Earth Day is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to acknowledge all the wonderful ways the earth sustains us. One of the most essential ways this is true, is through food. In a time where ultra-processed, lab-made foods dominate our grocery aisles, it’s vital to take note of where real, whole foods come from. Natural food is among the greatest resources our earth provides and is one of the most fundamental ways we can connect with and appreciate all that our planet does for us.
Below are three ways we can do our part to celebrate our earth, and honor the real, nutritious food we harvest from it.
1. Connect with nature
Take a few moments to walk around outside, feel the sun on your face, and listen to the sounds of nature around you. In fact, getting outside offers many benefits such as potential for improving sleep, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and boosting immune function. (1)
One great way to do this is by planning a picnic. Curate a meal of natural, healthy foods, and take it to a local park with some good company, or even just yourself. Take this time to enjoy nourishing, nutritious food in the comfort of the great outdoors. Here are some ideas on how to have a successful picnic.
You can also grow natural, healthy foods yourself by starting your own garden. Whether it’s out in your backyard or using a few pots on your porch or balcony, you can get your hands a little dirty and grow fresh produce to then harvest and enjoy. If you’re new to gardening, perhaps start out with an herb garden and indulge in the incredible health benefits of herbs come harvest.
2. Eat whole foods, made by the Earth
Real, unprocessed foods that come straight from the Earth can provide us with the vital nutrients we need for optimal health and wellness. Many of our necessary vitamins and minerals come from fresh, natural foods. Eating a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce risk of heart disease, improve heart health and even lower blood sugar levels! (2) Additionally, these foods can boost your digestive health, help you feel full for longer, and can aid in mental health.
Choosing locally sourced, seasonal fruits and vegetables can also positively impact your community by aiding your local economy and reducing emissions from fossil fuels. Additionally, it’s better for the planet; sustainable agriculture that uses natural resources creates 64% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and 56% less energy than unsustainable practices. (3)
3. Practice mindful eating
Take this time to be grateful for the food on your plate by practicing mindful eating. Incorporate whole, natural foods with a variety of colors, striving to “eat the rainbow”. Reflect on the way these foods impact how you feel. (4) Enjoy the smells, tastes, and flavors, eating slowly and presently. Meals are meant to naturally nourish and heal our bodies, but they are also a way to come together and appreciate the joyful, shared experience that food can bring.
If able, remove digital distractions, focusing on the food before you and the people around you. This can help foster deeper appreciation for and reflection on the meal, limiting mindless eating, which can cause overeating. (5) Eating slowly and mindfully can also improve digestion, soothing the body’s stress response and allowing it to rest and digest following a meal. (6)
Of course, these habits are helpful to practice long after Earth Day has passed − there’s never a wrong time to acknowledge our earth, and enjoy all the delicious, nutritious food it provides for us.
Sources
Swaim, E. (2022, May 28). 8 ways being outside can improve your health and well-being. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/health-benefits-of-being-outdoors
Spritzler, F. (2020, August 11). 21 reasons to Eat Real Food. Healthline. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/21-reasons-to-eat-real-food
Trade and Environment Briefings: Sustainable Agriculture. (n.d.). https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25950/sustainable_agriculture.pdf?sequence=1
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 21). Eat the rainbow for good health - mayo clinic news network. Mayo Clinic. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eat-the-rainbow-for-good-health/
Overeating. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24680-overeating
Cherpak, C. E. (2019, August). Mindful eating: A review of how the stress-digestion-mindfulness triad may modulate and improve gastrointestinal and digestive function. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7219460/
