Make Those Healthy Resolutions Stick

The start of each new year is filled with resolutions often chosen to improve one's self. According to the U.S. Government, the most common New Year's resolutions include: drink less alcohol, get a better job or education, get fit, lose weight, manage debt, manage stress, quit smoking, reduce-reuse and recycle, save money, take a trip and volunteer to help others.

Well I have an idea that can help you reach almost half of those resolutions in one quick action. Let me introduce to you Loudoun Flavor. Loudoun Flavor is an online, easy way to receive high-quality fresh farm produce. In addition to produce, the market offers dairy, confections, flowers, baked goods, meats, snacks, spreads and a variety of household items and gifts.

By using Loudoun Flavor, you can give your family healthier foods, support local hardworking farmers, better the environment and promote our local economy.

Most of the growers are certified naturally grown or certified organic, none of the meat, egg or dairy farmers use hormones, and the majority—all except for one—are antibiotic-free. All the baked goods are preservative-free and many use healthy sweeteners such as honey, agave and elderberry syrup.

Even the skin care products are 100 percent plant-based and have no chemical fragrances or petroleum-based oils.

Loudoun Flavor is so sure that it can help you become a healthier individual that it guarantees it. If a customer with a chronic condition—such as allergies, colitis, IBS, arthritis or migraines—shops through Loudoun Flavor weekly and does not feel significantly different after six months of balanced shopping, then Loudoun Flavor will refund its annual $25 membership fee, according to Market Manager Laura Davimes, who runs the operation with the assistance of Jon Lee.

Imagine doing your grocery shopping from the comfort of your own home or while sitting at your office, instead of wasting precious time plowing through the aisles after work. This convenience easily is a stress reducer.

Loudoun Flavor has local fresh produce available year-round and receives its variety of goods from more 30 farms and business throughout Virginia. Two-thirds of these vendors are from Loudoun County and the market represents more than 3,000 acres of mostly historic farmland across the county.

Current choices of winter produce being offered by Loudoun Flavor include root vegetables—such as turnips, carrots, beets and parsnips—salad greens, cooking greens, jammed fruit, fruit juices, cold storage apples, winter squash and the occasional potato. There is an abundance of produce from grass-fed beef to locally raised poultry. You can select from an assortment of cow and goat cheeses, freshly made yogurts, churned butter and baked goods, including granola, multigrain breads and pies.

If you are short on time, order a few of the prepared dishes such as handmade ravioli, and homemade soups and casseroles. The organization plans to start carrying seafood and hoop house growers in the future, Davimes said.

Ordering your groceries is easy through Loudoun Flavor's easy and straightforward Web site. The online market opens for ordering every other week from 1 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Wednesday. You can browse the market anytime. From spring through summer, the online market is open weekly. Groceries are delivered on Fridays. There are nine locations throughout Loudoun County where you pickup your order. In Ashburn, these are at and .

If you are looking to get even more involved with the community, Loudoun Flavor is always looking for volunteers to help at the pickup locations or for small businesses to become a host site for pickups. There is an annual membership of $25 to belong to Loudoun Flavor. This membership fee covers Web site maintenance and travel expenses, and helps support local farmers.

You can find Loudoun Flavor at loudounflavor.com or call 703-350-2790 for more information.