This month, we focus on one of our favorite topics—food and nutrition—as it is the foundation for all good health. Food has a special way of bringing families together; our family always seems to draw closer when the house is filled with tantalizing smells emanating from the kitchen. Cooking and eating is a natural time to slow down, enjoy the simple things in life and just be together.

      There are more than 8,000 farmers markets across the country offering a festive setting in which to purchase some of the freshest food available anywhere. “The Bounty of Farmers Markets” explains how the markets put more money into local farmers’ pockets, boost the local economy and offer a much smaller carbon footprint than a grocery store. They also encourage organic purchases, seasonal eating and community spirit, boosting personal and family health,

            A growing number of Americans are moving toward plant-based foods. Most come to a plant-based diet for personal, planetary or animal welfare reasons, but stay for the flavorful foods that they discover along their dietary journey—and the health benefits they reap. Rising to meet market demand, companies are creating innovative methods to promote plant-based products. Read on in “Plant-Based Foods Goes Mainstream.”

            We can move toward eating a more vegan, plant-based diet by taking gradual steps in our own kitchens such as eating vegan one day a week and gradually increasing it, and exploring creative recipes. Check out “Easing into a Vegan Lifestyle, Clever Meat Substitutes that Please the Palate,” along with recipes for Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and One-Pan Skillet Eggplant Parmigiana.

            Most kids go through food phases and bouts of fussiness during mealtime, but more serious problems can lurk beneath the surface of all-too-common behaviors. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and other conditions are now showing up in young teens and children as young as 5 years old.  Learn more in “Beyond Picky Eating: Help for Pediatric Eating Disorders.”

            Whether you choose to buy food in a store, get it directly from a farmer or grow your own—just remember that every time you choose the local source over the distant one, you are lowering your carbon footprint and “feeding” the economy of the community in which you live. Add your voice for a healthy, love-filled home.

            As soon as the soil becomes workable, we’ll start planting cold-weather vegetables and herbs; we encourage everyone to grow their own organic food for healthy eating, outdoor exercise, major cost savings and tranquil time in nature. We are looking so forward to spring—muddy boots, dirt under our fingernails and all!

Join us in growing toward a brighter and healthier future!

Trina and John

Owners / Publishers