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Hello my name is Crystal Gudino and I am a Food Photographer. Click on my photos for enlargement & description.
Succulent swiss chard is a popular green leafy vegetable of European origin. Chard is an annual crop widely grown greens around Mediterranean region and is available at its best during summer season from June until November months. Swiss chard comes in variety of types based on their shiny, crunchy stalks or petiole: Green stalk: Lucullus. Red stalk: Charlotte, Rhubarb Chard. Multi-colored stalk: Bright Lights (white, orange, yellow, purple, pink). 6 ways Swiss chard will boost your health 1. Swiss chard contains 13 different polyphenol antioxidants. 2. Chard is a source of a phytonutrient called betalains, which are found in the veins and stem of Swiss chard. Betalains have an antiodixant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect on the body. 3. Swiss chard contains a high amount of fiber and protein, both of which help stabilize blood sugar levels. 4. Swiss chard is super high in Vitamin K. There’s six to eight times the recommended daily amount in just one cup of boiled chard. This vitamin helps you maintain strong and healthy bones. 5. It contains a high amount of Vitamin C, giving your immune system a boost with each and every bite. 6. High in Vitamin A, Swiss chard will help keep your eyesight in tip top shape. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Succulent swiss chard is a popular green leafy vegetable of European origin.

Chard is an annual crop widely grown greens around Mediterranean region and is available at its best during summer season from June until November months.

Swiss chard comes in variety of types based on their shiny, crunchy stalks or petiole:

  • Green stalk: Lucullus.
  • Red stalk: Charlotte, Rhubarb Chard.
  • Multi-colored stalk: Bright Lights (white, orange, yellow, purple, pink).

6 ways Swiss chard will boost your health

1. Swiss chard contains 13 different polyphenol antioxidants.

2. Chard is a source of a phytonutrient called betalains, which are found in the veins and stem of Swiss chard. Betalains have an antiodixant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect on the body.

3. Swiss chard contains a high amount of fiber and protein, both of which help stabilize blood sugar levels.

4. Swiss chard is super high in Vitamin K. There’s six to eight times the recommended daily amount in just one cup of boiled chard. This vitamin helps you maintain strong and healthy bones.

5. It contains a high amount of Vitamin C, giving your immune system a boost with each and every bite.

6. High in Vitamin A, Swiss chard will help keep your eyesight in tip top shape.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

I have the biggest sweet tooth!A lovely raspberry chocolate cake I photographed at my school The Art Institute of CA - OC from a baking and pastry class. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

I have the biggest sweet tooth!
A lovely raspberry chocolate cake I photographed at my school The Art Institute of CA - OC from a baking and pastry class.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Milk and cookies anyone? Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Milk and cookies anyone?

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A cup of coffee and a pumpkin scone, mmmm Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

A cup of coffee and a pumpkin scone, mmmm

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Beautiful delicious bread I bought from Riviera Farmers Market made by Röckenwagner Bakery.

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EAT YELLOW FOR HEALTH

Bright colors can be an instant mood booster, particularly the color yellow. This sunny hue represents happiness, joy and hope. When you seek out and consume yellow-colored foods, you nourish your body, mind and soul with many of Mother Nature’s health benefits.

Yellow fruits and vegetables are nutritional powerhouses

Yellow fruits and vegetables are teeming with carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which represent a class of water soluble plant pigments that function as antioxidants. Along with antioxidants, sunny-colored foods also have an abundance of vitamin C. Studies suggest that these bountiful nutrients will help your heart, vision, digestion and immune system. Other benefits of naturally yellow foods include maintenance of healthy skin, wound healing, and stronger bones and teeth.

Photos of: squash blossoms and pattypan squashes taken at Coronado Famers’ Market

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And now for something not so healthy yet so divine, mint chip ice-cream.  Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

And now for something not so healthy yet so divine, mint chip ice-cream. 

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

A cup of raw, shredded red cabbage has 22 calories and 1 g protein, no fat, 5 g carbohydrates, 1.5 g fiber and 2.5 g natural sugar. Red cabbage is more than 90 percent water. MayoClinic.com notes that foods with high water content have especially low energy density levels, which makes them a good choice for weight loss and weight maintenance. Photo shot at Coronado Farmers Market Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

A cup of raw, shredded red cabbage has 22 calories and 1 g protein, no fat, 5 g carbohydrates, 1.5 g fiber and 2.5 g natural sugar. Red cabbage is more than 90 percent water. MayoClinic.com notes that foods with high water content have especially low energy density levels, which makes them a good choice for weight loss and weight maintenance.

Photo shot at Coronado Farmers Market

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Bonjour French Pastry A small, cute, delicious bakery that I recently tried and loved. The Owner and Patisserie is Yuji Shiraki whom was trained in both Japan and France. Their pastries and coffee are a bit expensive but worth the try and once you enjoy whatever you decide to get you’ll forget about the prices the second time around because it’s that good. Their secret to their amazing taste is their signature light palette as well as freshness of their products. Their paste is made from fresh fruits and their bread is made from flour that is imported from Japan. Cakes here are never stored. Instead, cakes are made throughout the day and constantly placed in the display case. The three pastries I photographed are a strawberry short cake, tiramisu, and a green tea cake. Info: 18222 S Western AveGardena, CA 90248Neighborhoods: Torrance, Harbor Gateway(310) 323-1468 Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Bonjour French Pastry

A small, cute, delicious bakery that I recently tried and loved. The Owner and Patisserie is Yuji Shiraki whom was trained in both Japan and France. Their pastries and coffee are a bit expensive but worth the try and once you enjoy whatever you decide to get you’ll forget about the prices the second time around because it’s that good. Their secret to their amazing taste is their signature light palette as well as freshness of their products. Their paste is made from fresh fruits and their bread is made from flour that is imported from Japan. Cakes here are never stored. Instead, cakes are made throughout the day and constantly placed in the display case.

The three pastries I photographed are a strawberry short cake, tiramisu, and a green tea cake.

Info:

18222 S Western Ave
Gardena, CA 90248
Neighborhoods: Torrance, Harbor Gateway
(310) 323-1468

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Chamomile and Thyme What is Chamomile? Chamomile is an herb that comes from a flowering plant from the daisy family. Both the fresh and dried flowers of chamomile have been used to create teas for centuries to cure a number of health problems. The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, which has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. What are the Benefits of Chamomile? Chamomile can be used topically or orally to treat a number of everyday ailments, such as: Insomnia and other sleep disorders Anxiety and Panic Attacks Muscle twitches Wounds, burns, and scrapes Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash Stomach problems such as menstrual cramps, stomach flu, and ulcers What is Thyme? Thyme is an herb packed with numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients (plant derived compounds), minerals and vitamins that are essential for wellbeing. The thyme plant is perennial shrub with thin woody base and square stems. What are the Benefits of Thyme? Thyme contains many active principles that are found to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Thyme herb contains thymol, one of the important essential oils, which scientifically have been found to have antiseptic, anti-fungal characteristics. The herb is also a rich source of many important vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and folic acid. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Chamomile and Thyme

What is Chamomile?

Chamomile is an herb that comes from a flowering plant from the daisy family. Both the fresh and dried flowers of chamomile have been used to create teas for centuries to cure a number of health problems. The active ingredient in chamomile essential oil is known as bisabolol, which has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.

What are the Benefits of Chamomile?

Chamomile can be used topically or orally to treat a number of everyday ailments, such as:

  • Insomnia and other sleep disorders
  • Anxiety and Panic Attacks
  • Muscle twitches
  • Wounds, burns, and scrapes
  • Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash
  • Stomach problems such as menstrual cramps, stomach flu, and ulcers

What is Thyme?

Thyme is an herb packed with numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients (plant derived compounds), minerals and vitamins that are essential for wellbeing. The thyme plant is perennial shrub with thin woody base and square stems.

What are the Benefits of Thyme?

  • Thyme contains many active principles that are found to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.
  • Thyme herb contains thymol, one of the important essential oils, which scientifically have been found to have antiseptic, anti-fungal characteristics.
  • The herb is also a rich source of many important vitamins such as B-complex vitamins, beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and folic acid.
Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Chocolate♥♥♥

(Click on photos to view them larger) 

They do it right, they do it best, and it’s all with organic ingredients; Marsatta Fancy Chocolates.
Their chocolate factory is based out in Redondo Beach, with chocolate maker Jeffray Gardner, his wife, and their three oompa loompa’s. 
Personally, I have bought their chocolates from Torrance Farmers market on Saturday’s and Riviera Farmers Market on Friday’s.

There’s no other way to really describe their chocolate other than amazing, you have to try it your self to know what I mean. I’m currently eating their Belgian Dark Chocolate with smooth Caramel and Macadamia Nuts. I thought I wasn’t a caramel person, they definitely proved me other wise, my new favorite for sure!

Check out & like their fb like pg here.
You’ll have all your additional questions answered there by simply checking out their page or you can ask them your questions and they’ll be glad to answer, they’re very sweet.
*ALSO, if you like their page you have a chance to be in one of their drawings to win some yummy chocolates, how awesome is that!?

Thank you once again Marsatta! 

Check out my previous post about them here.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Yummy organic blackberries! 10 awesome facts: 1. Blackberries are one of the top ten foods containing antioxidants. 2. They’re packed with polyphenols helping to prevent cancer and heart disease. 3. Blackberries are filled with anthocyanins (antioxidants which give blackberries their deep purple color) which help in memory retention and the risk of hypertension. 4. Blackberries are said to strengthen blood vessels, help fight heart disease and help improve eyesight. 5. The high tannin content of blackberries help tighten tissue, relieve intestinal inflammation, and help reduce hemorrhoids and stomach disorders. 6. Ohio State University found that blackberries may protect against esophageal cancer, a cancer caused by gastric reflux disease. 7. Blackberries have shown to protect against other types of cancers. They contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), a compound believed to play a vital role in preventing breast and cervical cancer. 8. Blackberries are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Manganese and fiber. 9. The high fiber content of blackberries help reduce risk of intestinal disease and the risk of developing diabetes. 10. Blackberries are a healthy food choice that kids and adults love. They are a great way to refuel after a hard workout and help aid in fighting obesity. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Yummy organic blackberries!

10 awesome facts:

1. Blackberries are one of the top ten foods containing antioxidants.


2. They’re packed with polyphenols helping to prevent cancer and heart disease.


3. Blackberries are filled with anthocyanins (antioxidants which give blackberries their deep purple color) which help in memory retention and the risk of hypertension.


4. Blackberries are said to strengthen blood vessels, help fight heart disease and help improve eyesight.


5. The high tannin content of blackberries help tighten tissue, relieve intestinal inflammation, and help reduce hemorrhoids and stomach disorders.


6. Ohio State University found that blackberries may protect against esophageal cancer, a cancer caused by gastric reflux disease.


7. Blackberries have shown to protect against other types of cancers. They contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), a compound believed to play a vital role in preventing breast and cervical cancer.


8. Blackberries are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Manganese and fiber.


9. The high fiber content of blackberries help reduce risk of intestinal disease and the risk of developing diabetes.


10. Blackberries are a healthy food choice that kids and adults love. They are a great way to refuel after a hard workout and help aid in fighting obesity.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Mmmm mango sorbet!This delicious mango sorbet was bought at Trader Joe’s. I love their mango sorbet more than anyone else’s, it tastes like actual fresh frozen pureed mangoes. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Mmmm mango sorbet!

This delicious mango sorbet was bought at Trader Joe’s. I love their mango sorbet more than anyone else’s, it tastes like actual fresh frozen pureed mangoes.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Tomatillos! With their dense, highly seeded interior, tomatillos burst with a distinctive tart, lemony flavor that makes them the perfect ingredient in Mexican dishes such as Salsa Cruda, a fresh salsa dish, as well as Salsa Verde, a cooked green sauce used in many Mexican dishes. Tomatillos also contain a pectin-like substance that thickens the sauce or salsa upon refrigeration. The highly nutritional aspects of tomatillos may surprise you. One medium raw tomatillo contains only 11 calories, yet it packs 91 mg. of potassium. That same little fruit contains 4 mg. of vitamin C, 2.4 mg of calcium, 2.38 mg. of folic acid, and 39 IU of vitamin A. Imagine the benefits if you include several in your recipe. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

Tomatillos!

With their dense, highly seeded interior, tomatillos burst with a distinctive tart, lemony flavor that makes them the perfect ingredient in Mexican dishes such as Salsa Cruda, a fresh salsa dish, as well as Salsa Verde, a cooked green sauce used in many Mexican dishes. Tomatillos also contain a pectin-like substance that thickens the sauce or salsa upon refrigeration.

The highly nutritional aspects of tomatillos may surprise you. One medium raw tomatillo contains only 11 calories, yet it packs 91 mg. of potassium. That same little fruit contains 4 mg. of vitamin C, 2.4 mg of calcium, 2.38 mg. of folic acid, and 39 IU of vitamin A. Imagine the benefits if you include several in your recipe.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

3 very interesting facts about cinnamon: In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium. Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.

3 very interesting facts about cinnamon:

  1. In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
  2. Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
  3. It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Follow here for more food photography, recipes, reviews, and health benefit facts.