Marron Wellness Center Sep Oct 2017

Fresher, Cheaper, Tastier

The Benefits of Seasonal Eating

The nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables hardly need explaining. While the stock of protein, carbs, and fat seems to rise and fall at random, the value of fruits and veggies never wavers. These health staples, though, can put a dent in your wallet if you’re not making the right choices at the market. One way to feed your family healthy and delicious produce on the cheap is to eat seasonally. Not only will this save you money, but you will also vary your diet, support local farms, and put the freshest foods on your table. Ever wonder why tomatoes cost so much more in December than in July? The answer is simple: shipping distance. The less a tomato needs to travel to make it to your plate, the less it will cost. Transporting produce long distances is expensive because it needs to be protected and temperature-controlled. Eating seasonally means you’ll save a ton on fruits and veggies. Even better is to cut out the middleman entirely and buy directly from a supplier. In his exceptional cookbook, “Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables,” Joshua McFadden writes, “The best way to eat with the seasons is to frequent and support local farms, markets, and grocery stores that are doing good things.” Farmers markets have exploded in number and popularity recently, and the USDA website (ams.usda.gov) has a directory of markets that you can search for by ZIP code. Learning what’s in season at a given time might seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of tools to help you. Again, the farmers market is your friend here. You can ask what’s in peak season

now and what to look forward to in the coming weeks. Apps like Farmstand will also let you know the freshest crops in your area and alert you to deals on produce. Even if you opt for a grocery store rather than farmers market, you can still save by eating seasonally. You’ll be shocked how much you save by buying what’s on sale. And guess which items are usually on sale? The ones that are in-season and abundant. Getting the nutritional benefits and great taste of fresh produce doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Eat seasonally and locally, and the savings will pile up.

ARE YOU AWARE? How Many Americans Suffer From Chronic Pain?

How many Americans suffer from chronic pain? The American Academy of Pain Medicine claims it’s over 100 million, making it the most common major medical condition in the country. This statistic might surprise you, but it highlights the need for a National Pain Awareness Month. The American Chronic Pain Association, leading a coalition of health care professionals and consumer groups (including the NAACP), dedicated September to raising public awareness of issues related to pain and pain management. What does that mean for you? Luckily, there are ways for you to get involved. One easy way is to spread the word. If 1 in 3 Americans suffer from pain, that means it’s likely that a friend, family member, or even yourself suffer. Call local news and community leaders to ask them if they have plans to mark the month.

You can “like” ACPA on Facebook to stay updated on new developments regarding chronic pain, and be sure to like and share their posts to spread the word. Additionally, there is a link where you can donate to the nonprofit group. Their website, theacpa.org, is also a helpful resource. You can go there to find tips on dealing with chronic

pain and how to talk about it with friends and family. Instructional videos on the website offer information about medication safety and relaxation techniques.

If you struggle from chronic pain, stop in to Marron Wellness Center where we’ll be more than happy to help.

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