How To Eat Organic On A Budget

The one tried and true worry I get about living an organic lifestyle is the cost. It’s likely the only immediate downside because everything else about living organically benefits your health in the long run.  Remember, non-organic food often contains cancer-causing hormones, immunity destroying anti-biotics and dangerous pesticides. Pesticides by nature are designed to kill, they are poison. So when given the choice, I don’t know why anyone could logically buy food with poison sprayed on it? Pesticides can cause neurological problems, cancer, infertility, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergies and asthma, wheezing, rashes and other skin problems, ADHD, birth defects and more. That’s why buying quality organic food and eating the most nutritious foods on the planet will save you BIG BUCKS down the road in medical costs, prescription drugs and doctor visits. We can either pay the farmer or we can pay the hospital - It’s totally up to us!

Quick fact: Americans waste an estimated 1,400 calories of food per person EVERY SINGLE DAY.

TIPS:

• Raw nuts and flours should be kept in the refrigerator to last longer without going rancid.
• Line your refrigerator’s crisper drawer with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. They'll absorb excess moisture which will help keep produce longer.
• To repel bugs, place a bay leaf in containers of rice, flour and pastas.
• Buy and keep bananas separated from one another, they spoil slower.
• Turn almond butter, yogurt, sour cream, tahini and cottage cheese containers upside down when stored in the fridge – this creates a vacuum seal, keeping them fresh longer
• Do not throw away nut meal from homemade nut milk – use it for smoothies, baked goods like biscotti or to make nut flours by placing the pulp on a baking sheet and drying it out in a 250 degree oven or dehydrator.
• Repurpose vegetable pulp from juicing to add fiber to soups, smoothies or make crackers or bread.
• Placed limp celery, baby carrots and radishes in water with a slice of potato to make them crunchy again.
• Keep all organic citrus fruits in the fridge – they will last up to 1-2 weeks longer.
• Do not wash organic dark leafy greens or berries until they are ready to consume.
• Store herbs, spring onions, asparagus upright in a large glass filled with an inch of water
• Learn tips and recipes on how to use over the edge food. For examples, panzanella with stale bread, and banana bread with overripe bananas.
• If you know you will not have a chance to eat it, freeze food before it goes bad.
• Choose to eat less, use a smaller plate to help you control the amount of food you might eat or end up wasting.
• Compost all food waste to put nutrients back in your garden (you will spend less on fertilizer).

If you know someone who’s struggling to buy organic because of cost, or that needs a little extra cash (like most of us!), please share this post with them.

Thanks for spreading the word – let’s make buying organic easier for everyone!


Laurel ♥