Bring to mind the food that you put on your table today. Whether you had eggs for breakfast, or steamed vegetables for lunch, or even simply an apple to snack on; Do you have any idea where these foods came from? Even if you don't consider how they are made, think about how they got to your table. If you have no idea, then thank goodness you stumbled upon this article!

According to the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas, the USA uses approximately 36 billion gallons of gasoline to transport food each year. That apple you ate, may be from Costa Rica, those vegetables, could very well be from Mexico which means, those foods had to be transported to your grocery store, by boat, plane, or truck which all involved burning up fuel.

In the current climate crisis, gas crisis, and economic crisis, with one easy lifestyle change you can reduce your impact, and improve the situation of your world and life. Buy locally!

The biggest benefit of purchasing locally grown food is the quality of food you get! The shorter the period of time between food being picked and being put in your mouth, the higher the nutritional content of the food. Fresh food is jam-packed with vitamins and the longer it sits out, the more rapidly its nutritional value decreases. When food is transported it takes days, so by the time it reaches the table your family is losing out. Additionally by purchasing locally grown food you not only get the highest quality food, you slice all of that pollution out of the equation.

Some great options are visiting local farmers markets. Farmers bring their products freshly picked and ready for you to eat. Its a great way to get involved in your community. For farmers markets near you visit http://www.localharvest.org/fa rmers-markets/.

Another great option is joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) which is a farm that offers memberships. So for a fee (significantly smaller than what you pay for food now) you get a weekly share of the farm's organic crops for the growing season, which can be fruit, vegetables, fresh eggs, milk, honey, etc. With the looming recession its nice to know that changing our eating habits to pay less, doesn't mean cutting organic, or fresh out of the equation. You will actually save money by getting involved with a CSA.

By supporting a CSA you will be supporting organic farming practices which means you can be positive there will be no pesticides used on your food. Which also means there will be no pesticides leaching into the water supply in your area.

Your food will be pure food, no GMO's (genetically modified foods). The crop is turned over often so there is less disease and more diversity. They use natural compost so they dont have to use synthetic fertilizers that also leach into the water supply, and destroy the soil. Healthy soil absorbs Carbon Dioxide which takes it out of the air and reduces the most significant contributer to Global Warming.

CSA's also offer seasonal food. During different seasons your body has particular nutritional needs that are met by the vegetables that grow during that season. It makes sense, the earth works with us in this way. One simple example would be in the summer time salads and leafy greens grow prominantly. They carry lots of water in them, which is great since you need water in the summer time so as not to get dehydrated.

To find a CSA near you visit http://www.localharvest.org/cs a/.

By taking this simple step you will decrease your impact on the earth and take part in improving your land, community, and life.

(excerpt from http://gorgeousrecipes.blogspo t.com/)

Learn more about this author, Amanda Digiovanna.
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