Dr. Uday Jani to discuss healthy living at Aug. 18 market

Plant the Seeds of Healthy Living, a special presentation by Uday Jani, MD, is set for 11 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Nassau Valley Vineyards Farmers Market, which will be open from 12 to 3 p.m.

Attendees will learn how to nourish themselves with nature’s best offerings, supporting local businesses and enjoying a beautiful day with family and friends. Integrative health physician Jani will explore why natural foods, arriving fresh and whole from area farms, are key to flourishing health for the individual, the community and the planet. 

The market offers a seasonally diverse selection of locally grown produce including squash, peaches, beets, radishes, tomatoes, herbs, lettuces, melons, blueberries and mushrooms. Also available are seafood honeys, jams, arts and crafts, and 

“I’m gratified to see the rising appreciation of fresh, unprocessed foods as more people embrace a healthier way of eating,” said Jani. “We are so fortunate to be able to find the foods we’re seeking – and those we haven’t yet tried – at this well-curated farmers market. A powerful connection to community is made when you can talk directly to the farmer who harvested the fresh vegetables or raised the chicken whose just-laid eggs you’re purchasing.”

Jani encourages families to bring their children to explore and ask questions. “There are so many ways to engage your children by watching a food demo together, sampling new vegetables, trying a piece of vegan pizza or browsing through organic treats for their pets,” he said.

The farmers market focus on sustainable and organic confers a host of health benefits as well, said Jani. Among the many natural products available are hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, cheeses and eggs from humanely raised animals. Honey made by bees from local plants and pollen may help minimize allergic reactions experienced when using honey made in different parts of the country.

Alpaca wool fiber contains no lanolin, is naturally hypoallergenic and can be worn without itching or irritation by people sensitive to sheep wool. Anti-microbial, anti-fungal and resistant to dust mites, alpaca wool fiber is often used for bedding products such as duvets and covers. Because it successfully wicks moisture away from the body, alpaca garments keep the wearer warm and comfortable in cold, wet conditions.

Locally grown and harvested oysters are ranked by the FDA and EPA as among the best choices for safe seafood to eat two or three times a week. Oysters contain very little fat and are rich in microminerals including iron, zinc, selenium, and copper. They’re also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which play a key role in brain function as well as normal growth and development; antioxidants, which can help prevent disease; and vitamin B12, critical for nervous system maintenance, metabolism and blood cell formation.

Donations of nonperishable snacks for Pathways for Success participants at Cape, Milford, Seaford and Sussex Tech high schools are also being collected at Jani’s Aug. 18 talk. Items needed include cereal bars, granola bars, snack-size peanut butter or sesame seed butter, individual bags of nuts/trail mix, crackers, individual tuna pouches, raisins, popcorn, pretzels, whole-grain nacho chips, applesauce, fruit cups, dried fruits, rice cakes, whole-grain goldfish, or any other healthy, single-serving snack.

Nassau Valley Vineyards hosts more than 20 local vendors offering fresh produce, organic milks and cheeses, dog food, pastries, breads, specialty coffees and teas, and beautiful artisanal crafts. It features live music, chef demos, yoga and more. The address is 32165 Winery Way in Lewes.

Jani is in private practice at Shore View Personal Care in Milton, where he blends the best of traditional, integrative and functional medicine. A board-certified internist, Jani believes in treating the whole person – not just the disease – utilizing an evidence-based integrative approach. He completed a two-year integrative medicine fellowship at the University of Arizona, recognized as the leading integrative medicine program in the world, followed by training at the Institute for Functional Medicine in Minneapolis, Minn.

For more information, go to www.nassauvalley.com/farmers-market and www.udayjanimd.com.