In many parts of the country, my own included, growing season is in full swing. That means you may be too late to take part in a CSA this year. But if you get a chance to take part in one, this year or next, I highly recommend it.

This was the first year that we joined a CSA -- short for community supported agriculture. We did it for a lot of reasons, but mostly because of concern over food safety issues. What we have discovered, however, is that it's completely changed our eating habits for the better.

Each week, we get a crate full of fresh grown goodies. Sometimes, I have to use Google to identify something or learn how to cook it. But just having that food in my fridge forces me to be creative and either search for or come up with new, healthy dishes. We're eating far fewer processed foods, less salt, less fat, and have all but cut our meat consumption. Our former favorite dish? Homemade pizza with extra cheese. Our current favorite dish? Sauteed kale with garlic scapes and onion, served over brown rice. I'm totally not kidding.Each week, so far (we're on week five, I think) we've gotten a giant bag of salad greens, as well as broccoli, peas, kohlrabi, carrots, radishes, spinach, arugula, kale, dill, cilantro, or napa cabbage. As the summer continues, we expect to get those warmer weather crops as well, and the membership lasts until October.

Not only are we eating healthier, but I think it'll end up being a money saver in the long run. We paid for our CSA up front in April, but it averages out to $18 a week. I'm spending less at the grocery store, however, and we're eating out far less often than we were.

Many people choose to eat locally because it's good for the planet. It may be. But I'm here to tell you that it's also really, really good for your health, nutritionally speaking. To find a CSA near you, try checking your newspaper, visiting your local farmer's market or health food store, or go to Local Harvest.