Ever wonder why you have a headache (besides the fact that you have so much homework)?

Today, millions of people suffer from headaches and migraines. This can be explained by the food we eat. Nitrates, Tyramine, and MSG all cause headaches and migraines, and are all used as preservatives in foods. Nitrates enter the human body and are changed into nitrites. In adults, teen, and older children, about 10% of the nitrate consumed is turned into nitrites. Babies, however, convert about 20% of nitrate in their foods to nitrites. This places babies at a higher rik for suffering the side affects of nitrites. Here are some other facts about Nitrites:

• Many farmers use nitrate fertilizers on their crops. These nitrates are washed into the ground when it rains, contaminating the drinking water. This is a major problem due to the fact that in country areas, most people drink their water from a well. 
• Nitrates are also present in ordinary tap water.
• Main source is from the food we eat
• Most Americans eat 75-100 mg of nitrate per day.
• Vegetarians may consume as many as 250 mg per day
• The human body produces 62 mg of nitrate on a normal day along with the nitrates that we consume. 
• While you are sick, your body produces even more nitrates. 

Here's one site that lists foods that cause migraines: Health Tree

By eating organic you can reduce the amount of nitrate that you consume, therefore, reducing your risk for headaches and migraines.

Just remember eat, buy, be local! -Skye 

Local Harvest

Do you know where the best organic food is in your neighborhood? I didn't! Check out this website http://www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/ to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area! -Skye

5 Questions to Consider Next Time You Hit Up Your Local Farmer's Market

I had no idea there were questions to consider asking when I shopped at my local farmer's market. The one question that grabbed my eye was  "Is any of this food native or locally adapted?" It was a new term to me, and when I continued reading I was suprised to learn that eating native plants can help fight global warming and even food shortage. Now I need to keep my eyes open for not just locallly grown food but native grown food as well. Also, make sure to check to see if you "organic" food is actually certified organic and not just partially.

Check it out:

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/farmers-market-questions.html

CSA: Riverview Farms

People have been throwing around the term CSA lately, and yes, it stands for community supported agriculture, but what exactly does that mean?

Well… Meet Wes and Charlotte Swancy, the couple who runs Riverview Farms, an organic farm in Ranger, Georgia. The Swancys plant a variety of crops and also raise cows and pigs which are sold directly to many restaurants as well as to members of their CSA. We shared a subscription to their CSA with our neighbors about five years ago. This meant we picked up a box of fresh foods—lettuce, kale, eggs, tomatoes, squashes, beets—every Saturday morning throughout the summer AKA we (community) supported their agriculture. At the time you could also buy meat separately (they were venturing into the meat business and only had a handful of animals), but now their meat is available via its own subscription which shows how much the farm has expanded.

My family’s friends own the farm next door—they use it for recreational purposes, so Wes and Charlotte use it land for planting—allowing me to witness local farming firsthand:

 Just one of the many fields full of organic vegetables. Eating straight from the plant is the way to go!

Look what's growing! 

Charlotte packs the truck and leaves the farm early in order to ensure the freshest delivery.

Charlotte cheerfully unloading the truck for her eager customers.

What can you do with rotten crops after the growing season is over? Launch them at an old smoke house!

Local Decatur Farmers Market

Every Saturday and Wednesday I pass by a local farmers market on my way home. Usually, I pass by and think about how I should stop and check it out but in all actuality I never stop. Yesterday my mom asked me to go to the grocery store and buy some eggs. On my way to the store, I passed the local farmers market and noticed they sold eggs. Not only did they sell eggs, but they also sold much more locally grown and organic produce, food and flowers. They sold everything from strawberry jam, salsa and homemade dog treats! Hence, I could not resist buying just eggs, as there was a local creamery which was selling award winning ice cream. Not only did I feel like I was supporting my local community but I also knew I was buying more healthy and organic products. My advice to you: Watch out for a local farmer's market in your area and take advantage of the locally grown food and if you see ice cream, it is a must have!

Local Products + Not Driving = Low Carbon Footprint

Today while enjoying Atlanta's unseasonably warm weather my sister and I rode our bike to Sevenanda, a natural foods market in Little Five Points that sells local products. On our way over I realized something: when you buy local products you are already reducing your carbon footprint because there is so much less transportation involved and local farms are usually much lower impact than factory farms, but when you pair that with a method of transportation alternative to driving you are lowering your carbon footprint even more.

So when you’re checking out one of the farmers’ markets we posted below or trying a restaurant that serves local food, pick one that you don’t have to drive to.

Get on your bikes and ride!

Can Eating Locally Save the State Money?

Many people believe that if you go out of your way to buy locally grown, organic food, you are spending a lot more money than you would be normally. But recent studies have shown that buying locally grown foods can actually boost your state's economy. It has been reported that if a family in Atlanta spent an average of $10 a week on local produce, atleast $1.9 billion would go back to the state's economy. This would mean 345 additional jobs (which is something Atlantans need), $43.7 million more in sales, and $13.6 million more in farmer income.
Basically, eating locally grown food can help you physically AND help the state economically.


http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2010/07/23/eating-local-produce-would-mean-billions-for-ga-economy

-Claire & Berkeley

Restaurant Profile: Woodfire Grill

Hey guys!
So, we thought it was about time that we start sharing restaurants in Atlanta where you can eat locally grown food. Our first pick was Woodfire Grill. This restaurant not only incorporates locally grown ingredients, but also offers many organic items. On their website, they name all of the dairies, farms, and gardens they get their food from; NO SECRETS!
Their menu changes daily, so you know that it is fresh.
Their  Wood Grilled Natural Angus Beef Striploin. with sweet potatoes, local oyster mushrooms and green onions sounds AMAZING. 
What do you think??

Check them out on their website.

Remember to eat, buy, and be local :D
-Claire

Farmers Markets

One of the best and easiest ways to ensure that your food is local is to buy it at farmers' markets. Since we live in the Atlanta area, it is really easy for us find farmers' markets because they are so plentiful. Below is a list of local farmers' markets. Here, you can find your favorite fruits and vegetables, and you know for a fact that they are all fresh. Try to check these out, and you will probably taste a considerable difference in your fruits and vegetables.Enjoy, and remember to eat, buy and be local :)

• Morningside Famers' Market 
• Atlanta Farmers Market
• 75 Farmers Market
• Swoom 

Claire

Local Cure!

With spring time coming soon, we all know that pollen will trigger some major allergies. Did you know that eating locally can actually help your symptoms? This article on Snack Girl explains that local honey can help your body adjust to the pollen in your area.

"A little honey a day, keeps your sneezes away!"
http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/honey/
Let us know if you try this out!

Valentines Day Treat

Check out this post from Snack Girl! I should have found this yesterday but here's a great way to treat your valentine with a delicous chocolate treat (and also so much healthier then those in the stores)! http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/flourless-chocolate-cake-recipe/

Challenge!

Your mission should you choose to accept:
Eat locally at least once a week!
Love,
Scamb

Hey everyone! Check out this article!
http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/fresh-produce/
We love the five tips that Snack Girl gives readers on how to eat fresh, local food. You can find a farmer's market almost anywhere, and it's so nice to see that your food is 100% fresh. We also love the Tip #1: Start a Garden. Do this with your family, and try out new and different types of fruits and vegetables. It's a great AND fun way to eat locally.
Enjoy, and remember to eat, buy, be local :D
Love, Scamb

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