Nutritionists’ picks

In Season

• Heirloom apples, including Roxbury Russet, Golden Russet, Ashmead’s Kernel and Calville Blanc — from Heirloom Orchards of Hood River Valley, Oregon
• Organic Opal apples — from Broetje Orchards in Prescott, Washington
• Organic Satsuma mandarin oranges — from Rich Johansen in Orland, California
• Organic citrus, the first of the season — Texas Rio Grapefruit, Navel Oranges, and Cara Cara Red Navel Oranges

PCC Nutrition educator Marilyn Walls’ picks

Winter Squash: This seasonal produce comes in a variety of colors and shapes and all offer fiber and beta-carotene. They are delicious as a component of roasted root vegetables. Stuff them with your favorite combination of apples, wild rice or mushrooms for a hearty side dish or vegetarian entrée. Stir leftover cooked squash in with apples, pears, or yams for a variation on homemade applesauce.

Herb Pharm Kava: My comfort botanical for holiday stress or anxiety. Kava has been a sacred rite in Polynesia for generations and Herb Pharm sustainably gathers its Kava from the remote Vanuatu Islands in the South Pacific. Kava is a gentle muscle relaxer, making it a potential sleep aid. Not for those with liver conditions.

ZuZu Liquid Eyeliner: Who doesn’t like to doll up a little for the holidays? When I gave up conventional cosmetics, some products were difficult to replace, including liquid eyeliner. ZuZu has given us a clean liquid eyeliner in festive colors that goes on smoothly and stays through the party. You can choose a matte black or warm brown, though I prefer amethyst with its deep orchid shimmer or the cool peacock green.

PCC Nutrition educator Nick Rose’s picks

De La Estancia Organic Polenta:This quick-cooking polenta is made from whole grain flint corn with a vibrant yellow color, indicative of beneficial antioxidants. Polenta is a perfect option to serve your gluten-free guests and this brand cooks up quickly, as their milling process creates an extremely fine grind of corn. The polenta in each bag is also traceable to a single farm, so there are no middlemen. Soft, colorful polenta is easily cut into triangles or other fun shapes (using cookie cutters) to make a fun food for kids to explore.

Iggy’s Turmeric Kraut: There are so many artisan sauerkrauts to try these days, but this one stands out with its magical golden glow, a result of the therapeutic dose of fresh turmeric added to this raw, fermented, local kraut. Cabbage, turmeric and carrots are some of the most potent foods to include in your cancer-fighting diet, and the fiber and probiotics keep your immune and digestive systems primed. This top seller pairs nicely with rice, tempeh/tofu, Indian food, or egg dishes.

Omega Nutrition Pumpkin Seed Butter: This deep-green-colored seed butter, made from just pumpkin seeds (and salt), is always a crowd pleaser, especially when you stir in a little maple syrup and cinnamon (recipe on the jar). Pumpkin seeds give you a nice mix of healthy fats, protein, zinc, magnesium and vitamin E. There’s evidence that pumpkin seeds lower cholesterol levels and support your prostate as you age. Creative “nut-free” alternative for kids’ lunches and get-togethers.