OK, so you are all on board with the healthy, organic food train- your grocery list is made, your recipes are picked out, and then you realize you have a problem: you don't have a store that provides everything that you need (as in a Whole Foods or natural food store). What do you do at this point? This is a question that I get all of the time- especially from my mom who is limited to a few choice stores and is a dedicated gym member and healthy eater! I have been coaching her through this for a few months- so I thought I would share what I have been helping her with. And this may save you a few dollars in the meantime too!
Here are my top 10 tips for making the best of what you have:
1. Buy as many unprocessed foods as you can! Processed foods are more expensive than whole foods and if you stick to the main food categories (fruits, vegetables, dairy, and grains) you will save a lot of money and your grocery list will immediately start to eliminate all of the unhealthy items on its own.
2. Shop seasonally! Fruits and vegetables that are in season will be cheaper, fresher, and also better for your body. Plus if you eat in-season you will always be switching it up and never get stuck in a food rut! Here is a website that will help you with what is in season. http://frugalliving.about.com/od/foodsavings/tp/Cheapest_Produce.htm
3. Pick the most important fruits and vegetables to buy organic! Fruits and vegetables where you eat the skin are the most important thing you can buy organic. So if you have to make the choice choose these. According to The Environmental Working Group, this includes: peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, imported grapes, pears, spinach, and potatoes.
4. Shake the hand that feeds you. AKA: Buy from a farmers market! This is not only the cheapest way to buy your groceries, but the most reliable way to know exactly what you are buying and eating. You will be closer to the producer of your food than ever before- which is a wonderful and empowering feeling. Most farmers market's end in the month of September but when they are accessible this is a MUST!
5. Join your local co-op. Many co-op's have programs where you sign up and each week you receive a different box of fruit and vegetables. You will receive what is in season and it will also force you to try different vegetables that you would have never bought before (once again helping you out of your food rut)! Many co-ops also offer locally produced meat! (Which means no hormones or additives AND no mistreatment of animals!)
which brings me to my next point...
6. Buy meat from a local meat market. Now- most people know that I do not eat meat- but I also realize that people do eat meat and there is a relatively humane way to eat meat- and it is from a local farmer. So find your local meat market to buy any of your meat products from now on. And cut out ALL meat from fast food chains. And from anywhere that the meat is provided by a factory farm. Period.
7. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables- not canned! If all of my other rules have failed you and you HAVE to have some blueberries (or whatever you crave) out of season (which is completely fine- I crave avocados and bananas all year round) you must buy frozen! There are so many less preservatives in frozen foods than canned- and a lot of times you can find them for the same price or even cheaper!
8. Tofu! I know that a lot of people are afraid of tofu- but don't be! It is SO delicious and SO good for your health. Tofu has more protein ounce for ounce than beef. I know that they sell tofu in every grocery store- and I have a ton of yummy tofu recipes that I will be posting soon.
9. Find a local farmer to buy eggs from. In every town there are farmers who's families depend on their crops- including their eggs. Support your local economy and find a farmer who is selling eggs from their own chickens. These chickens have been fed grain (not corn), gotten to live outside and take little dirt baths and live the life every chicken would dream of! They will taste fresher and be MUCH better for your health- and they are accessible wherever you are!
10. Grow your own! The best way to find out if something is fresh or in season is to grow it yourself! Starting a garden can be fun, educational, and delicious! This is a great activity for kids, and a way to get the whole family involved in the food that they eat. This way you have all of the vegetables that you want in your own backyard!
Hope these few tips help you to make the most out of every situation so that everyone can access the healthy, delicious foods that we all crave!
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