How To Get Away From The Grocery Store
What is with the grocery stores these days? It is the place we all go to shop for food, but I find that there is little actual food in these stores. Have you stopped to read the labels on some of the products in there? It's frightening! For me my rule of thumb is, if I can’t read it, it isn’t food and I am not going to be eating it or feeding it to my family.
With all the marketing and clever disguises the food companies assault us with it is no wonder disease is on the rise. We are no longer eating food we are eating food like substances.
So what are our options? Some people say that eating local and organic is expensive or that they don’t have time to make meals. Have you calculated the cost of being sick lately? A little prep time once a week goes a long way in terms of eating healthy and getting healthy meals out to your family in a timely manner.
Here are some other options for frugal and healthy shoppers, that want to vote with their dollars and get away from the grocery store nightmare…
Join a Food Co-op or CSA (Community Supported Agriculture): This is a great option a real tangible way to vote with your dollars. You can signup and receive weekly fresh produce from the people in your community. With co ops, they will require a membership or volunteer time in lieu of payment. Definitely a great alternative to the traditional grocery store.
Grow Food in your Space: Plant in containers of all kinds, vertical gardening is a wonderful way to utilize space, find a sunny window sill to grow kitchen herbs or turn your backyard into an urban farm! Not only is gardening cheaper than therapy but you get tomatoes and you know exactly where your food is coming from and what went into it.
In-Season Produce: Cheaper and nutritionally superior, this is the way to go for healthy and frugal shoppers alike and when it's local you are helping your community. If you buy too much you can always blanch, freeze, dehydrate or can you extras for the winter months.
Buy Local: Change your shopping habits and buy from your local farmers. You get to know where your food is coming from and get to know and support the people in your community. Find a local farmer here at croptouring.com
Buy your Staples in Bulk: Buying in bulk quantities reduces the prices to lower or equal to the prepackaged items found in a traditional grocery store.
Forage: This is one of my personal favourites as there is so much food/medicine out there that we overlook every day. Lots of greens, berries, fruits and something for every ailment. After all our mother earth is here to sustain us. Don’t forget tho if you are taking from her it is a good idea to give back. I like composting as my giveback to the earth.
With making these few changes we are voting with our dollars and saying no to harmful pesticides, chemicals, GMO’s and artificial processed ingredients. Say no to the traditional way of shopping and get involved with your community at the same time.