by Kara Sylvia, Homemade Health Coach Team Member
Grow Your Own Food
Summer is the time of year when I eat lighter and crave fresh foods from the garden or farmer’s markets.
Having a garden is so rewarding. The best thing about growing your own food is knowing it’s clean produce and you control any pesticides, etc. Plus, it’s more nutritious to pick it when it’s ripe off the vine. Most of the produce in our grocery stores has taken a long trip to get there. Studies have shown that hundreds of people may have handled your tomato. In fact, produce from a grocery store may contain 746 times more bacteria than a car’s steering wheel.
Growing your own food can have a great impact on your health. Some examples are increased exercise, improved diet, reduced stress levels, time in nature. Getting outdoors is good for your physical and mental health. People tend to breathe deeper when outside. This helps to clear out the lungs, improves digestion, improves immune response and increases oxygen levels in the blood.
Why does gardening seem to be so beneficial to health? It combines physical activity with exposure to nature and sunlight. Sunlight lowers blood pressure as well as increasing vitamin D levels in the summer, and the fruit and vegetables that are produced have a positive impact on the diet.
When you “group-garden” with neighbors or community gardens, it is a chance to increase social interaction.
You can have a traditional garden in your yard, a container garden, aeroponic garden (which I have) or join a garden club.
In the spirit of fresh adventures, try experimenting with growing new herbs, fruits and veggies and learn how to care for the plants.
Some of the best vegetables to grow in the summer, depending on your climate and location, include tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, beans, and various types of leafy greens like lettuce and spinach. These vegetables typically thrive in the warmth of summer and can produce a bountiful harvest for you to enjoy.
Other Summer Food Sources
The next best thing to growing your own food is visiting local sources for the season’s best produce. Check out these spots:
• Neighbor’s garden exchange – It’s fun to exchange garden bounty with your neighbors.
• Community gardens – research and apply for a plot or volunteer to help with an existing plot in exchange for produce.
• Local vendors may carry fresh produce during the season
• Farmer’s markets
• Grocery store “local” sections – look for local signs & labels
Photo by Les Bourgeonniers at pexels.com
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