Winter is citrus time here in Arizona, and I've been enjoying the sweet, juicy navel oranges from my backyard tree, the lemons my brother-in-law brings me from his house, and the lovely pink grapefruits I've been buying at the produce market. While my garden is not producing ripe tomatoes (yet!), I have been savoring fresh picked mesclun salad and steamed broccoli with my dinner. There's just something so comforting and satisfying about eating peak-of-freshness, seasonal foods.

Eating with the seasons can be good for you, easier on your pocketbook and better for the environment, too! Seasonal eating means choosing foods that are currently ripe and available in your area - whether from the local farmers market, grocery store or your own backyard.

By buying what's in season locally, you will be getting the freshest, tastiest produce. Food ripened naturally with minimal transit time from field or garden to table not only tastes better, but is more nutritious as well.

Local, seasonal produce is also less expensive than produce harvested halfway around the world and then processed, stored and shipped to the local grocery store. All of that processing and transportation carries a lot of expense that will be passed along to you, the consumer. In addition to saving money  by buying locally grown produce, you will also be supporting the local economy by buying from your neighbors.

Not only does the processing, storage and transportation of food add to its shelf price, it has a significant impact on the environment as well. Eating local seasonal foods is a simple way to lower your carbon footprint.

Aside from the practical reasons listed above, there's just something rhythmic and balanced about eating with the seasons that leaves me feeling more in synch with nature - especially when some of that delicious food comes right out of my own backyard.

Want to know what's in season right now in the local area? Check out this  month-by-month list of seasonal delights. Want to know where to purchase local, seasonal produce? Here's a list of farmers markets all over Arizona.