Yesterday was the first official day of spring and we’re beginning to see signs of warmer weather on the way. The grass is greening up, trees are beginning to bud and bloom, and birds are returning from their winter migrations. And as the natural world begins to wake back up, it’s the perfect time for our own healthy lifestyles to rebloom. Start thinking about what Virginia spring produce you will find on store shelves and at farmers markets.
Eating Smart for Spring
After the long winter, it’s only a matter of a few weeks before spring fruits and veggies will be available in the farmers market. Strawberries, peas, asparagus, radishes, leafy greens and more are coming into season soon. Visit our recipes to find tasty ways to take advantage of spring produce.
During colder weather, we crave filling comfort foods like casseroles, soups, and chilis. But as the weather warms up, it’s a great time to lighten up meals for a fresh and spring-y change. Add some entree salads, like vegetable pasta salad with beans for protein, spring couscous salad, spinach strawberry salad with chicken or a Build Your Own salad recipe. Smoothies are a refreshing breakfast for spring mornings or filling snack before a trip outdoors. What are your favorite spring recipes?
Moving More Outdoors
Warm weather makes it more inviting to be outside, so it’s a great time to find new ways to be active as a family. Maybe your child would like to play a spring sport or your family could visit a nearby park. Hiking is a great spring activity because you can see all the fresh leaves, grass, and blooms without the heat of summer sunshine. Your kids would also be just as happy to play in the backyard or visit a playground, especially if you join them. And don’t forget that gardening counts as physical activity and is a good way to get kids interested in eating veggies! What’s your family’s favorite outdoor activity?
Spring is the perfect opportunity to cultivate new habits of eating smart and moving more and see it bloom into a healthy lifestyle. What will you do to make this spring a healthy season for your family?