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Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

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March 2014 Publisher Letter

In preparing this month’s special Food & Garden issue, I am again pleasurably reminded of how blessed we are here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. Even though it’s the sixth largest metropolitan area in the country, we are surrounded by working farms that supply a bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables and meats furnished by our Creator for our sustenance and enjoyment. Tucked away an hour or less in any direction, we all benefit from the agricultural enterprises of such North Texas communities as Alvarado, Denison, Farmersville, Jefferson, Jones Prairie, Grandview, Greenville, Mt. Pleasant, Tom Bean, Whitesboro and Waxahachie.

Witness the well-stocked farmers’ markets in every part of the Metroplex in season; numerous community supported agriculture (CSA) programs where we can subscribe for biweekly or monthly baskets of straight-from-the-farm produce, milk and meats; organic sections in most grocery stores; and the movement among local chefs and restaurants to locally source ingredients.

So, why aren’t North Texans the healthiest folks in the United States? Maybe because despite everything, they are still unaware of the personal health benefits they can access from this bounty at our doorstep.

Natural Awakenings’ mission is to let the secret out of the bag. We regularly present information and insights about the health benefits and environmental integrity of eating foods that originate just up the road. The Eat Local movement has entered mainstream consciousness, thanks to millions of Natural Awakenings readers and others that have tuned into their love for fresh, vibrant flavors and commitment to sustainable communities. In this month’s feature article, “Fresh Food Trends: Natural Trailblazers in Sustainable Eating,” natural foods expert Melinda Hemmelgarnhighlights this year’s top trends innutritious local eating.

Whatever local market supplies your family, ranging from a neighborhood farmers’ market to your favorite conscientious grocer/health food store, it’s good to know that without a doubt, fresh, whole, non-GMO goodness does a body well.

It’s never too late to:

  •  Go vegetarian or vegan or add fish once or twice a week to your diet.
  •  Start a garden (even if it’s just a couple of container gardens on a small patio).
  •  Start making it a habit to purchase produce from local, organic sources (which simultaneously decreases your family’s carbon footprint).
  •  Try incorporating raw foods (at least one green drink a day) into meal planning.
  •  Go gluten-free, even if only a couple days a week, and monitor the difference it makes.
  •  Sustain the healthy change of good eating you want to see happen everywhere on the planet.

Be healthy and God bless,

Bernice Butler Natural Awakenings Dallas

Bernice Butler, Publisher