“Spring flew swiftly by, and summer came; and if the village had been beautiful at first, it was now in the full glow and luxuriance of its richness … It was the prime and vigour of the year; all things were glad and flourishing.” – Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist
I fully realize that it is not officially summer yet; however, it seems that I have waited so long to welcome the warm months, fresh breezes, and all the wonderful produce available! Some say that aging has a lot to do with being uncomfortable in the cold weather months, and unfortunately, I can now understand that reasoning. I recently commented to my husband Bruce that it seems I am only truly warm about four months of the year!
We have had a rather wet spring season, but I do believe that we can finally look forward to spending more time outside and enjoying the delicious opportunities for fresh produce. I am a firm believer in “eating in the season,” and we have already pulled plenty of fresh kale from our small garden. Soon we will have radishes, cucumbers, beets, peppers, asparagus, spinach, and herbs such as parsley and cilantro, among others. Mid-summer will offer up all kinds of berries, peaches, and late summer delights include eggplant, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
This, of course, is a very partial list of all the delicious opportunities for us to not only enjoy locally grown produce, but to provide our bodies with what it craves – vitamin- and mineral-rich REAL food to keep us healthy and vibrant. Do be careful to wash your produce thoroughly, especially the items you consume with the skin or outer covering on the produce.
If this column was much longer, I could go into detail about what we actually are offered on our standard grocery store shelves – so-called “food” laden with preservatives and chemicals. Unfortunately, because we cannot always obtain all the fresh items we need, we must sometimes purchase shelf-stable and frozen food items. Just be cautious when purchasing, learn to not only read the labels but be informed on what those labels are telling you and make conscious decisions. I sometimes use this analogy: Would you pump kerosene into your auto gas tank? Somehow I think the answer for most of us is “NO” of course not! How much more important is your health and well-being? Be mindful and particular about the fuel for your body.
Let’s get outside when we can – with copious amounts of sunscreen of course! – and pick up the pace by walking your neighborhood or other safe area, and focus this summer on finding some great recipes for your local produce. The Farmers’ Markets are a great place to start, and you still have time to plant some tomato, pepper, and herbal plants.
Some of you may be familiar with the Teter Organic Farm which is owned by the First United Methodist Church in Noblesville. The Farm often provides items for sale and also provides produce at no cost to local residents who are food insecure. Find out more at TeterOrganicFarm.com.
Lastly, for those “wordsmiths” among us, I do understand that the word “vigor” is spelled differently in the quote I have used this week. However, Mr. Dickens chose to use the British spelling, and who am I to argue with this esteemed author and master of prose?
Enjoy the warm weather and sunshine, the bountiful produce, and most of all enjoy life!
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.