Seasonal Winter Cooking

http://flic.kr/p/9qoSHE

The winter season is instinctually a time of reflection, a time to slow down.   It’s a time for nourishing our mind and body and building up our reserves.  Living in harmony with the winter season corresponds to introspection, rest and replenishment.  It’s about eating foods that rejuvenate, nourish and build the body’s immunity.

http://flic.kr/p/7oq9CQ

Winter is the right time to prepare slow cooked meals, nourishing soups, stews, seasonal vegetables, whole grains and beans.  Maintaining harmony by directing your diet toward food in season is a good way to support your health during the winter season.  Not only does choosing seasonal foods benefit our personal health it also supports sustainability and the local economy.  Winter is the most challenging time of year to try and maintain that philosophy.  The scarcity of locally available product gives us the opportunity to redesign our diet to encourage making the best use out of the products that are in season.  It’s an opportunity to become better acquainted with foods we might otherwise shy away from.  Look at the nutritional qualities of foods and make use of the foods that best support your individual constitution and can boost your immunity for the cold winter season.  So get creative and become inspired to create wonderful ways to warm your winter plate with a wealth of seasonal foods.

http://flic.kr/p/fhPTa

Seasonal Produce-Winter

Arugula

Beets

Bok choy

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Carrots

Celeriac

Collard greens

Endive

Escarole

Fennel

Jerusalem artichokes

Kohlrabi

Mache

Parsnips

Potatoes

Radishes

Radicchio

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Swiss chard

Turnips

Watercress

Winter Squash

Lemon

Grapefruit

Orange

Pineapple

Banana

Pears

Kiwi

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88819406@N00/2561992120/