There are two main sources that you can obtain vitamin A naturally.

1) Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes from animal foods such as calf liver.

2) Vitamin A comes from Carotenoids (alpha-, beta-, and gamma- carotene) which our bodies convert into Vitamin A and comes from many fruits and vegetables.

Check out the many health benefits of Vitamin A and find out how to get more of it in your healthy lifestyle!

Health Benefits of Vitamin A

• Vitamin A has been shown to help fight against age-related ocular diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Vitamin A helps to improve night vision by allowing the eyes to more effectively distinguish between light and dark.

• Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and can help protect us against skin diseases and some cancers.

• Vitamin A plays an important role with the white blood cells in the body which fights infections and boosts in the immune system.

• Vitamin A prevents urinary stones from forming by producing calcium phosphate in the body.

•Vitamin A is known to be an essential to the reproductive process in both women and men.

• Vitamin A helps keep bones and teeth healthy and strong.

Natural Sources of Vitamin A

• Sweet Potato – 438% DV

• Spinach – 377% DV

• Carrots – 407.6% DV

• Calf Liver – 1,600% DV

• Kale – 354% DV

• Swiss Chard – 214% DV

• Collard Greens – 308% DV

• Winter Squash – 214% DV

Justification to Obtain Vitamins and Minerals Naturally

From what I have studied, it’s best if you can get your vitamins and minerals through natural sources rather than supplements.

Here’s why: Vitamin A works in conjunction with Vitamin D when obtained in the proper amount. You can obtain the proper amounts if you eat a variety of vegetables (Vitamin A) and get the proper amount of daily sun exposure (Vitamin D).

If you have too much Vitamin A (supplments) it can detract from the benefits associated with the Vitamin D and can even be potentially toxic. If you don’t have enough Vitamin A, the Vitamin D cannot function properly within the body.

Percentage Daily Value Sources provided by whfoods.org

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Benefits

• High in vitamin A, calcium, iron, and manganese

•Treats stomach cramps

•Increases appetite to help treat anorexia

•Helps aide digestion

•You can chew tarragon leaves to stop hiccups

•Helps reduce body oder

•Can be used to help with insomnia (tea)

Intake

Dried – Used for culinary purposes and teas.

Essential Oil – When tarragon is in an oil form, there is eugenol in the herb that has been used in dentistry as a local anesthetic and antiseptic for toothache complaints.

Precautions

Some people may have a slight risk of having an allergic reaction to tarragon. When tarragon is used as an essential oil, it can be poisonous and should not be used by small children or pregnant women.

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If produce could be delicious enough to be compared to a treat, you have come to the right place. Some people add brown sugar to butternut squash once it has been cooked, but in my opinion, you don’t need it. It tastes great with just a little bit of butter (you don’t want to over do it) and some salt and pepper.

Butternut squash can easily be cooked in the oven for about an hour or so. Just cut in half, scoop the seeds out, and wrap it in tin foil. Once it is cooked and cooled off a little bit (you don’t want to burn your fingers!), take off the skin and mash it, and while it is still warm, add a bit of butter, salt, and pepper. Yum.

As much as I love butternut squash, some people do have an issue with the texture.  Some people think it’s too “mushy” or “stringy”. I don’t have a problem with it, but some people do. If you do have a texture problem with butternut squash, but still want the health benefits, you might want to puree this and make it into a soup. If anyone has any other cooking ideas, please feel free to make a comment.

Not only does this butternut squash taste good, but it is extremely good for you. It has plenty of vitamin A (supports healthy lungs), vitamin C (Helps with your immune system), potassium (bone health), fiber (heart friendly), and other good for you ingredients. You can’t go wrong with this vegetable (unless you were unfortunately allergic!).

Serving: 1 cup

Calories: 65

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Nutrition

The Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl is made with Organic Pasta Shells and Vegetables, such as Broccoli, Spinach, Onions and delicious Tomato puree. This dish comes out to be 73% Organic- the more the better! For those with allergies, this dish is Corn-Free,Tree Nut-Free, Soy-Free, and Certified Kosher.

This dish is high in protein (19 grams), Vitamin A (40% DV), Vitamin C (40% DV), Calcium (40% DV), and Iron (15% DV), and is low in Sugar, and has Zero Trans Fats.

Taste

The Stuffed pasta Shells Bowl tastes delicious- no question about it. You will probably feel like you are eating Lasagna at a high-end restaurant, without all the bad stuff that you just don’t need to put into your body.

I personally can’t go out and buy store bought lasagnas (my stomach just can’t handle them), so finding the Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowls from Amy’s Kitchen has been an amazing find for me. I am sure you will enjoy them as well!

Serving: 1 Bowl (3 Jumbo Stuffed Pasta Shells)

Calories: 310

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