Seasonal food tastes better!

My love of growing things and yummy food are intertwined. Seasonal, fresh food is in-arguably the best food there is. Take tomatoes as an easy example--who in their right mind wouldn't choose a fresh garden tomato over a grocery store pretender that has been shipped on a big truck from a few states away?

This summer I read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (a master storyteller). It's about a year in the life of her family wherein they ate only food they had grown themselves or purchased from local farmers. It's an understatement to say they made big sacrifices and worked hard, but it goes to show that eating well takes effort. The benefits, however, are immeasurable: tastier, more nutritious food, leading to better health... support of local business and economies... working toward less dependence on fossil fuels (to transport food) and preserving the environment. In her celebration of fresh, locally grown food Kingsolver inspired me to think much deeper about what I am putting on the table to feed my family.

I look forward to someday having land with a large garden, fruit trees, and flower beds. For now I have been doing all I can to cook with seasonal produce, buy from local farmers, and preserve fresh produce myself for the fall and winter months ahead.

I also think I read this book at a very applicable time because of our job layoff and relocation. It encouraged me to be provident and self-reliant. Making my own bread, canning some fruit, and using food storage basics doesn't seem too bad compared to what Kingsolver did!