During our most recent Cleanse Retreat in Thailand, I had the opportunity to visit with the local market vendors that set up shop everyday. Since many people do not have refrigeration or much room for storage at home, they purchase daily from the market. Plenty of exotic tropical fruits, vegetables, fishes, meats, and other interesting sources of protein.
Fall 2005/Winter 2006 — Climate and geography provide the foundation for the kinds of foods that can be grown in a particular area. In Freiburg, Germany, where my friend lives, cooler weather crops are in abundance now at the local markets: root vegetables, bitter greens and radishes. On Oahu and Maui and, where I have spent some time retreating, the juicy sweet fruits, leafy greens, bitter herbs, starchy roots, and plenty of fresh caught Pacific fish are all readily available at the local markets. Farmers in both Freiburg and the Hawaiian islands offer hardy market choices through all the seasons. In this way the land is nourished and protected, the farmers are sustained, and people are more connected to the process of feeding themselves with simplicity and grace.
No matter which climate you live in, pay attention to how many local foods you are consuming. Making an effort to simplify your choices, making seasonal adjustments and eliminating some of the foods that travel thousands of miles to your table will allow you to expand into a deeper awareness of who you are really feeding.
Fall 2005/Winter 2006 — Foods that are grown in the local climate where you live provide a powerful connection to how you nourish yourself. Whether you are in a cooler climate as in Freiburg, Germany or on a tropical island in Hawaii, locally grown foods are always the wisest choice.
The farmers markets in Istanbul are a feast for the eyes as well all the senses. The local bazaars provide weekly community gatherings around the fresh produce, grains and beans, seeds and nuts, herbs and spices, eggs, fresh caught fish, olives and cheeses.