I have been sharing with you inspiring stories about “how to live local“ through my blog and freshalicious®. Sometimes it is a matter of slowing down and choosing to take a different route than everyone else. This is something you can do and get a high personal return on simply investing in yourself and your family.

In North America we are plagued with serious health issues of the heart, veins, other organs and our minds.

Who do you know who has or is being treated for:

Heart Attack
Diabetes
Stroke
Cholesterol
Cancer
Alzheimer’s
Digestive Disorders

Do you know someone who is OBESE? Perhaps at least 50% of your friends are.

When are we going to learn that food is directly linked to the poor choices we are making every day that lead to disease.

I choose to avoid fast food at all costs for my family, and myself packing a simple lunch or making a sandwich on the go from the supermarket, along with eating fresh fruit and vegetables.

I choose to cook every day, locally inspired simple dishes that are timeless, easy to pack warm or cold in Thermos® food jars for the kids in school, and perfect lunches for Steve and me.

I choose to buy organic, whole foods whenever possible, always keeping local and in-season at the forefront of my shopping list. This is how we get the most nutritional foods at any given time of the year.

I choose healthy organic snacks for my kids and focus on fresh fruits and vegetables as their first source. There is a wide variety of healthy snacks made with nuts, seeds and whole grains.

I choose to buy locally, off the farm when possible, my eggs, poultry, preserves, maple syrup and honey. I visit my farmers’ market when they are open and share my food sources with friends.

I choose to grow a garden so I have my own source of produce for several months of the year. I also plant fruit trees and berry bushes, knowing they will produce fresh fruits and berries for my family.

I have found that living a healthy lifestyle requires balance and moderation 24/7, 365 days a year. With all the yummy temptations this upcoming holiday season, try to pass on most of those high-calorie sugar spiking desserts.

Why not cut your portion sizes this holiday season if you know you are going to eat more often, and look for locally inspired dishes made with seasonal local foods. You will be more satisfied. Sometimes it is almost impossible to eat just one holiday goody, so skipping it completely makes the temptation easier to control.

Sometimes I feel the need to say, “It is what it is.” The way most of we eat today is not good. I ask myself every day, “What are we teaching our kids about food today, when most of us are eating like we are on a roller coaster.” We glide from one season to another, unaware that nothing ever changes unless you break the old habits and choose to eat better all of the time, indulging far less often on higher calorie foods.

Balance and moderation are the keys to any successful lifestyle. “Living local” can easily create a healthy platform for you to achieve your optimum wellness. So why diet, when you can eat a lot of great food that is extremely satisfying all year round? Be aware and eat a variety of whole foods locally sourced and stay active. You sacrifice nothing, and you gain something that is priceless! A healthier you.

Now it is your turn, choose how live better.

Eat Local. Live Local. Be Healthy

Stacey

Follow