As the cost of food continues to rise, many people find themselves needing to choose more carefully what they will buy. Buying organic foods is often the choice that we want to make, yet the higher costs make it seem impossible. However, with a willingness to make a few simple changes anyone on a tight budget can enjoy organic foods in their kitchen.

If you want to find organic foods at lower costs, the first step is to stop shopping at your local grocery stores. Many of the foods found grocery stores, even in the organic sections, have been imported from around the world. This is how they can offer fruits and vegetables out of season all year long. The cost of shipping and transporting adds to the cost that customers must pay. Instead, look for local producers who will more likely have a lower price.

Local farmers often sell fruits and vegetables at neighborhood farmer’s markets or in local food coops. You may even be able to buy fresh foods at the farms themselves, including meats and dairy products. Shopping this way means you will have access to organic foods at a much lower cost, while also supporting your local farmers to continue growing organically.

Buying organic foods in bulk is another great way to stay within your budget. Food is often cheaper when purchased in large quantities rather than individually amounts. Many fruits and vegetables can then be frozen to extend their use time. For those who are willing to learn, home-canning will also preserve foods for extended use. A jar of homemade salsa made from local organic vegetables will cost much less than buying a jar of commercial organic salsa in the store.

Those who have a very tight food budget may have to limit what organic foods they buy. Some foods have higher amounts of pesticides on them than others, making them the top priority when choosing organic. If you can only afford to buy some things organic, choose these fruits and vegetables first:

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Apples
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Squash
• Green Beans

If you are choosing organic foods to avoid chemicals, these are the top offenders you will find. For other produce, you can invest in a good vegetable brush and food-safe soap to wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them. This will remove much of the pesticides on the outside of your food.

Growing your own food will also help you stay in your budget while enjoying fresh, organic items daily. Even those with limited space can grow a few simple plants in containers or small beds. You can purchase seeds for only a few dollars, often in amounts far more than a hobby garden could grow in one season. You can also collect seeds from organic produce yo have already purchased to be certain that what you are growing had the best start. Place the plants in a sunny spot, give them water and care, and you can harvest a small bounty for practically free.

Though food costs continue to climb, even the tightest budget can afford to include a few organic staples in the kitchen. By avoiding the grocery store, buying in bulk, and growing your own, you can eat organic fruits and vegetables without spending a fortune.

photo credit: fairfaxcounty

Yesterday I read a piece at Dr. Mercola’s site about genetically modified (GM) foods and the risk of sterility. It seems that a group of researchers fed a bunch of hamsters GM soy and watched what would happen. According to Mercola, their death rates went up in the second generation and by the third generation only one female was able to reproduce. The rest had become sterile.

That’s a scary thought.

The US grows a lot of GM crops. Corn, soy, wheat, canola, alfalfa, the list goes on. And the company behind most of these crops, Monsanto, has its hands everywhere it seems. Look at Michael Taylor, the current Deputy Commissioner for Foods, at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He’s also an old lawyer for Monsanto, where he “established and led the food and drug law practice at King & Spalding and was Vice President for Public Policy at Monsanto Company“. (King and Spalding represents Monsanto).

According to the Huffington Post, this is really just another study showing the risks of GM foods.

Surov’s hamsters are just the latest animals to suffer from reproductive disorders after consuming GMOs. In 2005, Irina Ermakova, also with the Russian National Academy of Sciences, reported that more than half the babies from mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks. This was also five times higher than the 10% death rate of the non-GMO soy group. The babies in the GM group were also smaller (see photo) and could not reproduce.

In a telling coincidence, after Ermakova’s feeding trials, her laboratory started feeding all the rats in the facility a commercial rat chow using GM soy. Within two months, the infant mortality facility-wide reached 55%.

When Ermakova fed male rats GM soy, their testicles changed from the normal pink to dark blue! Italian scientists similarly found changes in mice testes (PDF), including damaged young sperm cells. Furthermore, the DNA of embryos from parent mice fed GM soy functioned differently.

An Austrian government study published in November 2008 showed that the more GM corn was fed to mice, the fewer the babies they had (PDF), and the smaller the babies were.

Central Iowa Farmer Jerry Rosman also had trouble with pigs and cows becoming sterile. Some of his pigs even had false pregnancies or gave birth to bags of water. After months of investigations and testing, he finally traced the problem to GM corn feed. Every time a newspaper, magazine, or TV show reported Jerry’s problems, he would receive calls from more farmers complaining of livestock sterility on their farm, linked to GM corn.

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine accidentally discovered that rats raised on corncob bedding “neither breed nor exhibit reproductive behavior.” Tests on the corn material revealed two compounds that stopped the sexual cycle in females “at concentrations approximately two-hundredfold lower than classical phytoestrogens.” One compound also curtailed male sexual behavior and both substances contributed to the growth of breast and prostate cancer cell cultures. Researchers found that the amount of the substances varied with GM corn varieties. The crushed corncob used at Baylor was likely shipped from central Iowa, near the farm of Jerry Rosman and others complaining of sterile livestock.

In Haryana, India, a team of investigating veterinarians report that buffalo consuming GM cottonseed suffer from infertility, as well as frequent abortions, premature deliveries, and prolapsed uteruses. Many adult and young buffalo have also died mysteriously.

Scary, huh?

So, what are we feeding our kids every day?

photo credit: dailylifeofmojo

I finally got around to using my bread machine, but I think I did something wrong.

The recipe book that was in the machine listed each recipe in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large. I wasn’t sure which size my machine was so I choose medium. I think I should have went with small. I was able to cut one slice in half and use it for a decent size sandwich. Despite the size, it was delicious. It was wonderful coming home from below freezing temperatures to a house smelling like bread. Once I added homemade butter it was to die for.

Reading through the guide I found a section in the back telling how to make jam with the machine. I wish some sort of fruit was in season here now so I could try to make some. I might give in and buy some berries from the store just to try it out and see how well it works. My guide book doesn’t have a recipe for the jam, but I did find a few recipes online using my bread machine. The only problem is that none of them list pectin as an ingredient. I thought pectin was a vital part of jam making.

Once I get jam making figured out, I’m moving on to pickles. And salsa. Than maybe some sauces and soups.

photo credit: BBJ-

I am obviously not a normal woman.

For Christmas I received a gorgeous silver ring set, sparkly and new, that would be the dream gift for most women I know. Me? I’m moping that I didn’t get the blender I had hoped for. Yes, a blender.

All I really want is to be able to toss some fruits and veggies into the the jar and mix them up into a yummy green smoothie. I would like to get back into my once a day smoothie habit. Drinking my veggies is just so much easier for me, especially when I have a dozen things to do with the kids.

Yesterday I managed to make a run to the local thrift store and scored a nearly new bread machine, instruction included, for only $8. While I was there I found a decent looking Juiceman Jr. that was tagged as works fine. For a while I thought this little juicer would be the temporary answer to my blenderless prayers, until I tried to use it. It juiced my carrots fine, but there was a lot of clunking sounds and a burning smell involved. I don’t think I’m brave enough to use it again, though from the Amazon.com reviews it seems the burning smell happens to new Juiceman Jr. juicers too.

photo credit: Thomas Ott

I was reading on the Huffington Post over the weekend and stumbled upon this article by Dr. John Salerno: Why I Recommend Organic Foods To My Weight Loss Patients.

I recommend organic foods for my weight loss patients because I want them to eat nutrient dense foods, thus you have to begin with the dirt. The overuse of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemical additives for the growth of monoculture genetically modified crops, including corn, soy, rice, canola, and others have wreaked havoc with the soil.

My initial reaction was that this doctor was clearly crazy. I just could not see a connection between organicly grown foods and losing weight. But as I began to read more i started to see his point.

It is not so much that organically grown fruits and vegetables help you lose weight as much as non-organically grown ones can prevent you from dropping pounds. The added chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and more can cause water retention, food cravings, and have a negative effect on your body’s immune system. All of these things can cause you to gain weight or to be unable to lose some.

Of course, eating organic is not the sudden quick fix to weight loss, and I suspect I will begin to see a lot of new advertisements claiming it is. There are so many factors involved in weight, including genetics and body type, that any claims that you can lose weight easier with this or that really just annoy me.

On the other hand though, if this were to get more people eating organic and therefore increase the demand/lower the costs a part of me likes it. I’m a woman torn.

photo credit: kevygee

I have decided to join the Mindful Menus over at Chive Talkin’. It’s a once a week meme where participants share their healthy meal menus for the week. Better eating through peer pressure and group participation.And there is a challenge for everyone to join in.

I generally print my menus off from E-Mealz each week and roughly follow them. Some days we skip, or change things based on what we have and my family’s picky tastes. Here is what we are enjoying for dinner this week

Sunday: Steak, homemade onion rings, green beans Yes, we are having steak. From a local grass-fed cow, but steak the same. I just couldn’t resist the sad eyes I was getting from my beef eater any longer.

Monday: Spaghetti made from whole wheat pasta and homemade sauce. I flubbed the sauce pretty badly last time, I’m hoping I won’t make the same mistake twice. Also, a nice salad and maybe some garlic bread.

Tuesday: Bean tostadas. Mix heaps of black beans with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and some cheese. Yum!

Wednesday: Butter beans, cornbread. When it’s snowing outside I live for excuses to make big bowls of beans and cornbread.

Thursday: Stir-fry. I’ve got a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies that keep calling my name.

Friday: Lentil soup. This is a new recipe so I hope it turns out decent. The recipe seems simple, just lentils with rice and carrots seasons with curry powder. If it turns out too bad to eat, leftovers are likely.

Saturday: Roasted peppers with pine nuts and feta cheese. I’m not too sure my kids will eat this so I might have to make a back-up meal for them. But for me it sounds so good.

So that’s what we’re eating for dinner this week. If you want to go ahead and share your meal plan too! And you can link it up by adding it here.

I was a very good girl this year, Santa brought me The Backyard Homestead,
Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family, and Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life. I closed my eyes and pointed at random to which one I would read first, which happened to be Made From Scratch. I’m a fee chapters in and already loving this book. Woginrich is a hilarious writer, and open about her failures as much as her triumphs. Something that I’m thrilled to read after reading too many books by perfect people.

I’s good for my ego to know that someone else manages to mess up often enough.

Yesterday evening we gave the bread recipe she shared a try. After my many bread disasters I was less than hopeful. But I was willing to try. After all, I had a packet of yeast left over and time to kill while my dinner cooked. How could I not give it a try? Especially when I had a cute little helper.

The bread didn’t turn out the prettiest, but it tasted like heaven. It was warm and soft, not at all hard like my previous loaves had been. Maybe it was just luck, but I finally got a loaf of bread right. And just in time for the holidays too.

Next up, I’m giving a shot at making butter. I never even considered it before. In my head were visions of long hours spent at a churn. Apparently I can make it in a few hours with a mason jar.

photo credit: ellievanhoutte

A few weeks ago I picked up a box of jars for canning at a garage sale for only $1. I would have grabbed two boxes, but a feisty old woman snatched the second box up before I could reach for it. I thought about following her and asking for tips, but something told me she would have taken my box from me and ran off cackling. I only hope to be half as scary when I’m her age.

Sadly the jars have been sitting on a shelf in my garage. I have a ton of good reasons for that. One being that it’s absolutely freezing outside and just the thought of walking to my garage makes me put on another sweater. Second is that I don’t yet have all the supplies I need. In trying to be both frugal and small I am avoiding buying new lids and rings and other such supplies at the big box store. Instead I keep putting feelers out on Freecycle and Craig’s List, hoping someone will take a bite.

Thirdly, and probably most important, is that I do not have anything to can just yet. I have not yet begun to really garden, outside of composting and hammering together raised bed boxes. I am trying to plan out indoor container gardening for the winter, if I can find a spot safe from curious cats and kids. Something tells me I’ll be scooping a lot of soil up off the carpet. I need to buy a cheap thermometer to hang out in the garage and see just how cold it gets out there. If it isn’t too bad I will try to grow some cold hardy plants on there.

I hope that soon I will have shelves that look close to Amber’s. Jar upon jar of goodness ready to be eaten.

My plan is to start with salsa. It’s something that we eat quite a bit of, is easy to make, and we don’t eat enough tomatoes to really take care of a plant any other way. After that I am looking at making some jams and jellies. After reading how easily Amy made homemade strawberry jam I can’t get the thought out of my mind. Plus it will be a great way to get out of the grape jelly rut Michael insists on sticking to.

So, now my question is this: any tips for a would-be canner? What books, recipes, products do you recommend for beginners? Fill me with your canning knowledge!

photo credit: suavehouse113

A few days ago, on my personal blog, I wrote a bit about Nestle making a small effort to become more sustainable. Chocolate is my weakness, and also one of the biggest problems in the international food world. Most chocolates come from farms that practice slave labor and unsustainable farming practices. Needless to say, eating chocolate is an internal struggle.

Within a few hours of posting I received an email from a company named Ritter Sport, a German chocolate company that cares about where their chocolate comes from. They were awarded an ÖKO-TREND Company Certificate for their social commitment as a company.

The world isn’t just made of chocolate. That’s why it has always been a fundamental value of our company to look beyond our own realm, to operate sustainably and to be socially involved. Our efforts to protect our natural resources are a top priority with every expansion effort.

Today, I opened my door to a box nearly over flowing with chocolate bars, sent with love from Ritter Sport. Because it doesn’t matter how great a company is if their chocolate tastes bad. It had to be taste tested before my approval.

The first thing that happened as I ripped open the box and began dumping the bars out is that my oldest son asked me why people were sending me chocolate. His second question was if he could have a bar to eat, naturally.

But his question made an impression with me. Bloggers, especially “mommy bloggers” have gotten a lot of grief over getting things from companies to review and share. Too many bloggers are willing to write a glowing review for every single product they receive, good or bad. Yet, I still think there is room in the blogosphere for product reviews.

Why did they send me chocolate? Simple, to spread the word about their company. The real question is why am I writing about them? Because I think people need to be aware that there are companies out there who choose ethical practices, who don’t put profit above all else, who are worth spending our money on. I think it is certainly possible to blog for a better world, for a greener world, and for greener products.

I wouldn’t write a happy review for Ritter Sport simply because they sent me chocolate bars, but because they are active in sustainable farming practices, reforestation, and helping farmers earn a living wage.

Project CACAONICA’s goal is, therefore, the ideal and realistic demonstration of a sustainable agricultural model that protects the existing forest, incentivises reforestation and ensures soil fertility through natural means insofar as possible. At the same time, farmers’ incomes are consequently improved, their economic situations strengthened, and the rural exodus countered

The company is impressive, their commitment is refreshing, but what about the chocolate itself? Delicious! And there are so many different flavors you are going to find something that you love. I swoon over the milk chocolate with hazelnuts, while my toddler practically inhaled the milk chocolate with yogurt. Chocolate covered yogurt, who would have guessed? The dark chocolate is far less bitter than most dark chocolates I have ever eaten, which is a good thing for me. And for my sad-about-giving-up-Kit-Kat-bars Michael the cream-filled wafers with praline bars were like a tiny miracle.

I’m actually having a hard time not eating all of the bars myself after promising to give a few out to friends so they can try as well. Do I really have to let them go?

I have not been able to find any of the Ritter Sport bars in my local stores, though I did find Ritter Sport chocolates on Amazon.com. If you visit RitterSportFriends.com they have a list of stores in the US that sell their bars.

My final thoughts, 4 out of 5 leaves. Sustainability, fair trade, delicious, and innovative. They only lose one leaf for not being local. Shipping food products globally do quite a bit of damage, even though I understand the need behind it.

photo credit: mckaysavage

Food has a life, a story. The environment it grew in, the people who produce it. And usually it’s traveled an awefully long way to get to our plates. I’d like to know these things.

There’s a moment, when you realize that the apple you are biting into was probably picked several days ago in a foreign country, that hits you. The moment is a collision, a crash of this new fact and the memory of picking an apple off the tree in your own yard and taking a bite.

I don’t remember when I realized that the food I was eating wasn’t from some nearby farmer. I do remember a bit of a panic, of fear, and horror. Why was my food being shipped to me when there was perfectly good land right here to grow food on? Of course I hadn’t yet heard of the locavore movement, or even considered such a movement might exist. It seemed natural to me, that food would come from nearby.

I blame my naivety on childhood. We had an apple tree, a pear tree, and several plum trees growing freely in my yard. The back yard was nearly all garden space where everything from peas to corn grew. Even when I moved on and no longer had a garden in my backyard I just assumed that someone, somewhere, had one.

In a way I hope my kids have that same naive assumption, because it means they’ve become normalized to food growing in the backyard. And the front yard. And some on the side vining up the fence. And maybe a few more in pots where I can fit them. Food, from my own backyard, eaten the same day that it was picked.

Nothing compares to eating your veggies ten minutes after being harvested.

Of course I can’t grow it all in my backyard. For one my landlord and my town have put their feet down to chickens. I can’t see a way around it that doesn’t involve heavy fines and finding a new place to live quickly. Luckily there is a local farmer that sells eggs from her chickens. For other things there is a great Oklahoma food coop where I can get almost anything we want. Literally, anything I want. Sure it costs a bit more, but I’ve found there’s money to pay for the extras once we stop buying the empty calories.

And if I can’t grow it, and we can’t find it locally, then we just do without. That’s a huge thing in our society, doing without. With 24/7 stores and online marketing it’s hard to believe anyone choosing to go without something as simple as pineapple. I’m still a bit shaken by the idea of giving up good Swiss chocolate. But we’re going to try at least. The trying will make it easier.

Quotes from Home Is Where The Food Is