Spring is a bountiful time of the year when it comes to fresh produce, but it always helps to know exactly what’s in season. If you want to purchase only the freshest, most flavorful fruits and veggies and ensure that they last as long as possible in your fridge, use these helpful tips for understanding spring produce.

1. Artichokes. Whether you use them on pizzas or add them to your salads, artichokes are a great way to add flavor and nutrients to your meals. Their main harvest takes place during the springtime, so look for the ones with close, compact leaves and clean-cut stems.
2. Asparagus. This popular veggie is found in a number of high-end restaurants, but you can easily prepare it at home if you purchase it fresh in the springtime. The thickness doesn’t necessarily indicate tenderness, so don’t overlook thinner or thicker spears at your grocery store.
3. Carrots. While carrots are commonly found in grocery stores year-round, they taste best during the spring season. Only purchase bundles that are firm to the touch for maximum freshness.
4. Leafy greens. Nutrient-rich veggies like chard, kale, and other cooking greens tend to turn bitter during hot summer months, so purchase them in the spring for the best taste.
5. Fennel. If you’ve never cooked with fennel, experiment with this green (a relative of celery) when it comes into season during the warmer springtime.
6. Grapefruit. Create a nutritious breakfast by adding grapefruit, which starts to become plump and juicy in January.

Spring Produce: Your Guide to Picking the Best [Greatist]
What’s in Season? Spring [Fruits and Veggies More Matters]
Fresh Spring Fruits and Vegetables [About Food]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/USDA

Brewmasters Favio Garcia and Matt Hagerman founded Lost Rhino Brewing Co. to bring a taste of West Coast-style brews to the people of the Mid-Atlantic region. You’ll find some great beers here, but you’ll also encounter a lively tasting room complete with what regulars call a very satisfying snacks menu. Order some barbecue chicken sliders, a loaded hot dog, chips and dip, or a Bavarian pretzel while you taste the many unique beers brewed here. Favorite beers at Lost Rhino include the Face Plant, the Pretty in Pink, the Hop Star, and the New River. You can order some root beer for the kids, too.

Locals love the bar-like atmosphere at Lost Rhino, where you can enjoy live music from local musicians on Friday and Saturday nights. Tours of the brewery are available on Saturday afternoons. When you find a beer you like, get a growler to take home!

Lost Rhino Brewing Co.
21730 Red Rum Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147
(571) 291-2083
www.lostrhino.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lost-rhino-brewing-co-ashburn

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Richard Eriksson

Washing your hands thoroughly can help to prevent you from contacting diseases, reduce the risk of food borne illness, and can even stop you from spreading germs if you’re already sick. Here are a few tips that will show you the correct way to wash your hands.

1. Apply soap and water. First, completely soak your hands with warm water. Apply as much soap as you need in order to cover both hands—remember, the more the better.
2. Rub palms together. Vigorously rub your palms together in a circular motion to clean germs from the center of your hands.
3. Clean between fingers. Clean the hard-to-reach places between your fingers by placing one hand on top of the other as if you were holding hands with another person. Rub the fingertips from one hand between the fingers of the other hand, and then switch.
4. Clean fingernails. Rub the fingernails of one hand across the palm of the other hand to remove dirt and germs. Clasp the hands together with the backs of your fingers to the opposite palm, and then rub the hands back and forth.
5. Rinse and dry. Rinse hands completely with water, and then dry them with a single-use paper towel. Don’t forget to use the towel to turn off the faucet in order to prevent contacting more germs, and then toss it away.

When & How to Wash Your Hands [CDC]
How to Wash Your Hands Properly by Mary Calvagna, MS [BIDMC]
Clean hands protect against infection [World Health Organization]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Horia Varlan