Eating with the seasons is healthy for our bodies and the planet. Chinese Medicine recommends foods in season as medicine. For instance, eating pears in the Fall season can help with Lung dryness (dry nasal passages or a dry cough are examples of this pattern) that is typical of the Fall season. Pears are harvested in the Fall season, naturally designed by nature to help our Lungs.
The foods we need are seasonal; it’s always been this way. For instance, eating watermelon in winter doesn’t make sense, as it’s a cooling and detoxing food, something we don’t need in the winter. It’s a natural diuretic, and in the winter, it’s better to have something that’s more warming and building like root vegetables. Save the watermelon for the season it grows in, when it’s good to sweat and cool down, and enjoy this earthly goodness.
Eating foods in season isn’t about denying yourself foods you like from far away places like Papayas, Pineapple or Bananas. And, I’ve been known to have a tomato in the dead of winter, but perhaps enjoying those along with foods in season and not going overboard is the answer.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating With The Seasons?
- Better tasting, more nourishing food when picked ripe and locally (see #4)
- Reduces transportation costs & supports local farmers
- Keeps us connected to the changing seasons and the health benefits (medicinal) of the foods grown at any given time
- Better nutrient content and overall integrity of the product when picked locally and closer to being ripe
- Avoiding premium prices for scarce items
- Etc.
Resources for Eating With The Seasons
My cooking textbook was my guide for foods in season when I was in the food and nutrition industry. Another way to know what foods are in season is to buy from your local farmers market. This is a great way to buy sustainably raised organic produce, dairy products, eggs, meat or whatever tickles your fancy all while supporting your local farmer.
And on the subject of organic produce … I’m sorry, but I won’t be buying my organic produce from China. I think it’s great that China is farming organically, but why not let China and Japan be the primary market? That’s just a distance of transportation that I can’t stomach for produce I can buy locally.
May I Suggest?
So, my suggestion is for you to seek out some local organic seasonal produce and find a recipe for making yourself a delicious meal. Better yet, share it with someone you love or at least like a lot. I’m lucky, I’m in Northern California and the heirloom tomatoes (among many other foods) are still coming to market, YUM! Later today, I’ll be making a soup with a bunch of root vegetables, squash and pumpkins thrown in and I can’t wait.
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Yours in Health,
