“A person’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to
its original dimensions.” --T.S. Eliot
To prepare for a recent Growing Healthy Kids education
program, I visited Osceola Organics for locally grown microgreens, Florida Veggies
and More for locally grown arugula, tomatoes and cucumbers, and The Patisserie,
Vero’s delicious artisan bakery, for two loaves of beautiful breads. Add Hass avocados and some melons and you have a healthy eating party for some hungry
kids!
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| Local tomatoes are fresh and full of flavor and nutrients. |
Eating locally grown foods is a basic principle practiced in
all of our classes for kids and adults.
We teach how easy it is to make a shift to a healthier way of eating
when you buy from local farmers and producers.
This is to counter what I hear every day: “I can’t afford to eat healthy foods.” What I say:
“Give us an hour and we’ll show you how!”
You’ve never been to the farmers market where you live? Take time to find it. Chances are it operates on Saturday mornings. For local “Wellness
Wednesdays” readers who live in and around Vero Beach, our local market is held
every Saturday year-round from 8 am to 12 noon.
The Fort Pierce Green Market is held at the City Marina in downtown Fort
Pierce every Saturday year-round from 8 am to 12 noon. Live someplace else? To find a local farmers market near you, click here.
Knowing the farmers who grow my food is important to
me. Most of the veggies I buy are locally grown,
fresh, and in season. They haven’t been
flown or trucked thousands of miles.
They were picked yesterday so that I can buy them today and cook them
tonight. Now that is what “nutrient
dense” is all about. The fact is, the
longer the time from harvest to your dinner table, the less nutrients there. Stretch your mind. Once you start enjoying locally grown foods,
you’ll never go back to processed foods!
To listen to "Pop Up Health" my recent on-air conversation with Chef Michael Glatz about good foods for a good night's sleep, click here. You can also listen to "Pop Up Health" by going to www.soundcloud.com and searching for Chef Michael Glatz.
To listen to "Pop Up Health" my recent on-air conversation with Chef Michael Glatz about good foods for a good night's sleep, click here. You can also listen to "Pop Up Health" by going to www.soundcloud.com and searching for Chef Michael Glatz.
In gratitude,
Nancy Heinrich
Founder of the Growing Healthy Kids project
