Eating Seasonal Produce-Great Tasting Foods that Fit Your Budget

When eating produce that is halfway across the world, you will notice that it is not very tasty. Actually it is pretty bland. But when eating local produce from a farm right down the street, it is so flavorful. What is the difference?

Taste and nutrition in our foods has a lot to do with where it is grown, the season it is grown in and how long it has had to travel from the day picked. Other considerations such as what pesticides/chemicals and waxes were used to keep it looking “beautiful” all year round. Even if your produce is traveling just across the US it loses a majority of its nutritional value. In farms where there are a tremendous amount of products grown, often the ground doesn’t have time to rest and build back up the nutrients that it lost.

A principle that is mentioned in the Bible to overcome this problem is giving the land a Sabbath, which gives the land a rest. Exodus 23:10-12 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. This principle can be best implemented in growing your own food but when that is not an option, locally grown foods are best, especially organic.

Buying foods farmed locally often harmonizes more with our nutritional needs. For example, the beta carotene in the orange pigment of pumpkins and other squash will help bolster your immune system just in time to help ward off winter colds. And the oils of nuts—fats in their purest form—will provide nutrient-rich calories that help keep you warm as the temperature drops.

Seasonal local grown foods provide the most flavor, are more nutritionally dense, &are low cost to consumers by keeping production and transportation costs down.

A Japanese study found a three-fold difference in the vitamin C content of spinach harvested in summer versus that harvested in winter. Buying local organically grown foods can provide significantly higher amounts of antioxidants which are know to fight cancer.

Although the exact season for specific items varies from region to region following these basic guidelines you will optimize your nutrition, which is good for a healthy body and taste, which will make your mouth happy:

In spring, pick the new growth of the season: tender leafy vegetables such as spinach, Romaine or leaf lettuces, Swiss chard, and early peas, as well as fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, and dill.
For summer, fruits such as strawberries, pears, apples, and plums, and vegetables such as summer squash, broccoli, corn, and cauliflower. You can also incorporate other summer-type herbs, such as mint or cilantro.
During fall, choose hearty harvest foods, including sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic. When cooking, emphasize “warmer” spices and seasonings such as peppercorns, ginger, and mustard seeds.
In winter, also pick hearty foods. Keep in mind the principle that foods which take longer to grow are generally will last longer than foods that grow quickly. In this category are most root vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, corn, and nuts.

As you choose the best foods of the season, choose a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds & grains. Try new recipes that will make use of these foods. Cooked or fresh, trying new things will bring to you and your family a wonderful experience and healthful benefits.

Here are some tips that can help in this journey to a better way of life!

Focus on the fresh, minimizing the use of prepared foods as much as possible. Eating more fresh foods and less of the prepared foods is not only more nutritionally dense but can actually be less time consuming then some elaborate dishes. Preparing salads regularly with meals will also fill you up before the main meal and eating fresh fruit will reduce the amount of sugar consumed in the diet. Pick a new produce item to try every week. Cook at least one new dish each week, using seasonal produce. Many recipes offered in magazines will use seasonal items, so make use of this great tool.

Happy Eating!

For Information on healthy lifestyle visit www.hs-organics.com/healthtidbit.htm