We live in a time where seasonality isn’t really a thing. Produce and goods are shipped around the globe and we can find strawberries & summer squash in the grocery in the middle of winter, pears and winter squash in the middle of summer.

While it IS really easy to get what we want, when we want it, have you ever thought about the price tag that comes along with it? Not just our wallet, but to the environment, our local economy, and our health??

I’m the first to admit I’m not perfect at shopping and buying seasonally, BUT little shifts make a big impact.

Our eating and shopping habits are not just important for our health, but for our local economies, the environment, and the future of our food system. We cast a vote each and every time we buy.

How and where we choose to spend our money is really important, and every dollar we spend creates a much greater impact than we realize. Ready to simplify the perks of shopping/eating locally?!

Because locally grown food has a shorter travel from the time its harvested to your plate, it’s better for…

your wallet

When eating in season, there is typically an abundance, so you save the moo-lah. It’s supply & demand yo.

that beautiful body of yours

Foods eaten in season are more flavorful and packed with more nutrients. Have you ever eaten a spring strawberry that literally takes like a skittle? Yesssss.

the environment

Because eating seasonally usually means you’re eating closer to home, produce spends a shorter time in transport. Shorter transport = fewer gas emissions = better for our mother earth.

local economies

Nearly half (45%) of money spent within local markets will remain there. Compare this with a meager 13% of money spent in chain retailers, and it becomes evident that even the most modest change in spending habits can produce considerable economic impact. Eating seasonally can be hard off season, especially in these cold winter months. It takes a little bit of creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to try new things.

Not sure where or how to start? Try shopping your local farmers market. It is an amazing way to shop seasonally by default! Check out localharvest.org to find markets in your area just by typing in your zip code.

If you are looking for seasonal cooking inspiration, The Veg Out Recipe Series takes the guesswork out by featuring seasonal recipes. All you have to do is login and print about the weekly grocery list!

What other ways do you make eating seasonally easy??

Connect with me (seriously!) any time, HERE.

11 years ago, I adopted a plant based diet. A year after that, my husband Chris followed suit. A plant based lifestyle is all Ziggy (4) has ever known. 🌱

People ask me all the time WHY we chose to be plant-centered. After spending my entire life with meat as a mainstay to my diet, I began to educate myself about WHERE our food comes from. Turns out, it is much more complicated than "a steak comes from a cow." 🐄

US agriculture used to be what we picture in our minds, or see in children's books--livestock and birds, roaming freely, grazing on grass and snacking on bugs. You know, the big red barn with the silo. 🍃

Are you ready for some real talk?

The sad truth is that the the majority of the US meat industry is produced on factory farms, and is consistently on the rise. Even many small family farmers practice small scale industrialization, just to stay in business 🐄🐄🐄🐷🐷🐷🦃🦃🦃🐔🐔🐔

So, close your eyes and picture big, giant indoor warehouses with no windows, no grass. Better yet, click here to see what this looks like...

Animals in holding cells just big enough for them to stand, not even to turn around, or often times lay down. They most literally spend their short lives eating, standing in their own shit, and being pumped with antibiotics to ward off the host of disease that is result of such inhumane living conditions. 🏢

Chickens and turkeys spend their life in large, dark "barns." Egg laying hens spend their life in stacked in battery powered metal cages. This encourages the birds not to peck (which they innately do), or become aggressive with neighboring birds. Their beaks are often clipped for the same reason. Um hello?? I would be freaking out in those stressful living conditions too!! 😖

And becuase we want more white meat, they are pumped hormones to make their breasts big enough to satisfy our desire for them! Many become so top heavy that they topple over because they can’t stand on their own two feet. wtfffffff 😖

All of these animals all fed corn and soy, and unless labeled certified organic or GMO Verified, are genetically modified. This is fine in the sense that it keeps them alive, but it is not what their bodies were designed to eat. If they don't get proper nutrition, neither do we. I mean, what they eat, we eat. 😝

Don't even get me started in the negative impact this has on the workers in these factories, our environment, our water, our local economies and our health. 😳

What blows my mind is that many of us KNOW this, but choose to still choose to support it by buying conventionally raised meat, eggs, dairy and poultry.

We’re not vegan, and not am not necessarily suggesting that you become vegan. What I am suggesting 👉🏼 #educateyoself

You guys, every.single. time we buy is an opportunity to take a vote. We’re looking for the words GRASS FED, PASTURED or WILD CAUGHT on any fish, dairy, meat, poultry or eggs as often as possible. Even better to literally shake your hands with your farmer, and see the roaming animals when you can. 🤝🌾

Yes, it will be more expensive. We have a choice 👉🏼 Pay a farmer now, or pay a doctor later.

If it feels overwhelming, click here to get a glimpse of the industry, or watch Food Inc on Netflix, and then share what you learn by commenting below! 👇🏼

Read more about where to find local, responsibility raised food HERE.

#themoreyouknow

If you're ready to learn delicious ways to incirporate more plants, and sustainable farming practices into your life, let's connect. Find me HERE. #bettertogether