Digest Number 3844

February 26, 2005

I disagree with the point that eating healthy is expensive. I went from eating the typical American diet of soft drinks, prepackaged frozen dinners, crackers, cereals, cookies, breads, lunch meats, hot dogs etc to eating organic vegetables and free range meats and eggs. My grocery bill is the same now, that it was 12 years ago, about 125/week and we have 4 pets now that we didn't have then that I feed a lot of raw meat to. During the years that I ate vegetarian, it was far less. For the price of 1 frozen microwaveable meal, I can buy a 10lb bag of carrots. I think it is a cop out when people say they can't afford to eat healthy. In all actuality, they can't afford not to. Just stick to the outside aisle of the grocery store, if you don't have access to organic, press the store owner to start carrying it. I am lucky that we have a Harry's farmer's Market that I can shop at

but I load up my coolers and drive 70 miles each way once a week to make that committment. Even before I shopped there, we still ate very well and it didn't cost us anymore to do so.-------------------------Well. In the same note i have to disagree with you. I have gone to many stores that claim to sell organic produce and meat. The prices, when compared, are at least 10-20 % higher. a organic tomato is nearly 3.00 a lb compared to 1.97 a lb for non organic and that is just a tomato. organic eggs are 2.00 a dozen compared to .89 non organic. i try to not buy processed foods like pre-made foods like frozen boxed meals. There is no way i could afford pre-made frozen food like lasagna. For the same $ I can make 2 and freeze one myself. Also I hardily ever by

name brand unless the store brand is of lesser quality. And as the girls get older my bill gets bigger. I am doing good if we spend 125.00 a week. and that is just the basics

I did find a butcher with a good quality meat for less ( thank my higher power). Not sure if they are organic but the meat was beautiful. In a month or 2 when we need to go get meat i will try a different butcher to compare prices and quality.

I would love to be vegetarian. But that is hard when you are the only one in the family willing to give up meat. I agree that if we were a veg- family that our bill would be less and then we could afford organic. I can't wait for spring. Then we can get the garden going and I can can/freeze. And the local produce stand will be up and running.

You are lucky that you have a farmers market that close. I would have to take a 2 hour ride just to get to one and then a anorther 2 hours back. That is 4 hours all around. If traffic is good. They only have the market in the spring-fall. The gas money alone would be outrageous at nearly 3.00 a gallon in the summer.

Now even with all this I still manage to feed my family of 4 (6 if u include the pets) healthy. Even if it is non-organic.

Like i stated in a previous post. i am willing to work something out for my daughters. i will not put her on drugs because the school says she is ADD. and if it means we have to spend more . then it would be worth the money. i would just like a little more info on the types of diets that are out there before i charge head first into something that i have no information on.

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