| Why Eat Organic? The question should be, why not? I | | | | visit as many stores in my area as possible to take a |
| have been eating organic food for about three years | | | | tally of what foods and drinks they carry and |
| now though I do cheat on occasion. I chose to switch | | | | compared the prices. I found which stores carry the |
| after reading two books. The first was by Kevin | | | | foods I eat on a regular basis and which stores I would |
| Trudeau and the second by Jordan Rubin. Many of | | | | visit on occasion for items like Goji and Noni juice. Even |
| you have seen Trudeau on television promoting his | | | | though it didn't take as much of a toll on my |
| books and may see him simply as a businessperson | | | | pocketbook as I expected, we all still need to cut |
| trying to make money. There are many skeptics who | | | | corners and find the best bargains for our hard-earned |
| think that his Natural Cures book is a sham. I'm not | | | | money. |
| going to lie when I state that I was slightly frustrated | | | | Eating organic and saving money can go hand-in-hand |
| that the book was more of a reference tool. The book | | | | if you do it right and make it important enough to |
| itself made me want to eat healthier but it referred to | | | | dedicate some time to each week. I may not have a |
| Internet websites and other books to answer many of | | | | foolproof method, but for now, I shop at a wide variety |
| my questions. I was discouraged when I visited | | | | of stores at different times depending on what I want |
| Trudeau's website to find that I would need to become | | | | to buy. I have officially freed myself from the |
| a member to receive more information. I'm sure this is | | | | over-priced neighborhood "health food store". It was |
| a great system for Trudeau to make millions and this | | | | convenient to get everything I need in one place, but it |
| might make him seem unreliable, not to mention, he | | | | was costing me an arm and a leg. I may shop at one |
| certainly doesn't have a background in health care. | | | | or four of these stores on the weekend: Trader Joe's, |
| One thing I can say about Trudeau is that the concept | | | | Price Chopper, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, a local |
| of eating healthy and staying healthy simply by eating | | | | fish market, a small nutrition store in the next town and |
| an organic version of all the food I eat now certainly | | | | a local co-op. I stopped shopping at Shaw's once I |
| sparked my interest. I was also pleased with the fact | | | | bought my third item of expired organic food. The only |
| that he wasn't afraid to tell the general public why the | | | | thing I travel for is my raw organic milk and it's worth |
| government benefits from offering us trash food like | | | | every mile for milk that tastes just like thinned vanilla |
| McDonald's and Burger King. I was certainly convinced | | | | ice cream! |
| that eating organic was the way to go when I read | | | | I'm going to leave you with a list of some of the items I |
| Jordan Rubin's story. He was diagnosed with Crohn's | | | | buy, from where, and an idea of what each cost so |
| Disease and cured himself after many unsuccessful | | | | you can see that it is possible to eat healthy on a |
| bouts of hospital visits in and out of the U.S. | | | | budget- as long as you don't mind doing a little extra |
| I decided to put what I learned to good use and | | | | work and of course a little cooking! Keep this in mind |
| started shopping at the neighborhood "health food | | | | when you are the one trying to convince someone to |
| store". I dropped those extra pounds like nothing once I | | | | switch to organic and they think it's ridiculous. Give |
| switched to organic food, mind you; this was after | | | | them this example, If you were at work and you had a |
| many months of diet attempts. There were times | | | | splitting headache that was making you sick but had |
| when I would just have salads only and the weight just | | | | no medicine and your coworker offered you a new |
| seemed impossible to get rid of! What I didn't know | | | | over-the-counter pain reliever and told you it works |
| when I was gobbling down my salads is the fact that I | | | | better than any other, would you question them, or |
| was also gobbling down pesticides. | | | | would you say thank you and take the pill? Why |
| Plenty of people are aware that there are pesticides | | | | wouldn't you question a chemical that is about to enter |
| found in much of the produce at the grocery store but | | | | your body yet you will question why you should eat |
| we don't hear about anyone getting sick or dying from | | | | pure food? |
| it, so we eat it. What some people do not know (like | | | | Here's my list: |
| myself at the time) is that when you consume foods | | | | Local Fish Market, "Mekong": |
| like these, the toxins in your stomach start to build up | | | | Haddock (Not farm-raised!) $4.99/lb. |
| and prevent your body from releasing waste, in turn | | | | Salmon (Not farm-raised!) $5.99/lb. |
| making us gain unnecessary weight. I was beginning to | | | | Grocery stores are running out of fresh fish and are |
| cleanse my body and began to feel better than ever. I | | | | turning to unhealthy farm-raised fish, not to mention |
| was happy that I was at my normal weight again and I | | | | fresh wild-caught fish from your local fish market is |
| noticed that once this weight was achieved, I stopped | | | | cheaper! |
| losing. I can maintain my weight even when I splurge on | | | | Local Food Co-Op: (This store is approximately 12' by |
| organic chocolate or other treats because they're not | | | | 12'. It is a little treasure that I would never know about |
| stuffed with chemicals. | | | | without doing research online. Everything listed here is |
| I tried to convince people to get onboard the organic | | | | organic. This is great for folks who have very little |
| wagon many times and was slightly unsuccessful. I | | | | money to spend because you can volunteer your time |
| continue to try to convince my mom but it isn't taking. | | | | and work there to receive discounts on your |
| There is a huge misconception out there that organic | | | | purchases! Most items are in bins so you bring your |
| food is like rabbit food but this is completely false! I'm | | | | own bags and weigh them.): |
| on my way to convincing my best friend, but her | | | | Black beans |
| husband is not interested and dinnertime can be a | | | | Kidney Beans |
| challenge when you need to make two separate | | | | Pinto Beans |
| meals. It can sometimes be difficult as a guest at | | | | (Basically, any beans) |
| someone's home when they notice that you are eating | | | | Split Peas (All organic legumes run from $.99-1.75/lb.) |
| very little food. Some may choose to poke fun at you | | | | Rolled Oats about $1.00/lb. |
| simply because they don't understand. For example | | | | Hazelnut chocolate bar I can't find anywhere else! |
| I've attended gatherings where a friend or family | | | | $3.99 |
| member will say something like, "We made this food | | | | Celtic sea salt about $1.50 will fill a saltshaker (This is a |
| for the party, but you can't eat it because only eat | | | | huge savings!) |
| organic". Sometimes I feel like a rebel when all I've | | | | The Nutrition Source: (This is another little treasure that |
| been doing is making healthy food choices for my | | | | I discovered in the town next door and they are very |
| family and myself. I have officially decided to just keep | | | | similar to the most popular nutrition store in the city at |
| it to myself for the most part, but no one can stop me | | | | about half the cost. They also throw in free samples |
| from sharing my discovery with a general audience. I | | | | when they get new products. This is priceless- literally. |
| don't intend to preach to anyone about what they | | | | You must find a store like this.) |
| should or shouldn't do because I have been known to | | | | I buy my organic legumes, oatmeal and sea salt here |
| stray occasionally. My point is to let you know that you | | | | when I don't go to the co-op because they are close |
| can look and feel great by simply switching to organic | | | | to the same price but have a smaller selection with |
| food and I want to spread the word because the | | | | pre-made bags. |
| differences I've seen in myself are so remarkable I | | | | Raw organic honey small jar $4.99 |
| hope that everyone can have the same experience. | | | | Organic spinach pasta about $2.49 per box |
| I am no longer "lactose intolerant". I couldn't even look | | | | Organic raisins about $1.50/lb |
| at a piece of cheese or glass of milk three years ago | | | | Goji berry juice 1 liter usually $35.99 but has been on |
| without getting sick and wasn't interested in taking | | | | sale at $26.99 for months (This never happens |
| over-priced Lactaid pills every day to enjoy the foods I | | | | anywhere else.) |
| love. I basically stopped eating cheese and drinking | | | | Noni juice 1 liter about $36.99 per bottle (The Goji and |
| milk- not a great idea. These stomachaches did not | | | | Noni will last 2-4 weeks) |
| just happen when I consumed these products. I was a | | | | Organic coconut oil about $11.99 for a jar that will last 1 |
| teacher working with children of special needs and | | | | month |
| was under a decent amount of stress so I attributed | | | | Natural hair gel about $9.99 for a bottle that lasts my |
| this as the reason for having an upset stomach every | | | | husband 1 month |
| single day. It would start right after lunch and would last | | | | Jason's natural whitening toothpaste about $5.99 |
| for at least a half hour, if not, for the whole afternoon. I | | | | I need to be careful in this little store because I can |
| would have an upset stomach when traveling because | | | | easily drop $100.00 simply because of the deals and |
| I was paranoid that my everyday stomachache would | | | | fun new items. Don't forget stay focused when |
| come back and I'd be trapped in the car or even | | | | shopping! |
| worse- public transportation. The stomachaches got | | | | Misty Brook Farm: (This one's the doozie. This is |
| worse and I skipped many meals just to avoid being | | | | where I don't cut corners and spend the most amount |
| sick for the rest of the day. Little did I realize all I had to | | | | of money on a consistent basis. I travel 45 minutes |
| do is eat food that wasn't toxic and eat more of it! | | | | away to this nearest farm to purchase my delicious |
| Even though I still looked decent, I noticed that certain | | | | raw organic milk. The farm offers a meat as well as a |
| things just weren't the same. My nails were thin and | | | | limited variety of products according to season but |
| brittle. My chin was constantly breaking out. My hair | | | | every one is 100% fresh and most are organic.) |
| started to thin and my doctor tested me for | | | | One 1/2 Gallon raw organic milk in the canning jar |
| malnourishment. The doctor said I need to eat more | | | | (Almost straight from the cow!) $4.50 plus deposit (I |
| and take Lactaid and she fluffed me off with a bag full | | | | usually buy four but it's never enough. Read more |
| of sample packets of fiber and calcium supplements | | | | about the benefits of raw "organic" milk and believe |
| and sent me on my way. Thinking back now, I find it a | | | | me everything good you read is true.) |
| little funny that the supplements contained propylene | | | | Organic Potatoes $2.99/lb. Straight from the ground! |
| glycol, an agent used to clean antifreeze off the floors | | | | Organic free range chicken and duck eggs $5.00 |
| of garages. | | | | dozen |
| After many stomachaches, new diets and much | | | | Meat is very expensive but delicious and the cleanest |
| research, I finally switched to raw organic cheese and | | | | meat in the market. |
| fresh raw milk found at a farm in Massachusetts and | | | | Trader Joe's: (This place is tricky because very few of |
| my lactose nightmare was over. Raw milk and cheese | | | | the products that read organic are 80% organic or |
| contain the necessary live enzymes needed to help | | | | more. They could just be 50% or more and this leaves |
| our stomach break down lactose and digest easier. | | | | room for 1/2 of the product to contain junk.): |
| Pasteurization and homogenization destroy these live | | | | Stoneyfield Farm Yogurt large container is $1.00 |
| enzymes along with most of the vitamins. Why drink | | | | cheaper than at the grocery store |
| milk and eat cheese when they practically have no | | | | Organic Bananas 3/$1.00 |
| benefit to your health because they've been stripped | | | | Organic apples $4.99/5 lb. Bag |
| of everything that makes them good in the first place? | | | | Organic oranges $5.99/ 5lb. bag |
| Not to mention, wash it down with some Lactaid and | | | | Hummus about $1.00 cheaper than the grocery store |
| water as well as a few unwanted chemicals I'm sure? | | | | Organic russet/red potatoes $4.99/bag |
| My nails and skin became much healthier as a result of | | | | Organic cereal $1.00-2.00 cheaper than grocery store |
| drinking raw milk and I can now enjoy both milk and | | | | Organic pasta sauce $1.00 cheaper than grocery store |
| cheese without the agonizing pain that would normally | | | | Eggs $4.99/dozen (Average price but better "grocery |
| follow. | | | | store" eggs) |
| Many people think that raw milk is dangerous. I did | | | | Organic Fruit strips for snacks $.49 ea. |
| plenty of research before deciding to drink it and even | | | | Natural oatmeal/almond soap- huge bar $2.99 |
| more research before I gave it to my daughter. It is | | | | Tip: Don't buy the bread because it is extremely dry. |
| safe when you buy the raw milk from a local farm | | | | Here's the easy part: |
| that is certified organic because the milk is constantly | | | | I shop at the grocery stores for pretty much |
| tested for bacteria counts and the farm receives | | | | everything else because it is convenient. You really |
| many unscheduled visits for random testing. The farm | | | | must be careful not to stray when you're at the |
| is not allowed to sell the milk if the bacteria count is | | | | grocery store and you want to be sure that you're not |
| above a certain level and will lose their license until it | | | | buying something that is "natural" because it means |
| meets the appropriate standards. The cows are fed | | | | nothing. I usually purchase products that normally have |
| hay and alfalfa during the winter and roam freely | | | | a long shelf life from the grocery store. Products that |
| through the pastures. They are stress free and are | | | | need to be fresh like fish, eggs and milk need to be |
| not forced to eat corn that takes a toll on their | | | | purchased elsewhere. |
| system- even with four stomachs! | | | | Do research online and look up organic food to find |
| Raw milk and cheese coupled with organic food has | | | | stores local to you. Do some window-shopping for the |
| changed my health for the better. I also drink Goji | | | | items you purchase the most and find the best places |
| berry juice for extended health benefits as well as | | | | to shop to stock up on necessities. Get great recipes |
| Noni juice on occasion. They each cost about $35.99 | | | | on line as well. Certainly check out Jordan Rubin's |
| per bottle so I drink them when I can and alternate | | | | website and his books to have an understanding of |
| between the two simply to maintain my budget. | | | | how much you can change your life by eating organic |
| Speaking of budgeting, you're probably wondering how | | | | food. Read about the benefits of organic coconut oil, |
| in the world I manage healthy eating with the economy | | | | Goji and Noni juice and raw milk. |
| the way it is while practically living paycheck to | | | | You will realize that there is very little you need to |
| paycheck. First and foremost, I admitted to myself that | | | | change. You'll most likely just be buying a healthier |
| I would probably need to make a few sacrifices here | | | | version of the foods you already eat and may |
| and there to free up part of my budget for more | | | | discover a few new things that you like. If you look |
| expensive food. What I realized down the road is that I | | | | hard enough, you'll find that there is and organic version |
| was actually spending around the same amount of | | | | of almost everything out there. Making the switch can |
| money, slightly more on occasion. Why? Because | | | | be as simple as beginning to buy only organic foods at |
| when you eat organic, you eat less since the food | | | | your grocery store until you get the urge to explore |
| actually makes you full. I made it my part-time job to | | | | even more. Enjoy! |