Why is it important to eat organic and/or local? 

Buying local food means you’re eating the most nutrient-dense food available. Eating locally also means eating seasonally, which helps retain the most health benefits. When food is picked unripe and then travels around the world to get to you or sits for months before being consumed, it loses most of its nutrients and flavor. Many small food producers choose not to use pesticides, herbicides, hormones and antibiotics, but can't afford to be certified organic. If you’re shopping at a farmers’ market, you can ask them directly about their growing practices, rather than depending on the “USDA Organic Seal,” which tends to raise food prices. More than 600 active chemicals are registered for agricultural use in America today, which—based on the average crop application—equates to about 16 pounds of chemical pesticides per person per year. Pesticides have been linked to development problems in children, are carcinogenic, and may disrupt the body’s hormone system.

 Kimberly Medici  //  Table Nectar //  6642 Merchandise Way, Suite 500, Diamond Springs  //  530-344-7613

What should I look for when purchasing a saddle?

When purchasing a saddle, there are three important factors to consider. First, the fit for the horse. Saddles come in different "trees," depending on the shape of the horse’s back; a quarter horse saddle will fit differently than an Arab saddle, for example, since they’re constructed on different trees due to [the horse’s] different skeletal and muscle conformation. Second, the fit for the rider. Saddles come in different seat sizes, so the rider needs to be fit, as well as the horse. Lastly, the material the saddle is constructed from. Many times we recommend a lighter cordura material for women and children, as opposed to leather, simply for the weight.

 Tegan Lee  //  Lees’ Feed and Western Store, Inc.  //  4110 Mother Lode Drive, Shingle Springs  //  530-677-4891