The 100-Mile Diet: Eating From A Sustainable Perspective

By November 4, 2010Uncategorized

Years ago a couple in Vancouver BC, disturbed about the fate of the world, made a challenge to themselves. In an effort to live a sustainable life, they decided to live more simply. Part of this effort included only eating food that was grown and produced within a 100-mile radius from where they lived. As it turned it out it was easier than they thought. Anyone who has ever heard of the “macrobiotic diet” (popular with cancer patients) may be familiar with the concept of eating seasonal food that is locally grown and harvested (including fish and meats). Given the fact that most food is transported over 1,500 miles from source to plate, participating in the 100-mile diet is definitely a step in the right direction to live a sustainable life. Here is something else to consider: When I taught nutrition at the University of Colorado I learned of a concept called the “Circle of Poison.” Because of environmental laws, there are many pesticides that we (the US) are no longer allowed to use. BUT… we are allowed to produce them and sell them overseas, where they then are used on various crops. In turn, these crops are sold back to the US market and you buy them in your local grocery store. You may have noticed that strawberries are available every month of the year these days. When you are buying strawberries out of season (mid to late summer in the US) the cost includes the shipping from their point of origin, which usually takes up a lot of gasoline. The 100-mile diet is a philosophy of life. To live responsibly, start with what you place in your mouth. Your body will thank you.

• Stress Tip For The Day:
Do you know where the food you buy comes from? Is the fish wild or farm bred? Are the veggies you buy free of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and petro-based fertilizers? These are important things to know, because by and large, you cannot wash these chemicals off the surface: They are IN the food. Consider trying the 100-mile diet, if not for a year, perhaps just a week, or at least making an effort to know where your food comes from; what part of the country, or what country? Take some time this week to cultivate your relationship with food.

• Links/Books Worth Noting:
If you wish to learn more about the originators of the 100-mile diet, here is a link to the Wikipedia page.. you may also wish to read the book based on their efforts, called The 100-mile Diet: A year of Local Eating, by Alisa Smith and J B MacKinnon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_100-Mile_Diet

• Quote for the Day:
“Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children.”— Kenyan Proverb

• Photo of the Day:
Farmer’s markets are a great way to shop locally. While many farmer’s markets are coming to a close in some parts of the country, actually meeting the people who grow and harvest your food is a step in the sustainable direction. This photo was taken at my local farmer’s market.

Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net

© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Brian Luke Seaward

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