workers collect several pounds of fresh produce from the farmers to donate to local youth charities, such as WIND Youth Services and Our Youth Breakfast Club.  “The Farmers Market is just an extension of the relevant experience and education they are all getting by participating in the Rent-A-Teen program and we are truly blessed to partner with an organization that gives back to youth and the community,” states Kelly Grady, mohter of three teenage girls who attended the finance and business camps and all work with BeMoneySmartUSA.

The BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market is a win-win situation for everyone involved:  the farmers, the teens, the costumers and local charities.  “We want to provide a model of business that helps the teens, the community and the businesses who participate to experience something more than the status quo,” says Don Hall, Market Manager, in this month’s Carmichael Times and American River Messenger.

At BeMoneySmartUSA’s unique Carmichael Farmer’s Market, youth gain job experience while earning an income, and advance their confidence and social skills while working with the community.  If you have not yet experienced the hospitality and plentiful selection of produce at the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market,  please come for a visit!  It is open every Saturday at the Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and every Sunday at the Carmichael Park from 9 am to 2 pm, rain or shine, all year round!

BeMoneySmartUSA is featured this month in the Carmichael Times as well as in the American River Messenger!  The articles provided  an in-depth look at how BeMoneySmartUSA is using its Carmichael Farmer’s Market to further its goal to financially educate youth. Free copies of the articles are available this month!

BeMoneySmartUSA works with schools, churches, youth organizations and businesses to provide FREE finance and business workshops to both youth and adults.  For more information about BeMoneySmartUSA workshops visit www.bemoneysmartusa.org. To sponsor a BeMoneySmartUSA program, email info@bemoneysmartusa.org or call (916) 806-3989.

Written by Clayton, 16, Folsom High School

Who Knew "Fungi" Could Be Be So Good For You!

At the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market there are many vendors who come together to offer you a variety of foods.  The newest addition to the Farmer’s Market family is the Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms booth, overseen by Peter and Bobbi Gallagher and owned by Roxana Walker.

Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms sells fresh Shiitake mushrooms (their most popular item), Blue Oyster mushrooms (great in salads), and King Oyster mushrooms (good sliced on the barbecue). One basket
of mushrooms sells for $4 and two baskets for $6.  The mushrooms are grown in sanitized rice-straw without the use of pesticides.  They also sell a growing kit that includes everything you need to grow your own mushrooms at home.  “The mushrooms are all high in antioxidants and delicious in soups,” says Peter.

Visit the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market to purchase produce from Dragon Gourmet Mushrooms as well as from many other local growers.  The BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday at the Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Carmichael Park in Carmichael on Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and on Wednesday mornings at the VA Hospital at Mather from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and Wednesday evenings at the Old Village Fair Oaks Plaza Park from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm all year round, rain or shine!

written by Annina, 13 - Olympus Middle School

BeMoneySmarUSA Farmers Market Opens at the Sunrise Mall

The grand opening of the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers Market at the Sunrise Mall on March 5, 2011 was a perfect day!  As people entered the market they were greeted by a smiling student employee dressed in “red” ready to help anyone seeking a special vendor and acquainting them with the layout of the new market.  There were over twenty new vendor/farmers out there, some of them familiar faces to patrons and many of them new to this venue.  Over 3000 people came in to celebrate with us on opening day.  Special entertainment was offered through the happy and talented Dilly Dally the clown who worked  hard to keep everyone adorned with balloon hats, wrist corsages and much more.  April May, was our featured face painter.  She created gorgeously elaborate designs on the eager faces of patrons of all ages.  You couldn’t miss the great toe-tapping sounds of the blue grass band “Ridin’ Shotgun” in the background with their distinct voices and cool steel guitar, banjos and drums!

Austins assists Upper Crust Baking
at BeMoneySmartUSA Sunrise Market

The BeMoneySmartUSA market is a Certified Farmers Market, which means all the farmers are certified by the state of California Department of Agriculture and many of them are also certified as organic farmers.  With products like beef, fish, eggs, organic citrus and vegetables, and a variety of specialty products that includes organic pre-prepared meals, almond butter, dried fruits and nuts, jams, sauces, homemade pasta, pizza, barbecue sauces, organic fresh spices/herbs and wine there is something for everyone!  You will not only get great healthy food but great service from the teens in “red” who are there to help out with your groceries, find a vendor and share the mission.  I really enjoy the market. I love the environment it brings and how every person just brightens up your day.

I am looking forward to future events that will be offered at the market that will include Free Healthy Cooking Demonstrations, Kids Cooking Classes, Raw-Foods Cooking, Canning Demonstrations, and other community events offered through community businesses and city programs.  Each week you can enjoy great local musical entertainment, balloon clowns, magicians, and face painting!

We look forward to seeing you out there each Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Mall.  Come shop with us!

Written by Tabitha, 18 - El Camino High School