EATING LOCALLY GROWN FOOD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SEASONS WILL HELP YOU LIVE IN HARMONY WITH YOURSELF , YOUR BODY, AND THE EARTH!
Our ancestors ate seasonally because they had no choice. Fresh greens grew in spring, fruit ripened in summer, root veggies kept them going in the fall, and people relied on animal food to get them through the winter. Today its hard to take this lead because we can get most any produce we want at the grocery store any time of the year. You would think this kind of open access to all the different kinds of produce would be better for us but its actually not!
On average, fruits and vegetables travel 2,000 miles to get from farms to us. The nutrient density of these fruits and vegetables begins to decline the INSTANT that they are harvested. Fruits and veggies can spend as much as five days in transit, sit on supermarket shelves for a few days before purchase and then sit in a home refrigerator before being eaten. The nutrients decline through all this.
So how can we truly reap all of the nutritional benefits that come from fruits and veggies?
THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE!
Eat Seasonally!!
Listen to our bodies! They are naturally programmed to eat a certain way through the seasons.
Try to eat ripe, in season, locally grown food if possible.
Our bodies need and crave different foods in the summer than the winter. For our ancestors fall would be about investing energy into hunting animals and preserving the harvest. Winter would be about the nuts, seeds and berries gathered, and they would live off the fat put on during the summer. Spring would bring more activity and the beginning of fresh plant foods again.
Summer is a great time to eat raw fruits and veggies. Your body naturally craves more fruit, salad, and lighter foods during warmer months. Summer foods include bell peppers, balckberries, blueberries, raspberries, broccoli, corn, cucumbers , eggplant, green beans, nectarines, pineapples, plums, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini.
Some nutrient-rich winter plant foods include garlic and onions, mushrooms, parsnips and sweet potatoes, kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, turnips, pumpkin and root vegetables. In the winter our bodies need warming foods like soups made with hearty vegetables and rich stocks cooked with animal bones.
Today our bodies still react to the seasons but we are eating as if we live in an never-ending summer. The down side of this is that we are NOT receiving enough nutrients from diverse foods.
According to ancient Chinese medicine the principle of harmony between what we eat and what season is an important component to better health. The food we consume has a profound effect on the body and overall wellbeing!
Eating seasonally and locally is a good idea for overall better health for you and the whole family!
Check this guide to see whats in season in your area.
Be Well! 🙂
Susie R.
p.s. Its not to late to sign up for the 14 Day REAL FOOD REAL FITNESS RESET!
Marla says……“Day 14 of 14 Day Program
I Have Never Felt Better! I have every intention to continue on this path as it’s a very beneficial lifestyle change. I am down 6lbs. I noticed I simply am home cooking a lot more and at grocer more frequently but I actually am loving the peace & quiet, solitude and family time! My family is on board too:) Yes, grocery bill higher but I’m not eating out at all and preventing medical bills! Thanks Susie! You made what felt intimidating fun and simple! Although I already pray, meditate and recite affirmations daily, I was noticing a lot more and eating mindfully! Thanks Susie!”
