Cheap Green Groceries (saving pennies, saving the planet)

Written by:
Melissa Moog

Melissa is a WAHM who happily gave up her high tech career to become a mompreneur focused on helping families make the best green choices.

More from me on Simply Green

My Blog:Itsabelly Blog

My Web Shop:Itsabelly Baby Concierge

Since I’m a new blogger to Sparkplugging I thought I would share a little bit more about me and what I love to do on Saturday mornings with my family which is going to our local farmer’s market (held in downtown Portland, OR). Normally, I would be with my family right now enjoying the beautiful booths of fresh veggies and fruits along with a bit of sunshine but I’m so excited to get my blog launched in a few days so I’m here typing away.

The purpose of my entry will be to give you some tips on the best way to go green on groceries when you’re on a budget. Let’s face it not all of us can afford to go completely organic but there are great short cuts to a healthier lifestyle. I’d like to first share a few reasons you should go organic where possible on your groceries and then I’ll go into inexpensive ways to buy organic.

WHY ORGANIC IS GOOD FOR YOU & OUR PLANET:

• Buying organic helps you avoid pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics that can potentially harm your body and also helps to protects from polluting our planet. EPA Research shows that our children are especially sensitive to pesticides since their organs are still developing.
• 23 of the world’s 28 most commonly used pesticides are suspected carcinogens, and several are possible neurotoxins and endocrine disrupters.
• Research shows that drinking organic milk is healthier because it has 75% higher levels of beta-carotene, 50% higher levels of vitamin E, and was two to three times richer in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthine.
• Eat fresh foods and stay away from canned goods where possible. The Environmental Working Group found that BPA (Bisphenol-A) was in over half of the 97 cans of name-brand fruit, veggies, soda and other common canned goods. BPA may cause cancer, female infertility, endocrine disruption and obesity.
• It’s a great way to support our organic farmers who have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment. See more reasons to go organic here.
• You’ll get a boost to your immune system. A study at the University of California-Davis showed that organic produce had 19-50 percent more cancer-fighting antioxidants than conventional produce.
• Do you want more proof that organic is better for you? Check out the Organic Consumers Association article here.

INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO GO GREEN:

• Buy only organic fruits and veggies that have the most pesticides. Conventional fruits and veggies that carry the most pesticides are apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach, and strawberries.
• Buy organic in the foods that you consume the most of like milk or beef to avoid the chemicals found in them. Basically, do your research and know what organic foods to buy and where.
• Comparison Shop - you can find less expensive jar of organic baby food at Target than your local grocery store.
• Shop local - find your local farmer’s markets and support your community. Buying local eases our dependence on petroleum, helps clean up the air, and reduces the climate change that’s associated with transportation.
• Check out The Eat Well Guide which is a free online directory of thousands of family farms, restaurants, markets and other outlets that offer local, fresh and sustainable food in the United States and Canada.
• Join a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture. You’ll get a direct connection to very fresh food and help to promote sustainable agriculture.
• Buy in bulk (Costco is constantly adding more organic goods to their selection of products)
• Buy in season (fruits and veggies out of season can cost a few dollars more)
• Cook fresh & healthy foods at home at least twice a week to save money on eating out

Do you have other inexpensive ways to go cheap and green on groceries? Please share your comments here. We’d love to hear about them!