The Importance of Eating Local, Organic, & Whole Foods
Well I don't want to be preachy, but I guess I do. It's only because I care about our health--yours, mine, and everyone's--except for those who've wronged me, of course.
Anyway, I just wanted to share some great news from my general practitioner: I'm healthy! I mean that sounds like a pretty basic thing to be excited about, but I've struggled with being unhealthy a lot lately, and most obviously due to my ankle break. But, what most people don't know is that for the last two years my doctor was concerned with my cholesterol levels. They weren't skyrocketing or anything, but they were high for someone of my age & fitness--I spend a good deal on my feet for work and I am used to (pre-ankle-break) working out at least 2 times a week. However, I got my blood work back yesterday and I got all A's!
Even at 33, I still love and Excellent Test Result!
Now, why should you care about that? Well you don't have to, for sure. But I think it's important because the biggest change that I've made in my life in that time span has been my diet. And if you follow me on Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or even right here on this blog you will see that's not to say that I am on a diet! NEVER! Aside from those years when I was, which I don't regret as I developed some great tools and lost a lot of unhealthy weight & had a sexy trainer for a while. BUT, what I'm saying is that in the last couple of years, the biggest thing that I've changed is how I shop for and eat at home. Instead of buying pre-packaged goods filled with who knows what, I fill my fridge and pantry with whole delicious foods from local farms. I know the people I get most of my food from. I can ask them if their animals are treated like animals or a mere commodity. I can confidently taste a sample of a green I've never had before at my local farmer's market, because the worst thing I'll consume is dirt. I have made some sacrifices, I guess. I don't really buy things that don't come from this region, which means no avocados, bananas, pineapples, etc. But that's just at home. When I'm out I will surely treat myself to a tropical fruit smoothie or some tableside guac! And I eat out plenty--it's my profession, for crying out loud! But, at a time when I've had to spend a lot more time at home, and taking care of an injured body that hasn't been able to be active in months, I've filled my body with only local and organic foods at home, which has helped me lower my cholesterol and impress my doctor! His only comment was about my BMI, but hey, now that I can start getting active again, that will change too!
Well now I'm hungry, and I'm gonna fill my belly with some local turkey sausage and a golden beet & cucumber salad!
If you're interested in going local too, here are some resources: Farmigo, GrowNYC, Local Harvest, Slow Food USA