One of the keys to keeping a real food based diet affordable is to eat seasonally. Right now citrus season is in full swing and a friend gave me a huge bag full of grapefruit from the tree in their back yard. With this bountiful gift, I created a few grapefruit centered recipes and am sharing 3 of them with you today. I’m sharing a fantastic marinade for pork tenderloin, a raw vegan (and delicious) salad, and a fantastic curd for shortbread cookies, waffles, or enjoying straight from the jar.

One of my favorite things about learning how and why to eat seasonally is how amazing the earth is at providing what we need in every season. It’s truly amazing.

The health benefits of grapefruit are:

1. High in Vitamin C. One whole grapefruit gives us 118% of the vitamin c we need daily. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, prevents bleeding gums, shortens the duration and severity of colds, and is anti-inflammatory.
2. Helps Prevent Kidney Stones. Grapefruits bitter taste are due to what is called naringenin. Naringenin has been show to prevent the growth of kidney stones. This along with the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds reducing swelling and fluid retention help keep your kidney’s healthy and cyst free.  (source)
3. Helps Prevent Cancer Growth. Naringenin and the phytonutrients known as  limonoids repair DNA and inhibit tumor growth. (source)
4. Helps Keep The Blues Away. The smell of grapefruit is known to reduce anxiety (source) and has antidepressant qualities. (source)

I have had a blast developing recipes and 3 turned out ah-mazing. I’m excited to share them with you.

My Grapefruit Thyme Pork Tenderloin is a simple recipe that was absolutely delicious. A pleasant surprise.

Get the recipe.

I truly enjoy salads of all kinds. I could eat salad everyday, including this Grapefruit, Jicama and Mint Salad. It’s light, refreshing, and filling, no meat needed.

Get the recipe. 

Last but definitely not least, my Grapefruit Curd with honey. Curd is a new to me food and I will definitely be making more varieties of this healthy pudding. You can eat it with a spoon, use in place of syrup on your pancakes and waffles, smear on toast or dip shortbread cookies into. It’s creamy and just sweet enough without being overwhelming.

Get the recipe. 

I had so much fun finding creative ways to incorporate grapefruit into recipes. I hope you find them delicious and have fun trying new ways to eat your favorite foods.