No One to Blame

Monday there was a post on Facebook titled “Who’s Fault Is It?” from an organic page I subscribe to.   The author was questioning why more people don’t follow in her footsteps, eating 100% organic.  She was wondering whose fault it is that so many children are allowed to eat "junk," concluding that is was mainly the parents.

I’m a newbie to choosing organic, so perhaps I haven’t climbed the ladder to the pedestal yet, but why is it so necessary place blame and judge people that don’t make the same choices we do?  Instead of judging, we should try educating.  I personally had no idea what was going on with our nation’s food system.  I wasn’t completely in the dark, but I didn’t understand how corporate America had overrun the system and focused solely on profits opposed to the safety and well-being of consumers.  I assumed the government protected me and my family.  Do I sound naive? 

I thought organic food was for panty-wastes.  Seriously.  I thought, hell, what’s a little pesticides?  I grew up eating canned veggies, Kool-aid, and one of my mom’s go-to meals was peas with Spam.  My philosophy was “It didn’t hurt me, why would it hurt my kids?”  Another of my favorites was “Geez, practically everything causes cancer, so why bother?”  I don’t think I was trying to justify not eating organic, because I really didn’t think of organic as a necessity.  It was for yuppies or crunchy granola types! 

But, then I saw a documentary, "Food Inc." that educated (and shocked) me.  That documentary led me to read a book, "The Omnivores Dilemma," that led me to read another book, "Fast Food Nation," and several books later, here I am, choosing organic most of the time, because now I know better.  Of course I’m not perfect, and I’m definitely not 100% organic, and honestly probably never will be, but my kids will get less pesticides and less HFCS and lead a healthier life regardless of the percentage.  

Speaking of less HFCS, Honest Teas has some great deals on their kids line of drinks, Honest Kids.  They’re low-sugar, fruit-flavored drinks that come in pouches (great for lunches) and now 64-oz. multi-serve bottles.  And again, what can be cheaper than free?  Head to their website for Buy One Get One Free coupons.  They also offer a rewards program.  Enter the code on your juice pouch and save up for a bike!!

Peas and Spam (for the adventurous (and nonorganic) readers)
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
2 cans of peas
2 can of Spam

Prepare cream of mushroom soup according to directions.  Add peas.  Cube Spam, add to soup and peas.  Heat on stovetop until warm throughout.

Doesn't Get Cheaper Than Free

"The best things in life are free..."  And in this case, it's so true!  Stonyfield Farms, makers of organic yogurts, milk and ice creams, has a rewards program that offers free organic products, cool magazines, and other eco-conscious products.  There is no cost to sign up, and you don't need a gazillion points to start earning products.  A meager 15 points can earn One Free KOYO Ramen, 20 points can earn a YoBaby or YoToddler multipack and subscription to KIWI magazine.  Points per product vary, but range from one to five points.  The rewards program is slated to end December 31 (although they may extend it) so eat that yogurt fast! 

The Stonyfield site also offers generous coupons, like up to $1.00 off one multipack of yogurt.

My husband was bummed to know that Stonyfield doesn't come in flavors like Apple Turnover or German Chocolate cake.  But, Stonyfield also doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup or aspartame in it's ingredient list, so the trade-off is worth it!  

www.stonyfield.com

The Zoo

So today we headed to the zoo.  What, you may ask, does the zoo have to do with eating organic?  Well, if your family is anything like ours, any outing, especially a day trip, includes FOOD!  In my pre-converted days, we'd stop for fast food or grab something at the zoo.  And please don't get me wrong - we still do this kind of stuff once in while.  Yes, it's easy to judge and say, "I'd never let my child eat that garbage" but sometimes I just don't have the energy to deal.  Please don't report me to the authorities...

Suprisingly, I actually thought ahead of time today and packed a lunch.  Peanut butter and jelly, cheese sticks, and snack packs of Pirate's Booty.  Just normal, everyday food.  I wish my kids would eat some of those cool lunch ideas I see on other sites - like hummus dip with carrot sticks, but alas, my kids are more the Lunchable/nugget types if allowed...

If you're a member, be sure to check out Costco's coupon mailer this month.  Inside is a coupon ($2.50 off) a 36 pack of Annie's Snacks.  I think the box cost about $11.00.  Great for school lunches!  Other great items at Costco - Kirkland (the store brand) of Organic Peanut Butter, Organic Bread and Organic milk (1%).  They recently began stocking organic chicken (breasts, thighs and whole chicken) and ground meat at reasonable prices!!  They also sell Stonyfield Farms yogurts, Disney Organic Animal Crackers, Honest Kids juice pouches and more!