Planting a garden

Why it's good for the environment:

- Extra local produce - no CO2 emissions from shipping
- Small-scale farming takes less of a toll on soil and surroundings than massive fields

Why it's good for you:

- Fresh
- Inexpensive compared to supermarket produce
- Not packaged in plastic, covered in wax, or sprayed with pesticide

Veggies to plant that will provide throughout the growing season: tomatoes, peppers, squash, lettuce

Herbs that you can use in cooking: cilantro, basil, oregano, thyme, dill, rosemary, tarragon

For more information: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/planning-your-first-vegetable-garden/

Gardening as a way to get food on the table: http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/blogs/q-a-starting-a-garden-part-1 

Find out what will grow in your garden: http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/questions/how-do-i-learn-what-will-grow-best-in-my-backyard

http://www.fugoolive.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/vegetable_garden_tomato.jpg

BUYING GROCERY ITEMS IN BULK

Packaging and containers amount to 80 million tons of waste per year in the United States

BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

- Waste less packaging (plastic, cardstock, etc)

- Bulk products are often less processed, more local, and more fresh

BENEFITS FOR YOUR WALLET

- Pay for less packaging

- Lower prices, especially if you buy in greater quantities

http://www.stacymakescents.com/wp-content/uploads/bulk-bins.jpg

For more information on the benefits of buying in bulk and for tips on what products to buy: http://www.frontiercoop.com/learn/bulk_advantages.php

What does the Graham family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Eat organic foods

2) Sometimes shop from farmers' markets

3) Mom tries to make family eat less meat

What does the Ayenew family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Buy only grass fed beef

2) Eat very little processed foods

3) Lucas eats paleo

4) Keep leftovers after meals and eat them at next meal

What does the Mencia family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Buy organic food from Whole Foods

2) Buy from Vienna farmers' market

What does the Hoffman family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Tend a large veggie garden in front yard: carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, etc

2) Order veggies from Hometown Harvest (formerly South Mountain Veggies)
Get veggies delivered to your door: http://www.smveggies.deliverybizpro.com/summary.php?go=products

3) Bake homemade bread, granola, yogurt
No-knead homemade bread: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/08/dining/081mrex.html?_r=0
Slowcooker recipe for yogurt: http://www.pepperlynn.com/2013/03/slow-cooker-yogurt-with-honey-almond-granola/

4) Bake homemade bread with einkorn flour, which is healthier than standard white flour because it has a lower glycemic count, less gluten, and is higher in protein
Learn about benefits of einkorn flour: http://www.einkorn.com/

5) Hunt deer (harvest 1 animal/season)
Skin, clean, butcher, freeze - lasts 1 year

What does the Goldman family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Buy 80% of meat at the Organic Butcher in McLean
What you can buy at the Organic Butcher shop: http://www.theorganicbutcher.com/ml_products.html

What does the Lane family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Tara is a vegetarian
Pros of switching to a vegetarian diet: http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan-substitutes.asp

2) Buy free-range and grass-fed poultry and meat

3) Rarely eat out

4) Maintain peach trees and small herb and vegetable garden
How you can grow cilantro, Tara's favorite fresh ingredient: http://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/better-way-grow-cilantro-00400000017171/

What does the Preston family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Shop local foods section at Whole Foods
Locally Grown - Whole Foods Market: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/locally-grown

2) Starting to shop more at local farmers' market
Yelp review of Vienna farmers' market: http://www.yelp.com/biz/vienna-saturday-farmers-market-vienna

What does the Tucker family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Buy predominantly local and organic produce
Pros of buying local food: http://www.cuesa.org/page/how-far-does-your-food-travel-get-your-plate

2) Compost veggie scraps, coffee grounds, etc and use compost in garden
How to compost at home: http://eartheasy.com/grow_compost.html

What does the Waldo family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Eat only organic, free range poultry and organic, grass fed meat
Learn about grass fed meat: http://www.eatwild.com/basics.html
Buy organic meat in McLean: http://www.theorganicbutcher.com/ml_home.html

2) Eat at restaurants only 2-3 times/year
Learn why eating out regularly can be detrimental to your health: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/family-dinner-how_b_806114.html

3) Eat red meat only 2-3 times/month
Learn about the benefits of eating less red meat/more white meat from an fitness perspective: http://www.menshealth.co.uk/food-nutrition/what-to-eat/Snack-off-red-meat-versus-white-meat

What does the Resor family do to eat more sustainably?

1) Buy milk and vegetables from South Mountain Creamery in Middletown, MD

http://www.southmountaincreamery.com/summary.php?go=products&cat=7

2) Keep 2 chickens so that we have fresh, local eggs every day

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/