Be aware of your choices.
Although we may not have statistical scientific proof of the long-term affects of multiple harmful pesticides, herbicides, etc., in the body, I think there is plenty of visible physical and emotional proof already.
Just consider here in U.S. the alarming rise in obesity, learning disabilities, behavioral issues, and more, affecting adults and kids. Do we really need to wait x number of years for science (and politicians and our government) to catch up to what so many of us already inherently understand?
Look how long the predominant science thinkers, religious powerhouses, and government entities took in the past to acknowledge the Earth was round and rotated around the Sun, and more recently that energetic forces, including those generated by your memory, thoughts, and action affect our health and well-being.
Here’s a little something to watch and ponder.
Then make your own choices.
Think you can’t afford to eat organic?
Do what you can. Consider starting small. Cut back on processed foods and junk food choices.
Grow some of your own food. Buy from local farmers.
When choosing what to buy and eat … think in terms of nutritional value rather than volume.
For example, instead of that family-size bag of chips, consider the nutritional value in buying the same dollar value in fruits or vegetables. One 1 pound bag of carrots or apples can be used in multiple meals and a variety of ways.
What’s in the Sturtz pantry?
It may surprise you to learn that, yes, there frequently is a bag of chips, a candy bar or two, and even a liter of pop (soda for those not from Michigan. 🙂 ), especially if we’re expecting guests we know enjoy those things.
Truth is … we enjoy those things occasionally, too.
Over the years, however, we’ve cut down A LOT on both the purchases and the frequency we enjoy them.
We don’t always buy organic or local either. Plus, much as I enjoy growing and eating our own food, our lives have been too hectic last few years to do as much gardening as I did in the past.
Still, we’re more conscious than ever before about what we buy and eat. We work hard to weigh nutritional value versus spontaneous purchasing and eating whims.
And that’s the point. Be conscious. Be aware. Choose wisely.
But don’t be a martyr.
Wave a Better Made™ chip in my face and I’ll chomp down on it before you can say Hey! That’s mine! And I’ll savor it immensely … a crispy salty morsel or two or three of good times from my childhood.
Same with popcorn. It’s drizzled with real butter or nothing. Yet, I do pop it in coconut oil mixed with a little bacon drippings. (The bacon drippings way was my dear Grandma Aline’s way. Need I say more?) But no added salt.
See … it doesn’t have to be just one way or another. It’s your way. Tweak it how you want it to be.
Here in the Sturtz household, we’re choosing more healthy over less healthy more and more often these days.
And know what?
The amount we spend on groceries is actually down not up.
So don’t claim you can’t afford to eat healthy until you’ve really tried. And weighed in the benefits of better health for you and your family and friends.
What are your favorite ways to save money on food, yet enjoy more healthy meals and foods full of nutritional value?
Please share your tips and questions below. Your tips may encourage and help others.
Also Chef Dennis D. Sturtz and other professional food expert friends will be around to help answer some of your questions. I’m nor food expert or medical professional. But I do know what I like to eat … and why. What about you?
I couldn’t have said it any better Kat. Be conscious. Be aware. Choose wisely. The thing I’ve found to be true is when you are more aware when you shop it does take more time in the store. But trust me it is well worth the time. The extra minutes you spent shopping could add years to your life. Keep up the good work Kat.
It definitely helps in my life having a loving spouse who is interested in good food and eating well as I am.
Hi Kat,
Very well said…when we start taking back our control of what we eat, make good choices “For Me” rather than feeling deprived, because someone else said we can’t eat something “ever again” is not the way to create a healthy living lifestyle. As Chef Dennis said, it takes a bit more time in the store…but that is just initially. After one discovers where the “good” foods are located and what they are, shopping does not take any longer. Even better from your own on your deck, or patio. We have a vertical garden, on our deck, that we enjoy the vegetables and herbs from almost every night, and we know what went into it 🙂
So agree with you, Karen, especially about that the added time to shop (studying labels takes time!) gets shorter over time. Sticking to the perimeter aisles and only venturing down the interior ones (with most shelves stuffed with overly processed “fake” foods helps a lot.
Thanks for reminding me about your new vertical garden planter. Sounds like things are growing well.