Can't beet it.

If you love beets, you need Melissa.

She trims, peels, and steams her tender Baby Red Beets. then wraps them in a vacuum-sealed package to preserve that fresh-cooked flavor.

It's hard not to devour them right out of the package.

Of course, you could also add them to a cold salad, serve them as a garnish, or warm them up for a fast, healthful side dish. If you want to get fancy, try roasting them with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Or slice them and mix with goat cheese, walnuts, orange sections, and sliced onions. Unopened, they'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to three months.

No matter how you eat your baby beets, each 1/2-package serving (2-3 small beets) delivers some 20 percent of a day's relate and 4 to 8 percent of a day's fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and iron. While beets don't pack the nutritional punch of broccoli, sweet potatoes, or most other deep-green or orange veggies, they've got only 40 fat-free calories and 30 mg of sodium per serving.

So what's to lose ... except all those excuses (too much time, too much trouble, too much mess) that stand between you and fresh beets.

With Melissa's, the beet goes on.

Melissa's: [phone].

About CSPI, publisher of Nutrition Action Healthletter

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), founded in 1971, is an independent nonprofit consumer health group. CSPI advocates honest food labeling and advertising, safer and more nutritious foods, and pro-health alcohol policies. CSPI's work is supported by Nutrition Action Healthletter subscribers and foundation grants. CSPI accepts no government or industry funding. Nutrition Action Healthletter, which has been published since 1974, accepts no advertising.