8 Wednesday, September 25, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... Fresh Food Farmacy program changes lives Seed to Table Executive Director The limitations to having extremely high blood pres- sure were crippling for local Sisters resident Brian (name changed for anonymity). Having to take six medica- tions a day had become nor- mal. Brian9s blood pressure was often recorded at danger- ous levels, which had led him to five emergency room visits in 2018. The doctor was so con- cerned that Brian had a home monitoring system directly connected to the doctor9s office, reporting readings on an hourly basis. Although doctors had recommended a diet richer in fresh fruits and vegetables, Brian and his wife simply did not know how to cook and use more fresh foods in their diet. In addi- tion, the bills were already maxed out. The six-year norm changed over the course of the past four months after their physician guided the couple to join Seed to Table9s new Fresh Food Farmacy program. Brian now enjoys his morning, only having to take one of his previous six medications to control his blood pressure. And no, it was not one super pill that Brian had to switch to. In fact it was going back to basics of switching meals from pro- cessed freezer meals to Seed to Table9s fresh fruits and vegetables, and Splitting Aces Ranch9s lean, pasture raised meats. About three years ago, Dr. Kevin Miller of High Lakes Health Care and myself were having an inspired conversa- tion about the power of fresh vegetables. As a physician Dr. Miller emphasizes peo- ple9s diets are a major foun- dation for maintaining and improving their health. Miller expressed how the growing body of research supports the idea that when people eat well, they stay healthier and are more likely to control chronic diseases and perhaps even avoid them altogether. A healthy diet isn9t as easy as popping a pill, it takes time, resources and dedication to switch habits. Thus, the idea sparked for Seed to Table to launch the Fresh Food Farmacy; where patients are