"Going green" is such a popular way of life right now, and I have not really caught on to the whole idea. I think it's great when people eat healthy, buy "organic" materials and try to recycle, but I've never thought about in great depth before. Until now...
My husband and I watched a documentary the other night on Netflix called Food Inc. If you watch the video I posted, you'll get a SMALL taste of what we saw! I've never really thought about where our food came from, how it got there, and the issues that come up in "big industry food production."
Now, I'm not going to stop eating all together, but it has changed how I look at our foods!
I've even purchased some reusable grocery bags in the last week or so. Now if I can just remember to use them! I think I will make it Bailee's job to remember the bags. (She loves having "jobs.")
*I didn't purchase the bags at first for grocery use. I bought one because it makes a great bag to throw wet beach towels and bathing suits into. They're made out of a plastic material that can get wet and not mold. It wasn't until I realized HOW MANY groceries they hold compared to a regular plastic bag that I liked them. The fewer bags I have to carry, the fewer trips back out the car I have to take!!*
I bought "organic" yogurt for the first time last night, and I think I am going to try and purchase more organic foods when I can, but $ tends to be an issue. One of the topics discussed in the Food Inc video was that you can go to the Dollar Menu at McDonalds and buy a whole meal for a few bucks, but you can't even buy fresh veggies for that price. It's hard for those on lower incomes to buy healthy foods, because the food companies have made it too easy to buy cheap junk food instead!
How frustrating!
I want to feed my family well, but I have to be very wealthy to afford the foods that will keep my kids healthy! Wealthy should not equal healthy!
This movie has opened my eyes to some things I was ignorant of before... I challenge you to watch it too!
What are your thoughts about organic foods? Do you wish it was cheaper? What do you think?
I haven't seen Food, Inc. (pretty much refused to!), but I've switched to mostly organic foods in our house. There are some things I buy that are not organic, but for the most part most everything is. I also buy grass-fed beef, chicken eggs, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I like to do when possible is buy local produce. Not only is it cheaper than the grocery store, but it also supports local farmers. Local foods are generally grown with organic practices, but the farmers just don't have the money or resources to become a USDA certified farm, in name. I found a CSA here that I'll be joining at the end of the month thru October. A CSA (community supported agriculture) is a program that many local farms offer. Basically, you buy a "share" of the farm and pay "x" amount of $$ per week and get "x" pounds of different produce each week, whatever crops are in season. For example, I'm paying $24/week for the next 13 weeks and getting 12+ pounds of a variety of fresh produce each week. $24 is way less than what I would spend in the grocery store!
In the past year or so, I think I've blogged a little about my decision to go organic.
Even before going organic, I was a big couponer and I've found that there are plenty of coupons and/or resources to make buying organic or natural products less of a financial impact. I could give you some sites/coupons/hints if your interested. Let me know!
Sue- I would love to check out those websites! Thanks! You could send them to me on Face book or link them on here for others to see too, Thank you!
ReplyDeleteFor those of you wondering, Jack's 100% organic cotton onesie is from...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.swellfoop.com/
If you like organic cotton, I get some things for Alex from Kate Quinn Organics. They have really nice clothes and some great sales. Lots of times under $10. Will work on posting some other info! :)
ReplyDeleteNicole, thanks for blogging about this topic. I've been pondering "going green" and way to do it for our family for a little bit, that and recycling! I've recently paid better attention to the cleaning products I've been buying/using also. I can't say I'm going to become a radical but I want to make some better choices for my family and myself.
ReplyDeleteMissy- I think that is my next step... cleaning supplies. I hate the chemical smell they leave behind and I don't want my kids sniffing them while they play! Do you recommend a brand?
ReplyDeleteOk, I blogged! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://gonetonc.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-greener-food-lifestyle.html
I use 7th generation & BabyGanics for laundry & cleaning supplies.
I've just VERY recently been more aware of my cleaning supply choices in the store and buy what I can there. I'm trying a new laundry detergent and will let you know what it is. As I us up my other supplies I will be switching to something more "green" but also try to keep the cost of the product in mind.
ReplyDeleteSue, thank you for that post. I just "joined" your blog! Love your ideas and I can't wait to put some of it to use.
ReplyDeleteMissy that's great!! I hope some of it helps! :o)
ReplyDeleteHey Nicole! Scott and I watched that movie and others and we are trying to switch over. Also, for cleaning supplies, you should consider things like baking soda(super-cheap!) and white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide (disinfectant). They are all really cheap and do anything you need! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWe recently decided to stop buying processed foods. Its a lot harder than I thought! And yes, organic is much more expensive, the only thing I have found to be the same in cost is carrots! :)
ReplyDelete