The Qi We Eat

Photo credit: Boonton Main Street

The Boonton Farmers' Market opened last weekend with much enthusiasm. It was packed with people and vendors, and it also helped that the weather was gorgeous. I was excited to fill my reusable bags with fresh produce.

I love buying produce at this time of year. It's an instant reminder of why eating fresh foods is better in so many ways. Lately, I've been eating asparagus and zucchini purchased at the grocery store, and I'm certainly grateful that I can do so given that there are so many parts of the world that don't have access to an abundance of produce. That being said, the zucchini I purchased from Race Farms and the asparagus I got from Quenby Mountain Farms at the Farmers' Market definitely had so much more flavor than the produce I've been getting from the supermarket.

You've likely heard the saying you are what you eat. We truly are. The foods that we eat provide the Qi for our body to build and repair new cells while also supporting our immune system. Additionally, by nature's design, we should be eating seasonally, meaning eating the foods that are locally being harvested at that time. It's the best way to stay healthy.

Think of it this way. In the summer, cucumber and watermelon are available, both of which are super hydrating and cooling to the body. Both are so refreshing on a hot summer day. In fact, I often carry cucumber slices when I hike in the summer because they cool me down and give me energy to complete a hard hike. These are not locally harvested in the winter, nor are they meant to be stored for a long period of time after being picked. 

In the fall, winter quashes like butternut squash and delicata squash (my favorite!) along with potatoes and applies are harvested, which is great because they have nutrients that we need to help us through the colder months and they have a long shelf life after being picked.

Enjoy these next few months by buying your produce from local farmers. Garlic scapes will be available soon and they are so fantastic chopped up and sauteed along with other vegetables. Asparagus is available early in the growing season, so enjoy it now. If you're curious as to what produce is the freshest during various times of the year, check out this guide.