Hardly a week goes by that I don’t make a beeline for one of numerous farmers’ markets in my area to ensure we’re eating the cleanest, healthiest foods we can, creating healthy meal plans.  And being that it’s summer (despite all the crazy rain!), what’s more fun than that?! Usually Bruce and I walk to our favorite market on Saturday mornings. It’s a five mile trek round trip which gives us a good opportunity for exercise, we bring our recyclable grocery bags and we’re lightening our carbon foot print by leaving the car at home.

Even better, we use the farmers’ market for weekly inspiration when it comes to creating healthy, clean meals with limited meat, dairy, gluten and sugar, and focused on fresh local produce. Instead of meal planning in a vacuum, we get creative by discovering what looks fresh and inviting and building our menu around that. I like to mix it up so that our meals don’t get old and boring, eating the same old thing, and with so much variety, that’s hardly a problem.

But the best part of the farmers’ market has got to be the just-picked produce that can’t be beat for flavor and nutritional value.  The corn and greens are picked that day, all the items are in season and they’re grown on farms where they not only don’t use pesticides but have a true appreciation for clean, healthy food.  I don’t mind paying a bit more when I know I’m getting high quality food, grown with care.  In the end, that means we’re paying attention to our health, preventing disease and feeling our best.

How do you keep your eating clean and healthy in the summer? When was the last time you went to a local farmers’ market and how did it inspire you to get busy in the kitchen?

Need some ideas and your own dose of summer meal inspiration? Join me on Tuesday, August 4 at 8 pm ET for my “Simple Summer Eating and Meal Planning” Teleclass! For only $19 I’ll give you the scoop on the healthiest foods to be eating in the summer, what foods are most energizing, and easy and delicious recipe ideas in my summer recipe guide. Register and join us! http://budurl.com/sv6p

Filed under: Farmers' market, Healthy Meals, Meal Planning, Optimal Health, Prevention, clean eating