Green Health, Fitness and Nutrition Solutions Contd.

Stock Up on Fruits and Veggies

Eating produce is a safe, healthy way to lose weight while feeling full and satisfied.  Sustainably grown fruits and vegetables provide healthy food for consumers while focusing on humane plant and animal production, including healthier work environments for farmers and agricultural workers. 

Farmer in the dell: Don’t forget to swing by your local farmers market.  Buying local produce gives you and your family healthy food while supporting local businesses and reducing your carbon footprint.  

• Eat Well Guide:  Enter in your city and state or zip code to find farmers markets and healthy food stores nearest to you.

For everything there is a season: Remember to eat items that are in season.  Nothing tastes better than summer berries or winter citrus!  Produce that is in season is better for you and for the environment.  Off-season items are often shipped in from far off locations, which means you pay more in the store and more energy is spent getting the fruit or vegetables to you.  See below for guides to seasonal fruits and vegetables:

• seasonal chef: lists some of the best items available in farmers markets nationwide.

• LocalHarvest: maintains a public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food sources. 

• seasonal cornucopia: helps Pacific Northwest restauranteurs, gardeners, and foodies find the freshest local foods.