Why it is better to eat seasonally

Seasonal eating is often promoted by heath practitioners for it nutritional benefits. When produce is harvested at the peak of its season, it is full of beneficial nutrients and flavour, however there are additional benefits to seasonal eating that extend beyond the body and tastebuds.

When you eat produce that is grown locally and in season, you not only support local farmers, but reduce your environmental footprint by minimising your food miles. We are fortunate to live in an era and country where we have access to a large array of produce year-round, but what can be deceiving about this is the environmental impact of this offering. Like flowers, fruit and vegetables grow in season. Citrus fruits are at their peak in winter or cooler climates, and tropical fruits ripen in summer or in tropical climates.

When certain produce is out of season, supermarkets import them from other countries with opposing seasons to maintain their offering. The imported produce has usually been harvested earlier to ensure it doesn’t spoil and will be ripe by the time it reaches stores. The produce is placed in a shipping container and shipped to its intended destination, using countless tonnes of fuel and expelling pollution in the meantime.

Instead of eating produce that is available from supermarkets opt for purchasing produce from your local farmer’s markets or green grocer as it would have been grown locally, picked in season and have significantly less impact on the environment.

Below is a guide to help you buy produce in season. This guide may differ slightly depending on your location.

Autumn:

Fruits: avocado, apple, blackberries, banana, cumquat, custard apple, feijoa, fig, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew, kiwi fruit, lemon, lime, mandarin, mango, mangosteen, nashi, orange, papaya, passionfruit, peach, pear, persimmon, plum, pomegranate, prickly pear, quince, rambutan, raspberries, rhubarb, rockmelon, strawberries, tamarillo

Vegetables: artichoke, asian greens, avocado, beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, choko, corn, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, fennel, leek, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onion, spring onions, parsnip, peas, potato, pumpkin, radish, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, squash, swede, sweet potato, tomato, turnip, watercress, witlof, zucchini

Winter:

Fruits: Apple, avocado, cumquat, custard apple, Feijoa, grapefruit, kiwi fruit, Lime, mandarin, nashi, orange, lemon, Pear, persimmon, pineapple, quince, Rhubarb, tamarillo, tangelo

Vegetables: asian greens, avocado, beetroot, broccoli, broccolini, broad beans, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, Chokos, fennel, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leek, Lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onion, spring onion, parsnip, Peas, snow peas, potato, pumpkin, radish, shallot, Silverbeet, spinach, swede, sweet potato, turnip

Spring:

Fruits: Apple, asparagus, avocado, banana, blueberries, cantaloupe, Cherry, cumquat, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi fruit, lemon, Lime, loquat, lychee, mandarin, mango, Mulberries, orange, papaya, pepino, pineapple, Rhubarb, strawberries, tarfruit, tangelo, watermelon

Vegetables: Artichoke, asian greens, avocado, beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, Cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, choko, corn, Cucumber, daikon, eggplant, fennel, leek, lettuce, mushrooms, Okra, onion, Spring onion, parsnip, peas, potato, pumpkin, Radish, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, squash, swede, sweet potato, tomato, turnip, watercress, witlof, zucchini

Summer:

Fruits: Apple, apricot, banana, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, Cantaloupe, cherries, currants, fig, grapefruit, Grapes, honeydew, lemon, loganberries, lychee, Mango, mulberries, nectarine, orange, passionfruit, Peach, pear, plum, pineapple, rambutan, Raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, tamarillo, watermelon

Vegetables: Asparagus, avocado, beans, beetroot, cabbage, Capsicum, carrot, celery, corn, cucumber, Daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, Onion, spring onion, peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, Potato, radish, shallot, silverbeet, squash, Tomato, watercress, zucchini, zucchini flower

Related: Because native bees matter; The health impacts of synthetic fragrance; Plastic free living

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The health impacts of synthetic fragrance

Synthetic fragrance is now infused in the most basic household products used daily, from toothpaste and cosmetics to washing powder and bin liners. Society is suffering with the excessive use of synthetic fragrance and its effects on people with sensitivities are beginning to show. Research completed by Professor Anne Steinemann from the University of Melbourne has revealed one third of Australians experience health problems when exposed to fragrance including migraines, dizziness, nausea, skin irritation, asthma attacks and seizures.

Initially derived from flowers and used sparingly, fragrance is now chemically produced to make it more cost effective than natural versions. Over 4000 chemicals are available for the self-regulated fragrance industry to use in the production of their products, and due to proprietary knowledge regulations, the industry is not legally required to reveal the specific ingredients used in each product. Most of the chemicals used in the fragrance industry have previously never been tested for their health effects and the ones that have been tested are allocated a safe dose due to low usage levels, however this does not account for the thousands of other chemicals a person is exposed to throughout the day.

Due to the health impacts of synthetic fragrance, it is likely in the coming years fragrance in the workplace will follow the same trajectory as smoking. The study found 7.7 per cent of Australians leave work for the day or resign, and 16.7 per cent leave a shop due to illness from fragranced product exposure.

While there aren’t any laws enforcing fragrance-free workplaces in Australia, there are precautions you can take to reduce your daily exposure to these chemicals. Purchasing fragrance-free products will significantly reduce your exposure. If you are affected by fragrance within your workplace, address your concerns with management and discuss options about enforcing a fragrance-free policy within the office. To learn more about the research into the science of scent, read Kate Grenville's book The Case Against Fragrance. This insightful and thought provoking book uncovers the truth about the production of synthetic fragrance and its heath impacts on society.

Related: Cutting chemicals out of cosmetics; What toxic chemicals are in your toothpaste?; Why is BPA the only concern?

 

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Cutting chemicals out of cosmetics

The inexplicable rise of certain health conditions along with research conducted on the health impacts of chemicals raises concerns about the safety of ingredients in chemical produced personal care products. Beauty is one industry where the use of chemicals in the production of personal care products is unsystematically monitored and tested.

The beauty industry selects from a palette of approximately 12,500 chemical ingredients to produce a range of products with the average chemical produced beauty product containing between 15 to 50 ingredients. Each product formulation varies slightly, however, most cosmetics contain a concoction of ingredients including water, fragrances, emulsifiers, emollients, colouring agents, preservatives, thickening agents, and pH stabilisers. Most of the chemicals used in beauty products have previously never been tested for their health effects and the ones that have been tested are allocated a safe dose due to low usage levels, however this does not account for the thousands of other chemicals a person is exposed to throughout the day.  

The main chemicals of concern used in the production of cosmetics include Phthalates, Parabens, Talcum powder, Nanoparticles, Formaldehyde and formaldehyde donors, Lead acetate, Coal tar, UV filters, Triclosan, Resorcinol, Toluene and Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) due to their links to cancer and hormone disruption. Furthermore, the production and disposal of these chemicals affect our environment with most beauty waste being washed down the drains, threatening marine biodiversity and the quality of our oceans and waterways.   

Research has uncovered women use around 9 and 15 beauty products daily, applying approximately 515 chemicals to their skin through the use of cosmetics, beauty products and perfumes. Making your own natural beauty products at home is an easy and affordable way to significantly reduce your daily exposure to chemicals. Using a small selection of natural ingredients, you can make your own chemical free deodorant, mascara, face mask, body scrub, toothpaste and more. Switching to a natural alternative is better for your health and the environment.

Related: What is in your sunscreen?; Looming health hazards of synthetic chemical repellents; Natural toxin free deodorant

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Because native bees matter



Bees play a significant role in our food chain. They are responsible for one third of the world’s produce, however millions of beehives have unknowingly disappeared worldwide. Up to one fourth of all colonies have been destroyed, with losses reaching up to 80% on some farms.

Australian native bees play an important role in the ongoing development of our native ecosystem. There are over 1500 varieties of native bees which are more fragile than the introduced European honeybees and have suffered greatly from urban deforestation. Over the years, they have co-evolved with Australia’s native flora resulting in many species relying solely on native bees for cross pollination.

Honeybees are important for the earth’s bionetwork, however they pose a threat to Australia’s native fauna and flora as they rival other animals for tree hollows and floral resources. The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species of Conservation Act have highlighted the species at risk of being displaced from hollows by rivalry honeybees which include the Brush-tailed Phascogale, Squirrel Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, Regent Parrot, Brushtail Possum, Greater Glider and Sugar Glider. Other native animal’s honeybees threaten include honey eaters and native bees due to their ability to remove more than 80 per cent of the floral resources produced from their frequent visits. Certain plant species are also vulnerable to honeybees as their process of pollen removal affects their seed set preventing correct crosspollination.

We can protect Australia’s future bionetwork by providing a safe place for native bees to live and by planting specific plants to attract them to our gardens. Most native bees are solitary and rise their young in hollows and tiny nooks. Bee Houses provide a perfect place for native bees to nest and be protected from the harsh elements or predators.

Anyone can create a bee friendly garden regardless of the size or location of your backyard. Planting a variety of flowering plants will help to attract many species of bees to your garden. The list below is not extensive but offers a variety of bee friendly plants to get you started in creating a haven for bees in your garden. For more information, read A Bee Friendly Garden. It provides a thorough guide to encouraging bees and other good bugs to your green space.

Bee friendly plants

Herbs: Basil, Corriander, Rosemary, Borage, Thyme, Oregano, Marjoram, Fennel, Sage, Rocket, Lavender, Chives, Mint and Rocket.

Fruit and vegies: Lemons, Limes, Mandarins, Passionfruit, Strawberries, Cucumbers, Squash, Raspberries, Apples, Avocado, Watermelons, Pumpkins and Peppers.

Flowers and trees: Alyssum, Cornflower, Lilly Pilly, Cosmos, Poppies, Echinacea, Eucalyptus, Echium, Forget-me-not, Foxglove, Callistemon (Bottlebrushes), Geranium, Marigold, Roses, Sunflowers, Zinnia, Banksia and Grevilleas.


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