Eating clo$e to home

Summer is a great time to change your eating habits to reduce your food costs. By eating what is "in season" or grown and raised close to your home you can significantly lower your grocery bill. Much of your store bought food costs are associated with the transportation of foods from distant locales. Do you eat strawberries in December? They probably arrived in your grocery store from South America, adding additional expense associated with the shipping of the produce.

To reduce your food costs you have to discipline yourself to eat what is in season. Now is the time to indulge in strawberries, lettuce, radishes and broccoli and other cool weather crops. Eat your asparagus in the spring when it is available locally (freeze some for winter use). In the summer load up on squash, zucchini and tomatoes. I am sure you agree that everything tastes better when it is in season so it is a win-win! I'll post how I "put up" produce for later use in another post.

To take advantage of local produce visit your farmers markets, make friends with the local egg farmer and seek out farm raised fish, shrimp and other meats. Your wallet and your palate will be glad you did!