Create Your Food Treasure Map

Create Your Food Treasure Map

A friend recently asked me "what brings you peace these days?" and without blinking an eye, I answered "feeling rested, healthy and strong."

As I pondered my answer that evening while fixing dinner, I took a memory trip back to summer 2023 when I visited Polyface Farm for the first time. I'd attended the Two Days of Truth Summit that June. I remembered chuckling to myself then about how I'd bagged a planned beach trip for a weekend of learning! I could feel something shifting in me then, I just didn't know exactly what or why yet. I sat on the edge of my seat listening to the speakers, filling my notebook with mind-spinning ideas and inspiration. It was the impetus for me making it a priority to understand my health choices; mind, body & spirit. 

It's hard to believe that was over two years ago now, and somewhere along the way since then - be it in a book, interview or podcast - Joel introduced to me the concept of creating a "Food Treasure Map," with the big idea being to take one year (that's right, a year!) and invest a good chunk of free time into mapping out the best choices and sources for my (and my family's) food. 

"There is peace of mind when you know exactly what is in the food you are eating and feeding your family" Joel writes in the book Beyond Labels: A Doctor and a Farmer Conquer Food Confusion One Bite at a Time, which he co-wrote with Dr. Sina McCullough. I bought this book at the Summit and it has been an indispensable resource for me as I navigate through all the noise out there, and feel empowered instead to listen to my body and "finally figure out the diet my body needs to be happy, healthy & free."

Reading the book feels like having two friends at your kitchen table gently sharing ideas, or "Practical Bites" as they call them, for small shifts toward knowing "what to eat, how to procure it (they list resources and websites to help folks find their local farmers), how to prepare it, how to eat it" and how to save time in the kitchen to boot! Building community and and being mindful in the moment finds a place in the book as well.

Embarking on a year-long adventure to create a Food Treasure Map goes hand-in-hand with endeavoring to feel your best (on all levels) and being empowered by your choices. Practical Bite #1 reads: "You have the power to shape your food supply into what you want it to be." How exciting!

Where to start, you might ask? I'd encourage you to write down all the questions you can think of to help you know what it is that you are looking for and why. What is my body telling me it needs? (Dr. Sina is a big fan of this question!) Is the restless mind craving more quiet and routine?  How much time do I wish to spend procuring my food?  What will it feel like to trust my food sources? And so on. Paint the picture and ask yourself "what's my why?"!

When I consider the "why" behind my answer to the question of what brings me peace, I know it's because it's the way I want to show up for all the life I am given - rested, healthy and strong. 

Food and community play a big part in that. I absolutely relish the time spent investigating this market or that food grower, visiting a farm, sharing tips with friends and strangers alike. It's all part of it!

I hope you have fun with some of these ideas, please share any you might have for creating the Food Treasure Map of your dreams!

Blessings & Happy Hunting!

Kristi