Why Shop at a Local Farmers Market?

Growing up, I always thought food came from the supermarket.  I never was around farms much but my Mom often grew a lot of our own vegetables.  Of course, in New England, those vegetables only last so long and in the 1980s, urban farming wasn't a huge trend.  

So why shop at a farmers market?  

1) No one in their right mind is skipping out their door to go grocery shopping.  Let's face it, the grocery stores are not places we like to hang out at or something we look forward to doing.  Like any other chore or task, we do it because we have to.

At a farmers market, you can come and have an experience, with a family, with a significant other, with friends.  It's a place to mingle and socialize while you browse and do shopping!  Talk to farmers about how to cook a vegetable or listen to some live local music.

2) Shopping local is good for everyone.  It builds a strong economy where you live and you support families in your community.  Isn't it great to have friends or family over and they ask you where you bought something?  You can proudly say, "a woman in town made it!"

3) You can learn something.  A lot of vendors and farmers I've met have introduced me to new foods, new products and new ways to use things.  Don't be afraid to ask what you do with a Winter squash.  Often times they will tell you and may even write out a recipe for your to try!  


4) Food travels less and no middle - men involved.  Ever wonder why certain foods cost so much?  Well, when they get shipped in from across the globe the fuel to get them there is embedded in their pricing plus each person/company who handles the food must get compesated as well.  If the food goes from the farm to you home directly, there is little to no mark up or food cost.  It amazes me that I can buy potatoes at the grocery store for $5.00 from Idaho, but I can buy the same ones from New England for only $2.00.

Another benefit, if the food travels less, it will stay better longer!  Food has to be picked earlier or may only last a few days at your house when you buy it from the grocery store.  However, if it is picked at the right time and gets to you immediately, you can keep it for longer!

5) It is a place of culture.  You may find out how to make dishes that are native to your region, hear local music, learn a craft, meet some one from a local community organization you never heard of or get involved in a charity effort within your community.  Farmers Markets grow communities and culture!

6)  It's green!  Most farmers markets make and effort to be green by recycling packaging, reusing bags, and upcycling items to better use them.  Be green!  

Here are more reasons in these two posts on why to shop at your local farmers market:
6 Ways to Eat Paleo and Go Green from Grass Fed Girl

Take Part.com Think Organic is Too Expensive? Try your Local Farmers Market!

Why do you shop at your local farmers market??

(Photos from the Canal District Farmers Market in Worcester, MA) 

*Kate

Which diet is right for me?

As a Health Coach, I get this question a lot.  To be honest, I couldn't tell you if one diet is better than another.

All I know is that what we all grew up thinking to be correct, is not.  I'm talking about the food pyramid.  8-12 servings of grains?  That doesn't work if you have celiac or gluten sensitivies.

Neither does red meat if some one cannot digest it and/or practices vegan.

Some people are allergic to shellfish, to certain fruits and vegetables.  There is no true answer.

When I work with clients, we find out these specific concerns and sensitivities.  Sometimes, in changing their diet, they realize some of these sensitivies.  Personally, I know that I cannot eat processed dairy (like ice cream) without a severe stomach ache, or a lot of grains without getting bloaty and feeling sluggish.

So you have to adapt your diet to what works for you, what energizes you, and what your goals are.  If you want to just feel better digestively, reduce inflammation, lose weight, perform better physically or mentally, then you need to adjust what you eat to help you reach those goals.

So for some, a Paleo diet is better, others Vegan and still others, Keto or some other type.  The first step is committing to change, then making the change even if it's small.  

Check out "Eat Right for Your Type" by Dr. D'Adamo, a very interesting book on eating along with your blood type.  Is it true?  Perhaps, but it can't hurt to try!

*Kate

De-clutter your life

Some of you who know me personally know that a lot has gone on in the past year.

While cleaning out my grandparents house to put it on the market, I had an epiphany.  All the items from furniture to collectibles to clothes were either being donated, sold or tossed into a dumpster.  I suddenly realized that it never mattered what my grandparents owned and a lot of things they did own, were forgotten about, stowed away or never used.  You don't take these items when you pass on and to be honest, it's more of a hassle when you do pass on to have some one get rid of them for you.  (not to be morbid, but that's true).  Fine china, lenox sets, silver, all forgotten in a cabinet. 

No one once said, wow, because of all these nice things they had great lives!  What was talked about was their trip to Ireland, old photos of the family, journals and writings.  Things in the true spirit of my family.

This is not my first rodeo doing a big clean out like this.  However, it triggered me to do the same to my house.  Later that week, I went through EVERYTHING!  Clothes, closets, stuff in the shed, holiday decor, etc.  My house was cleaned out and I felt good about it.  I only kept things that were used within the past year.  My life was simpler.  I don't care what I own, while I like to have nice things that will last me, it doesn't matter unless I use it. 

Yikes!  Hopefully my house will never look like this!  (courtesy of the UK Telegraph)

I found space in my house that I didn't know existed, somethings were re-purposed, others were donated and while others were disposed of.  It felt good to do all that and de-clutter my life.
This, of course, does not mean go out and buy stuff to fill empty spaces.  For me, simpler is better.  Generally, I do one big clean out a year for clothes, but nothing else.  I think from now on, I'd like to do a clean out once a year for everything.  Below are some tips to help you out in cleaning out your life:

-Shred papers you don't need!  In a paperless society, we are still drowning in paper!  Use a cross cut shredder to reduce identity theft.  Not sure what to shred and when?  Use this guide to help!  

-Go through all clothes, including winter gear and shoes.  Donate what you're no longer using or use one of my favorite methods, go to a clothing swap and swap for other clothes!

-Having a hard time deciding what to donate and what to keep?  Have you worn it in the past year?  Does it fit?   If these questions are "no" move it along to a new home.

-Decor changes like fashion, if you're keeping stuff around from the 70s and perhaps it just doesn't get used, move it along.

-Time to hit the fridge and pantry.  Wow, there's a ton of condiments in the fridge!  Time to check the expiration dates and if I even use them.  Off to the trash or compost heap!  If there's a lot of non-perishable items that I'm not using, I will clear these out as well and bring them to the local food pantry.

-Junk Drawer, this is my most hated thing in my house, which is why I don't have one.  But clean it out, you never know what you will find!

-Make up and body care.  Yes these things do expire.  Is your mascara really old?  Do you have 47 samples from a birchbox subscription.  If you have a use, put it aside, if not, toss it! 

Here's some other helpful articles below: 

From Becoming Minimalist

From The Daily Green

From Real Simple

Well that's a start!  I promise you once you do this, you'll feel so much better!  Share some more of your tips for a clean out below!  

*Kate

Traveling Safely

Unfortunately, I have some unexpected travel ahead of me because of a death in the family.  Of course, this time of year, we all worry about being run down and getting sick, especially on airplanes.  Below are a few tips and tricks to help get you through so you won't be sick during your travels or when you reach your destination.  No one wants to be sick for turkey dinner.

Travel kit ready to go!

1.Try to get ample rest.  This is sometimes impossible with jitters about traveling.  Will you be delayed?  Did you pack everything? Try to meditate and put these worries aside.  If things happen, they happen, there's not a lot you can do.  So rest, even if you're taking a red eye flight, try to rest up a little.

2.  Build up your immunity.  In one of my previous posts, I mentioned probiotics.  Definitely a great idea to bulk up on them.  I took my Arbonne immunity boost and support the past few days and I will continue to take it while I'm away and a few days after I get back.

3.  Keep your normal schedule.  If you workout daily, do it before you go and stick to it while you're away.  The more consistent you are, the less your body will feel like it has to go into crisis mode while you're traveling.  I went for a long walk today and already hit the gym.  

4.  Bring healthy snacks on the plane.  Let's face it, airports are not a cheap place to buy food and airlines rarely provide you with anything to munch on.  So bring somethings along to save some money and hassle.  This trip, I'll have some protein bars, cocoa bits, dried cranberries, apples, almonds and pumpkin seeds.  Enough to keep me going while traveling.

5.  Drink plenty of water.  The weather this time of year is dry, but planes have dry environments too.  Stay hydrated.  It is tempting to buy a glass of wine or have a coffee, but you will feel a lot better walking off the plane if you stick to water.  No dry eyes or dry throat and you'll have more energy.

Happy and safe travels this holiday season!

*Kate

Tis the Season

It's time to break our your arsenal of cold medications, cough drops and nyquil.  Or is it?

Perhaps, if you've had good health practices all during the warmer months and have built up your immune system, you have nothing to worry about so you can put those cold medicines away.

If you haven't, you still have time.  There are a lot of things you can do to prevent getting sick.

First, keep a normal schedule.  We have all noticed, when things are very busy that we get run down and likely end up with a scratchy throat or worse.  If you try to keep with a normal schedule, you'll be less likely to be worn down.  Yes, those Black Friday deals are amazing, but is it worth it to run out at midnight in the cold to get the last furby? (or insert name of hyped up toy this year here)

The holidays bring on some craziness, including parties, alcohol, family tensions, decorating and entertaining.  Plus for many of us, it's the end of the year crunch at work.  Because of this and the cold weather coming in, we find ourselves doing a lot more comfort eating.  Since we don't hibernate, this isn't necessary.

So before you reach for all the instant foods at work, drink a whole bottle of wine, or skip your breakfast running out the door for the train, there are a few things you can prepare ahead of time without resulting in illness or a hang over.

If you're working, fill your desk with some healthy snacks.  Almonds, dark chocolate nibs, water, dried fruit or beef jerky.  This will keep your hunger at bay in a healthy way and you will be plenty hydrated.

Pre-pare some breakfast ahead of time, weather that means having a banana, yogurt or making some protein bars (see a recipe here) or egg cups for the week!  You can always enjoy some bulletproof coffee if you're really in a rush!

At the holiday parties, have a healthy snack before you go, that way you won't over indulge on crab dip.  Drink plenty of water to hydrate so you can enjoy a glass of wine or two.  If you're worried about over indulging, have a wine spritzer (bubbly water added to wine) or alternate between a drink and water.

So now that we have the food, drink and scheduling done, what else?  Perhaps some elderberry syrup (from Wellness Mama) to keep your immune system strong or a immunity boost drink from a company like Arbonne.  Something many of us neglect is out gut.  Yes, that's right, our gut.  Our gut protects our immune system quite a lot.

Try out some Kefir, Kombucha, sauerkraut, or other fermented type foods.  These all have good bacteria that will make your immune system strong.  The big work is pro-biotics lately, that's what helps your gut and your immune system. If you can't stomach those fermented foods much, try a probiotic supplement.

Finally, exercise.  It's been proven that doing regular exercise, even if it's just walking, will keep your immune system strong.  So go out for walk even in the cold.  Get some fresh air, fill those lungs and challenge your body so it doesn't get bored or weakened.

Don't be a victim of the cold or flu, you can be perfectly healthy all winter long!

*Kate