Living in this rural area of Alabama and getting to know the local sustainable, natural farmers and the people in my community has been such an invaluable experience. Eating healthy is now so much a part of who I am. I go over more of my journey HERE.

When it comes to living a Gluten-free lifestyle myself, it's only been the past few years that I've worked through my own journey. I've found peace with it!

​Before finding out that gluten was not my friend I was eating pretty much everything I wanted. I had in fact put on more weight than ever (32 lbs heavier than I am now), I was dealing with chronic fatigue, chronic pain with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia from 2004, I was tired all of the time, never feeling rested no matter how long I slept. My whole body ached most of the time. I had inflammation. I had to tell myself to not think on it or I would never get out of bed. Had I not done that every.single.day. I would never have been able to fully function.

I had people tell me to get on disability, so I wouldn't have to work. They were well-meaning folks and saw that the struggle was real. And I get it, some people have to do this. Who am I to judge them? But I persevered and did what I had to do. I have always been one to be very driven in work and life. Never letting anything keep me down or from doing the things that I wanted to do or that needed to be done. But after awhile you're body will just start telling you "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH". The key here is are we going to listen?

That's kind of what happened. I needed to make a change and immediately. I knew, deep down, it was going to require a complete overhaul of my diet. Was I willing to change? Was I willing to make the investment? What's the old saying, "If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done!" We hate when someone tells us this ESPECIALLY when it comes to changing our diet. NOOOOO! Anything but that!

I'm happy to tell you I did just that. And it worked. And I lived. We learn to adjust, adapt and we're all the better for it!

I'm going to be speaking locally this Saturday, September 30th, 2017 at 11:00 am at Dothan Nurseries, sponsored by MarketAtDothan on "Transitioning to a Gluten-Free Lifestyle, As Painlessly as Possible." In the talk I will share my story and how I was able to transition as well as:

• What is Gluten?
• What are the symptoms of Gluten Intolerance?
• What types of conditions require a Gluten-free lifestyle change?
• GMO'S - Genetically Modified Organisms
• A Diagnosis; Now What?
• Making the Transition

This is a lot of information, I know. I've tried condensing it as much as I can. But I want to give the most well-rounded info I can. I'll try and have a handout to take with you just in case. If you, someone you know, or someone you just met is dealing with what you think may be associated to gluten intolerance or you have been newly diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity, gluten allergy, or celiacs disease THIS TALK IS FOR YOU!

Also, you'll want to come to the 9:30 class which is a VERY IMPORTANT talk from our friends at MAYIM FARM. Greg and Carole Lolley of Mayim Farm are both Master Gardeners who utilize organic growing methods and concentrate on nutrient dense foods. Talk about amazing food. The food they produce from their farm is so fresh, so delicious, so healthy. It takes your dish to a whole.new.level. Greg will be talking about "The Health Difference between Organically Grown and Traditionally Grown Foods." I cannot emphasize enough how important this talk is. I look forward to hearing Greg, gaining insight into his expertise and finally meeting Greg and Carole in person, as we have become acquainted online and I've partaken of their fabulous home grown foods. They are DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY!

And hey, I'm giving away this GIFT CERTIFICATE so you don't want to miss it! (see below)

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday at the Fall Market. There will be some amazing fall produce to pick up and you'll get to meet new friends and meet our local sustainable and natural farmers. Let's support them. #supportlocal

Sustainable eating is about choosing foods that are healthful to our environment AND our bodies. It’s about nourishing ourselves wholly and completely. Providing pleasure but preserving the food system for the future. It leads to healthy, thriving, individuals and communities, as well as a better, more balanced ecosystem. 

There are so many benefits when we lean towards sustainable eating:

• Optimum nutrition through a more natural nutrient dense food source (plant-based). These are proving to be the most ideal diets with not only weight loss, regaining energy and adding fiber to our diet, but scientifically proven to prevent and reverse certain illnesses (think Diabetes, Heart Disease, and even Cancer). 
• Improves the overall economic health and vitality of your local community. I am privileged to live in a rural farming area in Dothan, AL and truly believe in supporting the local farmers, their families, buying local and putting the money back into the community in which I reside. It's a win win. 
• Reduces the use of limited resources such as fossil fuels. And as the population moves from our pastoral roots towards a life centered about the thirsty industrial machine, it's crucial that we start moving into a greener and more abundant form of energy to minimize emissions. 
• Protects the environment from chemicals and practices that may harm us (farmer and/or consumer). It's better for our health, and our children's health, therefore cutting down future disease, allergies, etc. It also preserves the plants and animals and the nutrients in our soil. 

Some of us will never be able to grow our own food. I have been afforded the opportunity to have a small garden at my home and have been able to grow a few vegetables and herbs, but unless you're a farmer the best way to support the benefits of sustainable farming is to eat sustainably. Do it now! Take a look at what you have in your fridge. Think about where it came from. Do you know where it came from? Did you meet the farmer that produced it? Did you pick it up at the local farmers market? Did it come from Malaysia? A package? 

Here are a few tips to start eating sustainably:

• Shop local - Buy foods at local farmers markets. Local farmers are all about their communities. These are our neighbors. When we do this, this money stays within your local community. (And did I mention these foods are so much better for you?)
• Grow something - If you can, grow something. Start small if you have to. I always advise folks to take a look at what grows well in your local area. Is it tomatoes? Is it squash? Do a little research and then plant something and watch it grow. There is nothing more satisfactory (I suppose there is) than watching your own food grow and putting it on the plate!
• Bring up Conversations about FOOD - Get out in the local community and start talking with your local farmer (if you have them). Be curious as to where your food is coming from. Ask the local grocer where your food is sourced. Ask the server or manager at your favorite restaurant about the food on your plate and how it came to be. Start being more mindful. 
• Eat Seasonally - If it's possible, focus on foods that are available in season where you live and you'll be supporting sustainability. We know that berries are available in summer. Eat those in the summer. Squash and Zucchini as well. Then in the fall we will all be eating butternut squash! See what's available in your area and find recipes around that. 
• Update your Grocery List and Provider - Think bulk foods, more minimally processed foods, and more plant-based meals. This in turn translates into less packaging, less waste, less energy used to produce certain foods and fewer artificial ingredients — those not found in nature — and chemicals in the food system. 

Let's face it, our current Health-care system is a joke! So many of us are sick, lethargic, diabetic, and taking this pill and that (some, for the rest of our lives, so they've told us) and we feel no way out. Could it be that by changing our diets to a more sustainable eating - way of life - could just be the very thing that fixes this Health-care system? Not  Congress, nor our President. YOU could just be the one in control of that. 

Food is health! Health doesn't happen in the healthcare system nor does it happen by accident. It's what you do in your kitchen and what you intentionally eat 365 days a year. The question is, what's it worth? There is a price and that price is changing our diets, our lifestyle. But the end so justifies the means. 

There is great satisfaction in knowing that you are feeding yourself with the best possible ingredients and food you can find to stay healthy and that you actively support sustainable agriculture, your community and your beautiful world!

​This post was written by Susan Avello, Personal Chef at Lean Bean Chef Personal Chef Services in Dothan Alabama - offering Healthy Meal Prep, Meal Planning, Private Cooking Classes, Private Dinner Parties and Education on Healthy Eating. ​