I love fall! It is my favorite season, the air feels crisper, leaves change their color and somehow the energy around us shifts as everyone gets ready for the cooler months ahead. I also love it because I get to use my oven more often and try new recipes in a warm and cozy kitchen!
Fall is also the perfect time to re-stock my pantry and my fridge. As seasons change, my meals do too and I try to eat seasonally as best as I can. But what exactly does eating seasonally mean? Simply put, it’s about eating fruits and vegetables that are in season and grow in the climate you live in. If you’re on the East coast like me, that means lots of apples, turnips, rainbow carrots, squash… the perfect inspiration to try out new meals!
Whenever I can, I like to shop at a Farmer’s Market. Not only does it support local farmers, but I get produce just harvested, is super fresh and packed with flavor and nutrients! When food has to travel long distances and then sit on shelves for days, it looses some of its nutritional content.
When going to a Farmer’s Market is not an option, I try to buy at a grocery shop that I know features local produce. Most of the time they label the origin of what’s being offered which I think is very useful in deciding on whether I should buy those out of season-but gorgeous- looking strawberries or go for fresh pears harvested nearby.
Another great option is to subscribe to a community-supported agriculture program (CSA). Most deliver right to your door and do the picking for you. A great way to try things you’d probably never buy! It also helps you save some money by cutting down on transportation costs and you are supporting your local community. CSA’s are also very mindful of the environment. There’s less packaging involved and less waste as you only get what you and your family need!
Eating seasonally is a great way to connect with nature. We become more mindful about the food that we eat, and we feed our bodies what they need to be strong, thrive and stay healthy.