Spring is in the air! Trees are in blossom, the sun’s warmth is shining through and we’ve had some new arrivals on the farm in the form of lambs! For many, Spring is a time of change and feeling new, so what better time to visit your home, garden and lifestyle and see where you could ‘spring clean’ your habits to make way for this bright, new season?
If you’re wondering why Spring brings on these feelings of renewed energy and life, it’s because we’re following the spring equinox when the Earth's horizon is perfectly aligned with the Sun. The days begin lasting longer, the nights get shorter and you have more time in the day to enjoy!
We’ll show you how to shop seasonally, what seeds are best sown now and how small changes to your lifestyle could see you with a new-found spring in your step.
When you visit a supermarket, you might be fooled into thinking that fruit and veggies are made for year-round eating, when in reality, each vegetable has a season when it’s at prime ripeness and taste. Take a look at the packaging next time you’re shopping and see how far your groceries have travelled to make it to your plate.
The first benefit of eating seasonally is to reduce food miles. We’re big on sustainability here at My Chef and source most of our ingredients from within a 1hr radius of the farm. If it’s not in season, it’s not going in our meals! It adds an extra step in the recipe planning stage but means we get to use some of the best produce each season has to offer.
Eating by the season also means you’ll get the most nutrient-dense produce. Food has the greatest nutritional content and flavour at its peak ripeness and when in season. If you’re a school or part of a family, why not try out a recipe using some of these in-season ingredients and educate the little ones on the importance of shopping and eating seasonally:
Fruit:
Vegetables:
Shopping by the season means your diet is always going to include variety – you might even discover a new family favourite!
The Australian climate is hugely diverse, which means depending on where you live, sowing times and success will vary depending on what you choose to plant. Whether you have a huge backyard, or a sunny windowsill, there’s always something you can grow! Curious? Check out these useful sections on The Digger’s Club site which lets you find the best seeds to sow for your climate region.
Or here’s a cool chart by About The Garden.
In the My Chef garden, we’re continuing to focus on herbs and leafy greens for the fresh meal range. Herbs… they really bring flavour to every meal. Who doesn’t love a mixed green and herb salad; finely chopped chard, beetroot leaf, parsley, mint, shallots. Maybe an edible flower to make everyone smile! Health! A herb salad can be thrown in a smoothie, cooked with an egg for breakfast, or enjoyed with a BBQ or your favourite pasta.
Microgreens on a window sill can be ready to harvest in just two weeks!
There are lots of ways to mix up habits and make fresh changes to your routine this Spring. Here are some of our favourites:
With a freshly cleaned pantry, and a fridge packed with seasonal produce and Farm Door meals, you’ll be ready to start the season.
Do you have a spring recipe you’d like featured on our socials? Send us a pic at @mychefhealthymeals for your chance to be featured. And remember to send us your seedling updates from the veggie patch!
