This week is Bristol’s inaugural Healthy City Week which aims “to inspire citizens of Bristol to achieve healthier lifestyles as part of a more sustainable future city” through over 100 events in and around Bristol".
So here at The Community Farm we are going to give you our top tips on looking after yourself and the planet at the same time.>
Green-fingered goodness
Gardening is a fun and rewarding way to increase the amount of exercise you’re getting. It also has a whole host of other health benefits.A large study showed that regular gardening could cut stroke and heart attack risk by up to 30%.
As well as this simply getting a chance to be outside and soaking up some Vitamin D reduces risks of heart disease, osteoporosis and various cancers.
So why not breathe some fresh country air and try a wonderful workout The Community Farm way!
Come play farmer and join us for the day helping to harvest our crops or to prepare for the winter. October is pumpkin harvest time. So forget squat thrusts, we’ll be getting healthy with squash ups! Community Farmer Days are suitable for all ages and most abilities – you can pace yourself as you see fit.Lots of volunteers also choose help out regularly on weekdays. Regular volunteers have the opportunity to participate in the farm work, share knowledge and gain experience of organic growing; all while keeping fit and healthy.
The pick of the crop
Fruits and vegetables are often shipped hundreds of miles by aeroplane from other countries before they reach the supermarket, which means they may have been picked weeks before you eat them.Vegetables have a set amount of nutrients when harvested and begin to lose them the minute they are cut from the plant. After picking, fruits and vegetables continue to “breathe”. This process, called respiration, breaks down stored organic materials, such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and leads to loss of food value, flavour and nutrients.
The Harvard Medical School Centre for Health and the Global Environment notes that food transported long distances is not likely to be as nutritious as food grown and consumed locally.
However, if you buy locally grown produce from a farmers' market or box scheme the food is likely to be freshly picked.
Buying organic
As well as its freshness the way your food was grown can affect the nutritional content. A recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has demonstrated that eating "food produced according to organic standards can lead to increased intake of nutritionally desirable antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic heavy metals.”Meat Free Mondays
There are a number of health benefits to be gleaned from cutting down the amount of meat you eat, from reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes to improved complexion.Meat production also has a big impact on the environment. Livestock industries account for more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. Huge tracts of land need to be cleared to make pastures for grazing as well as land to grow crops to feed the animals. This leads to a large amount of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon.
You don't have to go cold turkey. Think about going meatless one or two days a week or switching to higher welfare organic meat such as from The Story Group.
All their cows are reared locally, ethically and organically. They are free to happily roam and graze the lush green pastures around Chew Magna. Their cattle are fed on natural grass diets and they keep national breeds like the slow growing North and South Devon Cattle.
If you're considering the vegetarian or vegan route, just be sure to get enough protein through other sources like unsalted peanut butter, beans, or eggs.
A helping hand
If you are struggling for ideas BBC Cook of the year, Jo Ingleby, will be teaching us how make the best of what the season has to offer with her Festive Family Cookery Day (19 December) and her Pick, Cook and Eat! Children’s Cookery Day (30 October). Alternatively you can try some of the scrummy vegetarian recipes on our website.This article is part of our Do 15 series.
