Lunch Local for Love
In Latin the word Februarius means to “purify” – in the days of Ancient Rome, February was known as the “Month of Purification”. In modern times we know February to be all about love, and transitional energy. Let’s show a little love this month by eating clean, and supporting our local community agriculture groups.
Organic Agriculture | United States | Farmshare Austin
Purchasing locally grown produce & meats for at least one meal during the month of February will help to support our local CSA’s while also rejuvenating our bodies in the process!
🌎🍃🌱🦋
FACE the Facts: Berries, Green Tea, Coffee, and Dark Chocolate are renowned for being strong sources of Antioxidants. But what other foods can we focus on this month to cleanse and purify?
- Flavonoids. This group of plant antioxidants has many beneficial health effects. Found in Berries, Red Cabbage, Onions, and Kale
- Vitamin A. This Vitamin helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs work properly. Found in Green leafy vegetables and other green, orange, and yellow vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, and squash. Fruits, including cantaloupe, apricots, and mangos. Dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals.
- Vitamin C. This water-soluble antioxidant is an essential dietary nutrient. Found in citrus fruits (Oranges have the highest concentration of vitamin C), Red, yellow and green peppers, Kiwi fruit & Dark green vegetables, like Brussels sprouts
- Vitamin E. This antioxidant plays a critical role in protecting cell membranes against oxidative damage. The body also needs vitamin E to boost its immune system so that it can fight off invading bacteria and viruses. In addition, cells use vitamin E to interact with each other and to carry out many important functions. Vegetable oils like sunflower, and safflower are among the best sources of vitamin E. Nuts (such as peanuts, hazelnuts, and, especially, almonds), and seeds (like sunflower seeds) are also great sources of vitamin E. Don't forget green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli!
Recipes to Consider this Month:
Breakfast:
Kiwi / Blueberry / Cucumber / Banana Smoothie with Almond Milk
Recipe: -Blueberry Kiwi Protein Smoothie-The Almond Eater
Lunch:
Kale Salad with Pears, Apples, and Cranberries. Add some flavor with a vegetable oil-based dressing, (think sunflower, avocado or safflower oils)
Snack:
Broccoli /Carrots (with peanut butter!), Sunflower Seeds, or your favorite snackable nuts.
Dinner: Mo's Low Fat Chicken Chili.
A deliciously spicy entrée option chock full of vitamins and minerals from healthy organic (locally grown) produce!
**Bonus: Click the link below for more vitamin packed recipes!
Vitamin And Mineral Food Recipes | SparkRecipes (sparkpeople.com)
About Farmshare Austin
At Farmshare Austin, our mission is to grow a healthy, just and equitable local food system by increasing community food access and cultivating new farmers.
We envision a future of resilient local food economies that ensures equitable access to food and to the resources needed to farm.
Farmshare Austin builds bridges between the produce grown on our 10-acre certified organic farm in Eastern Travis County and food access programs reaching food insecure communities in Central Texas.
What we do:
Our key educational objective is to grow more Central Texas farmers to strengthen the local food system. Farmer Starter is an 20-week program designed to provide aspiring farmers with the essential skills and training needed to manage a sustainable farming business. We also offer community classes and continuing education workshops for working farmers.
The result of our combined efforts will improve the availability of healthy, sustainably produced food to portions of the population that currently have the least access to it. We address cultural and cost barriers through programs and partnerships.
Farmshare provides food access directly to neighborhoods experiencing geographic and economic barriers to good food by bringing Mobile Markets directly to them. These farm stands operate as part of the City of Austin’s Fresh for Less Initiative. We offer produce grown on our farm, produce from other Texas farms and high-quality, shelf-stable food products, all at reduced prices.
.png)
