The moment that changed everything for me happened while I was studying at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition to become a nutritionist. I was sitting in one of our classes on “Eco- Nutrition” and our teacher was going over all the ways our industrial food system has, and continues, to contribute to the majority of the environmental and social injustice issues we are facing in our world today.
From raising sea levels, melting ice caps, disappearing bees, nutrient deficient soil, Monsanto/ Bayer’s monopoly over poor farmers, the lack of ethical considerations surrounding our global food trade…
I could go on and on! I seriously felt like I couldn’t take it any longer nor did I ever want to buy conventional produce from the grocery store again. I remember sitting there feeling helpless and way over my head. I slowly came to the realization that the single best thing I could do for the planet, myself, and those around me, was to learn how to grow my own food, and make amazing, nutritious, locally inspired recipes with whatever’s in season.
In doing so, I hope to inspire others to do similar so we can break the ties that the majority of us have to industrial agriculture and the corruption that comes along with it.
I am still figuring out how best to go about this quest and am by no means am I an expert. However, I have already found moments of pure bliss and much fulfillment, with the relentless desire I have to get connected to where my food comes from. From doing so, I have noticed a huge shift in my entire life. My overall health has dramatically improved, I have new found creativity in the kitchen, my relationship to my food and body has completely changed for the better, I feel more at peace with my contribution to the planet, and best of all, I have watched others around me become inspired to do similar as well.
To sum it all up, I came to love growing my own food because I really do feel as
though it is one of the most important things I can do – not only for my own well-being, but for the sustainability of the planet, and the well-being of all those around me.
Whether it’s starting to become aware of the types of food you are buying in the grocery store, shopping at more local farmers markets, or perhaps planting your own herbs or garden beds – every step like this is moving us in the right direction and what the world needs more of. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments along the way- I’d love to hear from you! And I can’t thank you enough for joining me along the journey 🙂
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