The science of seasonal

5 proven reasons to treat your taste buds these holidays.

This year’s holiday menus are bound to include some indulgent varieties of sugar, spice and all things nice. But it’s the “locavore fare” that’s set to win tables and hearts across Australia. Here’s why it’s one of the best gifts you could give your family…

#1. Peak harvest for peak health

In case you missed it, “locavore” simply means one who eats locally grown fresh foods whenever possible. And when you eat produce harvested at the peak of its freshness in harmony with the seasons (and your postcode)! … believe us, you’ll feel the difference. * Happy Farm Hack? Brighter, more vibrant colour is a good sign of high nutrient value. Here in Sydney festive fruits like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are currently in season. Or dig into dark greens like beans, spinach and zucchini during the summer months. Just don’t ditch the onions and garlic! While they’re not the most colourful, they’re also a rich source of phytonutrients. Foods with phytonutrients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits so whilst they might not look and smell the greatest, they do wonders for the human body.

#2. Grown for greatness?

If you think locally grown is too hard, it’s time to think again. Not only do most city suburbs have their own local farmers markets to get stuck into, you’ll also avoid all that over-sprayed, over-waxed, over-pimped, and over-priced ‘fresh’ produce from the supermarkets.

• Happy Farm Hack? Even if it’s not always practical to avoid the supermarkets for your fruit, veggies and protein needs, always look for the label or ask for confirmation that it was ‘grown in Australia’.This means all ingredients must have, you know, actually been grown here. (At a pinch, choosing ‘product ofAustralia’ as a second choice is okay, although it means that some processing to the food has taken place, affecting its nutritional potency.)

#3. Detox your body (and bank account)

Let’s keep this one simple: Eating with the seasons helps to support our bodies’ natural cleansing and healing processes from the inside out. It might surprise you that seasonal, local produce is usually much more cost effective than those supermarket visits too… So don’t be shy!

• Happy Farm Hack? Gut health might be a trendy topic these days, but eating fresh seasonal produce is an always-timeless way to support the microbiome – aka good bacteria – that live in our digestive system. (Amongst other places!)

#4. Happy hormones are real

If you’re like all of us at team Happy Farm, then you’ll be confident that good food makes you happy. After all, it’s better for you, the planet and your bank account. But did you know that certain seasonal produce can actually boost our ‘Awesome Four’? Otherwise known as:

• Dopamine (Sure, retail therapy also gives us the feel-good factor but so do bananas – and they’re less expensive and in season right now!)
• Serotonin (Helping keep our moods right where they need to be could come from a supplement, but why not try a healthy helping of in season pineapple chunks instead?) * Oxytocin (We love this love hormone, and that you can get a wonderfully natural helping just by whipping up a yummy spinach and mushroom omelette for breakfast tomorrow!)
• Endorphins (Pain, pain, go away. Time to spice up a rainy day with some in-season chillies and for bonus points, spending time with those you love.Aw…)

#5. The 4Cs of seasonal fruit and veggies

Forget diamonds. (Unless they’re sustainably sourced, of course!) Packed full of goodness, these summer-seasonal-Sydney-Cs are bound to make you feel all clean and sparkly inside – and out!

1. Celery is known to support heart health and digestive function, improve memory and blood sugar, and act as an anti-inflammatory.
2. Capsicum is quite the wonder-veggie: With major health benefits ranging from anti-cancer and pro-heart properties through to helping with iron deficiency and stimulating your metabolism, we recommend slicing and dicing your way through as many as you like!
3. Cabbage often gets overlooked, but in our opinion it should be one of the first in season veggies you pick up at your local farmers’ market. Low in calories but packed with nutrients, the humble cabbage goes a long way to giving you the most bang for your buck this summer.
4. Chilies have an endorphin-boosting reputation and are ripe for harvesting in the southern hemisphere right now! But did you know they also help fight migraines, fungal infections and are even known to provide joint relief?

Happy Farm Hack: The 5th seasonal C?

Cherries! Cherries are low in calories and high in fibre. They are also chock full of vitamin A, C and K. Check out this festive and decadent twist on an Aussie Christmas classic using cherries!