Colorado has brought many great new things, one of them being the large amount of local organic farms in the area and the community's deep passion to eat locally. I have been lucky enough to volunteer at a local organic farm 2-3 times a week since I have been here and it has really opened my eyes to the importance of growing your own food and eating locally and seasonally. This value was first made clear to me in Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"; a book that has completely changed my life and way of thinking (sounds cliche, I know, but it's true!). Now with all that I have learned through farming too, this way of life and way of eating is the only thing that makes sense.
So how does one eat locally and seasonally? Seems like a pain but it's really just a little more effort and awareness. The key is research, research, research and plan, plan, plan.
1) Farmer's markets are everywhere now and by shopping at a farmer's market you can guarantee what you are eating is local AND seasonal. Some stay open during the winter also!
2) Research your local farms and stop by their farm stands to pick up your veggies, eggs, milk, and sometimes meat for the week. Joining a CSA during the spring-fall season is a great option too! Many farms will also allow you to trade volunteering for vegetables.3) Train your self to cook meals based on what is in season. You won't be eating strawberry pie while watching college football games in the fall or fresh brushetta with Christmas dinner but you will get to enjoy that season's own seasonal and delicious food.
4) Understand that you aren't going to be eating those delicious exotic fruits and foods as often. It is an adjustment if you are used to eating kiwi for breakfast every morning but when you realizes the amount of emissions created by that one kiwi and how those emissions are effecting the earth, the kiwi probably won't taste as sweet.
5) Look for farm to table restaurants in your area...a ton are popping up everywhere allowing you to get away from the stove and enjoy a night out sticking with your "eating local" values!
6) When you do buy non-regional products make sure they are labeled "fair trade" ensuring fair compensation and treatment of the farmers and workers who grow these products for our enjoyment.
7) Eat whole, non processed foods. It is easier to ensure local ingredients when you are eating a squash as opposed to over-processed foods with 10 or more ingredients. Not to mention whole foods are a billion times healthier for your body! It is fun being challenged to use new seasonal ingredients that you are not used to cooking. It will expand your pallet and your cooking skills.
Jenna!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to see that you are blogging again. I've decided that your vegetarian lifestyle (while only months ago seemed loco to me as I sat around reading your blog while simultaneously stuffing my face with fried taquitos and Coca-Cola) is definitely a positive and healthy way to live one's life. You have inspired me to try vegetarianism (and dare I say veganism) once I've got my feet firmly planted back on American soil. Since I've been gone I've been suffering from non-stop headaches, infections, and bowel issues. And although these things are generally par for the course for an American living in the third-world, I have to blame a large part of my problems on the incredibly unhealthy diet that I have had for the last (almost) 2 years. Almost everything I eat is fried, has tons of extra sugar added, or comes in a plastic package. This, I realize, is gross, but it took me way too long to get fed up with it. So, til I can join you at your veggie farm in CO, I am looking forward to more blogs, more recipes, and more tips in the future to get me back on a healthy track!!
Love,
Erika