Seasonal
It’s around that time again when Summer is coming to an end but is not quite there yet, and the familiar & somehow comforting breeze of Autumn has not yet arrived but presents us with reminders that she is on her way.
This thought had me thinking early this morning, about what the four seasons stand for.
According to Webster dictionary the definition of the word, season is, "a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature."
I’d however like to build upon this definition.
Not only are seasons characterized by their features, including the weather, the time the sun sets, and the changes that occur to the environment around us, but they are also characterized by what thrives within each specific seasonal timeframe.
Something I used to let pass me by.
But now, I like to pay close attention to what is in season, not on a social level, but on a more environmental playfield.
In other words, taking note of what fresh fruits & produce blossom during the given season.
What makes this so astounding?
Well, it has changed the way I view the world & the environment around me in quite a few ways.
Meal prepping was something I had found interest in the more time I spent in the kitchen.
Not only is it an efficient and time saving system to help ease the stresses of the day to day, but it also reminds me to focus on what’s an abundant rather than what’s not.
See, recently, I have started to focus my meal plans around foods that naturally grow at their peak during the stages of planning.
This allows me to produce meals that not only taste way, but also to experience the physical benefits of these foods, after the meal has been devoured.
So with that being said, I wanted to challenge you all to a seasonal experiment of your own!
The Challenge
Starting this fall, include only produce that is ripe within the given season to include in every meal that you consume.
You can get as creative as you want & come up with some fun and decorative Fall themed munchie as long as they include at least one seasonal fruit!
For some inspiration during my meal planning outings, I follow seasonal recipe boards on Pinterest as well as checking out one of my favorite blogs to read, Cookie + Kate, where the author, Kate, has beautifully written and organized lists for what’s in season for each month of the year, as well as updating the pages with recipes she had created utilizing each given ingredient!
Be sure to check out her blog as part of your research & give some of her recipes a try! You won’t be disappointed! Trust me!
Closing
Finally, I wanted to send you off with something to ponder.
Something all this seasonal talk has had me thinking.
What would the world look like if we only produced foods on a seasonal basis?
Let me know what you think in the comments below! And as always, feel free to share this post with anyone who needs a little Autumn head start!
Best,
Celina 🍁