Buy local and eat what is in season!!

I love summer for so many reasons. Here is one.......blueberries, locally grown, fresh and delicious. Ten years ago Mike decided to plant of few blueberry bushes, adding one every year since then. Now, we have blueberries abundant picked as needed. I love that my children will be outside playing and stop at a blueberry bush for a quick snack instead of asking for one that is prepackaged.

Now I am not saying that everyone should run out and plant a row of blueberry bushes in the back yard, although they aren't that hard to maintain. What I am saying is that we are a generation that needs to relearn how to eat what is in season and eat what is local.

There is something seriously wrong with going into a supermarket in January when there is ten inches of snow on the ground and buying a pint of blueberries. They have probably traveled days to get here whether it be by boat, truck or train. Think about all of the fuel used to transport those blueberries to your table. They aren't fresh and I can assure you won't be as good.

Supporting your local farmers market is one of the BEST things you can do to help the environment and be true to yourself and your family. Right now IS the best time to get fresh delicious local produce. Whether it is from your own garden or the farmer's down the street, take advantage of it. Freezing and canning helps to preserve these things when they aren't in season, but enjoy them now....tomatoes, squash, greens, blueberries....I could go on and on.

The next time you pick up a pint of blueberries in December, think about how long ago they were picked and what pesticides and chemicals where used to keep them looking so fresh and good. (especially when buying a gassed tomato). They just don't look that good anymore.