I’m a coupon clipper so you can imagine how difficult it can be to spend a few extra dollars on a healthy alternative, when there is no coupon involved. Good nutrition goes hand in hand with training and exercise …or at least it should. Try to remember the time and energy you put into creating your healthy body when you grocery shop. How important is good nutrion to you? The more important good nutrition rates to you the more you will be willing to spend a little extra on eating right. Would you agree spending money on things you enjoy or feel passionate about is easy to do? Figure out for yourself how much extra money you are willing to spend on nutrition dense food. If your normal grocery bill is $100 a week would an extra $20 break the bank?
Along with a few extra bucks you also need to be willing to spend a little extra time in planning. Before heading to the grocery store plan out your meals for the week. Check your pantry and then write out a grocery list based on what you will need to accomplish the meals you planned. Remember that convenience items like pre-cut veggies typically will increase your expenses. Be ready to wash, peal and chop your fruits and veggies when you return from the store. A little extra prep will go a long way in helping you achieve more nutritious eating. Watch the prices between organic and conventional produce, you will be surprised that sometimes the difference is a few cents. It’s worth spending the extra
organic produce
money on organic produce when is available. Pay attention to the season of produce, sales are better when produce is in its peak season,
buy lots, wash and freeze it for later. As for proteins they too have a cycle typically every 4-5 weeks you will find chicken breast, pork loin, lean ground beef, etc on sale so stock up and freeze. I personally try to purchase my meats and dairy all-natural, hormone free because I am a Mom to 3 great kids who do not need any extra help in their growth cycle! Cereals and some grains also have their own sale cycle typically 4 months so if you have the room, stock up for savings. Some would say invest in a freezer but I don’t think its necessary since the sale cycles are so frequent. A freezer may cost you more in usage than the savings you generate depending on the age of the unit.
If your confused on what foods are nutritious hire a nutritionist or talk to your trainer at fitness results. By hiring a trainer or More
So I was trying to figure out what produce was in season and came across this website Epicurious with a map of the United States Seasonal Ingredients. Click on your State and find out what’s in season and remember the best prices on produce happens during Peak-Season! Follow the drop down for great recipe ideas and descriptions. I love it, use it for stocking up and freezing your fresh produce. Freezing produce is a great way to enjoy your favorite fruits year around! Check it out and tell me what you think, do you love it as much as I do???
Here is what is in season for Summer for California!
There is so much information out there about eating “Organic” I wanted to research the reasons. In my research I came across this article and instead of researching further and writing my own I decided to share exactly what I found. Let me know what you think!
Once found only in health food stores, organic food is now a regular feature at most supermarkets. And that’s created a bit of a dilemma in the produce aisle. On one hand, you have a conventionally grown apple. On the other, you have one that’s organic. Both apples are firm, shiny and red. Both provide vitamins and fiber, and both are free of fat, sodium and cholesterol. Which should you choose?
Conventionally grown produce generally costs less, but is organic food safer or more nutritious? Get the facts before you shop.
Conventional vs. organic farming
The word “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don’t use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weed killers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.
Here are some key differences between conventional farming and organic farming:
Conventional
Organic
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth.
Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease.
Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use herbicides to manage weeds.
Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth.
Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.
Organic or not? Check the label
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed.
Any product labeled as organic must be USDA certified. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification; however, they’re still required to follow the USDA’s standards for organic foods.
If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it’s produced and processed according to the USDA standards. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.
Products certified 95 percent or more organic display this USDA seal.
Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry the USDA seal.
Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal plus the following wording, depending on the number of organic ingredients:
100 percent organic. To use this phrase, products must be either completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
Organic. Products must be at least 95 percent organic to use this term.
Products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients may say “made with organic ingredients” on the label, but may not use the seal. Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can’t use the seal or the word “organic” on their product labels. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.
Do ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ mean the same thing?
No, “natural” and “organic” are not interchangeable terms. You may see “natural” and other terms such as “all natural,” “free-range” or “hormone-free” on food labels. These descriptions must be truthful, but don’t confuse them with the term “organic.” Only foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.
Organic food: Is it more nutritious?
The answer isn’t yet clear. A recent study examined the past 50 years’ worth of scientific articles about the nutrient content of organic and conventional foods. The researchers concluded that organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs are comparable in their nutrient content. Research in this area is ongoing.
Organic food: Other considerations
Many factors influence the decision to choose organic food. Some people choose organic food because they prefer the taste. Yet others opt for organic because of concerns such as:
Pesticides. Conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these residues. According to the USDA, organic produce carries significantly fewer pesticide residues than does conventional produce. However, residues on most products — both organic and non-organic — don’t exceed government safety thresholds.
Food additives. Organic regulations ban or severely restrict the use of food additives, processing aids (substances used during processing, but not added directly to food) and fortifying agents commonly used in non-organic foods, including preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colorings and flavorings, and monosodium glutamate.
Environment. Some people buy organic food for environmental reasons. Organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil quality.
Are there downsides to buying organic?
One common concern with organic food is cost. Organic foods typically cost more than do their conventional counterparts. Higher prices are due, in part, to more expensive farming practices.
Because organic fruits and vegetables aren’t treated with waxes or preservatives, they may spoil faster. Also, some organic produce may look less than perfect — odd shapes, varying colors or smaller sizes. However, organic foods must meet the same quality and safety standards as those of conventional foods.
Food safety tips
Whether you go totally organic or opt to mix conventional and organic foods, be sure to keep these tips in mind:
Select a variety of foods from a variety of sources. This will give you a better mix of nutrients and reduce your likelihood of exposure to a single pesticide.
Buy fruits and vegetables in season when possible. To get the freshest produce, ask your grocer what day new produce arrives. Or check your local farmers market.
Read food labels carefully. Just because a product says it’s organic or contains organic ingredients doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthier alternative. Some organic products may still be high in sugar, salt, fat or calories.
Wash and scrub fresh fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. Washing helps remove dirt, bacteria and traces of chemicals from the surface of fruits and vegetables. Not all pesticide residues can be removed by washing, though. You can also peel fruits and vegetables, but peeling can mean losing some fiber and nutrients.
I’m a coupon clipper so you can imagine how difficult it can be to spend a few extra dollars on a healthy alternative, when there is no coupon involved. Good nutrition goes hand in hand with training and exercise …or at least it should. Try to remember the time and energy you put into creating your healthy body when you grocery shop. How important is good nutrion to you? The more important good nutrition rates to you the more you will be willing to spend a little extra on eating right. Would you agree spending money on things you enjoy or feel passionate about is easy to do? Figure out for yourself how much extra money you are willing to spend on nutrition dense food. If your normal grocery bill is $100 a week would an extra $20 break the bank?
