| Although recent studies have shown that there really | | | | for fresh foods. This way, you don't have unnecessary |
| aren't significant nutritional benefits to eating organic | | | | food going to waste. However, if it is an item that can |
| foods as compared to conventional foods, many are | | | | be frozen and it is at a good price, buy in bulk and |
| still choosing to pick items that are labeled as being | | | | stock up! Meat can be difficult to buy when trying to |
| organic. Those buying organic foods seem to be | | | | stick to a budget. Try to come up with meals that are |
| making their purchases based on what's not in the | | | | "meatless." By eating a few meals a week that don't |
| products, such as the pesticides and chemicals used to | | | | require any meat, you can save money easily. |
| grow conventional products. People that choose to | | | | Consider getting a CSA membership. Community |
| purchase organic foods are doing so to avoid ingesting | | | | Shared Agriculture or CSA, is available for you to |
| pesticides, but also to help the environment by not | | | | order food from a local farmer, much like you would |
| supporting foods created with pesticide use. | | | | order a subscription to a magazine. When available, |
| However, if you've ever tried shopping for organic | | | | you will receive a share of local fruits, vegetables, |
| foods, you may have encountered some difficulties. | | | | eggs, and meats, all depending upon what is in season. |
| First, organic foods are typically more expensive. Since | | | | However, you don't necessarily get to choose what |
| farmers growing organic foods are not using | | | | types of products you will receive, so if you have |
| chemicals and pesticides, their labor may be a bit more | | | | picky eaters in your family this may not be the best |
| tedious, which drives up the price of their products. | | | | option. Also, you may have to get creative with some |
| Also, you may find that some organic foods seem to | | | | of your recipes to incorporate the items in your share. |
| spoil sooner than those that are not labeled as organic. | | | | Farmer's Markets are also a great place to find locally, |
| This is due to the fact that they contain no chemicals | | | | organic grown foods. Although items may seem |
| to help with preservation, like some conventional items | | | | pricey, there are ways to obtain some things more |
| do. In some cases, organic foods may look a little | | | | affordably. If you wait until close to the end of the day, |
| different, perhaps with a different shape, slightly | | | | many of the prices at the Farmer's Markets are |
| different colors, and maybe even be smaller in size. | | | | marked down in order to sell them before the market |
| Taste is one factor that depends more upon the | | | | closes. You could even consider growing some of |
| person. Some claim they can tell a difference in taste | | | | your own food. Items like cherry tomatoes and herbs |
| between organic and non-organic foods, while others | | | | are very easy to grow and can be done in a sunny |
| think there is little or no discrepancy between the two. | | | | window, or on a patio. As you get used to growing |
| According to "The Daily Green", a website for | | | | simpler items, you can learn how to grow even more |
| environmentally conscious people, there are thirteen | | | | complicated foods. |
| fruits and vegetables that you should buy as organic, | | | | With a little research and comparison of prices, organic |
| due to the high level of chemicals used when growing | | | | foods can fit into your budget. If eating organically is |
| them conventionally. These items include peaches, | | | | important to you, finding other places in your budget to |
| apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, | | | | make sacrifices may be helpful as well. |
| strawberries, cherries, kale, leafy greens, grapes, | | | | Feeling Good about Going Organic |
| carrots, pears, and potatoes. Meat and milk are two | | | | Making the choice to purchase and consume organic |
| other recommendations the site gives as items you | | | | food is a personal one. However, it is a choice that |
| should buy organically, due to the hormones and | | | | you should feel very good about making. By |
| antibiotics given to some animals, as well as the types | | | | purchasing organic foods, you are choosing to support |
| of grass they eat. Additionally, the Environmental | | | | farmers whose crops are grown without anything |
| Working Group has published "The Shopper's Guide to | | | | contaminating the ground or water. |
| Pesticides", which ranks forty-seven fruits and | | | | Only three percent of the food products in America |
| vegetables by their contamination levels. | | | | are organic products. Nevertheless, many people are |
| On the other hand, "The Daily Green" also lists a few | | | | becoming more interested in organic products and the |
| things that do not need to be organic, in case you are | | | | importance of consuming them instead of conventional |
| wondering which items you should spend a little more | | | | products. Awareness of the toxic chemicals being |
| on for the organic label. According to their list, onions, | | | | used when growing crops is increasing and people are |
| avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangos, asparagus, | | | | more and more concerned about the toxins they are |
| sweat peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, | | | | ingesting, as well as what is happening to the |
| watermelon, broccoli, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes | | | | environment. |
| are all items that you could pass on the organic label. | | | | When you choose to eat organically, you join the likes |
| Most of these items either are limited in their exposure | | | | of many celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Christian |
| to pesticides, or they have such hard outer layers that | | | | Slater, Daryl Hannah, Christina Aguilera, Gwyneth |
| the pesticides cannot easily impact them. | | | | Paltrow, along with many others. These celebrities all |
| When deciding which organic foods best fit your | | | | care about their health and the pesticide and chemical |
| budget, there are many factors to consider. If you | | | | levels that non-organic food may possess, and have |
| want to purchase from the long list of fruits and | | | | chosen to help the environment through their support |
| vegetables mentioned above, make sure you are | | | | of organic grown food. |
| buying them in season. For instance, purchase your | | | | There are many recipes available using organic |
| apples in the fall, and save grapes and strawberries | | | | products that are quick and easy to create for you or |
| for the summer. This will help save quite a bit of | | | | your family. You can start with something simple like |
| money. Also plan your meals around what is on sale. If | | | | an organic salad with fresh herbs using the following |
| a certain type of organic meat is on sale, stock up on | | | | ingredients: |
| it and freeze some for later. | | | | Organic greens |
| Buying organic is a personal decision. There are many | | | | Baby greens |
| benefits to doing so, however, it may not always be | | | | Arugula |
| the easiest choice to make based on the higher prices. | | | | Spinach |
| You must weigh your options and decide what is best | | | | Mixed greens |
| for you and your family. | | | | Organic tomatoes, diced |
| Buying Organics on a Budget | | | | Sunflower sprouts |
| Perhaps you have decided that purchasing organic | | | | Mushrooms , sliced |
| foods is going to be a priority for your family. Although | | | | Yellow peppers, sliced |
| your budget may not have much wiggle room, there | | | | Basil, minced |
| are ways to make this lifestyle work. Fortunately with | | | | Oregano |
| more and more interest in organically grown food, | | | | Mint |
| there are many options available. | | | | Thyme |
| Many chain grocery stores, and even some | | | | Parsley |
| warehouse type stores are beginning to offer more | | | | 1/4 cup Non-fat Italian dressing |
| organic options than they once did. These items will be | | | | 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar |
| labeled, but make sure they say "USDA Organic", as | | | | Simply mix equal amounts of the greens, and place the |
| they are the only ones that have met USDA | | | | tomatoes, sunflower sprouts, mushrooms, peppers, |
| standards. Although organic items will typically be | | | | and any other fresh produce items on top. Sprinkle the |
| higher in price than conventional items, by purchasing | | | | herbs on top to your liking, and just before serving, mix |
| them at places like Wal-Mart and Costco, you may | | | | the dressing and vinegar together and drizzle over the |
| find that they will still fit into your budget. | | | | salad. You can also add ground pepper or |
| There are also some smaller, local organic grocery | | | | peppercorns for additional flavor. |
| stores. Typically these stores will have prices quite a | | | | An option for a super easy meal for the family could |
| bit higher, just as any local, non-chain based grocery | | | | be made with an organic chicken, organic rice, and |
| store would. However, if you are fortunate enough to | | | | sauteing organic vegetables to go along with it. There |
| live in an area that offers a Trader Joe's or Whole | | | | are countless recipes on the Internet, and even organic |
| Foods Market you may have better luck cost-wise. | | | | cookbooks you can purchase to give you endless |
| These larger organic chain stores have endless | | | | ideas for meals. Of course, many of your current |
| options, and prices are a bit more affordable. Whole | | | | recipes can be fixed organically, simply by using |
| Food Markets even offer a 10% discount if you buy | | | | organic items in place of what you would normally use. |
| items in bulk. | | | | Whether you've chosen to eat organically for many |
| Buying items that are in season will save you money. | | | | years, or you are a newcomer to the idea, there are |
| Don't be afraid to ask your grocer what days certain | | | | many resources and options available to help you |
| fruits and vegetables arrive to the store. By purchasing | | | | continue with your healthy lifestyle. Certainly, with more |
| those items as soon as they arrive, they will stay | | | | and more awareness, the organic market will only |
| fresher longer. Make sure you only buy what you need | | | | continue to improve. |