These times of uncertainty remind us of the things we need to hold dear to us- our loved ones and taking care of each other’s needs.  Health is often taken for granted until we start to experience symptoms that force us to pay attention (at least to the symptoms).  To really achieve and maintain good health we need to learn about the wholistic approach to health, which focuses on caring for the whole person not just disconnected parts of our bodies and minds.  There is a mind-body connection (whether we believe it or not) and managing stress in a positive way can make or break your health.  Common sense tells us that we should eat a variety of fresh regional and seasonal foods that have not been overly refined or processed.  When foods are refined they are stripped of many of the healthful benefits they contain.  Take wheat for example-the outer covering which is the wheat bran is removed as well as the life giving wheat germ.  The wheat germ has the valuable wheat germ oil but has the downside is that of a shorter shelf life.  This leaves us with the starch to make our white bread.  True, white flour may be more palatable and more sellable but what are the long term effects of such eating?  We are now beginning to experience them with increased rates of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.  We have more people than ever who are overweight and younger and younger onset of diabetic conditions. These are more diseases of lifestyle choices rather than strictly genetic predisposition as was thought in the past.

This is where the family learning kicks in.  From the day we are born we must eat to survive.  Our tongues are programmed to seek out the sweet taste of our mother’s milk and that is a good thing.  As we grow, candy and sweets can sometimes become our food of choice if we aren’t exposed to other whole foods at an early age. Parents need to set a good example and teach their children the joys of cooking. It’s one of the most creative and rewarding things to do. Let them help prepare meals and encourage them to eat the washed raw fruits and vegetables as you get them ready for a salad or other recipe. Besides the ones our bodies make, the only way to get enzymes is from raw foods since they are destroyed by heat. Enzymes (also called the “sparks of life”) help us to fully digest and absorb our foods and play an important role in almost all bodily functions. Enzyme production in the body generally decreases with age and may be supplemented with raw foods and/or over the counter complexes. Planting a garden is a wonderful way to teach children (or anyone) about where their food comes from and how we prepare it for ourselves.  The Organic method of gardening, which uses no chemicals, is preferred and you’ll get some fresh air and sunshine too!

Community Supported Agriculture is another way to get your fresh garden produce. The idea is to buy shares in the garden each season and share in weekly harvests without the labor. There is usually one or more paid people who do the daily work depending on the size of the garden. So if you’re too busy to have a garden of your own please look into joining a local group.