The Best Way to Live an Organic Lifestyle

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The best way to live an organic lifestyle, is to shop locally. I’ve always loved visiting farmers markets, berry patches and local produce stands during the warmer months. There is nothing like walking around with my little family on a lazy summer afternoon, as we stroll around searching for fresh, local, in-season food. It doesn’t get simpler than shopping local in the summer. The atmosphere is easy-going and light-hearted. There is usually a musician playing some tunes, a stand to buy some coffee or lemonade and a couple fun things for the kids to do while we search for good deals.

Of course, we all know that when you shop at markets, stands and farms you are usually there to buy healthy, organic food such as in-season fruits and vegetables. This is the obvious reason to shop locally. But did you ever consider that there are other health benefits to shopping locally than just the local produce, fresh honey and baked goods?

By shopping locally you change your habits and change your lifestyle to one of overall well-being.

My Organic Lifestyle Trend

Looking back over the last couple of years, I have noticed a trend with how and where I get my family’s food. My #1 choice would be to grow my own food, however there are times when our garden isn’t ready to be harvested. What’s a mom to do if she wants local, fresh food for her family and what’s in the garden isn’t enough to feed hungry mouths?

As I have become more and more conscious and mindful of what I bring into my kitchen, my shopping habits have somewhat changed. I find myself visiting places like outdoor markets and stands almost every weekend. There is a great produce stand down our road that I usually hit up on my way home. They sell meat from certified organic farms in our area, fresh produce, organic eggs, and baked goods by local vendors.

I also love to bring my family to berry patches in the summer and let the kids pick a bucket full of strawberries or blueberries. This easy and simple afternoon outing is great because the kiddos get outside and I get a fridge and freezer full of fruit.

However, this isn’t to say that everyone reading this has frequented a farmers market or berry patch.  There are ways to get more out of your trip, and I would love to share some little secrets.

Simple tips to maximize your local shopping experience:

• Carry cash- Not all vendors will have the credit card app, so be sure to carry cash just in case.
• Go early- Markets, patches and stands can get crowded during the afternoon, so find out when they open to beat the crowd.
• Take a stroll- Go for a walk around the market before you decide what to buy. This will help you see what the vendors are pricing their products at, so you can compare and get the best deals.
• Bring your own bag- Bring one or two reusable shopping bags with so that you can avoid wasteful single-use plastic bags.
• Ask questions- The vendors and farmers know where the food came from, how is was grown, how you should store it and cooking tips. Ask them questions and you may learn something new.
• Try samples- Vendors will usually have samples of the stuff they are selling for you to try out before you buy. Samples are a good way to try new things you haven’t cooked before.

Why Shopping Locally is the Best Way to Live an Organic Lifestyle:

Outdoor Therapy for Overall Health

When you shop outside at the market, you are getting some therapy that you may not realize. Being outside in nature has endless health benefits, for your body, mind and soul. In a 2014 study at the University of Michigan, researchers found that group nature walks were associated with significantly lower depression, less perceived stress and enhanced mental well-being (University of Michigan, 2014).

Taking yourself and your family out to the market or berry patch to get outside is the perfect therapy for increasing wellness. Exposure to outdoor environments have been associated with better physical and mental health. Even just the simple act of walking around the market is enough increase overall vitality.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients for Nutritional Health

The fresh, organic fruits and vegetables that you purchase at a farmers market are the best foods to eat for nutritional health. These foods are freshly picked close to where you live and in-season so their nutrients have not been stripped by the shipping process and grown with harmful additives to keep them fresh. They are full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that keep our bodies healthy.

Some examples include yellow, orange and red vegetables, berries, and dark leafy greens, such as swiss chard, collard greens, and spinach. To learn more about antioxidants and phytonutrients read my last article HERE.

If you want 5 easy tips to eat more whole food, read this informative article HERE.

Serotonin Boost for Mental Health

Serotonin (also known as the “happy hormone”) is a chemical that our nerve cells produce. It helps to regulate our mood and effects almost every part of our body. It’s the chemical that helps with sleeping, eating, and digesting. Serotonin also helps reduce depression, regulate anxiety, heal wounds, and maintain bone health (Healthline, 2019). Imbalances can contribute to addictions, mood conditions, memory issues, and attention difficulties.

Natural ways to boost your serotonin with an organic lifestyle include:

• Sunshine- Exposure to natural, bright light on a warm sunny day at the market boosts serotonin levels.
• Exercise- Walking around the market or riding your biking there instead of driving can have antidepressant effects, because exercising boosts serotonin in your brain.
• Nature- Spending time in nature when you are outside at the berry patch or market can release serotonin, thus increasing motivation and positively effecting our mood.
• High fiber diet- Foods high in fiber such as veggies found at markets help increase serotonin levels through the gut-brain axis, because most of our serotonin is produced in our gut (not in our brain as many people think).

Social Interaction for Emotional Health

Going to a farmers market or a produce stand is great for our social wellbeing. Just being out in our community and interacting with other people is healthy for our mental and emotional state. According to Stanford University, one landmark study revealed,

“…lack of social connectedness predicts vulnerability to disease and death beyond traditional risk factors such as smoking, blood pressure, and physical activity!”

Next time you are feeling lonely or like you need some social connection, take yourself, a friend or your family to the local farmers market. Mingle with the vendors, talk to local farmers about their products, and interact with your community. Hey, you might even make a new friend! What’s better than that?

Final words

Not only is shopping locally highly beneficial to living an organic lifestyle, but there is the whole aspect of sustainability. Here at Literally Simple, the idea of promoting sustainability and environmental health is very important to us.

Farmers selling at markets minimize the amount of waste and pollution they create. Many use certified organic practices, reducing the amount of synthetic pesticides and chemicals that pollute our soil and water. A growing number are also adopting other low-impact practices, such as on-site composting, that help mitigate climate change and other environmental issues (Farmers Market Coalition).

Above all, when you buy from a farmers market, produce stand or berry patch, you are supporting families such as your own, who are just trying to make a living in a beneficial way.

Join The Discussion

I would love to hear about your local shopping tips and tricks. What do love most about farmers markets and where are the best ones in your area? Please let me know in the comments.

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Author

Sara Halcumb is a Registered Nurse, wellness blogger, mother and wife.

Sources:

Walking off depression and beating stress outdoors? Nature group walks linked to improved mental health. (2014, October 23). Retrieved from https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/family-medicine/news/archive/201410/walking-depression-beating-stress-outdoors-nature-group-walks-linked-improved-mental-health

Serotonin: Functions, Normal Range, Side Effects, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin

Seppala, E., & Seppälä, E. S. (2017, June 27). Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection. Retrieved from http://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/connectedness-health-the-science-of-social-connection-infographic/

Farmers Markets Promote Sustainability. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://farmersmarketcoalition.org/education/farmers-markets-promote-sustainability/