HealthyLife Articles

Tag: local

  • Farmers Market: Fresh Produce & More

    HEALTHY EATING

    Variety of fresh produce in wooden box.

    Eating a whole-food, plant-based diet is one of the best things you can do for your health. Foods found at local farmers markets may be more nutritious as they are picked at the peak of ripeness. And, since they don’t have to travel a long distance to reach you, they’re better for you and the environment. Try these tips to get the most out of your next trip to the farmers market.

    Buy what’s in season

    The foods that are growing in abundance in each season will likely be the least expensive. They will also be the most delicious! Nothing beats a fresh, in-season fruit or vegetable.

    Get to know the farmers

    The people who grow your food are a wealth of knowledge. Ask them for recommendations and cooking ideas. They can help you be a better shopper and a better eater!

    Don’t stop at produce

    Most farmers markets have vendors selling eggs, meat, cheese, honey, flowers, fresh bread, and so much more. Take advantage of all the tasty, local products your area has to offer.

    Shop early for the best selection

    The good stuff often goes fast. Get there early to find the best and prettiest produce.

    Or shop late for the best deals

    If you’re shopping on a tight budget, hit the farmers market near closing time. Many vendors will offer discounts so they don’t end up with a lot left over.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Make Your Food Sustainable

    HEALTHY EATING

    Variety of food items on green table.

    A sustainable food system is one that provides health and food security both now and in the future.

    Food may be grown, processed, distributed, and prepared in ways that protect, or do not protect, the future ability to produce food. As a consumer, you can make choices that increase the demand for sustainable food.

    Sustainable food systems

    The term food system refers to the elements and activities that relate to the food you eat. This includes agriculture, production, processing, distribution, preparation, and consumption of food.

    A sustainable food system encompasses three pillars:

    *Environmental:A sustainable food system protects natural resources through efficient use of land, water, forest, and fisheries.

    *Economic:A sustainable food system protects and improves livelihoods and requires responsible and efficient governance.

    *Social:A sustainable food system supports the resilience of the community and enhances social well-being.

    Why it matters

    If any aspect of a food system degrades the ability to continue to produce nutritious food, that practice is considered unsustainable.

    For example, some farming techniques may deplete the health of the soil. Over time the soil may be less able to support healthy crops, making the practice unsustainable.

    In addition, a sustainable food system ensures no one goes hungry, now or in future generations.

    What you can do

    Much of the work to make food systems sustainable requires top-down regulation and innovation. However, there are things you can do to support sustainability efforts:

    *  Grow some of your own food.

    *  Purchase from local growers.

    *  Cook at home.

    *  Compost food scraps.

    *  Reduce food waste.

    *  Volunteer with non-profit organizations that are working to fight hunger.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • How To Locate A Physician Away From Home

    Healthy Travel

    Image of doctor with medical icons.

    The best made travel plans can’t guarantee against illness or injuries. Although travelers don’t like thinking about the possibility of a medical emergency, a little forethought can save you a lot of misery or aggravation. Knowing what to do and who to contact should you need medical help, especially when traveling abroad, reduces anxiety and avoids wasting time when minutes count.

    Specialized travel medical clinics exist in some areas. Consult the following for names of physicians you can contact, if need be, in the area you plan to visit.

    International Association for Medical Assistance to Traveler (IAMAT)

    1623 Military Rd. #279

    Niagra Falls, NY 14304-1745

    716.754.4883

    www.iamat.org

    Overseas Citizens Services (OCS), Bureau of Consular Affairs

    1.888.407.4747

    http://travel.state.gov/about/contact/contact_4745.html

    The American Embassy or American, British, or Canadian consul or consulate in the country you’re visiting.

    Page image from A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Buy Local. Eat Local.

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of a farmer's market stand filled with vegetables.

    Did you know the average supermarket produce travels about 2,000 miles to your neighborhood grocery store? Farmers’ market produce travels less than 50 miles, according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension experts who offer these buying and storing tips:

    *Go right home from the market.Foods will decline in quality, and perishable foods such as meats and eggs can pose food safety problems if left sitting in your car. Bring along a cooler with ice if it will take more than an hour or so to get perishables into your refrigerator.

    *Store at room temperature:bananas, melons, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and winter squash. Store them in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight and away from areas where meat is prepared.

    *Ripen on the counter and then put in the refrigerator:avocados, kiwifruit, nectarines, peaches, pears, and plums. Do not keep produce in a sealed plastic bag on the countertop. This slows ripening and may increase off-odors and decay from the buildup of carbon dioxide and depletion of oxygen inside the bag.

    *Store in refrigerator most other fresh fruits and vegetables.Use your refrigerator crisper drawer for whole produce. Store fruits in a separate refrigerator crisper drawer from vegetables. Fruits give off ethylene gas, which can shorten the storage life of vegetables. Some vegetables give off odors that can be absorbed by fruits and affect their quality.

    *Refrigerate fruits and vegetables in perforated plastic bags.This helps maintain moisture yet provide air flow. Make your own: use a sharp object to make several small holes in a food-grade plastic bag (about 20 holes per medium-size bag). Air-tight plastic bags can lead to the growth of mold or bacteria.

    *Wash your hands and produce thoroughly.Wash produce before you use it, NOT when you bring it home. Fresh produce has a natural protective coating that helps keep in moisture and freshness. Washing produce before storage causes it to spoil faster.

    *Remove and discard outer leaves.Rinse under clean, running water just before preparing or eating. Don’t use soap or detergent. It can get into produce and make you sick. Rub briskly-scrubbing with a clean brush or hands-to clean the surface. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Rinse produce even when the peel is removed-such as melons and citrus fruits. Once you have cut through the protective skin of fruits and vegetables, bacteria can enter. Refrigerate cut or peeled fruits and vegetables within 2 hours.

    *Take your own bags or baskets to the farmers’ markets.And be sure to wash them too. Bacteria can grow inside.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine