Anna @ The Crunchy Kitchen: Inspiring Family and Child Healthy Living and Nutrition
I hope I don’t scare anyone off by the idea that winter is close enough to consider preparation. Although it’s important to prepare for the cold season, be sure not to skip the beauty of Fall. Be present in this amazing season.
This year I am practicing intentionality around ‘doing things differently.’
Each day I am observing more of my habits and reflecting on whether they still serve me or I’d like to make a change.
Preparing food for winter is one of those habits and changes. For most of my life this hasn’t even been a thought of mine. Now, though, my goal is to have less need to buy food from the grocery store in all seasons, which means I need to think forward into winter so I have produce available during a cold season in Minnesota when produce is not grown outdoors. When we have less need for grocery store trips we can save time, money and bundling up to venture into the cold and onto the icy roads. Also, we continue to sit in uncertain times and have seen our grocery stores unable to stay stocked at different points throughout the last couple of years.
These days I am also mindful to eat seasonally (eating produce when it is ‘in season’). This allows me to let go of the idea that I need to be eating as many varieties of veggies in winter months as I do the summer months. Seasonal in the midwest means more focus on root vegetables and squash that last for weeks to months in cool storage along with other veggies that I have canned or frozen. Doesn’t something about meals like chili and beef stew just feel right in the winter? So warm, nourishing and full of the common winter staples like meat, beans, potatoes and carrots. Now is a great time to plan for the meat you’ll need this winter. Visit the Zweber Farm website to order your meat or stop in at one of their open houses!
Some ways to consider your preparation for winter:
- Make a list of warm and nourishing go-to winter meals (many can be made in a crock pot or instapot ahead of time!)
- Freezing or canning produce from the garden or farmer’s market. If this is all too overwhelming, take this year to learn about preparation options and plan for next winter! Baby steps.
- Grab root vegetables and squash from the farmer’s market and keep in cold storage (basement or drawer in fridge); potato, onion, carrots, beets… For storage tips: Check out this and this article.
- Order your local meat and have your freezer stocked
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