After visiting 1000s of grocery stores all over the world, farmers markets in various continents, and spending some time on farms growing up it is easy to understand why selecting healthy foods have become an important way to maintain health.

Find Healthy Food & Water

Today many of us do not have as much control as we would like over the foods we eat.  Travel and access to a variety of local foods foods may make it hard to eat as well as we would like.  These are my suggestions:

1) Find out about your local farmers markets.

Attend them when possible for fresh, pesticide free, and locally gown fruits, and vegetables.  Find out what guidelines the farmers need to follow to be at a certain market so you know what you are buying.  Some markets are all local and others may have food from all around the world.  Ask the local vendors for deals and come back to the same ones that treat you well.

2) Find a source of legumes, beans, and lentils.

The key reason to find a source of legumes, beans, and lentils is fiber and most of us need more of it.  Most local grocery stores will provide a bag of dry beans for around $1 in the US.  Pick up a variety and prepare them frequently.  You may also be able to find fresher beans at the local markets or by growing your own.  Sprouting these beans may also help provide an additional variety to your diet that still includes your needed fiber at each meal.

3) Discover media about international diets.

The web is a great place to find out which recipes, combination of foods, and qualities of consumption are most popular.  Videos of recipes from India, China, Canada, Mexico, Britain, and all over the world can help you discover new foods that work with your body the best.  A quick message to family members can also yield possible recipes that may work with your own personal chemistry.

4) Find a healthy and reliable water source.

Water is used for food preparation, washing foods, laundry, bathing, and even brushing your teeth so having a good clean reliable source is necessary.  The problem most people I know have is that they rely on a community water system and do not know if there is a water problem until after it has happened.  This is why a testing devise (including pH, TDS, and Salinity) along with personal filters, personal emergency water storage (3 gallons per person – Washington State Guidelines), and clean pollutant free drinking water is needed.  I believe the most current reliable water filter systems for people that live in the US are also made in the US with no BPA plastics, reverse osmosis, and 1 or more carbon blocks.  These systems can also filter rain water, dirty tap water, puddle water, and even marine water if needed.  They are suggested by the EPA and many water experts.  Storing water in plastic for a short period may be alright but try to keep your water fresh and plastic free.  I do not believe one should use hot water with typical plastic dish ware, reverse osmosis membrane filters, or carbon blocks.

5) Cool and heat foods correctly.

I have found the average person does not know the standard guidelines on heating or cooling foods.  The FDA provides some basic minimum guidelines on cooking temperatures.  In general I cook almost every dish that needs to be cooked to temperatures around 180 degrees.  Raw foods like sushi salmon and tuna should be flash frozen and from a very fresh (daily) source to ensure that the foods are safe to eat.

http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/mintemp.html

Minimum Cooking Temperatures

Do not forget to refrigerate foods promptly but remember that if you put a large heated item in a small refrigerator the other foods may also heat up until it has a chance to cool.

6)  Eat balanced meals.

Eat a balance of local foods including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats at every meal possible.  A variety of fruits and vegetables will ensure that you are getting different vitamins and minerals.  Foods that experts suggest eating more of include broccoli for the vitamin C and fiber, fresh juices including fresh cranberry, soy protein, “fresh water” fish, olive oil, almonds, garlic (if eating meat and not practicing yoga), and peaches for the low sugar releasing index.

7) Enjoy eating!

Each time you eat take the time to thank the other people at the table for something they have shared with you even if it is very simple.  Turn on low pleasurable music so people can talk but feel comfortable.  Provide candles or soft light near the table or food.  Use a clean table and well organized environment for eating.  Take time to enjoy the meal, talk between bites to slow the eating process, and chew foods that should be.  After finishing your meals try to relax and enjoy your company.

Time to eat!