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April 23, 2007 at 2:58 am
I had to grocery shop today, a chore that I’ve come to dread. Trying to find organic foods that my family will eat can really be a challenge. Here in our small town we don’t have many stores that sell organic foods. In the summer I can grow and put up some of what we eat. The rest of our food has to come from a grocery store. At least today I have some coupons for organic products thanks to the Go Organic! for Earth Day campaign. (You can order the coupon book for free at 866-446-6742 or go to organicearthday.org and click on “contact us”)
Today I’ve traveled to the grocery store that has the largest variety of organic foods (By this I mean they’re not all located in one aisle on five shelves). But still, shopping for me becomes a “museum-like” experience. I wheel my cart towards a shelf and stand staring…a long time….at all the jars or cans of every color, just hoping one of them might be both organic and something my kids will eat. I stare; people quietly pass me. Some stop for a while to stare with me. It’s just like the museum, except there’s no guard nearby waiting to clear his throat the moment I lean too close or try to touch something. Instead, I have to touch something. I reach out and take an item, looking at the ingredients (wishing I’d brought reading glasses) trying to ferret out any unsavory chemicals or additives.
When I find a product with the USDA organic seal, I can be a bit more at ease. At least I know that the product has to meet some standards for being organic. It doesn’t meant that all the ingredients are organic (there needs to be over 70% organic ingredients to bear the label). Unfortunately, some companies will try to get around the USDA requirements and there are some who are asking the USDA to “water down” its’ standards. Therefore, I am still reading labels and articles that might alert me to companies that are less than honest. I would dearly love to have a local store that sold only organic foods.
In the meantime I will continue to stare and read my way through the grocery store. Maybe the store could hire a guard that would stand near me and clear his throat every time I reach for something that is not organic. Oh well…hey, are those organic Oreos I see?
Have a great Earth Day (every day),
Deb Beisel
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Recently I have become concerned over the amount of salt, sugars and other unsavory chemicals in my foods. I’ve tried to go down to as close to the source as possible, and organic is a good way to go.
My major problem is that trying to feed a small family of 4 (all tall guys who eat massive amounts of food a day to maintain their frames) is akin to taking out a second mortgage when I get to the check out. Ouch! The garden is not yet producing (not yet planted, actually) so it is all on the grocery store to provide for us.
So along with the discreet guards, could we get a discount on the admission to the “museum” as well?
And Yes, those are definitely organic oreos!
Comment by sheryl — April 24, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Lol….I, too have added this “museum chore” in addition to checking to see if it products are kosher. I have found that sticking to whole foods is the easiest way to reduce these two chores! My spice collection has grown quite large toward this end, to help make my family more receptive to some items. I have recently started to add more organic beans to our diet and the spices really help to induce them to try them, and like them! I am hopeful that as people turn to eating organic that the profitability will go up and the prices may go down.
Comment by diane — April 25, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
I agree with Diane on “I am hopeful that as people turn to eating organic that the profitability will go up and the prices may go down”.
We, too, have the same problem of making the food palatable for our children. SO often I have to make something else for the little ones to eat. Luckily, the old stand-by of natural peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread seems to be working well, but is it good to have a diet solely made up of that?
Luckily, my husband does not seem to mind the “chore” of going to the “museum”. I myself hate shopping (I am sure that other women would be appalled!). It is much easier for me (and on our pocketbook) to give my husband a list and he enjoys figuring out what is best for our family’s health. This is an all too important issue in our family right now as health problems seem to abound.
I do, however, enjoy internet shopping! Much quieter and peaceful. I have been browsing the organic items available on this site, and I really like some of them. The grocery sacks look quite appealing to me right now as I have learned that when you bring your own bags to one of the local grocery stores, you get a 5 cents credit for each bag you use. With a family of 9, we use A LOT of bags! All of those 5 cents mean more money for the yummy organic food!
Comment by Jeanie — April 25, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
thanks, deb for your earth day comment!
speaking of organic oreos….
I just found these incredible organic cookies being released next month from LATE JULY organic snack company.
similar concept as oreos, but a million times better.
deep dark chocolate with chocolate cookies & sweet vanilla creme with a hint of green tea with chocolate cookies!
to die for! and certified organic.
http://latejuly.com
Comment by christal — April 28, 2007 @ 10:58 pm