In following with my Green philosophy about building, home ownership, and healthy lifestyles I thought back to my past trying to figure out where I started to become a believer in the good earth and all the benefits of "Living Green."
I thought back to my childhood where I was raised in Upstate New York on a rural farm. For all of you living in Manhattan or New Jersey and closer vicinities, yes, there is a vast region north and west of New York City that encompasses the majority of this beautiful state. I am talking about the Finger lakes Region in Central New York with its rolling hills, beautiful glacial lakes, fruit producing orchards, and beautifully managed farms. It is one of our region's best kept secrets.
Vegetable gardening is an important part of growing up on a farm. As children, my youngest brother and I were responsible for planting, tilling, weeding and of course, the best part, harvesting the fruits of our labor. We would pick the tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, squash, beets, corn and herbs for our mother to freeze,can, or store in the root cellar. Back then we did not fully appreciate the goodness of our bounty since we mostly considered tending to the garden as hard child labor. I am happy to say that I am grateful for my childhood gardening experience and could not do without these fresh, organically grown foods. What was once so available and taken for granted is not as easy to come by unless you can grow your own little backyard garden.
Fresh, properly grown food provides a natural source of nutrition for our total body health. There are many benefits to eating produce that has recently been picked. Vitamins and nutrients are at their peak when produce is eaten straight from a local garden compared to what is found in stores shipped from far away areas.
If you live in a metropolitan area and would like to experience the beauty of the country and its abundance take a day or weekend trip to somewhere like the Finger lakes, New York. You might be able to find a few "pick it yourself" fruit farms where you can get terrific sweet strawberries, cherries, grapes, or blackberries. The summer and fall are the best times to find road side stands overflowing with local produce at very fair cost. Our region is the 3rd leading grower in the U.S. for apples and the 2nd leading for grapes. And...oh, yes you must sample the many wines from over 100 boutique wineries along the lakes. NY State Reislings are internationally known and reds are making their way to popularity. Cabernets and Lemborg dry reds are simply delicious!
For more information visit www.fingerlakes.org, and for places to stay, www.stayfingerlakes.com/lastminute/
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