3 farmer's market finds to have in your kitchen

(WTNH) - The weather is starting to cool, we are returning to more consistent routines and often reacquainting ourselves with healthy meal planning. One of the best ways to find inspiration is at your local farmers' market. These days, farmers' markets abound in communities across Connecticut, providing ample opportunity to find fresh, locally grown, just-harvested produce that is packed with important nutrients.

Here are 3 delicious farmers' market finds that are easy to prepare, full of nutrients and will keep you and your family feeling satisfied:

Winter Squash - root vegetables rule when fall rolls around, their natural harvesting season.

• Bursting with cancer fighting antioxidants like Vitamins A and C
• Healthy amounts of dietary fiber
• Low in calories, only 79 per cup
• Easy to prepare -- bake, steam or add to soups and stews
• A variety of squashes from which to choose - acorn, delicata, butternut, and spaghetti to name a few
• Root vegetables have properties that can help us feel more grounded

Kale - Nothing says healthy eating like having fresh, darky leafy greens as part of a healthy meal.

• One of the healthiest vegetables you can eat!
• Chock full of Vitamins A, C, E, and K plus they has good amounts of fiber, calcium and potassium
• Naturally increases our energy, no caffeine needed
• Greens are easy to prepare in a variety of ways - sauté, bake, add to soups or stew, or juice them
• As the weather cool and the first frost arrives, greens like kale become sweeter upon harvesting
• A natural anti-inflammatory

Apples - think hay rides and crisp fall days and apple picking comes to mind! Whether buying apples at your local farm market or picking them yourself at an orchard, you can't help beat the nutritional value and flavor in locally grown apples.

• A myriad of varieties and textures from which to choose - sweet, crisp, tart, etc.
• Good source of Vitamin C and fiber
• Supports a healthy heart
• Low in calories
• Retain the skins to get the phytonutrient content contained in them
• When possible buy organic apples as they tend to be sprayed with an average of 2-3 pesticides

Wendy Battles-Plasse, The Clean Eating Coach, is a New Haven-based nutritionist, author, and meal planning expert. She teaches busy men and women, especially those over 40, how to create a clean eating lifestyle free of processed food, salt and sugar that helps prevents disease, kick starts weight loss, creates boundless energy and supports aging vibrantly. She believes that embracing a healthier lifestyle now creates the stage for vibrant health in later years and reduces the likelihood of chronic disease.

She is the co-author of " A Healthier You " and a contributor to the recently published book, " Is She Naturally Thin or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Thin ." You can learn more about Wendy, and see the recipes she discussed today at her website: http://DontWorryGetHealthy.com .