The best thing about seasonal produce is that mother nature always provides us with excellent sources of the nutrients that our body needs at exactly the right time. Springtime calls to mind artichokes, asparagus, and fresh greens—just what our body needs to detoxify from the colder months. Artichokes in particular help us prepare our bodies for the warmer months ahead. Artichokes are technically not vegetables, but thistles, and each of the tender leaves that we enjoy eating is actually part of a flower that has yet to bud. Full of mineral salts such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, artichokes help protect our livers and kidneys while improving their functionality and providing beneficial fiber that helps to lower bad cholesterol levels. The inulin found in artichokes also helps the body to maintain even blood sugar levels. When I think of artichokes, I am immediately transported to Rome. Of all of …