It was 2014, when we made some adjustments to our health, and made some pretty huge changes in our lives – you can read more about that on our last post here AND again HERE.
David had some medical challenges that encouraged us to learn more about the food we were eating, which made us realize we had to change our lifestyle to incorporate more healthy food. Before then, we were already on “a path” — but that path wasn’t nearly as promising as the path we were on now.
With 4 kids, and 2 of us, we simply just needed to eat better. Cleaner.
Changing the way we shopped wasn’t all too hard though ~ after lots of self research and documentaries, we felt like a better approach go our diet was essential. As much studying and self learning as we did, making a shift wasn’t too easy – it required daily effort, discipline and .. a shift in the way we shopped.
Amidst this shift, one thing is certain: family and friends were under the misconception that to eat better, you had to shop at Whole Foods.
That’s just NOT true.
Can I tell you that I have ONLY been to Whole Foods once in my life – is it needed? Definitely not.
But if you are telling yourself right now that you can’t afford Organic Food, you can still find ways to eat better and healthier.
Swap This for That
Use the EWG’s list to determine which items are the Dirty Dozen – buy THOSE items Organic – as for the Clean 15? Buy what you can. If you can’t afford Organic Grapes, then skip grapes that week – it really is that easy. Is it important to buy some things organic? Absolutely it is.
The Environmental Working Group analyzed 2014 pesticide data from the US Department of Agriculture. The test revealed some pretty harsh data –
- A single sample of strawberries had 17 different pesticides. On average, a strawberry tests positive for almost 6 different pesticides. Yikes.
- A single grape sample contained 15 pesticides.
- By weight, the average potato had MORE pesticides than any other produce. Buy clean potatoes.
- 98% of peaches, nectarines, apples AND strawberry samples tested had at least one pesticide residue.
If you can’t afford Organic apples, that doesn’t mean you should buy boxed mac & cheese just instead – because it’s cheaper. Find out what IS on sale, that’s within the Clean 15 list, that you CAN afford. So your kids out on grapes that week – it’s not going to hurt them a bit.
You can, instead, choose to spend your paycheck on carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli instead of juice boxes and pudding cups, Nabisco Crackers and canned biscuits. Eating those veggies is a much better choice than buying sugared cereal. And they are all relatively cheap, too.
Buy Eggs
Eggs are a nutrient powerhouse – they are relatively versatile to incorporate into meals. Pastured eggs fed organic grain are much better than regular eggs – for $1 – $1.50 more, they are STILL a bargain for a family. If you can’t afford to pay $2.75 for Organic Eggs, it doesn’t give you permission to buy Toaster Strudels or, Eggo Waffles.
Plain vs. Sweetened Yogurt
When we say “Buy yogurt”, we mean ditch the sweetened, flavored yogurt in store, and buy plain yogurt. Even more, take it up a notch and make your OWN yogurt – it’s cheaper and more economical.
Ditch the Margarine, Buy Butter
YES – you CAN ditch the margarine – it’s junk. Switch to butter – go a step more and pick up Organic or Pastured Butter at Costco – it’s a relatively great bargain when you can get it in bulk. Sure, it won’t be $.89 lb like Margarine is, but it’s better for you long term.
Make your Own Broth
You can make your OWN broth from chicken at home – which is always a better choice than buying a can, carton or even buying cubes. Invest in an Instant Pot and you may find yourself falling in love with how easy it is to make bone broth – you will wonder why you used to buy it in store.
Eliminate One Item for Another
Grow your own hers on a windowsill in your house. Ditch the store dressing and make your own. Buy blocks of cheese at Costco to grate yourself (it’s LESS). You CAN opt to give your children a healthy muffin in their lunchbox instead of Fruit Snacks, Cheez-Its or … Lunchables (which is what my kids say all the other kids have every day at school.) You can even make your OWN crackers, and make your own homemade lunchables – which are worlds better than those in store. And even more, ditch that kids sugary cereal – find alternatives to breakfast that won’t be as sugar-laden as Lucky Charms, Fruit Loops or even Fruity Pebbles.
The bottom line: Make your purchases count. Buy whole foods – cheese, eggs, fruits & veggies, bulk beans and even bulk rice. Buying those items can be JUST as inexpensive as buying packaged, processed items.
Can’t afford to? That doesn’t you mean you turn a blind eye and continue to throw processed food in your cart. That is costing you too :) It means that you might need to step back and put that processed food back on the shelf, and re-direct your purchase to whole, real foods.
Eliminate those convenience items, alcohol, soda and other processed food snacks. Shop your organic fruits & veggies first. Then see what is left in your budget for those necessary {healthy} pantry staples. Ditch the juice drinks for your kids and stick with water – and water bottles. they will adjust – I promise!
Start making your food from scratch – it might be daunting, but it’s really so very easy.
Raw Milk is great – but you don’t have to make that switch – work towards that.
You don’t have to shop at a Farmers Market or join a CSA – although we will mention that it can be a huge money saver.
You don’t have to grow a garden – if you are short on space, stick with windowsill herbs or a few container plants.
You don’t “have” to do anything – do what you can, and make small changes to allow you to transition into larger ones over time.