Community Supported Agriculture By Red Jen Ford Before managing a farmer’s market, I was a member of a CSA – Community Supported Agriculture. At the time, the only CSAs available were of the traditional model: pay a flat fee directly to the farmer or coalition of farmers at the start of each season and reap [...]
It’s no coincidence that holiday parties and celebrations occur in the season that according to Ayurveda, is characterized by the vata dosha (air and space elements). This is a time of erratic, cool winds and frenetic energy that stimulate an increase our mental awareness, spontaneity and sense of play. And, it’s no surprise that nature [...]
Cucumber Supports Seasonal Fare Find your food rhythm by eating what the season provides--such as cucumbers in the summer. “The rhythm of life is when you experience your own body, mind and soul.” At least that’s the instruction from my Yogi tea bag said this morning. Yoga teaches us to find our rhythm by connecting [...]
The ideals of consciousness teach us that we are connected to each other and to our surroundings. With this in mind, we can bring the same levels of mindfulness we cultivate on our yoga mat to our decisions when buying, preparing, and eating food. Here are seven suggestions to green your dinner plate, improve [...]
Seasonal Citrus In Surprising Colors With Spring-Cleansing Benefits Of course we know that citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines and lemons are high in Vitamin C, and that accordingly they help strengthen our immune system. But did you know they also help to detoxify the blood? Surprisingly colorful varieties of citrus provide additional health benefits and [...]
Five Surprisingly Seasonal And Sensual Foods You know greens are good for you, right? In terms of our overall health, we all know greens help fight cancer, provide fiber and help us fill up on vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients without breaking the calorie bank. Did you also know that eating green foods can actually help heal [...]
These colorful produce items all peak in Southern California in November, providing a gorgeous bounty for your Thanksgiving table. Ayurveda divides the world among three primary doshas or seasons – vata (Fall into the early part of Winter), pitta (Summer) and kapha (late Winter into Spring) and we in the West tend to [...]
Cool and Hydrate with Summer Squash Eating seasonally is a simple, sustainable and enjoyable way to balance your health. And it is especially easy when you shop at your local Farmers’ Market or farm stand. From an Ayurvedic perspective, if you are a fiery pitta like me (hence the nickname Red Jen), you tend to [...]