Woah, fall snuck up on me. Almost missed my apple moment.
This guy.
Do you embrace fall flavors and choose your food by the season?
Apples in September, Pumpkin-laced EVERYTHING through October and beyond…
Here’s a personal apple fave:
Trader Joe’s Honey Crisp Cider.
It’s “seasonal” and is crazy good. Love Honey Crisp apples. To have it in cider form? Seriously.
But hey, I’m getting off topic.
Do you eat seasonally?
…on purpose?
Here are 5 reasons you should try to PURPOSELY stay in season when planning your weekly menu.
1)Better Flavor
Duh. Seems obvious, but really, how do those packs of strawberries taste in January? They certainly don’t come close to the juiciness as if they were picked in June. If you choose produce that is in its rightful season, the flavor will be at its peak. (What to do in the winter? Buy the berries frozen. You will never catch me buying fresh blueberries in January. Like, ever.)
2)More Nutrition
Produce have way more nutrients when eaten in season. Think about it. If an organic apple is grown, picked, and packaged in New Zealand, by the time it reaches the states it’s already lost some of its nutritional value. A seasonal fruit or vegetable usually doesn’t have to endure as much travel, so it will be able to retain vital nutrients.
3) Enhances your Creativity
Want to feel like Bobby Flay? Step out of your comfort zone. When you eat seasonally, sometimes you are forced to explore new vegetables. Maybe its time to learn new recipes and get creative in the kitchen. For example, about 10 years ago I received a CSA box with celeriac in it. Had NO clue what to do with it.
Do you know what this baby is? Crazy looking thing. Celeriac (yes, like celery). Anyhow, this became soup in my household. and it was good. Came so close to being the soup that never was (sad face)….but hey, I was forced to venture out.
4) It helps to support your body’s needs
Eating seasonally is better for your bodies needs during that particular time of year. A good example of this? Think about your traditional summer produce: Watermelon, berries, cucumbers…all very hydrating during the hot summer months. Autumn vegetables? Squashes, yams….All starchy, complex carbohydrates and a bit more dense. Your body needs preparation for the colder months.
5) It’s better for the environment
It is way easier to get locally produced foods when it is in season, therefore it doesn’t need to travel as much. Remember my example above about the organic apple from New Zealand? The apple would need to travel by air, boat or truck…Any form of transportation produces fossil fuels, which creates whats called a carbon footprint. So the further it travels, the larger the carbon footprint. So yeah, we are inadvertently messing with those poor polar bears habitat. Aren’t we all trying to help global warming not hurt it?
Peace out and go local.
Hey, did you know that this October 24th is Food Day??? Perfect day to practice.
My Foodie Call 