Nutrition Archives
Eating foods that are available and grown locally-keeps you attuned to Earth, its elements, and the cycles of Nature. Eating seasonally is the most economical dietary pattern and gives you the cleanest foods, as fewer chemicals are needed to store or ship them. 
Eating seasonally is important for providing the right type of fuel to protect your from the climate. For example, in summer's hottest months, the juiciest of fruits are available to help cool the body. In contrast, in cold and wet winter, grains, nuts, seeds, hard squashes, tubers and root vegetables-foods that are higher in protein and fats and help keep you warm and protected.
Why Seasonal Eating?
There are a number of good reasons to eat more local, seasonal food:
o seasonal food is fresher and so tends to be tastier and more nutritious
o to reduce the energy (and associated CO2 emissions) needed to grow and transport the food we eat
o to avoid paying a premium for food that is scarcer or has travelled a long way
o to support the local economy
o to reconnect with nature's cycles and the passing of time
Where to Get the Best Seasonal Foods
Even when a food is in season, its quality can vary dramatically. Food produced locally and purchased from a farmers' market is likely to be a lot fresher than its supermarket equivalent.
Community Supported or Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a way for you to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, you become a member (or shareholder or subscriber) of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments.
Locate Ottawa farmers' markets and CSAs by visiting the Ottawa Buy Local Food Guide at http://www.justfood.ca
The freshest produce is from your own garden. If you have the time and the passion to plant and tend to a garden, then this is your best option.
Joanne
Registered Nutritionist
pHChefs
Eating seasonally is important for providing the right type of fuel to protect your from the climate. For example, in summer's hottest months, the juiciest of fruits are available to help cool the body. In contrast, in cold and wet winter, grains, nuts, seeds, hard squashes, tubers and root vegetables-foods that are higher in protein and fats and help keep you warm and protected.
Why Seasonal Eating?
There are a number of good reasons to eat more local, seasonal food:
o seasonal food is fresher and so tends to be tastier and more nutritious
o to reduce the energy (and associated CO2 emissions) needed to grow and transport the food we eat
o to avoid paying a premium for food that is scarcer or has travelled a long way
o to support the local economy
o to reconnect with nature's cycles and the passing of time
Where to Get the Best Seasonal Foods
Even when a food is in season, its quality can vary dramatically. Food produced locally and purchased from a farmers' market is likely to be a lot fresher than its supermarket equivalent.
Community Supported or Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) is a way for you to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, you become a member (or shareholder or subscriber) of the CSA. Most CSA farmers prefer that members pay for the season up-front, but some farmers will accept weekly or monthly payments.
Locate Ottawa farmers' markets and CSAs by visiting the Ottawa Buy Local Food Guide at http://www.justfood.ca
The freshest produce is from your own garden. If you have the time and the passion to plant and tend to a garden, then this is your best option.
Joanne
Registered Nutritionist
pHChefs
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Posted on 18 Nov 2008 by IbV