Green Festival recap

This weekend was the Green Festival in Washington, DC and, although I was very excited to attend, I wasn't that impressed.  Sure they had at least a hundred booths representing different and innovative environmental ideas, and several of them even had delicious samples to try and take home.  However, my overall impression was that they didn't offer much for those people who aren't already green.  It didn't give me new ways to be more eco-friendly without being very impractical, time consuming or inconvenient.

There were plenty of vendors in attendance to show you how to green your home, but I wasn't in the market for that.  There was a row of booths dedicated to being a green parent for infants and toddlers, but not for older kids like my own.  And then there were a few clothing vendors who sold clothes made of organic cotton or recycled water bottles that were overpriced.  Then there were those EXTREME eco-products like compost toilets and a spray that takes the color and smell out of the urine in your toilet bowl so you don't have to flush it.   I can't make stuff like that up.  

There were only a few select vendors that caught my attention where I actually spoke with their spokesperson or company owner for more than just a few seconds.  The rest of the booths started to blend together after a couple of hours spent there, which was highly disappointing.  If you tried one chocolate sample, you tried them all, you know?  There weren't enough companies promoting things for greening everyday living and that was disappointing.

Another disappointment in the festival was that their ad promoted a children's section that was going to highlight what the new National Children's Museum in DC would feature.  And because of this I decided to take my 9 year old son with me.  It was a waste of time.  They had reserved some open space in the convention center where kids could draw with crayons, make crafts out of plastic bottle pieces, and play bowling with some 2 liters filled with rice.  Thank goodness my son found the rest of the stuff in the other booths interesting or I would've owed him plenty for dragging him through this festival. 

But the biggest disappointment for me was the prices of the things sold.  The chocolate bars being sold, (that we so eagerly tried in the many samples they had shared), cost $4 a bar!!  A 2-year-old's dress cost $45?  Really?  Sure it was made out of recycled water bottles, but it's still for a child who's going to outgrow it in a few months anyway.  Some people are eager to spend this kind of money, and I guess that's great for stimulating the economy.  But for the most part, there are still people struggling out there to make ends meet and I believe the green movement will not go anywhere if it can't be affordable to everyone.  

I already felt a little out of place since I wasn't a Rastafarian, hippy, or LGBT, so it didn't seem like the heavenly place I anticipated the festival to be.  The food they served was mostly vegetarian, vegan, or goat (that one really threw me off!), so we had some curried tofu and rice, and some vegan version of lasagna that was pretty disgusting.  

Sooo, the conclusion of this story is to say that I felt that although I am a proud environmentalist, even I felt excluded from this crowd.  I feel like there is so much improvement to be made in order to get this movement into the mainstream.  I seem to be pretty normal in comparison to some of these extreme vegan, hemp-wearing, patchouli-smelling people and I hope to be able to bring the rest of you normal people into this movement with me.  A few simple steps don't have to cost you your paycheck, and some things will actually save you money.  I was pretty disappointed not to find anything like that at the festival, so maybe I'll set up my own booth at the festival next year.  :)  

6 months of eco-tips!

Hi everyone,

Today marks 6 months of writing this eco-mami blog.  It all started with being inspired by Earth Day 2010 when I wrote 30 days of eco-tips on Facebook.  And through encouragement and support of my Facebook friends, I began writing this blog.  A month later, I started the Facebook site for eco-mami (thanks to all of you who have "liked" the page).  This journey has inspired me to believe this is what I was meant to do. As I learn more ways to make this world a little greener, I will continue to share these tips with you.

I hope that the tips have been easy to incorporate into your every day lives and that you've come to realize that going green isn't that complicated at all.  With the basics of reduce, reuse, recycle, ANYONE can become an environmentalist and advocate for this planet that we all share.

Thanks for all of you who have read the blog, even if just once.  You can't use the excuse that you didn't know any better, and the more you know, the better you live.
I am more than happy to continue sharing eco-tips in the coming months.  My ultimate goal is to make this a full-time business to help everyone become more eco-friendly.  Look for eco-mami, LLC in the near future, fingers crossed.

Thanks again, and keep reading.  :)

eco-mami

The D word

The D word is something that is avoided at all costs in my household.  The D word is Disposable.  AHHHH!!! This includes plastic bags of any kind (shopping, ziploc, etc), one-time use products, and lots of paper products.

This is, no doubt, a very disposable society.  Every time I turn on the TV, there is another commercial of a new disposable product.  The latest one that irks me to the core is the Lysol disposable towels.  WTH?  Can people really not use a real towel and wash it when necessary?

Sure, disposable is very convenient.  Use it once, then throw it away.  No fuss, no muss, nothing to clean up.  Unfortunately, no one really thinks about where this trash goes?  Some things can go in the recycling bin, like water bottles, fruit cups, etc. but the majority ends up in the landfill.

If each of us thought of our individual impact or footprint that we leave on this earth, I think we'd all be more likely to change our disposable habits.

Easy alternatives to disposable that WILL make a difference:
- Cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
- Microfiber cloths instead of paper towels
- Reusable mop instead of Swiffer or similar products
- Reusable water bottles & mugs for water and coffee
- Reusable shopping bags instead of plastic or paper
- Compostable products made of plants instead of those made with plastic that sit in the landfill for years
- Buying in bulk instead of individual servings
- Reusable lunch bags instead of paper
- Tupperware or glass containers instead of plastic baggies
- Refills instead of buying new bottles to replace (like for cleaning products or hand soap)
- Reusable plates and glasses instead of paper or plastic
- Chinese paper lanterns instead of balloons (to decorate)

Try these alternatives and you will notice a significant difference in the amount of trash you produce.  And if you recycle as much as possible, it will be even less.  Not only will you be saving the planet, but you'll also be saving money by not having to buy these disposable products over and over again.

Let's try to change the throw-away mentality of our society, one household at a time.
Thanks for reading!

Leftovers: waste not, want not

You make a great meal for dinner, and then have tons leftover the next day.  If you like leftovers, you can have this meal again the next day for lunch, or even for dinner again.  If you don't like leftovers then the food gets thrown out which is such a waste.
Leftovers are the gift that keeps on giving.  Reusing and conserving is very eco-friendly as nothing goes to waste.    Here's a few ideas for what to do with leftovers that you wouldn't really think of using again.

Chicken:
This is one of the more versatile foods to turn into leftovers, by far.  If you roast a whole chicken, you can take the leftover carcass and put it in a pot with water and veggies and make your own chicken stock.  I usually make a chicken tortilla soup with this stock and the leftover meat.  Delicious.  If you make any other kind of chicken, you can cut it up and use it in quesadillas, chicken pasta, or chicken salad sandwich.

Bread:
This another very useful leftover.  If you get a loaf of french bread, ciabatta, challah, or any other bakery bread, you can cut the leftovers in cubes to make croutons.  Day old bread is perfect for french toast or bread pudding.  And even older bread is great for making your own breadcrumbs.  Also, you can top a toasted piece on your french onion soup.  Mmmmm!

Pork:
I get the packs of pork tenderloin that come with 2 in it, and after making a roast with it for dinner, I cube it and make pork fried rice for dinner the next night.  Just add some veggies like carrots, zucchini, and green onions and it's a very filling meal.  Another meal you can make of leftover pork is a Cuban panini, with peppers, mayo, and sundried tomatoes.

Bananas:
Don't throw out the bananas that are getting spotty or black!  These are perfect for moist banana bread.  Add some chocolate chips in it and the kids won't even know they're eating something healthy.

Broccoli:
Use this leftover in stir-fry, fried rice, or in your kids mac n cheese.  Or you can make a delicious broccoli and cheese soup.

Spinach:
After this vegetable has been made, it's great to add in lasagna (just mix in with the ricotta cheese and layer as usual).  You could also mix it with artichokes and parmesan cheese for a quick dip.

Candy:
Halloween is just around the corner and there are always bags and bags left at my house, which starts the 6 month binge of eating candy for holidays every month until Easter.  If you don't want it just sitting in your house all that time, how about chopping up the candy and adding it to cookies, frosting, or even a milkshake.  Candy canes are especially great to mix your hot chocolate for a minty treat.

Turkey:
The holidays are coming sooner than I'd like, but one guarantee is leftover turkey.  There are a million and one recipes for leftover turkey.  My favorite is turkey tetrazzini or turkey panini's.

Pancakes:
Make a sausage roll up for breakfast the next day by wrapping the pancake around a sausage link.  Better than McD's.

Salmon:
Flake the salmon to make salmon cakes by mixing it with eggs and breadcrumbs from your day old loaf of bread. :)

Steak:
Slice thin the next day and top on a salad, or add bell peppers and onions to make fajitas.

Hope these ideas will give your leftovers a second life and keep them out of the trash can.  Bon appetit!

Plan your weekly menu

You wouldn't think that something as simple as a chalkboard in the kitchen could be an environmental tool, as well as a time and money saver, but it is.   On this chalkboard, I write the meals that I've planned to make for the whole week.  There are many practical and useful reasons why this is a great tool to have in your kitchen:

Stick with the list:
This helps me think about what I'm going to make that week, then make the grocery list.  When I go to the grocery store, the list keeps me on track, which is great for eliminating impulse buying, (and it seems like I'm always starving when I go to the grocery store-- a definite no-no).  All of this planning saves me time and money.  I can also check to see if any of the things I need are on sale or if I have coupons for them and save even more money.

Mom, what's for dinner?: 
This menu keeps the kids from wondering what we're having for dinner and asking me a million times.  Now they don't ask and simply look at the list.  :)

Leftovers:
Another great use from this menu is that I know how long food has been sitting in my refrigerator.  Leftovers have a 3 day limit in my house, so anything older than that gets thrown out (and will be composted when I get around to that project).

Waste not, want not:

I often forget what I've bought at the grocery store, so the menu keeps me on track to use everything I've purchased and nothing goes to waste (most of the time), which saves more money.

So, what to eat this week?


One meal with red meat:
Although eating meat isn't the most environmental way to live (because of the pollution and energy it takes to produce),  I will probably never be a vegetarian because I like it too much.  However, I only eat red meat once a week since I've read that it's not great to eat too often.

One vegetarian meal:
One meal is vegetarian, which saves money since meat is usually more expensive than a vegetable-based dish.  I look at this as my cleansing meal.

Easy-peasy, or Crockpot Meal:
At least one meal a week is a quick and easy meal to put together since some of my days are crazy busy shuttling the kids to their activities, and sometimes soccer runs into dinnertime.  If I have a meal ready for me at home, or only takes minutes to prepare, the less likely I am to get fast food on the way back from soccer, which saves me more money.
This meal could be something where the ingredients are already chopped and ready to put together.  Or it's a meal put together in a crockpot, cooked and ready to eat when we get home.  Crockpots save lots of energy and time and are great for the cooler weather we're finally starting to get.  Think stews, pasta dishes, pulled pork BBQ sandwiches.  Yummy.  Here's a link to some crockpot recipes: http://www.parents.com/recipes/cooking/family-favorites/easy-no-cook-suppers/


Let someone else cook for a change:
I reserve one day to go out to eat since I'm usually sick of cooking by the end of the week so that takes up another slot on the weekly calendar.

I understand that this may not be appealing to everyone since not everyone enjoys cooking as much as I do, but it's worth a try if you're watching every penny you spend.  I recently saw "America's Cheapest Family" on the Today show and this was one of their tips, to plan a weekly menu before grocery shopping in order to save money.

An example of my weekly menu would look like this:
Mon:  Vegetarian
Tues:  Crockpot
Wed:  Beef
Thurs:  Chicken
Fri:  Pork or Fish
Sat:  Pasta
Sun:  Go out to eat

And if you think that a menu looks tacky in the kitchen, they have some decorative framed chalkboards at places like HomeGoods or similar home decor stores that look great.  I've received many compliments on the chalkboard in my kitchen since it looks like just another home accent.
Hopefully, this is useful and helpful information that will save you time and money, as well as save a little bit of the environment.  Thanks for reading!

No more disposable mops!!

I have a major pet peeve that I'd like to get off my chest: disposable mops.  I hate them.  I dislike many disposable products but can understand why it's easier in this society to use something and then throw it away.  Unfortunately, though, that means more waste in the landfill, and more resources needed to create new disposable products.  There are alternatives out there that don't require much more work and are just as effective if not BETTER.  They also can save you money by not having to by the refills.

So, today's blog is about the alternatives to disposable mops out there, such as the Swiffer.  There was recently a problem with the chemicals found in the Swiffer being toxic for children & pets, so why put your family at risk and use natural cleaners instead.
Here's what I've found:

Spray mops:
These mops have a container where you can put your own solution to spray on the floor.  This saves you money by either making your own solution, or by buying refills for your favorite cleaning solution (either non-toxic or toxic, your choice.  You know which I'd choose.)  They also feature a micro-fiber pad which is washable and reusable.  I love this idea!  I haven't tried either yet, but the concept is brilliant.  If you have used a Swiffer and are used to this idea, why not try this alternative?
The brands I've seen recently are:
Libman Freedom Spray Mop:  Doesn't require batteries, (about $20-30).  Visit their site for a $5 rebate coupon:  http://www.libman.com/freedom-mop.aspx
Rubbermaid Reveal: also requires no batteries (about $20-30)
Gaiam Spray Mop Kit (about $60)

The old-fashioned bucket and mop way:
The traditional way of cleaning your floors with a mop and bucket of water never appealed to me, but is very effective.  Lots of work and lots of water used.  It was a headache for me, but I know people who won't clean any other way.  To each, his own.  There are washable, reusable microfiber mop heads that are great such as Casabella or Real Simple.  

Dry mops:
Method oMops are great.  They have different ones for wood floors or all-purpose, and they have great non-toxic cleaners that go with them.  Method mops come in recycled and recyclable packaging for even less of an environmental impact.  How about that!  I've also tried the terry cloth mop heads for hardwood floors that are washable and reusable.

Steam mop:
This is by far my favorite way to clean my floors.  I mentioned this in a previous post about non-toxic cleaning.  All it takes is a little water and a plug.  It steams the floors clean, and cleans especially well on wood floors.  It requires no chemicals (besides water) and has replaceable microfiber cloths that are washable.  The Shark steam mop comes with 3 different types of mop pads: triangular (to clean bathrooms, around toilets), white rectangular (to clean large areas), and a purple one with a different loopy material (for wood floors).  There are 2 of each of these so you can have one in the dirty clothes hamper while you use the other one.  (I just bought the Shark steam cleaner and have mixed reviews.  More on that another day).
I have only used the Shark steam mop, but there are several out there to try such as Bissell, Eureka, Steam Clean, H2O, and others.  I got mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond with a 20% coupon, and it was totally worth the price I paid.

Disposable:
If disposable is still your way to go, then try Method's oMop sweeper duster.  Just like your old trusty disposable mop, you can throw the pads away when you're done.  However, these mop pads are made from corn and are compostable, instead of the petroleum-based pads that clog up the landfill.

So there you have it, all of the different ways to clean your floors using eco-friendly products.  I can't promise that mopping will become your favorite chore in the house, but at least you'll feel better by doing it a little greener.  :)

Natural remedies

Today's eco-tip is to try to find natural remedies from every day plants and foods that you would normally buy or use.  I don't have a green thumb, AT ALL, but I'd like to get some of these to clean the air indoors & to get more use than just spicing up my food.

Here are a few remedies that I found online:
Aloe Vera plant:
Just the other day, I finally purchased my very first aloe vera plant.  I am a klutz in the kitchen, but I love to cook. But a week doesn't go by without burning or cutting myself.  This is a plant that will heal these minor injuries without getting medicine from the store and it works amazingly well, the natural way.
Dandelions:
This is the plant that most preschools give your kid to plant and bring home.  Remember the movie ET?  It has another use besides looking pretty for about a week.  If you put these in a paper bag with unripe fruit, the flowers & leaves release ethylene gas to ripen the fruit quickly.  How about that!
Blackberries:
If you mix the roots and leaves, it can help soothe sore throats.  If you mix the fruit & root bark with honey, it's a great cough remedy.  If you happen to be growing your own blackberries, or just buy them from the store, why not try this before putting all of those pharmaceutical remedies into your body.  It's all natural, so what could it hurt?  I haven't tried this myself, but plan to the next time the need arises.
Peppermint oil:
May have benefits for those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).  Try putting some in some hot chocolate or in chocolate chip cookies.  Tastes great with some added benefits.
Fresh basil:
Antioxidant, boosts your immune system, helps prevent viral infections (like colds and the flu)
Ginger:
Every pregnant woman has heard that ginger helps reduce nausea (think, GingerAle).  But ginger is also good for several other uses.  Check out this site for more of it's remedies:  http://www.botanical-online.com/medicinalsgengibreangles.htm
Cinnamon:
This spice can be used for everything from memory-loss (boy do I need this one!) to headaches to the common cold.  Here is the link for it's uses: http://www.asianonlinerecipes.com/herbs-health/cinnamon-healing-properties.php

Other edible remedies:
Artichokes, honey and garlic can reduce cholesterol.  (Individually, not put together).
Tarragon treats toothaches.
Cranberries can treat UTI's in women.
Grapefruit may prevent obesity.
Thyme:  This herb fights viruses, helps menstrual cramps, is a cold remedy, and is a digestive aid.  

Why not try these natural remedies out without going too extreme with potions you've never heard of, or with medicines you get over the counter.  I'm not saying to do without modern medicines completely, just try something made from the earth first and see what happens.  Wouldn't hurt to try, right?

Visit this site for more information on herbal remedies:
http://www.pharrah13.com/herbal_uses.html

Pass: eco-products that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

As promised, this week's post will feature products that are both good for the environment as well as great for your daily living.  Last week I told you about those products that didn't make the grade, at all.  These are my favorites that have been tried and I love.

Beauty products & toiletries:
Burt's Bees.
Their products feature everything from lotions, to shampoos, to men's products.  I especially love their tinted lip gloss which moisturizes as well as give you a polished look.
Ecotools makeup brushes.
These are made from natural & recycled materials, like bamboo, and work great.  They range from eye brushes, to foundation, to powder brushes.  Guilt-free beauty.
Eco-dent toothbrushes.
These are made from 100% plastic and have replaceable toothbrush heads.  If you think about how many toothbrushes are thrown away in your own household each year, it makes sense to get these to reduce your waste.  They have adult and kid's sizes, but I'm having a hard time finding the kid's ones these days.  Anyway, I love them so if you can find them, stock up.

Cleaning products:
Simply Green.
This company makes a non-toxic cleaning solution that you dilute with water to clean just about everything.  Besides my homemade cleaners, I use this solution daily to clean lunchboxes, placemats, and anything else that's not granite, wood, or stainless steel.
Seventh generation
I have used their dish soap, laundry detergent, and household cleaners and love them.  It gets pricey which is why I've started making my own.  But a very good product for those who don't want to make their own.
Method:
Their tub scrub (le scrub) works great (a lot like soft scrub) and is non-toxic.  Their biodegradable and flushable toilet wipes are great also, as is their toilet cleaner.  As mentioned last week, their tub & tile cleaner is not.
Microfiber cloths.
I buy mine at the Target automotive section that come 8-12 in a pack.  Very economical and in various colors so you can color code which task you want it for.  For example, gray for stainless steel, orange for the counters, etc.  I keep mine in a bin under my kitchen sink so they're always at hand and swap them out daily.  I toss them in the wash by the end of the week with my cloth napkins, dish cloths, and steam mop pads.
Scotch-Brite non-scratch natural sponges & scour pads.
These kitchen cleaning products are made from 100% natural fibers & recycled paper.  It's a renewable resource that will naturally break down for guilt-free cleaning.

Cooking products:
Contessa frozen foods.
These frozen meals are all-natural, minimal ingredients, taste great, and are good for you.  When you're in a rush and don't have time to make your dinner/lunch, this is a great product to try.  And as a bonus, there are coupons included in each bag for your next purchase.
Regency parchment paper.  
This stuff is a God-send for me.  I have been trying to find an alternative to saran wrap to pound chicken cutlets thin and this product works phenomenally.  It's also great for lining your baking sheets for easy clean-up.  And for those of you who like the convenience of disposable living, this is guilt-free since it's made out of plants so it's a renewable resource AND biodegrades!  Love it!

Products I'd like to try:
iPhone solar charger.  As addicted as I am to my phone, I have to charge it daily, so this is a must for me.  Probably going to add it to my wish list.  A little less demand on the power grid from me.
Preserve kitchen products (like spatulas, colanders, etc.).  These will also be on my Christmas wish list for sure.  Made from recycled yogurt containers they are stylish, functional, and eco-friendly.  And I love kitchen gadgets.

So, take it from me.  These products are eco-friendly but are just as effective as their non-eco-friendly alternatives.  And they're better for you and the planet as well.  Test them out for yourselves and let me know what you think.

Fail: eco-products don't always make the grade

I've started writing this blog to provide people with alternatives to their everyday living in order to become more eco-friendly.  I love promoting green products that are just as good if not better than the regular products in the store.  However, just because something is eco-friendly doesn't mean it's always effective.

Here are a few products that I've tried recently that just aren't good:

Preserve razors: These razors are made out of recycled yogurt containers.  This company makes lots of beauty & home products, such as toothbrushes and razors, from those containers that aren't usually recycled in your local landfill.  (Most landfills except only plastic #1 & 2 located in the triangle on the bottom of your plastic products so I was excited when someone was actually making use of these #5 & 6 containers).  Anyway, these razors are HORRIBLE.  I cut myself shaving the other day so badly that a piece of my skin was in the razor.  Appetizing, I know.  And what's sexier than shaved legs, is shaved legs with band-aids stuck all over.  Oh yeah, that's hot.

Whole Foods brand shampoo & conditioner:  I bought these thinking that since they were biodegradable and don't effect the water eco-system that I was doing my part, but my hair looked like crap.  I'm not at the point where I can sacrifice beauty for the environment, so it's back to looking for a better alternative.

Tom's natural toothpaste: I don't recommend it.  My teeth did NOT feel clean, nor did my breath smell any better.  Again, beauty (& hygiene) over the environment.  Looking for an alternative.

Method Tub & Tile cleaner: This does NOT clean my showers to my satisfaction.  I have also tried a steamer as well as baking soda & vinegar.  So far nothing works as well as Kaboom! or bleach alternatives which contain all kinds of toxic chemicals that are bad for my health and the environment. But I'd like to shower in a clean & mildew-less bathroom, thank you.

Method's new tiny laundry detergent in a pump: I wish I could promote this one, as it's a great idea for those of you who use laundromats since it's small and compact and effective.  However, they need to come up with a better pump.  Three-quarters of the way through, the the pump becomes ineffective and it's very frustrating.  I'd rather just use another detergent without the frustration.

Lastly, I do not recommend GE's frontload washer.  They are very stylish and very energy efficient (they use less water to wash your clothes), however they are a headache to clean.  Never thought I'd have to clean my washer, but this one has a slide-out drawer to put your detergent, fabric softener, and bleach in, which you have to open to air out when not in use.  Otherwise it gets mold in it.  Mold.  Yuck.  Also, it has a plastic flap in the door opening of the washer where things like to get caught (like socks, coins, and hairballs).  I'll be going back to the old school washer once this one dies (in 15 yrs or so.  ugh!).

So, unfortunately, I can't just promote a product because it's natural or eco-friendly.  I'd like to recommend the best products to live a greener life, so it's back to doing more research on environmental alternatives to these products.  Hope these tips help save you a little time and frustration.  Next week I'll have suggestions for green products that I absolutely love.

In the meantime, please join my facebook page for eco-mami to receive daily eco-tips, current articles about the environment, and product reviews for green things I've tried.  Thanks for reading!

Eat in season

Would you like to save money, lose weight, and eat fresh, delicious food?  If so, all you have to do is learn to shop for your produce in season.  

However, just because the produce is in the grocery store doesn't mean it's in season.  Have you noticed how the price of produce, such as strawberries, fluctuate from one season to the next?  If you buy foods that are in season, they will cost much less.  If you're buying fresh produce, you will be eating the nutrients and vitamins you need in order to maintain a healthy diet.  And in-season food always tastes better.  

You can eliminate the guess work of what's in season by shopping at your local farmer's market, which will offer local goods and reduce the resources needed to transport them to the grocery store from, say, California or Canada.  If you don't buy locally, it not only takes a lot of fuel to transport, but these products are usually picked early and don't always arrive in the best shape.

Another way to get your produce locally and seasonally is by joining your local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) at your local farm.  Your local farms can either deliver their crops to your door, you can go pick it up at the farm, or you can pick it yourself.  If you don't grow it yourself, this is the cheapest way to get your produce fresh.  

Of course, if you'd like a strawberry pie in the middle of winter, you can always go to the store and get what you need for that, but it won't taste as good as it does in the summer.  Or you could stock up on all of the seasonal produce and freeze it or can it so you can enjoy it all year long.  

Here's a link to an interactive map of the food in your season and region (with recipes too!):

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap


From the website of the World's Healthiest Foods (whfoods.org), here is a list of the food you should eat according to season (and if you click on each vegetable it'll give you the scoop on what it is and why it's good for you):

• In spring, focus on tender, leafy vegetables that represent the fresh new growth of this season. The greening that occurs in springtime should be represented by greens on your plate, including Swiss chard, spinach, Romaine lettuce, fresh parsley, and basil.
• In summer, stick with light, cooling foods in the tradition of traditional Chinese medicine. These foods include fruits like strawberries, apple, pear, and plum; vegetables like summer squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and corn; and spices and seasonings like peppermint and cilantro.
• In fall, turn toward the more warming, autumn harvest foods, including carrot, sweet potato, onions, and garlic. Also emphasize the more warming spices and seasonings including ginger, peppercorns, and mustard seeds.
• In winter, turn even more exclusively toward warming foods. Remember the principle that foods taking longer to grow are generally more warming than foods that grow quickly. All of the animal foods fall into the warming category including fish, chicken, beef, lamb, and venison. So do most of the root vegetables, including carrot, potato, onions and garlic. Eggs also fit in here, as do corn and nuts.

Yummy eating, happy planet!