21 May 2013 ,09:29 Out of season and a long way from home
Asparagus from Mexico, garlic from China, grapes and cherries from the US, all have been available in my local supermarket over the last twelve months. Pears and apples remain in-store all year round, well past their winter prime. Along with citrus and melons it seems some produce never goes out-of-season.
 


Despite this seemingly unchanging supply, fruit and vegetables do actually have seasons. They only grow at certain times of the year, and under certain conditions. Some vegetables love the winter, they thrive in the cold weather and need a bit of frost to sweeten their leaves. While others seek out warmth; the sun's full rays to ripen, bring on colour and flavour.

For this constant, unchanging range of produce to be always available there are going to be times during the year when it hasn't come from your local area, probably not even grown in your country. At some point during the year the produce is either from overseas; or it's been picked immature and stored for many months; or it's been grown in a greenhouse, under artificially enhanced conditions. If you're a consumer seeking the best value, taste and nutritional benefit, these three growing and storing conditions are a problem. Moreover if you're also concerned about the environmental impact of what you eat, then out of season produce is something to avoid.

For me there is nothing better than eating fresh, local and in season produce. While mangoes and lychees are my absolute favourite fruits, I don't want to eat them all year round. How boring. Instead by choosing what's in season my eating naturally changes over the year. Much more interesting.
18 May 2013 ,17:37 Saturday Links
Great piece from Dr Khandee Ahnaimugan about we ight loss and exercise on the Huffington Post.
 
Gorgeous looking Persian Eggplant recipe on the Fig and Quince blog - "grilled eggplant, garlic, tomato and egg dish which melts in your mouth, as you scoop it in with fresh Persian bread". Sounds good to me.
 
Rachel Eats has cooked a beautiful tomato dish to go with pasta which "involves the saving grace of many-a-mediocre tomato: a flesh shriveling, flavour intensifying roast". Tomatoes are paired with anchovies, garlic and topped with breadcrumbs and rosemary.
 
I love that Wendy from A Wee Bit of Cooking gives two different dressing options for her Shredd ed Beetroot and Carrot Salad. You can choose between the kick of mustard or the zing of ginger.
 
On Twitter Elaine directed me to this practical, clever and idea-packed article on how to plant a personal garden in even the smallest of urban spaces.
 
 
04 May 2013 ,18:27 Saturday Links
Some links for you - this week's list of the best recipes, articles and information about healthy eating I've found on the web.
 
Firstly, I love this video showing exactly what happy free range egg laying chickens look like
 
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pgBXFwxuHwc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
This piece on 19 signs you've been vegan too long did make me laugh. Thanks to @lisadempster for pointing me to it.
 
I've had a hankering for hot chocolate this week, so I looked around for a healthier version. I ended up making this spicy, vanilla scented hot chocolate from Teresa Cutter. I made mine with a spoonful of vanilla syrup and it was delicious. Richly flavoured and not too sweet.
 
While it's autumn where I live, we're still getting zucchinis in our regular veg box. I'm a bit zucchini-ed out at the moment and am bored with all my normal ways of cooking them. In the nick of time I spotted this recipe for polenta crumbed zucchini on Where's the Beef. I particularly like the hazelnuts and paprika in the crumb mixture.
 
One of the most difficult parts of weight loss is managing expectations and staying motivated over the long term. While many people are looking for dramatic and drastic weight loss, even relatively small changes can lead to big health improvements. There's a great article on The Conversation on this very topic.
 
17 April 2013 ,16:40 Saturday Links
Some links for you - recipes, writing on food and articles I've spotted recently on the Internet.
 
  • Another lovely fish recipe from Martha Rose Shulman over at the New York Times. White fleshed fish is cooked with a spicy and zesty North African sauce called Chermoula. Serve this with lemon wedges, a big green salad and a small baked potato.
     
  • I love this idea for Porridge Pancakes from Appl es Under My Bed. The pancake batter is made from rye flour, oats and chia seeds, flavoured with ground cinnamon. These pancakes are cooked and served with grilled figs and yoghurt. A delicious sounding weekend breakfast.
     
  • Interesting and thoughtful piece on paleo eating, food paranoia and fringe diets from Hunt, Gather, Love. It's quite long and one person's experience, but still worth a read.
     
  • Gorgeous post from Fuschia Dunlop on food and simplicity: "The picture...is of my lunch yesterday, at home: pao fan (‘soaked’ or soupy rice) made from leftovers of brown rice with broccoli, with added green pak choy, and some spicy fermented tofu... It was just what I felt like after a few days of rather gluttonous eating over Easter: plain, cheap, healthy and nutritious but also rather nice."
     
  • Green Kitchen Stories have made Braised Fennel with Saffron and Tomato and it looks delicious. They've added some zucchini and served it with brown rice. A lovely way to cook fennel.
     
  • These Ricotta Stuffed Figs with Orange Syrup from Where's the Beef caught my eye. Figs are in season at the moment and this is an absolutely delicious sounding dessert.
 

What have you spotted on the Internet this week?

 

About our Blogger

Kathryn Elliott
 Kathryn Elliott is an Australian based nutritionist, food writer and recipe developer.

About this Blog

A blog about food, healthy eating, seasonal ingredients and how to eat well in a busy life.

Send Free eCards

Blog Archive

Recent Blog Posts

May 21, 2013, 9:29 am
Out of season and a long way from home
Asparagus from Mexico, garlic from China, grapes and cherries from the US, all have been available in my local supermarket over the last twelve months. Pears and apples remain in-store all year round, well past their winter prime.Read More...
May 18, 2013, 5:37 pm
Saturday Links
Great piece from Dr Khandee Ahnaimugan about Read More...
May 16, 2013, 5:46 pm
Would you eat stale popcorn?
For many, a trip to the movies is not complete without a bucket of popcorn. However researchers from the Read More...
Advertisement

WIN! WIN!

Your chance to win cash & prizes!
Enter now 

Are you a winner?
Click here

Shop at our store!

• Books
• DVDs
• Music
• Gifts

Click Here