Spring is in full swing and summer feels just around the corner. With warmer temperatures finally here and all the best excuses to spend time outdoors, I’m choosing to celebrate this season with a few of my favorite things.
The start of a new season is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and think ahead. Ask yourself what you are feeling drawn to this season. With winter in the rearview mirror, I naturally align with being outside, enjoying time with my family, a more relaxed schedule, and of course, delicious seasonal foods.
Reset for the new season + expand into healthier eating habits
Now is a great time of the year to transition your go-to weekly meals and take advantage of this season’s pickings. It is common for seasonal changes to also initiate a seasonal shift in our eating habits. For my family, spring foods are usually lighter, fresher, and simpler than our winter meals.
I look for vibrant, abundantly colored foods this time of year that celebrate local offerings. Spring in Lancaster County is a wonderful representation of abundance - from endless food stands and fields of produce to berries of every shape and size.
Some of my ‘favorites’ of spring
In addition to seasonal foods found locally, I also love spring for its abundance of sunlight. Coming from the dreary, dark winter, the spring seems to bring with it a more relaxed pace of life and ease to weekly menu planning.
I love thinking back to my younger years growing up in Lancaster and remembering stopping with family at roadside stands. This is one of my favorite seasonal traditions, and doing this now with my family and daughters brings back a connection to my childhood that I love.
If you’re looking for local farms and food stands to visit, check out some of these favorites:
- Lancaster Central Market
- Lancaster East Side Market
- Cherry Hill Orchards
- The Corn Wagon
- Roots Country Market
- Many roadside stands in Eastern Lancaster County
During April and May, you can expect to find these local goodies:
- Strawberries
- Peas
- Asparagus
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Onions
And this is just the beginning! Many other fruits and veggies are to follow in June and July.
Connecting with the outdoors
The month of May brings the opportunity to blend social life, the outdoors, and food in so many ways. These can include:
- Outdoor dining
- Grilling + campfires
- Picnics at the park with friends
For me, this is the most anticipated part of the season. I not only love focusing on the physical health benefits, but the mental and emotional side of gathering with family and community can be felt in the spring months.
Sharing a meal, supporting our neighborhood farmers and small businesses, and connecting with nature and fresh air are just a few of my favorites this season.
Re-engage with food and meal time together
If you’re wanting to celebrate local, seasonal foods but aren’t sure how to fit them into your life, try some of these simple go-tos!
Dinner - Grilled chicken and asparagus, pasta dish with mushroom and peas and onion
Lunch - Mixed greens with blueberries, avocado, onion and protein if you’d like
Breakfast - Broccoli omelets and side of strawberries, smoothies with berries and kale
Dessert - Strawberry shortcake, berry anything!
Budget wisely + look for freshness
In our family, we completely overdo it when something is in season. We eat it as much as possible knowing now is the time it’ll taste its best and be the least expensive. Not only does this allow us to enjoy the food of the season, but we also get the freshest options and can freeze them for later in the year. We often freeze strawberries, peas, and asparagus for the future months when they are not so readily available.
Challenge yourself to buy as little at the grocery store as possible when items can be purchased from local suppliers. Stop at local places first, and then fill in what you need with the store options as necessary. This is both good for your budget and a way to support your local economy!
Ways to celebrate the season that cost nothing at all
While local food stands and farmers markets can be fun (and cheaper than you may think), there are also many ways to celebrate the season without spending any money at all!
- Enjoy nature by creating outdoor spaces to gather. This can include setting up a firepit, adding lights or candles to your outdoor space, bringing a speaker or music outside to naturally draw your friends and family there to gather, or setting up a blanket under your favorite tree.
Create your own garden to feast from. Starting a garden is a wonderful way to enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables that are all your own. If an entire garden sounds too overwhelming, start small with a windowsill herb garden. You may even find it to be your favorite new activity!
Reflect on some of your favorite childhood memories from this time of year and recreate them in your own way! For me, the roadside stands are a perfect example of this. For you, it might be enjoying a local pool, setting up sprinklers, going on a family hike, or something totally different!
The key is to take the time to reflect on what you truly want to experience this season with your foods, your friends, and your time spent outdoors. Make it a priority to create the space in your calendar so that you can look back on this time and see the meaningful memories you’ve made.
Holly Mann
Holly Mann
Personal Success Coach
Founder of Fresh Habits: freshhabits.net
I am on a mission to facilitate meaningful conversations that encourage individuals to upgrade and expand their habits and routines which will ultimately allow them to live life at their fullest potential!
