Guides for Eating in Season

What does this mean for you? Eat in season! Does it mean to enjoy the full nourishment of food? Does it mean to understand why strawberries at Christmas are just a no-no?

Imagine a vegetable garden in the dead of winter, now imagine this same garden on a sunny, summer day. How different things are during these two seasons of the year? For ecologists, seasons are considered a source of natural diversity and sustainability of the planet. For nutritionists there is nothing more nutritious than seasonal foods.

Changes in the growing conditions from spring to summer or from fall to winter are considered essential for balancing the earth's resources and its life forms. But today, unfortunately, it's so easy for us to forget about seasons when we eat, since we are living in a "forever summer time". Modern food processing and worldwide demands of food make foods available all year around and supermarkets shelves look much the same in December as they do in July or any other season for that matter. Next time you go to the supermarket please look around you and compare it to December, notice any difference? I doubt it!!

Here are some principles you can follow to ensure optimal nourishment for the next season:

• In spring focus on tender, green leafy vegetables that represent the fresh new growth of this season. Try to eat more of swiss chard, spinach, asparagus, green beans, peas, Romaine lettuce, fresh parsley, basil and other fresh herbs.

'Til next time and enjoy your "SEASONAL" foods!!!

Jessica