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Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

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A Bountiful Year

It has been an amazing and bountiful year for the North Texas local, natural and organic foods movement. People from diverse backgrounds and belief systems all seem to agree on one issue: Eating naturally grown, fresh, local food is good for our health, environment and local economy.  Our local families and communities continue to abundantly benefit from our convenient access to good eating via farmers’ markets, organic grocery sections, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs and a host of restaurants on board with the trend.

Last month brought us the LYFE Kitchen, and soon the Austin-based SNAP Kitchen will specialize in fresh, healthy take-away. Plus, we anticipate five new Dallas-based restaurants to feature local and organic foods—even McDonald’s is upgrading its menu to include more healthy choices. The latest entry in the proliferation of natural and organic grocers is DFW’s fourth Trader Joe’s, at Inwood Village, on Lover’s Lane. We are fortunate that the ring of farms and ranches surrounding the Metroplex continues to produce and provide more and better goods nearly year-round now.

Each decision we make to buy local fare or grow our own at home or in our neighborhood community garden is being multiplied by hundreds of thousands of like-minded people. As awareness continues to expand and even mainstream consumers begin to seriously change their buying and eating habits, together we can leverage higher quality for America’s entire food supply.

My gratitude for my hometown farm culture partly stems from childhood memories in and around Austin and Bastrop, Texas, where we spent summers with my grandparents on their farm.  In addition to the exciting prospect of commandeering forbidden cow rides, we would joyously rise at the crack of dawn to help Grandfather till the soil, pull weeds, water and inspect the garden, then pick the day’s luscious fruits and vegetables judged to be at their peak. With infinite patience, he responded to our repeated query about each watermelon, “Is it ready to pick yet?”

Another blessing brought home by our North Texas bounty of nutritious organic foods is one of good health, one of the best allies possible in my mission to remain breast cancer-free. Just yesterday, while visiting my doctor for an annual check-up, she admonished me to eat a healthy, Mediterranean-style diet low in fat and high in fresh fruits and vegetables.

I pray that you feel as thankful to our Creator for the wonderful North Texas Garden of Eden he has given us. I hope that the information in this issue—from the benefits of essential oils and vegan smoothies to the importance of our farming community’s stewardship of the land and our special Farmers’ Market Pullout Guide—will help you live a healthier and happier life that tangibly embraces and appreciates the God-given blessings that surround us.

As you enjoy the summer with friends and family, please keep in mind that green living is healthy and healthy living is green.

Until next month,

Bernice Butler, Publisher