How Can I Afford Going Organic?
If a Frugal Gourmet is possible I know a Frugal Organic is definitely possible. Actually, they can be one in the same, if that's what you feel you need to do...
Simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.
Unfortunately the advantages of going organic in today's society are confusing and could potentially put you in the poor house. Here's a link to a decent article on the subject that I thought would give you a less biased view on making a decision to be or not to be organic.
If you choose to go organic on consumable food products I have a a few helpful tips for you that could give your grocery budget a break. I think it is a personal choice based on an individuals' views on sustainability, the environment, their own health and wellness and budget - not necessarily in that order.
The article above is a good one and it gives you something to think about (not to worry). I have a list of the Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen that I use and are important to my lifestyle mainly due to my chronic illness but my goal is to become full organic within the next few years. Right now I'm about 30% organic. I try to add at least 15% every year as my budget allows and it has proven to be financially painless. Decide what you need to do for you and your family. Get a plan. Stick to it!
Anyway, here are the tips that you may or may not have heard before but I found useful:
Stores: ALDI Stores now has gone organic with their fresh fruits and vegetables. If you have a larger family or love to freeze and can fruits and vegetables in or out of season this is the place to go.
Trader Joe's has always been my go-to store for organic and all-natural foods! Not that into the crowds. Sometimes the goings-on in there can be very distracting but informative. I can pick up anything there and feel secure that it is good for me. The prices are reasonable and I enjoy the healthy, ready-made options. I'm not always in the mood to chop, season and saute fresh foods (who is?). Trader Joe's takes care to take care of that for you with those ready-made meals.
If you really like something and it is not already frozen, get it and freeze it if possible. The ready-made options change often. I can't remember when I last had their turkey chili bean pasta. Does anybody remember when they sold that? It was years ago when I first moved here and found it in the Cary, NC store.
For a memorable meal of healthy organic culinary delights save your money (as with any dinner party worth putting on) and go to Whole Foods. I've made a couple of these special occasion meals. My sisters and I still talk about the Scallion grilled New York strip steaks, the shredded zucchini, squash and carrot nests with lemon thyme butter, the roasted fingerling potatoes with rosemary and the lemon sabayon with sugar lemon slices! You have to start with great, simple ingredients and recipes that will allow the flavor of the organic meal to shine through. It really is clean eating!
I've also created the same kind of luncheon with The Produce Box. They deliver fresh, seasonal fruits, vegetables and farm-fresh prepared foods weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly to your door. You can opt-out a week a month or even a season. You can also create your own box weekly. I received my box for a week and searched for recipes to fit what I had received. My goal was to use everything they had sent me somewhere in the meal. We ended up with zucchini turkey burgers with oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme and a lemon garlic yogurt sauce; couscous with carrots, raisins and cucumbers and a lemon, blueberry and ricotta cheese pound cake.
More Stuff From The Farm:
Buy in season for the area you live in! Only buy what you can use in a few days or freeze it. Quick pickle onions, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower before it tries to go bad. Don't wash fresh fruits and veggies until you are ready to eat or prepare them. Plan your meals to consume the items that degrade faster, i.e.: eat the salad Monday and save the baked potato for Friday! Revive: I once revived a package of lettuce that I forgot about. It was whole red lettuce in a sealed bag and it was flat. I rinsed it thoroughly and put it in a bowl of cold water with a little ice for about an hour with some vinegar. I pulled it out and tore off any bruised leaves and dunked it again in fresh cold water with a little more ice. After draining it and gently tearing it up, I spun it till dry and enjoyed a great salad with all the trimmings!
My point, if you haven't gotten it already is to eat fresh, real food with herbs and spices for your health. Enjoy your food and don't stress about it.
