Eating Local

We are learning more about how conventional farming depleats the soil of essential nutrients and how growing organically encourages soil amending in a healthful way that is passed along to us! Many of us have lost track of how to eat seasonally, don't want to hear about the horrific treatment of animals on large indoor farms, and aren't sure where to start to cook simple healthy meals. Here are several books I have found very helpful:

First of all, get inspired by this Barbara Kingsolver book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (P.S.). It's a great read about how her family made the transition to eating seasonally and locally!

This book In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
by Michael Pollen I haven't read yet, but I saw him talk locally at Butler University, it was fantastic and inspirational as well. He is so well versed on the system of big farms, the government and how things work, it makes me feel confident that eating locally and organically is the way to go. It's the best thing for all of us. Worth making the effort.

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone is one on my list to buy. Great reviews. Lots of info about storing, etc. Those darn winter squash are so hard, it's hard to know what to do with them!

The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes from a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters is one on my shelf. This is a real how to for basic cooking from scratch.

The World's Healthiest Foods, Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating by George Mateljan is a very comprehensive guide for every detail of vegetables, fruits, beans, etc.

Well, cooking from scratch, cooking more veggies, using new grains is all a challenge when you haven't been doing it all along. But, try making small changes at at time. Visit your local farmers market, join a CSA and have fun with it. Have your kids, spouse, friend join in with you.

Taking the time to cook food grown locally from their garden or yours provides a connection with the earth that our souls have been missing. Joyfully cooking healthy foods for yourself and your family is very rewarding. When people comment how my kids love eating veggies, it makes me proud! The important thing is that they have a foundation for a healthy future. You can too!

Enjoy!