By Joen Lane, Ideal Family & Weight Loss Balance Center

Americans are jumping on the better health bandwagon in larger numbers each year. However, the ideas of better health vary depending on which conversation you are a part of such as weight loss, exercise, supplementation and vitamins, or even meditation techniques. Still, there is one common denominator; the fact that better food equals better health. The benefits to eliminating processed foods and returning to organic produce, vegetables, fruits, herbs, oils, as well as organic meats, fish, and fowl are obvious. Today, Americans often think about food as an afterthought, while they drive through yet another fast food restaurant or call to have something delivered. Although fast food restaurants are striving to add more healthy options to their menus, these options still usually include many unhealthy processed ingredients and may offer dubious nutritional value. To eat healthy, we must understand what types of foods we need, and actively plan to cook and prepare from scratch with wholesome, organic foods from good sources. That one single activity will change your health and the

If you are already enjoying your own garden at home, you are among a small group of city lifestyle farmers who are serious about good health for our generation and the next. Whether you’re a master gardener or a beginner, there are resources for you to learn how to plant, grow, and harvest great foods from your own garden. If space is an issue, you can still enjoy fresh garden foods by container gardening. The University of Illinois has wonderful resources — YouTube videos, ideas, tips, and techniques on container gardening. If some of these ideas intrigue you, then now is the time to plant seeds for spring and summer gardening efforts. Beginning is easy with a seed starter kit that can be found online or at your local gardening store. Beginners should start with something that enhances every kitchen recipe such as herbs. Basil, dill, cilantro, rosemary, chives, marjoram, tarragon, sage, thyme, mint and stevia are great choices. You can begin from seed or you can purchase plants and nurture them to maturity. Many of these are wonderful to transplant in your garden or even your landscape.

Still not convinced to begin your own city farmette or gardening project?  There are other ways to procure and participate in your search for fresh organic foods. Participating in a local community garden project such as Mother Hubbard Cupboard community gardens in the Bloomington, Illinois area is a great way to connect to your food source and get the family involved too. Mother Hubbard strives to supply the community with healthy options by providing the garden experience for local residents. They rely on a large number of volunteers each year to maintain the integrity of the gardens as they supply the community with fresh produce, herbs, and vegetables. Envision yourself snipping herbs fresh from the garden. How delicious is basil nested on top of a juicy tomato drizzled with a wonderful balsamic reduction.

Another option that has become very popular for organic produce is the local farm cooperative membership programs. Prairie Earth Farms (see their website on page 24), like most CSA’s (community supported agriculture) offers a limited number of shares each season. Prairie Earth Farms website is full of information on how to sign up for and pick up your food shares in 2016. Members can pick up fresh food each week during the growing season at different locations. According to the Prairie Earth website, “Our CSA members not only enjoy fresh local vegetables plus all the extras, but they also enjoy a real connection with the land and the farmers who grow their food. We offer unlimited visits to the farm, plus an invite to our VIP Harvest Party. The perks are endless, the bounty is overflowing, and our members are always satisfied!”

Many grocery stores are also offering a variety of organic produce, herbs, meat, and fish. Begin to take notice and integrate these into your current menu plans at home. One thing is for sure, as we learn to find balance and define what better health feels like, we will discover that when we eat better quality foods, our need for quantity diminishes. Using fresh herbs in our cooking brings out the best our food has to offer in flavors and nutrient dense offerings which our bodies need. The more we think about food each day as a forethought — prior to breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours — the easier it gets to plan and prepare for better health. So as part of your better health resolutions,  find time to properly chop, roast, bake, boil, broil, grill, and eat whole, real food each day. The closer we move toward growing our food and herbs in our kitchens, containers outdoors, or in full gardens, the closer we get to better health. Want to know more?  Use the links in the sidebar to see what’s available to help you get started. And remember, you are what you eat!   

Joen Lane is a certified weight loss coach with Ideal Family Weight Loss & Life Balance Center, offering Ideal Protein, the medically developed, sensible weight loss protocol. The center is located at 2103 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. Their mission is to help people take control of their weight and keep it off. Classes are offered on a variety of food and lifestyle topics. For more information, please call 309-661-3235.

Photo credit: wihteorchid/iStock, NightAndDayImages/iStock

Start a Home Garden

www.extension.illinois.edu/containergardening/

www.gardeners.com/buy/terrazza-raised-bed/34-004VS.html

www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/seasonal_local/gardening/13_easy_to_grow_vegetables_and_herbs

www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/herbs/starting-herbs-from-seed/

www.mhcfoodpantry.org/what-we-do/community-garden/ Mother Hubbard Cupboard

www.prairierthfarm.com/PrairiErth_Farm/Traditional_CSA.html

www.ufseeds.com/What-To-Plant-Now.html