Caitlin Leff
We all know that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is good for our health, but it’s easy to get into a routine eating the same thing every week. As much as I love broccoli, if all I eat is steamed broccoli every week, I get bored. Most of us would. And since diet and exercise are equally important in maintaining your weight goals, keeping variety and motivation in your kitchen can translate into continual motivation at the gym. If one starts to slip, the other is likely to follow. Healthy eating means more energy, strength, and endurance in your workouts.
So think of spring as the perfect time to experiment with different types of produce. Every veggie or fruit has a little something special to offer for your health, whether it is a cancer fighting anti-oxidant, a cell supporting vitamin or mineral, or the all important weight loss supporting fiber. Eating a wide variety of flavors, colors, and textures will not only provide an abundance of health benefits, but your taste buds will also thank you for the variety of flavors.
Luckily, we live on the Central Coast, an area filled with opportunities to eat fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Eating local produce is wonderful for a variety of reasons, not just for your health and waistline. By purchasing foods from Central Coast farms you are supporting the local farmers who work hard to compete with the large scale farm production companies. You are eating foods that are actually in season, something many of us seldom do anymore because of the mass availability of food from all over the world. Fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables also have a taste that far surpasses any food that you buy that is normally not in season. Also, because you are eating food locally and seasonally, it is not picked several weeks in advance before it is ripe in anticipation of the jet/truck/train/plane trip that will take it to its final destination, and therefore tastes much better.
Further, you are contributing to the eco-friendly movement by limiting the fuel costs associated with food transport. Think of how much fuel it takes to ship those peaches from chili in the middle of the winter? Now, more than ever we should be thinking on ways to conserve both our fuel, and our money.
And you yourself may save money. It costs only about $25-$35 a week for a CSA share depending on the farm you subscribe to, and many farms provide you with a newsletter filled with recipes for your produce so you can plan your meals for the week around the foods your receive. I’ve tried several CSA’s in town and have never been disappointed. Last week my share (from www.sloveg.com) included: artichoke, asparagus, strawberries, oranges, beets, spring salad mix, avocado, celery, cucumbers, spring onion, and butternut squash. All for $26.
So what are you waiting for? Support your health and the SLO community by adding more fruits and veggies into your diet. Many in San Luis Obispo know about Thursday night Farmer’s Market downtown, but did you know that there are weekly markets all over the county? Find the one that works for you here: http://www.slocountyfarmers.org/. Feeling too busy to visit a Farmer’s Market? Not to worry. You can join a CSA (community supported agriculture). Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) allows you to literally subscribe to the farm, and by paying a certain amount as determined by the farm, you can pick up a box of fresh food each week, harvested straight from that farm.
Feel free to contact me with any questions: caitlin@clubtwentyfour.com