fresh

March is finally here, which means it’s time to reintroduce spring! Yay! Feel free to thaw out because warmer weather is headed our way. I’m stoked that I’ll soon be able to enjoy many of my favorite produce items that I’ve gone months without. As winter winds down and we happily greet the sunshine we’ve been yearning to feel again, we can rejoice in this long awaited, special time of year by preparing meals featuring the best, freshest seasonal produce March has bestowed upon us.

Sprouting seeds is a smart and healthy way to use up any leftover seeds you may have from your garden. Sprouted seeds have been recorded as being consumed and grown over many centuries. Not only does sprouting seeds provide a quick way to grow and provide fresh vegetables, but it also allows for a way for food to be grown indoors during the cold weather.

Not long ago, I was digging through my cupboards looking for some protein to add to a meal. I came across a can of black-eyed peas and thought I was in luck—that is, until I saw the expiration date. Two years ago! Instinctively, I reached to put the can in the trash.

But wait. Isn’t canned food supposed to last forever?

“You are what you eat” may not be the literal truth, but your diet can certainly influence your appearance. Eating different foods (and drinking certain beverages) can help your skin become clear, glowing, and healthy from the inside out. Try a few of these delicious dietary additions to give your skin the boost it needs.

In 2011, I moved from the lush greenery of Olympia, an hour south of Seattle, to Philadelphia, one of the densest cities in America. Never in my life had I seen so much brick, so much pavement, and so little green space. I loved the city—I moved there to pursue opportunities that weren’t available in a smaller town. But I missed the green. And something about that made me suddenly interested in healthy eating. If I couldn’t have much green foliage around me, at least I could have some on my plate.

Many New Year’s resolutions involve eating better. But with such a lofty goal, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, just a few simple changes make stepping in the right direction easy. This list, organized starting with the easiest steps to implement, makes cleaner eating accessible no matter what.

Often times the farmers’ market offers a much greater diversity of fruits and vegetables than grocery stores do. Eating a diverse, plant-based diet is a key component to optimal health and nutrition.