I’m linking up with Jenn today for What I ate Wednesday. I’m also going to share some of L’s recent eats (she just turned 3!), and link up with Brittany. She hosts Munchkin Meals the first Thursday of the month, so be sure to check out her site for lots of great toddler eating suggestions and links.
I’ve been craving many of the same foods lately: sweet potatoes, eggs, avocados, greens and stews are staples. And chocolate, of course.
[Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with mushrooms, topped with avocado; Snack: Pear and clementine; Lunch: Greens with leftover veggie burger, roasted sweet potatoes, oil and vinegar; Snack: Roasted butternut squash seeds and kale chips; Dinner: Black bean chili, cookie dough balls and unpictured banana with cashew butter]
I noticed lately that I crave seasonal foods… I want kale and sweet potatoes right now, and warming foods like chili. We do our best to eat locally and seasonally, when possible.
Most of us have heard the many benefits of local, seasonal foods:
- more nutritious
- more flavorful
- fresher and longer lasting
- better for the environment
- more economical
- less pesticides
- better for the local farmers/economy
In a recent lecture at the nutrition school, I heard something I hadn’t thought about before: the foods that grow around us right now are the ones our bodies need most. They provide nutrients that fit the demands of our body in that particular season.
Lighter, cooling salads and fresh fruit in the summer… warmer, grounding root vegetables and more energy-dense foods in the winter.
The traditional people of any part of the world eat local diets that give them exactly what they need to thrive in that environment.
Of course, now we can mix and match foods from all around the world at any time of year. It’s not that we cannot have tropical foods in colder seasons, but it may be helpful to recognize the energy that food brings and what it offers the body… I enjoyed reflecting on that this week.
Okay, on to L and her eats these days. Yesterday, she also had scrambled eggs for breakfast, and then it was her day to go to “school” for a few hours. I packed her lunch with a sandwich (one piece Ezekial bread with almond butter-shredded carrot-apple spread)< — yep, still a staple! — two clementines, and halved cherry tomatoes.
Almond butter-shredded carrots-shredded apples spread
For snack she had a yogurt from the generous folks at Chobani who sent us Raspberry-dark chocolate and Coffee-dark chocolate samples. She’s still happy with plain (organic, full-fat) yogurt mixed with blueberries, so these are a special treat!
The Coffee-Dark Chocolate ones were for the adults. She asked that we save one for her when she’s old enough to have it. 
At dinner, she had a few bites of avocado, 1/2 banana and some cheese. She is not interested in soups/stews these days where all the ingredients are mixed together.
One of her favorite snacks lately makes me think of my friend Laura and her #strangebutgood concoctions:
Doesn’t appeal to me at all!
L loves canned pumpkin straight from the can (which I will never understand!) and one day insisted that we mix it with unsweetened applesauce and sunflower seed butter for her snack. I need to pick up more pumpkin for her- this is one of her favorite veggies lately!
Do you make an effort to eat locally or seasonally? Any strange but good combinations in your house?
we are loving eating locally in our new hood.
it isnt easier here—more than our old place I mean—but for some reason it just CLICKED.
Miz recently posted..Im JUICIN’ (Bella NutriPro review)
I need to stop being lazy and save my squash seeds. I used to do that and roast them all the time – wonderful on top of a soup. I honestly don’t pay enough attention to seasonal vs not. I know I should I really know this. I guess I’m really lazy and also tend to stick to the veggies I know, the ones I know I like and how to use.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..New Spin Workout and Way to Go Wednesday
First, I need to have you in my home to coach my eating and food, second, I’m not a jealous person, but that the fact that your baby girl is such a good eater makes me a wee bit envious (I think I have caved into junk too many time with my kids) and last but not least, you are amazing at putting it all together. The farmers market is tomorrow and you have completely inspired me to go…. Enjoy the rest of your week. xoxo
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Book Review: Think Like Zuck
It’s harder here than Ithaca– we used to have a CSA and farmer’s market that we loved. There are some okay options, but it’s not the same.
As for the toddler food, I almost posted a disclaimer that we both tend to eat better than average on the wiaw days! We certainly have our moments with junk and she has days when no veggies get in her belly.
Laura recently posted..WIAW + Benefits to eating in Season
That combo actually sounds really good
O’s favorite combo right now is red grapes dipped in red pepper hummus :0 Don’t want to try that!
I love eating seasonably and locally when I can but that gets tough in winter.
Jen recently posted..The foot- maybe an answer!
Ugh the pickiness has taken over my house big time! Gotta try the strange but good combo with them. Anything with a seed or nutbutter and they’re all over it!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Roasted Corn Black Bean Soup
I was just thinking I needed to make a better effort at being seasonal as the strawberries around here now are awful. But the kids keep asking for them. Ugh. Never even considered pumpkin right from the can. Hey go with it right?
Marcia recently posted..Love Racer Review and Giveaway
Logan won’t eat mixed foods either lately. It’s been making dinner more of a process, but it’s easy to separate things. Love the munckin meals idea!!
Ali Mc recently posted..New workout shows, the doc’s & asthma
Those dough balls…yummm.
Kierston recently posted..Gratitude and Food.
When I studied abroad in Italy during college, we took a cooking class as part of our program, and the cooking teacher told us that eating in season provides the nutrients our bodies need at that time of the year. That was the first time I’d ever heard that and it really stuck with me. I really like the idea that the earth provides us with the nutrients we need with each changing season. I don’t exclusively in-season but I try to as much as possible!
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons recently posted..Spirit of the Marathon
It really struck me, too… makes so much sense. Nature provides exactly what we need!
Laura recently posted..February 5 by the 5th Winners and Link up
YUUUUMY everything looks good above!!!! Digging your #5by5th challenge too, hoping to get a run in after work! http://www.colorushealthy.com
So glad you’re enjoying the challenge!
Laura recently posted..February 5 by the 5th Winners and Link up
That last combo is too funny! You just never know what they are going to like! I tend to crave season fruit and veggies too which is nice because I’m not about to buy peaches and watermelon right now!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted..Raspberry Cornmeal Pancakes with Lemon Curd
For me, it’s a bit easier to eat locally in the summer, when the Farmer’s Market is in town once a week. I do try and eat seasonally, but I know I could do better. Problem is, I get so tempted by the produce at the grocery store, that I go ahead and buy whatever–even though I know it must have come from far away because there’s no way that it’s in season. Something to work on!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad and M²T³ Event
That is so great that L loves to eat veggies and clean! I know it can be so hard to have kids eat properly. My niece is a horribly picky eater and just wants to graze on junk food (pop tarts, gummies, chips)
I love to eat local, it is much cheaper to visit one of the local farmers markets and get the bulk of veggies – and of course whatever is in season. I live in Strawberry/Tomato capital of the world so I usually have easy access to these all times of the year!
beka @ rebecca roams recently posted..Weekly Workouts Roundup + Another injury
Well, she devours junk food when it’s available, but we try to limit those options at home.
I’m jealous of the year-round strawberries and tomatoes, two of my favorites!
Laura recently posted..WIAW + Benefits to eating in Season
Ooh yum! Some great ideas of “kid food” to try with the little boy I nanny for! Thanks
MassachusEATS recently posted..WIAW #43
I am amazed at how well your child eats. Food is such an issue for us. Jasp still only eats about 5 things. He pretty much lives off milk. I’d say L is dong great if she is combining stuff on her own! Oh and I love your new haircut!
Clea recently posted..The never ending pink cake…
I’m with her on the pumpkin straight out of the can! A girl after my own heart. I buy cases off amazon for the rate I go through it.
And in total agreement regarding sweet potatoes and kale as well as chili – living off all of them at the moment.
Gianna recently posted..Recovery, Or My Version of It…
You know you’re right! I was listening to a chef talk about true italian cuisine and how simple it is. They ONLY use the ingredients that are readily available around them. That means the meals are fresher, cheaper to make and just better for you!
All that looks amazing!
Katie @momslrb recently posted..Blog Reading is Dangerous
We really don’t go the farmers market because the only decent one is over 50 miles away. My veggies twnd to be what is on sale. My shopping method is to look at what’s on sale in the veggie isle and make it work. Not exactly planning but right now the budget is the most important.
Carli recently posted..Vegan "Oreo" Cookies #WIAW
Tried to edit my mistakes but I must have hit submit. Chubby fingers.
Carli recently posted..Vegan "Oreo" Cookies #WIAW
I hadn’t thought of the nutritional spin on seasonal eating – but it makes SO much sense! I do try to eat more foods that are seasonal and local, but I’m not tied to that either. Just more of an extra thought when I have a choice.
I try to eat as seasonally as I can, too. And I have definitely been on the hearty soups/stews kick all winter!
Great book you might want to read sometime by Barbara Kingsolver on how her family lived (in Va!) for one full year ONLY on local foods. It’s called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and includes some really great recipes, too.
misszippy recently posted..What I’m loving right now
I love eating locally and have been craving the exact same foods you listed. So it makes sense your body craves what’s in season, good to know!
I think it’s awesome that you crave things in season. I need to be better and learn how to crave things like kale and sweet potatoes. That is so amazing that your daughter has the taste for the things you’ve shared in this post. I love that she requests canned pumpkin and apple sauce. It’s so cool that she already understands what she likes and can think about how to mix them together to make them even better.
Mmm. Definitely craving chocolate year round!!
Eating seasonally is a challenge here, since it’s an hour to a real grocery store/farmer’s market. I have to freeze a lot of stuff, and can it or it goes bad in a week. One thing that keeps well is fresh romaine, but i like to freeze chard and use it later on.
Raina recently posted..New Sponsors, training, and a Giveaway
Interesting point about local food being what our bodies need! I like that. I try to eat seasonally, but winter is obviously harder. I really should get better about freezing things.
Kim @ HealthyNest recently posted..That Wasn’t So Bad
Sounds like your daughter is going to be a good eater, willing to experiment. I was very insistent on that with my daughter. We always stick to “in-season” here and since we’re in farm country, we get a lot of goodies from my inlaws. We always grow our own tomato plants as well and I usually have 3 full months each year of our own yield. Those little tomatoes you have were similar to what I grew last year and beloved by my daughter as well. Yay for great eaters! I will say, my girl is probably different than most kids in her class. She’s willing now to try all kinds of things, like you, starting early with good habits was key. Her favorite right now is sardines (seriously!) with rice and spinach. Good omegas and I always get spinach in the girl
Happy eating!!!
Christina recently posted..Why hiring a running coach is a good idea
I’ with L – sometimes you just want what you want!
I love your eats, and I love what you’ve got to say about eating seasonally and giving our bodies what they need for the environment they’re in. Has that changed somewhat because we spend so much time indoors – we’ve changed the environment?
Kate recently posted..Running and Social Media
that is a great point and reminder about eating in season. Thanks for sharing! Love that you posted the little one’s eats!! that last combo I think my 2 year old would love!
Your cookie dough balls look amazing. I am not talented enough to do stuff like that so I just order my Healthy Bites.
I do love to shop at the farmers’ market when I can (it tends to fall on long run days) and prefer local restaurants to chains, but other than that I need to do a better job about eating locally.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted..5 by the 5th – Race 2 Recap
i always feel more nourished when i eat locally and seasonally. It’s in the air, right? and I’m with L, pumpkin from the can!
lindsay recently posted..February Extra’s and Healthy Bites Recipe
It’s funny because I too have noticed that my body has been craving kale and sweet potatoes and winter squash. And green smoothies. haha. We’re lucky that we have year-round farmers markets near us and we try to eat seasonally/locally but it’s also hard. I too am in awe of L’s eating! My kids will eat the same 5 lunches/dinners every week!!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Decisions. Decisions.
Thank you so much for sharing! We used to buy most of our produce (and bread and other things) from the farmers market in the summer, which was amazingly fresh and delicious. Now that we’re moving away from rainy Vancouver and down south to sunny San Diego, I am MORE than excited to check out farmers markets there and possibly joining a CSA, if we can find one.
Susan recently posted..Munchkin Meals & What I Ate Wednesday
I do a much better job of eating in season come April when my farmers market opens up. I eat what they put out, otherwise I have to look things up to know what is in season!
Thanks for sharing
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) recently posted..Munchkin Meals Link Up: 16 Months Old
We also try to eat seasonally. Summer is my favorite because of all the awesome fruit!
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes recently posted..Ring finger pop and homemade cream cheese frosting.
Isn’t nature amazing? She grows what our bodies need. So cool. I am craving sweet potatoes and greens too. Yum!
Joann @ Woman in Real Life recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday, with a Martha Stewart Living "Meatless" giveaway
Um, my mouth is watering just looking at what you guys ate! Thanks for the inspiration (time to go to the store!).
I love what you had to say about eating with the seasons. It does make a lot of sense. L and I have both been eating sweet potato fries almost every day and I know that more than anything else, when summer gets here, I get such a craving for all of the seasonal fruits! Since I am pregnant, of course I want them now, especially purple grapes! Can’t wait! Also, I am so jealous of those Chobani Bites. I saw them a few weeks ago and they were $2.50 a piece! That is crazy expensive!
Kelly @ Runmarun recently posted..Munchkin Meals: Full Day Edition
I’m right with her, I love pumpkin plain! I mix it with plain yogurt or eat it straight with some cinnamon.
Lindsay @ Fuel My Family recently posted..My Munchkin’s Meals
We eat locally all the time. We are so blessed! Last weekend I was out of town so I had to get our produce at the grocery store… we were too spoiled and keep complaining about the loss of flavor, or how the kale “taste funny”… local is amazing! ANd I agree, I have been craving what we have available to us.
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution recently posted..Top 10 Thursday: Top 10 Metabolism Boosters For Women
I really should pay more attention to what’s grown durin what season. I’m horrible at noticing that. Especially when you go to a grocery store and they always have everything no matter the season.
Maria @ Lil Mys Ninja recently posted..Tackle the Miles Virtual Race Recap
What you said about eating local, seasonable foods makes so much sense! I’ve heard so many times that you should eat local and always thought it was from more of an environmental standpoint – to lesson the greenhouse gases needed to transport. The way you explained it is much more logical and impacting. My body definitely craves those warming, starchy, winter foods right now!
Yumm…..
I try eating what is in season. Sadly, this is not always the case since my veggies comes from Whole Foods/Publix supermarket and I pick up what I see/plan to use.
I am going to try to eat seasonal. Thanks for inspiring me to make a change.
Yumm…..
I try eating what is in season. Sadly, this is not always the case since my veggies comes from Whole Foods/Publix supermarket and I pick up what I see/plan to use.
I am going to try to eat seasonal. Thanks for inspiring me to make a change.
Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted..Reflections on a Dark Run
I love that L does #strangebutgood! Tell her I’m going to try that one.
Thakns for linking up – I missed this in my crazy travels!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Strange But Good Spinach Dip