EAT YOUR VEGGIES!

Spring will soon be upon us! I thought this was a timely topic, as in the not too distant future, many of us will be outside playing in the dirt.


Is there a plot of earth in your backyard that's underused? If so, think about using it to plant a vegetable garden. The benefits of growing your own veggies are numerous - and delicious!

First, vegetables you've grown yourself tend to taste better than those bought at the local grocer, because they're still fresh by the time they reach your plate, not having traveled days to get there. Additionally, store-bought have likely been treated with toxic chemicals intended to help them grow bigger and faster, and to keep pests away.

While making fruit and vegetables more attractive, those same chemicals can, unfortunately, sap them of their nutritional value. Having your own vegetable garden, on the other hand, provides a chemical-free boon to your health. When you can control how they're grown, you can eat vegetables that are nutritious - and eat them more often. After all, when they're right in your own backyard, veggies are more likely to become a bigger part of your diet. Plus, gardening is a great way to incorporate more exercise into your routine, relieve stress and get more sunlight - more vitamin D!

Economics can be another factor in people's decisions to grow their own vegetables. As the cost of produce has climbed, eating healthy has become more expensive. For some, backyard vegetable gardens aren't just money savers, but money makers, too! Grow-it-yourselfers are selling their own veggies at places like farmer's markets and co-ops. If you have a bumper crop of vegetables this summer, you might want to consider doing so yourself. Alternatively, why not can or freeze your surplus veggies and extend the taste of summer throughout the whole year?

Until next time!

The Jamie Dann Team