The food we eat is a multidimensional aspect of our lives. Food provides us with the energy that enables us to grow and prosper. Yet it can be, and frequently is much, much more. Our food can be an experience in and of itself if we allow it to be. The dishes we remember from childhood offer unmatched comfort. The act of preparing meals can be an art form. And the nourishment we derive from it promotes wellness within us. But many of us, distracted by daily affairs, forget that the profound pleasures of food go beyond simple sustenance. We eat foods that are convenient or we eat unconsciously, snacking on whatever happens to be on hand. To understand the true value of food and the impact it can have on our lives, we should acknowledge and honor it by eating “close to the Earth.” That is — eating locally grown foods that are in season and unprocessed.
If you have ever shelled and eaten garden-grown peas or bitten into a sun-warmed apple freshly plucked from its tree, you likely understand that there is a difference between these foods and those that are processed for mass consumption and stacked on supermarket shelves. Food recently picked contains more of its original life force, and thus it has a greater store of energy and nutrients. You can ensure you are eating close to the Earth — and enjoying the many benefits of doing so — by shopping at a local farmers’ markets and getting to know the individuals who grow your food. You will soon learn what foods are in season in your area and how to prepare them.
As you savor the flavors of juicy, ripe fruits and the hearty crunch of unprocessed vegetables, you also can take pleasure in the fact that, by eating close to the Earth, you are supporting farmers in your region, connecting with your local ecosystem, and helping to preserve healthy culinary traditions that have existed for centuries.
