Let’s be honest, in today’s world, it’s easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. There are endless choices, constant noise, and a fast-paced lifestyle that has complicated even the simplest aspects of life—like how we eat. We have a food industry that thrives on selling us on convenience and excess (because who doesn’t love a side of toxic chemicals with their dinner, right?). But what if the key to better health and a little more peace of mind was as simple as what’s on your plate? Simplify your plate, simplify your life. Welcome to why we are working on being as “farm to table” in our home as possible—and no, we didn’t trade in our car for a tractor. Yet.

For our family, this decision and approach to what and how we eat is about much more than nutrition—it’s about simplifying our lives. The truth is, when you simplify the way you approach food, everything else seems to fall into place. And while farm-fresh might sound like a luxury, it’s actually one of the most down-to-earth, intentional choices we’ve made. 

The Complication of Convenience

We live in a time where everything is designed for convenience (and it’s going to be the death of us, I swear). Grocery store shelves are lined with processed foods (did you hear about the boycott on Kellogg’s this week?) filled with cancer-causing ingredients, and drive-thrus offer quick fixes for when you’re too busy to even think. But in the name of “convenience”, we’ve been left with complications. Suddenly, you’re staring at the science experiment sitting on your plate thinking, wait… what even is this? And we sit back and watch the chronic disease in our country skyrocket.

When we rely on highly processed, pre-packaged options, we’re introducing complication into our lives—ingredient labels we can’t pronounce, health risks we can’t see, and a disconnection from the most basic human need: real and whole food.

For me, simplifying our food choices as a family by choosing farm-fresh, local options has been a way to reduce that complication. There’s something incredibly liberating about knowing exactly where your food comes from, how it was grown, and who grew it. It’s a small act of rebellion—stepping out of line and flipping the bird to the corporations profiting off the poor health of our society. Take that, Big Ag.

Simplicity Isn’t a Privilege—It’s a Choice

Whenever I bring up the subject of eating farm-fresh or organic, I’m usually hit with the classic argument: “Oh, that’s a privilege. Only people with extra time and money can afford that.”. Newsflash? Simplicity is a choice, not a luxury. For us, simplifying our food is about cutting out what’s unnecessary, not about having excess.

Our biggest expense, next to rent, is our food budget. But that’s because we’ve made a conscious decision to invest in what actually matters. I don’t own designer handbags, and you won’t catch me splurging on whatever the latest trend is. Instead, we spend intentionally on the stuff that nourishes us—the thing that literally keeps us going so we can live as fully as we can.

The idea that farm-to-table eating is only for the privileged is a misconception. Simplifying the way we eat doesn’t require more; it actually demands less. Less processed junk, less packaging, and way less distance between you and where your food comes from. It’s about getting back to basics in a world that’s gone out of its way to overcomplicate and cheapen everything.

Our great-grandparents truly knew best. 

Simplifying Your Meals Will Simplify Your Life

Choosing farm-fresh, whole foods doesn’t just simplify what’s on your plate—it simplifies your entire life. Here’s how this plays out in my home:

1. Fewer Choices, Less Overwhelm:
   When you focus on fresh, local ingredients, you instantly eliminate thousands of pointless decisions. Instead of wandering aimlessly down aisles full of processed junk, you’re dialing in on nutrient-dense foods you can actually feel good about. And as a mom, the peace of mind that comes from not having to Google every unpronounceable ingredient? Priceless.
2. More Connection, Less Disconnection:
   Shopping farmers markets or growing your own food brings you closer to the source. A way to ground yourself in the simplicity of nature. There’s no middleman, no hidden processes—just fresh ingredients, as they were meant to be enjoyed. Not to mention, this naturally drives you to be cooking your meals which, in turn, brings everyone to the table. And there will never be anything more valuable to me than that. Especially in a world that wants us running at full speed at all times. #BringBackFamilyDinner
3. More Nutrients, Less Guesswork:
   With locally grown food, you’re not stuck playing detective in the grocery store, squinting at labels, and wondering if your dinner is packed with fillers. You know exactly what you’re putting into your body—real food, real nutrients—and that means less stress about whether you’re doing it right.

Simplifying our approach to food leads to more time, energy, and mental clarity. Period. No longer do we have to be caught up in the chaos of processed food marketing or wondering if we made the right choices. It’s a small shift that reduces complication in so many areas of daily life.

The Cost of Not Simplifying

Many people argue that a farm-to-table lifestyle is too expensive. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing because here’s the reality: while simplifying what you eat may cost more upfront, not being more intentional with the foods you bring into your home will cost you far more in the long run—financially, physically, and emotionally.

Processed foods might seem cheaper, but they come with hidden costs: chronic health issues, medical bills, and a lack of vitality that no amount of money can buy back. People think farm-fresh is expensive, but they haven’t seen how costly disease is.

What you put in your body now will either fuel your vitality or drain your future.

When we choose to invest in quality food, we’re choosing to avoid the more complex and devastating costs that come with poor health. It’s about paying for good food now instead of paying for illness later.

Start Small: Practical Ways to Simplify Your Food

You don’t need to transform your entire pantry overnight. This change starts small and there are practical ways to bring locally grown, honest food into your life without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Shop at Farmers Markets:
   Farmers markets offer local, seasonal produce that simplifies your choices. Plus, the quality is far better than what you find at large grocery stores, and you’re supporting local growers directly. This website will help you find the options near you. 
2. Start Your Own Garden:
   Even a few herbs on your windowsill can really make a difference. If you are short on space, look into container gardening. Growing your own food is the ultimate way to simplify and rid yourself of the complexity of the supply chain.
3. Cut Out the Middleman:
   Look into co-ops, farm shares, or Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs that deliver fresh food straight from local farms to your door. You’re cutting out the corporate middlemen and opting for direct, wholesome nourishment.

Simplify What You Eat, and Watch Your Life Transform

In a world that glorifies excess and thrives on cheap fixes, I have found so much peace in simplicity. There truly is a quiet luxury that comes from it. By simplifying what we eat, we’ve simplified our lives in more ways than we could have imagined. From less decision fatigue to feeling more connected to the food that nourishes us—the benefits go far beyond the dinner plate.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about food—it’s about the life we’re choosing to cultivate. A life where what matters most is given the priority it deserves. For us, that’s our health, our well-being, and our ability to live fully. This is why we eat farm to table as much as we possibly can.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this subject – how are you simplifying this area of your life?

For more editions of Wellness Wednesday and the journey my family and I have been, click here.