Fresh foods can help you with those New Year's resolutions!

The Washington Post has a great article in the Health section, Minor Changes Could Mean Major Improvements to Your Diet. The writer reminds us about some things we already know: plan, eat slowly, read food labels, and offers some ideas that may be new: eat more whole foods, make Mondays meatless (we're not saying every day, but cutting back a little can be good for your health and finances), and focus on food.

Farmer's markets (and Cheverly Community Market, in season) can be a great aide in improving your health. These markets offer the freshest produce, organic meats and seafood from small ranchers, and other foods made with minimal processing and choice ingredients. You can save money by planning your market trip and cooking in quantity, and you help the local economy by keeping your dollars local, which in turn helps local producers to grow or make better products for you. It's a cycle that we all have a stake in.

Even in the off-season for our community market, you can buy organic, support your local businesses and small markets, and make more of your meals from scratch. It's the perfect time to perfect your bread recipe, make pasta with your kids, crack some nuts (they're much more delicious right out of the shell!) and enjoy the quiet of the season. And if you canned tomatoes or fruit this summer, now is a great time to enjoy a reminder of summer's great bounty.

Yes, spring and those delicious fresh, new vegetables seem far off in this dreary winter weather, but it will be here before you know it! In the meantime, if you need a Market fix, visit our flickr group. We have photos from the past season -- they'll be sure to warm you!