Eat Healthy: Grow Your Own Food
I’ve never thought of myself as someone with much of a green thumb, but that’s something that’s changing (check it out, I’m watering my collard greens and kale!). And this year I’m growing some beautiful produce that my husband and I can enjoy. Truth be told, what’s better than that? I’m eating locally grown produce that’s healthy, in-season and delicious which totally supports my notion of optimal health and what I most believe in. And as you know, eating the healthiest of foods helps prevent disease, energizes us and nourishes us with nutrients that can be lacking in produce that’s been sitting around for awhile.
Last summer, I made my first attempt at gardening. I live in a condo and there’s really no backyard to plant a big garden, but there is a place to put pots out. I tried tomatoes, planted them too late in the season and they didn’t do well. But this year, I’ve been totally inspired. I went to a seedling sale in late May at my favorite place, Common Ground, an environmental high school in New Haven where I’m on the board (more on that later). I planted kale, collards and sun gold tomatoes. The kale and collards are growing by leaps and bounds. I was away for a week, came home and couldn’t believe how lots of sun and plentiful amounts of water made a difference.
I love the concept of growing my own food for several reasons. Here are just a few of the benefits you can reap:
- Saving money. Although it takes time to grow and harvest, growing your own food can save you lots of money on produce, especially when you have room for a larger garden
- Eating healthier. What’s better than knowing that you’ve grown your food without pesticides and other harmful chemicals? Growning your own promotes healthy eating.
- Eating seasonally. Nature intended us to eat according to what was in season, not have foods shipped from around the world to eat whenever we feel like it
- Less stress on the environment. Think no packaging or transporation costs. It supports the environment and it’s simple way to add value.
- Reducing your stress levels. Playing in the dirt is just plain fun! I loved planting my seedlings and now tending to my growing plants. It’s relaxing and rewarding, and most of us don’t connect enough with nature.
- Building community. Go outside to water and what do I find? My neighbors who are tending to their plants too. It’s a great way to connect with my neighbors and build community.
Bottom line: Growing my own food, in my own small way, is totally empowering! It supports my health and makes me feel good on numerous levels.
What’s your experience like doing this? I’d love to hear about your forays into growing your own food.
Filed under: High Quality Food, Organic Products, Healthy Meals, Locally Grown Food
I AM GROWING AT THE NURSING HOME MY OWN ZUCCHINI, YELLOW SQUASH, AND SWISS CHARD, NOT TO MENTION, PEAS, WATERMELON, BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SCARLET BEANS, AND HOT HUNGARIAN YELLOW PEPPERS. ALSO , CUBANELLES, AND STRAWBERRIES, RASBERRY BUSH. MORNING GLORIES, SUNFLOWERS, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, BASIL.
Excellent Diane, you’re on the road to the healthiest of eating this summer. Keep it up and let us know how tasty everything is!