April is such a happy month! The air is getting warmer, the days are getting longer and the flowers are starting to bloom. Of course it is tax-time, and soon we will have to mow the lawn and protect ourselves from the sun and heat. But spring is a time of renewal and a great time to renew our commitment to good health.
It’s a great time to put away our desires for the heavy comfort foods of winter and reach for abundant fresh fruits and vegetables. The price of produce is starting to come down as farms recover from the deep-freeze of winter. “Row-crops,” such as green beans, lettuces, peppers and broccoli are dropping as much as 50 percent in price from the winter.
So for many members, what better way is there to trim down for bathing-suit season without sacrificing nutrition than with heaping plates of colorful veggies? We should be composing our meals with as much fresh produce as we can at every meal.
The wonderful thing about fruits and vegetables is that you don’t have to do a lot to them to make them palatable. The fresher the produce, the simplest way to prepare them is best. Eat as many as you can with minimal processing — such as raw or steamed. If you prefer to grill, brush the vegetables lightly with a little olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh herbs when finished.
This is also a good time to explore the local farmer’s market or a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, for local produce. Using a CSA would not only support local farmers, but also ensure that your produce has few food miles and is getting to you quickly from a nearby farm.
Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share (a.k.a., a “membership” or a “subscription”) and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.
It would be a great project for a club to sponsor a CSA with its members. The club would become the drop point and the members would enjoy the benefits of ultra-fresh, seasonal foods.
Another great idea would be to give back to the members by putting out some fresh fruits on a decorated table right near the vending machines! I know it does seem sort of contrived, but it’s great to offer our members healthy choices at every opportunity.
What better way to convince our members that we really do care about their health than to offer them the best alternatives to processed foods?
Judith Samuels, M.A. is a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and master personal trainer at Sport&Health Clubs in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. She can be reached via e-mail at judi@judisamuels.com.
