FOOD AS THE BEST MEDICINE
March 2020
In the Spring all thoughts turn to green: green trees, green grass, weeds, and green vegetables. This picture says it all. Eat well and be well. Your Pharmacy is your grocery store and your garden. Get out in the fresh air, take a walk. Watch less television and most definitely less computer/phone time.
We grow vegetables in our garden to sustain our kitchen. Eat well and be well. Our chickens give us eggs and friendship. Get out of the house. My Irish Grandmother said, “You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die.” I guess that is the same as, “Thou art dust”. So stop dusting and get outside and dig in the dirt.
At our Farm, the radishes are coming up. Delicious little green bites to put into salads. A harbinger of roasted radishes to come on our tasting plates. The fava beans are planted. And, a garden miracle, our sunflowers are not only sprouting but blooming. They are in a little protected spot, but this is way too early for them to be awake.
The fig tree tips are swelling and turning green, a clear sign of Spring.
I have spring fever and a longing for green things from the garden.
Here is some direction from the US FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION with a little license of my own words from the Farm at IL Fiorello.
- BUY FOOD WITH THOUGHT—NOT PREPACKAGED
- COOK FOOD WITH CARE
- USE MORE VEGETABLES AND WHOLE GRAINS AND BEANS
- USE LESS MEAT AND LESS ANIMAL FATS
- BUY LOCAL FOODS—ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE
- SERVE ENOUGH—SUSTAIN YOUR LIFE
- USE WHAT IS LEFT
- DO NOT WASTE FOODS
- ENJOY FOOD AND FAMILY
REF: MENUS OF CHANGE HARVARD MED AND CIA
John Stanton, PhD, is a professor at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, he says that “ taste is the leading reason to buy food.” So buy food that tastes good and is healthy! Enjoy the family meal together. Family and good food is important.
In a review article, Mary Stanton PhD and Selina Wang PhD, looked at the literature on Olive Oil as medicine. (Published by UC Davis Olive Center 2015). The review suggested that the use of two tablespoons of olive oil may lower blood pressure. My addition is always use certified extra virgin olive oil and with healthy food and together this may lower blood pressure.
These are the basic tenets of the Mediterranean diet; healthy food, exercise, and extra virgin olive oil. This premise is supported by more and more research. Something we have known for many thousands of years. Farm to table has been around for a very long time. It is good that we are recognizing the importance of food as medicine.
In practicality good healthy food is good medicine. Now add your family and friends and you have a winning combination.
Eat from the garden, eat from the soil, plant based consumption is a goal for us all.
Hippocrates (born c. 460 bce, died c. 375 bce)
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine by thy food.”
Ciao,
Ann
Sunflowers and Nasturtiums in March
Our Farm is Blooming with edible flowers and plants
CHAYOTE SPROUTS—HARDLY SPROUTS
WE CAN SEE THEM GROWING EVERY HOUR
WAITING FOR WARM WEATHER TO PLANT
USE IN SALADS AND STEWS
THE MOST WONDERFUL PICTURE FROM AN ITALIAN BLOG
FARMACIA IN ITALIAN IS PHARMACY
EAT YOUR VEGETABLES, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS
