Trends for 2011

This is an old article that I came across on GoodFood World on the Top Organic Food and Farming Trends in 2011. We're now halfway through 2011, but you can see how many of these trends are growing and which ones have stalled out.

Organic Agriculture in the US

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements has released their 2010 Annual Report. (scroll down to 20.05.2011) According to the chart on page one, the United States has the largest organic market size, and yet North America is at the bottom of the continents when it comes to area used for organic production, surpassing only Africa and only in the aspect of agricultural land, not wild or non-agricultural areas.

I take that to mean that not only do we need to import most of our organic products in order to meet the needs of the market, but we're also behind the rest of the world in realizing, as a whole, that what we are putting into our bodies, by eating or even what we're exposed to and breathing in, is causing problems.

So, what can we do?

Spread the word/Live by example. I'm putting these two together, because I think being an example is showing others how to do what you're saying is the best way to spread the word and get others involved.

Request organic. Many stores are beginning to add more organic options at the request of their customers. So, if there is something that you can't find, it can't hurt to ask for it.

Let the locals know too. Requests go for local farmers as well. When you're out at the farmers markets, ask the farmers where the produce is coming from. Some stands ship their produce in from other states. Those that do grow their own produce should be able to tell you exactly what was used to grow it. Don't be afraid to say "no" to foods that were not grown organically or sustainably, and let the farmers know that you would buy the product if it was grown in a healthier way.

Grow it yourself. North America may be behind in organic production, but do you know how easy it is to grow a few things yourself? Salad greens, I've found, are one of the easiest things to grow and can be placed in containers or even in a small patch. Many other fruits and vegetables like patio blueberries or tomatoes can be grown in containers right on your porch.

Educate yourself. This one probably should have gone first, because it is nearly impossible to make a difference in your own life and totally impossible to educate others if you're not well-informed first. Everyone reading this blog also has access to millions of resources in healthy/organic living. Just a simple Google search will result in hundreds of websites waiting to tell you what you need to know. However, it is also important to keep the sources in mind and I always try to verify what I'm reading with other resources that I trust.

Go to the top. If you want to see a change, write to lawmakers and/or contact someone who is currently trying to make changes and see how you can help. Right now there are many campaigns working to make changes in the way this country regulates our food. For a few examples go to http://westonaprice.org/get-involved. There are campaigns listed on the right.

Does Organic = Expensive?

Sometimes, but not always.

I was definitely a bit concerned, when we decided to buy organic whenever we could, that it would mean spending a lot more money, but so far, I haven't seen a big difference at the checkout. This is what I've been doing to keep the costs down, and really, this could should be done whether your buying organic or not.

1. Generic Names

I think that most of the time names mean nothing when it comes to food quality, though I know sometimes generics just don't taste the same. For example, I've tried all the brands I could to find a condensed tomato soup that tastes as good as Campbell's. No dice. But, I think a lot of the time buying brand names is a pride issue. It's time to get over that. Many stores are now coming out with their own brand of organics. We have a local Giant Eagle that is stocked with the Giant Eagle (Nature's Basket) organic foods. Here are other stores with their own organic brands:

Safeway (O Organics)

ShopRite (ShopRite Organics)

Kroger/King Sooper (Private Selections)

Albertson's/Jewel (Wild Harvest)

Whole Foods (365 Organic Everyday Value)

Harris Teeter (Harris Teeter Naturals)

Meijer (Meijer Organics)

Publix (GreenWise)

Super Target (Archer Farms)

Food Giant (Nature's Promise)

Food Lion (Nature's Place)

Part of this list was found at http://www.foodjustsayin.com/2011/02/21/affording-organics-part-2-store-brands/

2. Discount Grocery Stores

One of my favorite stores to just wander through is Ollies. You really never know what they'll have and more than once I've seen random organic drinks and things piled at the ends of the aisles. The only problem is these types of stores are never consistent. You know how you hate it when a store gets you hooked on something and then stops carrying it? Well, that happens. A lot. So, if you find something you really like, I'd stock up. 

Another favorite store of mine is Sharp Shopper. Again, you never know what you're going to find, but again some really good deals. I'm talking Cascadian Farms Chewy Chocolate Granola Bars for $.99 a box. You just have to keep an eye on the dates on packaging, but for lots of canned/packaged foods those dates are for optimum taste, they don't necessarily mean if you eat them past the date, you'll get sick. Just use common sense.

3. Stock Up.

If you find a great deal on something that you know you'll use, buy lots. I just bought about 10 jars of organic spaghetti sauce for about $1 a jar, and I should have bought more. We'll use it for pasta and pizza, and it will keep for quite a while. When I found those $.99 boxes of granola bars, I bought 6 boxes. I usually take one to work for a snack in mid-afternoon, and we'll grab a couple to take if we're hiking.

4. Circulars

I know that Giant Eagle has a section in their flyer for organic/natural items on sale. Believe me, it's very small section, and it's easy to miss, but it's only a portion of what they actually have on sale. So, if I see a good price on something I know I need, I make the trip to the store and usually end up finding many of the other things on my list on sale.

5. Perks

I've mentioned a lot of Giant Eagle things today, but that's because that's the closest grocery store we have besides Walmart which I've found to be disappointing when it comes to organic foods. Another thing Giant Eagle has going for it is it's fuel/food perks. It doesn't take long to rack up $50 worth of groceries anywhere you go, and with gas prices going up and down, I like that extra $.10 off. Plus, it builds and you could end up with free gas! Just watch out, because the points expire.

Check to see if any of your grocery stores have perks. It's easy to sign up, and you just have to remember you store card - some even give you cards to put on your key chain and sometimes one for you and another person in your family.

6. Coupons
This is something I'm terrible at. I don't get a paper and I just don't know where to find all these coupons that everyone else seems to have. While on the blog that I mentioned above for store brand generics, I found a post on coupons including links to find them. Check out: Affordable Organics Part 1: Using Coupons. And judging from the two post I've read so far, you might want to check out the other posts in that series.

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There are a few things, however that I've either not been able to find at all or haven't found at a price I'm comfortable paying. Juices, soups and dairy products seem to be the biggest problem. Our local Walmart carries a total of 2 organic juices in tiny little bottles for ridiculous prices. I was able to find some at Giant Eagle for a better price, but still not a very good selection. Larger stores might have better options. I had pretty much the same problem with soups.

When it comes to dairy products, I've found nearly nothing. Last week Matt discovered that our IGA carries an organic milk. Because they seem to be more expensive, I don't shop at IGA very often unless they're having a good sale, or I need something immediately (they're just down the hill, in town, and our big grocery stores are at least half an hour in any direction). The milk was not an exception. I think Matt said it was about $5 for a carton - not even a gallon! Even with just the two of us, we go through a lot of milk. I usually buy two gallons at a time. So, this is where the organic prices could really get us, and I haven't made the commitment yet to the organic milk. But, we ran out of milk a couple days ago, and I had made cookies, so Matt bought a carton. I was surprised at how different it tasted! It was delicious! It was like it had more flavor, and it was creamier even though it was still 2%. I'm thinking if we can find all these other places to save, I may just splurge on the milk, but we'll keep an eye out for better prices.

The moral of the story is you don't have to double your budget to buy organic foods.

I was not compensated in anyway by any of the stores mentioned above. These are just my opinions and observations as I'm trying to find the most inexpensive ways to eat organic.

Welcome!

I've been blogging for a few years now, but only recently did my husband, Matt, and I begin a journey to pay more attention to what we eat and what we support in purchasing and to move into a simpler way of living. This new blog is going to be my space for sharing the things we're learning along the way and encouragement and information for anyone else who chooses to embark on this adventure. I'll also probably be including some of the recipes and things I share on Spice of Life as I'm trying out organic ingredients.

I've brought over the previous posts from SOL that I wanted to include in this blog with their original dates, so they'll appear before this post. The first two posts give a very clear picture of what convinced us to make these changes and what our goals are. Check out: Making Changes and What's Different?

And, of course, I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone else!

Have a great day!

Organic?

So, I've been posting about healthier lifestyles and eating organic foods, but what does that mean? Organic.org is a great website for educating about organic and healthy eating.

First, what exactly is organic? The Organic.org FAQ pages says this:

"The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows: Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too."

So, how do you know if something is organic? Well, there's a labeling system, because there are actually a few levels of organic. There are products made with 70% and less organic, 70%-94%, 95%-99% and 100% organic. Check out this guide. Also, remember that right now, there is a lot of paperwork and expense that comes with being certified organic. So, just because something isn't labeled, doesn't mean it's not organic. This is especially true with small local farmers, so when you go to the farmers markets, make sure you ask!

And finally, why should you go organic? This article is a list of some of the reasons to consider, but ultimately, it is a personal decision. For me, it's about health - about my health and the health of my husband and the health of the environment. Genesis 1:26: "Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." I believe this creation was entrusted to us, by God, and we are to be stewards of it - taking care of the land so that it will not only support us and future generations, but that we can continue to enjoy our lakes and rivers and see wildlife return to places where pollution had once wiped it out.

Others Making Changes

I'm finally getting caught up on some of my blog reading. Today, as I was reading a blog I follow regularly, I came to a post from a week ago about eating healthier and the weight problems facing the U.S.. It fits right along with the lifestyle change we're making in our family and I'd like to share it with you.

Dear Anonymous

Just click the link above to be taken to Low Tide High Style, and while you're there, check out the lovely photos that Kat takes.

A Little Disappointed

Update: My comment has now been approved, so I'm less disappointed.

I recently left a comment on a post about substituting xylitol only to find that it was never approved by the blog owner. I find this a little disappointing, myself, as in the comment, I was neither supporting xylitol or not. Since it never appeared, I'm taking this post to express my thoughts on that post and also to expand. While, I do not have exactly what I said, this is basically it:

While I have never used xylitol and don't know much about it, I recommend doing some more research before completely making the switch. Also, keep in mind that while a product "occurs naturally," the process by which it is refined might not be so healthy.

After doing a little searching online, I've found that "xylitol is a naturally occuring carbohydrate. It is found in fibrous vegetables and fruit. It also occurs naturally in our bodies..." (from xylitol.org) The site also states that xylitol is used to fight tooth decay/cavities and as an alternative sweetener for diabetics. It has also been used as a sweetener in gum for years.

From most of what I'd initially found, xylitol seemed to be a "safe" alternative to anyone looking to control blood sugar or tooth decay or if your thoughts are to reduce calorie intake. Many sites didn't list any adverse thoughts at all. Knowing that this is hardly ever the case, I looked a little deeper.

A few sources mentioned that Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and a laxative and that some people's bodies do not tolerate it. This site advises you to check the grade, because a lower grade may also contain other sugar alcohols that may cause some issues.

Looking further still, I found a couple of sites with arguments against xylitol and other alternative sweeteners including this blog, which comes at it from a slightly more personal diet preference standpoint, and an article on diabeteshealth.com that contains an excerpt from a reference glossary on alternative sweeteners.

I also discovered this site, which explores an article found in Wise Traditions, a Weston A. Price Foundation magazine, about agave nectar and xylitol. I had never heard of the foundation or the magazine, plus I wanted to read the full article, if it was available, so that prompted me to expand my search. I'm not sure if this is the exact article: Agave: Nectar of the Gods; but it is the same author and expands on both agave and xylitol even going so far as to explain the manufacturing process. (The xylitol portion starts about 2/3 of the way down.) The article also argues against the claim that it can be used to prevent tooth decay and gives the cons of using as a diabetic alternative. It also lists sources, so if you're intrigued, feel free to read the article and check them out.

As for the Weston A. Price Foundation, I've learned that the goal of the foundation is to educate people so that, through awareness, we can began to eat more nutrient-rich foods. They advocate a diet change for Americans, moving towards healthier foods and lower cases of diseases and even cancer.

The conclusion I've come to is that xylitol isn't for me. Knowing the struggles that come with finding ways for diabetics to enjoy something sweet, I think that this may work well for some. However, since the transition to organic has begun recently in our house, I'd be wary of using xylitol because of many factors from the possibility of a GMO base, to the manufacturing process and chemicals that may be used. The Emerald Forest Xylitol site states that, currently, there is no known source for organic xylitol, and until there is, I know I have other organic options for sweeteners.

What's Different?

So, yesterday I told you about what got the gears turning and why my husband and I are making some lifestyle changes. Today, I'm going to share some of the things we're doing differently.

Now, this lifestyle is not a foreign concept to me. Some of you probably know that I grew up on a farm. We had cows and horses and chickens and dogs and cats. And, we had a garden (or more!) every year. I remember every year snapping beans to can and eating fresh corn on the cob for supper and tomatoes right out of the garden. I remember tall shelves in the basement filled with jellies and peaches and other canned fruits and veggies. And, I remember a huge chest freezer filled with beef from our farm and venison and turkey that Dad hunted.

We got three channels and Mom limited our time in front of the tv. We had acres of land to explore and lots to do outside. I'd say we lived pretty healthy. We were hardly ever sick - I don't think I missed a day of school for illness between 5th grade and almost to the end of my second year of college - I think it's pretty safe to bet that the way we lived had a lot to do with it.

So, you see, I already have a pretty good idea of what we needed to do.

We started with this year's garden. Last year, we made a compost bin that one of these days, I promise, I'll get around to posting about. We've been filling it up all winter with scraps from the kitchen and the worms are going to town. On top of this, we've bought organic dirt to do all of our edible planting as well as manure for compost, and we'll be looking into getting some more manure from local farmers when the frost danger is gone and we start planting the rest. Like last year, we've also started most of our plants from seed, but this year, we're planning to stay on top of the garden a little better and hopefully get a better harvest so we can can and freeze as much as possible to last through the winter.

We're also trying to locate sources of organically growth meats. I've found a farm about 45 minutes away that, starting Memorial Weekend, has a farm stand every Saturday with organic produce and meats as well as some cheeses from a local Amish farmer. This farm even goes as far as to use horses to do the work in order to cut down on environmental impact. They already have some eggs for sale and a couple weeks ago, we made the trip to pick up 3 dozen. At $2.50/doz. for organic eggs, it's a pretty good deal and I figure 3 dozen should last us about a month. For now, we'll plan on driving up about once a month to stock up, but hopefully in the future we can find someone a little closer.

For my regular grocery shopping, I've been slowing finding the products that have the organic seal. Grocery shopping is taking me a little longer while I'm searching the isles for the healthier alternative to what we usually buy, but I'm making the switch a little at a time.

In the past, I've done most of my shopping at Walmart. It's the closest and most convenient. The only other grocery store in the area being Aldi's which has terrible hours for working people, and our town's IGA that is generally more expensive. A little further away we have a Giant Eagle, and recently I made to trip to see what they had in the way of organic.

I have to say I was kind of impressed. Giant Eagle now has their own brand of organic foods, and I was able to find most of the things I was looking for, including pastas and juice. Giant Eagle is a little more expensive, but I signed up for the Giant Eagle card to get all the discounts, plus I'm getting some fuel perks, which I think will be worth it now that gas is at $3.99/gal. Giant Eagle also has an insert that we get in our PO Box so I can keep an eye on the sales and make the trip when I know it will be worth it to me.

I'm sure I'll be finding more changes we can make to live healthier lives, and I'll be posting what I'm finding along the way!

Making Changes

We don't have tv. Well, we have tv's but we don't pay for cable or anything, so we might get a couple channels on a clear day. I figure since we already pay for internet, and you can watch almost anything online, we don't need to spend the extra money for cable only to find that there's nothing to watch anyways. We do have Netflix on our Wii. I like being able to sit down and pick from thousands of movies and tv shows and watch them anytime. Plus, at only about $10/month I can justify it a little better.

Anywho.

I've mentioned before that we've been watching documentaries. Most recently we saw Food, Inc., which I thought was very eye-opening on what we are actually consuming along with our food, what goes into the production and what effects it has on the environment. I definitely recommend checking it out, along with The Gerson Miracle, which explains juicing and eating healthy, wholesome foods and the benefits that lifestyle may have for people battling cancer or other diseases. While I will not be totally conforming to this way of life (for one thing, I happen to LOVE meat, of any kind), it is interesting to learn what's behind it, and it's worth it to hear the compelling stories of people who have practiced it.

We also watched the first season of Eco Trip. I'm not sure if there are other seasons out there, but this series basically took a product for each show and showed you how what steps that product takes to get to the consumer. For example, one show explained the process for a cotton t-shirt, from growing the cotton to wearing it and also investigated the health factors on both the environment and those who came in contact with the process, whether it be a factory worker or someone who lived next to a cotton field where pesticides are sprayed.

Needless to say, we've begun to educate ourselves further on exactly what we are eating, buying, cleaning with, and supporting, and I think that may be the direction this blog will be headed. I want to share with you what we've learned and let you know what we're actively doing to make a change.