Seasonal Eating Guide: Fall Edition
With fall just a few days away, it’s officially time to start focusing on seasonal eating for fall. Since we’ve moved back to the southeast, I’ve been blown away by the lush landscape of Tennessee and how FAST things grow here. I wouldn’t say that I innately have a green thumb, but the environment seems to be working in our favor because our garden is thriving! It’s exciting to pull so much produce out of our garden each week. Colter has been getting so excited and keeps saying “he grew it all by himself!”
One of the biggest things that I’ve noticed about moving from Colorado to Tennessee is that we are actually able to get a fall crop going. Before we left for vacation a few weeks ago, I swapped our summer veggies out and started working towards prepping my fall garden.
As a society, we no longer eat seasonally. We have access to food year-round and import a variety of goods so that we have never ending access to non-seasonal foods. When we started eating with the season, I was blown away at how a locally-grown, organic strawberry tasted. It is incredible how good it tastes and how much I felt like my body really craved it! Intuitively, our bodies know what we should be eating at different times in the year.
It’s amazing that we have these modern advances and the ability to have access to all food year-round, but it does breed some sort of disconnect with nature and where our food comes from. The disconnect from the food system is creating a lack of nutrition and a reliance on convenience. It’s time to get back to the roots of local and sustainable eating, connecting with our food and its sources. I have found that seasonal and local eating is the best way to do this! And the best part is that it isn’t overly expensive – it’s actually cheaper and easier to do!
What does Seasonal Eating Mean?
Just because something is available at the grocery store year-round doesn’t mean that we should be eating it. Eating seasonally focuses on eating the fruits and vegetables that would be locally grown in your area during each season. For example, right now in Tennessee, winter squash, greens, kale, peppers, etc. are growing like crazy. So we’re not shopping at the grocery store, we’re just eating what we’re growing or what’s being grown by local farmers. It’s so rewarding and nourishing to eat for the season.
What are the Best Ways to Eat Locally?
Build a Garden + Grow your own food
Join a CSA
Shop Farmers Markets
Why is Seasonal Eating Important?
It connects us to nature and better aligns the body
We were designed to eat seasonally. Our bodies tend to be better acclimated to the seasons when we eat what’s in season and best suited for our bodies!
It’s sustainable and cheaper
Produce that is out-of-season is forced to grow when it’s not its natural time to grow. Or it’s grown in an area of the world where it’s in season and shipped to an area that it’s out of season. This means more chemicals are used, as well as more energy and resources. The shipment time and transportation can be hard on produce and does foster more mold growth!
Joining a CSA can be a great option for finding a cheaper alternative!
It’s Healthier and Richer in Nutrients
Not only does seasonal produce taste better, it’s actually better for you too! Foods that are in season contain a richer profile of vitamins and minerals that your body needs in that specific season! For example, in the summer we’re out in the sun a lot more and our bodies need protection from the more intense rays. All of the fruits and veggies that are in season in the summer contain some benefit or another that protects our bodies from the inside out.
How to Figure out What’s In Season in your Area?
I love using the Seasonal Food Guide as a resource for what is currently in season in your area! Here is a quick rundown of some of my favorite fruits and veggies that are in season for fall.
