Sale at Whole Foods, one day only for December 31,2010 (Friday).
Buy one, get one free ($5.99) bag of California Clementines 3 lb. bags.
Also, be sure to grab the Whole Foods Calendar for $2.00, which has over $21.00 in coupons for the new year!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Shopping for Organic Food at Giant Grocery Store
I have been wanting to find a grocery store that carries everything I would need for a week's worth of meals, while sticking to a general budget and sticking to an organic/ kosher diet. When I stopped by Giant and made a sweep of the store, I discovered what some of you may already know: Nature's Promise. Giant carries this line of organic products that is cheaper than Whole Foods and is closer in location to me..
Here are some of the deals I found: 2 bunches of romaine lettuce for $5.00, a bag of organic shredded cheese for $2.99, Nature's Promise Tortilla chips 2 for $5.00 and Nature's Promise Breads, 2 for $5.00. Considering the high price of whole grain and sprouted breads elsewhere, I thought the bread was the best deal here. Some of the higher prices that I would like to do better on include a 32 oz. organic creamer for $3.99 and higher priced meats $8-9 per package of chicken breasts. I did find the last package of organic chicken marked down to $2.99 per pound, which I grabbed. It had a use by or freeze by date coming up, so I came home and froze it immediately. If they do this often enough, you may be able to stock pile good deals on chicken here.
Overall, it is nice to find a local grocery store that not only carries a few items in produce, but if needed to, you could grab everything you are looking for here. It really is no different than paying more on some items to buy everything on your normal grocery list at one store as opposed to shopping at several different stores for the cheapest prices. Also, be sure to check out their website. You can not only find an online circular, but you can search by brand: Nature's Promise. You can also click "here" to look at their website for Nature's Promise and find helpful recipes and information about a healthier lifestyle.
Here are some of the deals I found: 2 bunches of romaine lettuce for $5.00, a bag of organic shredded cheese for $2.99, Nature's Promise Tortilla chips 2 for $5.00 and Nature's Promise Breads, 2 for $5.00. Considering the high price of whole grain and sprouted breads elsewhere, I thought the bread was the best deal here. Some of the higher prices that I would like to do better on include a 32 oz. organic creamer for $3.99 and higher priced meats $8-9 per package of chicken breasts. I did find the last package of organic chicken marked down to $2.99 per pound, which I grabbed. It had a use by or freeze by date coming up, so I came home and froze it immediately. If they do this often enough, you may be able to stock pile good deals on chicken here.
Overall, it is nice to find a local grocery store that not only carries a few items in produce, but if needed to, you could grab everything you are looking for here. It really is no different than paying more on some items to buy everything on your normal grocery list at one store as opposed to shopping at several different stores for the cheapest prices. Also, be sure to check out their website. You can not only find an online circular, but you can search by brand: Nature's Promise. You can also click "here" to look at their website for Nature's Promise and find helpful recipes and information about a healthier lifestyle.
Shopping at Whole Foods Grocery Stores
I must say that by the time I pulled into Whole Foods shopping center, I was so excited I would probably have bought anything at this point regardless of price. It was a new feeling of being able to shop for my family while knowing that what I brought home for them would be 100% better than the boxed chicken dinner I made last week. Walking into the store and smelling the fresh pine Christmas trees in the parking lot added to the sensory experience and my growing excitement.
The first department was the produce. While some items were on the higher side, I was pleasantly surprised to find that most produce was not only comparable to my local grocery store, but some items were cheaper! All produce at Whole Foods is organic and grown free of pesticides and other harmful substances, so this prompted me to start picking out huge red bell peppers (that came out to $1.00 each), blackberries (2 packages for $5) and onions (a large bag for $3.99 which is what I paid at another grocery store the other week for regular onions). Honestly, all of the items looked brighter in color and larger in size.
The next stop was the meat section. While I snagged 5 packages of lean ground beef that was free of any toxin substance at $2.99 a pound, I was just not prepared for the higher prices of better quality meat. Buffalo was around $19.99 per pound, chicken was on sale for $5.49 per lb., down from $6.49. Lamb started at $8.99 per pound. Taking my ground beef, I decided to move on. I found sprouted breads and other sprouted grain products like tortillas, but again was not accustomed to the higher prices (around $2.99 for sprouted tortillas and up to $5.69 for one loaf of bread). The coffee beans were next on the list. They ranged in price from $6.99 - $12.99 per pound which seemed to be reasonable. The smell of the fresh coffee beans was worth standing around for a few extra minutes as I read about the Fair Trade market that Whole Foods helps promote (not taking financial advantage of the countries that grow these coffee beans for Whole Foods while regular big industries will do so).
All in all, you really will be able to find anything you need here at this store. In the past when I have found good produce on sale (such as I did here) I have bought in bulk, brought it home,diced or pureed it and froze it for future cooking. This is what I plan on doing with my deals from Whole Foods. I did not think to bring my recycling grocery bags, but I was given nice brown paper handle bags that are not only environmentally friendly, but they are fun to reuse.
I would also recommend the company website as a very helpful resource. Not only did I find very helpful information on organic food, but I found alot of delicious recipes that I am anxious to cook.
The first department was the produce. While some items were on the higher side, I was pleasantly surprised to find that most produce was not only comparable to my local grocery store, but some items were cheaper! All produce at Whole Foods is organic and grown free of pesticides and other harmful substances, so this prompted me to start picking out huge red bell peppers (that came out to $1.00 each), blackberries (2 packages for $5) and onions (a large bag for $3.99 which is what I paid at another grocery store the other week for regular onions). Honestly, all of the items looked brighter in color and larger in size.
The next stop was the meat section. While I snagged 5 packages of lean ground beef that was free of any toxin substance at $2.99 a pound, I was just not prepared for the higher prices of better quality meat. Buffalo was around $19.99 per pound, chicken was on sale for $5.49 per lb., down from $6.49. Lamb started at $8.99 per pound. Taking my ground beef, I decided to move on. I found sprouted breads and other sprouted grain products like tortillas, but again was not accustomed to the higher prices (around $2.99 for sprouted tortillas and up to $5.69 for one loaf of bread). The coffee beans were next on the list. They ranged in price from $6.99 - $12.99 per pound which seemed to be reasonable. The smell of the fresh coffee beans was worth standing around for a few extra minutes as I read about the Fair Trade market that Whole Foods helps promote (not taking financial advantage of the countries that grow these coffee beans for Whole Foods while regular big industries will do so).
All in all, you really will be able to find anything you need here at this store. In the past when I have found good produce on sale (such as I did here) I have bought in bulk, brought it home,diced or pureed it and froze it for future cooking. This is what I plan on doing with my deals from Whole Foods. I did not think to bring my recycling grocery bags, but I was given nice brown paper handle bags that are not only environmentally friendly, but they are fun to reuse.
I would also recommend the company website as a very helpful resource. Not only did I find very helpful information on organic food, but I found alot of delicious recipes that I am anxious to cook.
Cleaning out my Pantry
In an effort to get ready for an extreme change of life, with respect to our food habits, I started going through my pantry to see what I had and if there was anything that I could still use for my new diet in January. Frankly, it was pretty bleak once I was done. But, I am stubborn and have a strong resolve so I was not too discouraged when I was left with a box of Kashi cereal (that tastes like cardboard) and a few boxes of oat bran and oatmeal. Oh, and my dried spices seem okay. I set aside a few "last meal" options for my hubby and I to enjoy before the New Year hit, like pork chops and pizza supplies. Most of it, I ended up donating since it was too much to consume over the next two weeks. Cleaning out my pantry has now forced me to follow through with the next step and start shopping organically and replacing my supplies with healthier options. In my next blog, I will talk more about my budget and places I have found that seem reasonable for other families attempting to follow suit. For now, I will give some general outlines that will help you as you go through your pantry too. I had a copy of the Maker's Diet with me and double-checked everything as I went along.
-Cereals/ baking goods: Turn the box over and look at the ingredients. If corn syrup, fructose, or sugar (or any combination of these words) appear in the ingredient list, it is out of here.
-Breads/ baked goods: Anything other than sprouted wheat or whole grains is no longer an option. Anything that has refined or bleached flour has stripped the original wheat kernel of its nutrients.
-Anything canned with syrups, preservatives, sugars, additives, hydrogenated oil and/or trans fat etc. This includes processed canned fruits and veges, soups, jellies, condiments, mayo, ketchup (you can keep it if it is sugar free) and vegetable oil to name a few. (If the label says it is good for the next couple of years, be suspicious on that alone. What ingredient is causing that to have an unnatural life span?) I also went a step further and eliminated aluminum canned goods like spaghetti sauce, tuna fish etc, leaving me with the only option to have canned goods in glass bottles that are chemically free of any toxins.
-Fake stuff. Fake stuff is the convenient form of fast processed dinners we all use, especially after a long day. Boxed mashed potatoes, the cheese powder in macaroni and cheese, the meat in the canned chili sauce...
-Meats. I was shocked when I pulled out my chicken stash of Perdue chicken that on the COVER states "no hormones or steroids added". There was a little star next to this, so I flipped it over and found it has been injected with potassium lactate, which simply ensures it will have a longer shelf life to benefit the producer with a longer profit period. It was not added for your benefit, period.
-Kosher food. I sadly, love my "unclean" food, but would really like to give this way of life a fair chance. Shrimp and a huge pork tenderloin were all purged from the freezer, along with other pig products. I let hubby have the last package of hot dogs to enjoy before the new year hit.
There is quite alot to go through. These were some of the big things we had in our food supplies and you may have some of the same or different. Now for the next step, I just have to start finding better quality produced meats and cooking basics, while sticking to my budget.
-Cereals/ baking goods: Turn the box over and look at the ingredients. If corn syrup, fructose, or sugar (or any combination of these words) appear in the ingredient list, it is out of here.
-Breads/ baked goods: Anything other than sprouted wheat or whole grains is no longer an option. Anything that has refined or bleached flour has stripped the original wheat kernel of its nutrients.
-Anything canned with syrups, preservatives, sugars, additives, hydrogenated oil and/or trans fat etc. This includes processed canned fruits and veges, soups, jellies, condiments, mayo, ketchup (you can keep it if it is sugar free) and vegetable oil to name a few. (If the label says it is good for the next couple of years, be suspicious on that alone. What ingredient is causing that to have an unnatural life span?) I also went a step further and eliminated aluminum canned goods like spaghetti sauce, tuna fish etc, leaving me with the only option to have canned goods in glass bottles that are chemically free of any toxins.
-Fake stuff. Fake stuff is the convenient form of fast processed dinners we all use, especially after a long day. Boxed mashed potatoes, the cheese powder in macaroni and cheese, the meat in the canned chili sauce...
-Meats. I was shocked when I pulled out my chicken stash of Perdue chicken that on the COVER states "no hormones or steroids added". There was a little star next to this, so I flipped it over and found it has been injected with potassium lactate, which simply ensures it will have a longer shelf life to benefit the producer with a longer profit period. It was not added for your benefit, period.
-Kosher food. I sadly, love my "unclean" food, but would really like to give this way of life a fair chance. Shrimp and a huge pork tenderloin were all purged from the freezer, along with other pig products. I let hubby have the last package of hot dogs to enjoy before the new year hit.
There is quite alot to go through. These were some of the big things we had in our food supplies and you may have some of the same or different. Now for the next step, I just have to start finding better quality produced meats and cooking basics, while sticking to my budget.
The Doctor and Theory Behind the Book
The book I am basing my organic way of life on is called The Maker's Diet. The author is Jordan S. Rubin, a naturopathic doctor and a nutritional consultant. Dr. Rubin almost died from Crohn's Disease until his father encouraged him to try to supplement his diet with soil organisms, while simultaneously eating holistic, healing natural foods. In addition, Jordan also followed his Jewish dietary laws, avoiding foods that were not considered kosher.
Jordan not only had a true turnaround of medical health, but he has been disease free for years now. In his book, he gives compelling scientific evidence that the modern day foods we eat have been stripped of nutritional value through pesticides, fungicides, synthetic fertilizers, and herbicides. This has led to producing crops in soil that is barren and stripped of essential soil microorganisms (called HSOs). These HSO's are key to maintaining a healthy internal immune balance of good "friendly" bacteria to fight off disease and infection. He quotes the scientific study showing that the microorganisms found in dirt influence maturation of the immune system so that it is either functional or dysfunctional. Dr. Rubin credits his turnaround in medical health by adding these HSO's back into his diet. In The Maker's Diet, he promotes the use of supplementing your diet with HSO's to help regain an immune balance and treat the so called incurable disease process, whether it is Crohn's or another autoimmune disease you are experiencing.
Dr. Rubin also talks about the way our meats have been produced and have contributed to our widespread diseases faced today. Unless the food you are purchasing has been specifically marked as "free-range", "grass fed" or on a "vegetarian diet", as well as, "organic, with no antibiotics or hormones used", it has been liberally "enhanced" by the use of steroid and hormonal injections to grow larger animals to sell (think bottom line- larger profits for the meat industries). A cause of concern with Dr. Rubin is the antibiotics that have been consumed in mass quantities by these animals. In one of the many research studies Dr. Rubin talks about in his book, it has now been estimated that drinking just one glass of commercially processed and packaged milk from your local grocery store will provide you with the residues of up to one hundred different antibiotics. A daily exposure to these antibiotics has paved the way for the new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacterias and super bugs that are difficult to treat. While these antibiotics can be helpful in killing off bad bacteria, they also will blindly kill off all the good bacteria as well. This creates an internal imbalance as the normal "good" bacteria in your body is destroyed. This beneficial bacteria in your gut has the key purpose of defending your body against foreign harmful substances which lead to disease.
Dr. Rubin also goes into great detail to promote the use of a kosher diet. This diet is based off of Old Testament Biblical laws that under the New Testament we are no longer legalistically bound to follow, BUT if we study the why behind the reason God gave us these laws in the first place, we will see they were actually for our own good. The kosher laws that are recorded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 show which animals are considered clean to eat and which animals should not be eaten. In other words, animals that have a cloven, split hooves and chew cud (cows, sheep, goats, oxen, deer, buffalo and more) are clean. Animals that do not fall in this category are horses, rats, dogs, monkeys, pigs, etc. Dr. Rubin makes an excellent point by pointing to the fact that many truly heinous disease such as Ebola, AIDS and SARS have come directly from the transmission of eating these animals. Other guidelines cover seafood, and can be found more in detail in his book. Dr. Rubin also points out how the Jewish Nation was the only nation in the entire world that escaped the bubonic plague. Over one-fourth of the entire population in Europe did not survive this devastating illness, while the Jewish people remained completely unscathed. Perhaps, there is more to the kosher dietary customs than God just banning food to be overbearing and controlling.
In a nutshell, the widespread use of stripping our soil of HSO's and injecting meat with added steroids, antibiotics and hormones (with no added benefit to the consumer) has led to many people having an imbalanced immune system, with very little beneficial bacteria left to fight infection and disease. The added food options in our diet that do not conform to kosher dietary laws, has really only served to bring more disease to our already faltering immune system. Dr. Rubin speculates that this diet is the beginning of the cause of wide spread diseases such as Crohn's, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Cancer and many other diseases that are autoimmune in nature. In his book, he goes into great detail, using many studies that are both horrifying and provocative to read. If you have not already read it, I would encourage you to get a copy of it at the store or your local library. It may change your life...or save it!
Jordan not only had a true turnaround of medical health, but he has been disease free for years now. In his book, he gives compelling scientific evidence that the modern day foods we eat have been stripped of nutritional value through pesticides, fungicides, synthetic fertilizers, and herbicides. This has led to producing crops in soil that is barren and stripped of essential soil microorganisms (called HSOs). These HSO's are key to maintaining a healthy internal immune balance of good "friendly" bacteria to fight off disease and infection. He quotes the scientific study showing that the microorganisms found in dirt influence maturation of the immune system so that it is either functional or dysfunctional. Dr. Rubin credits his turnaround in medical health by adding these HSO's back into his diet. In The Maker's Diet, he promotes the use of supplementing your diet with HSO's to help regain an immune balance and treat the so called incurable disease process, whether it is Crohn's or another autoimmune disease you are experiencing.
Dr. Rubin also talks about the way our meats have been produced and have contributed to our widespread diseases faced today. Unless the food you are purchasing has been specifically marked as "free-range", "grass fed" or on a "vegetarian diet", as well as, "organic, with no antibiotics or hormones used", it has been liberally "enhanced" by the use of steroid and hormonal injections to grow larger animals to sell (think bottom line- larger profits for the meat industries). A cause of concern with Dr. Rubin is the antibiotics that have been consumed in mass quantities by these animals. In one of the many research studies Dr. Rubin talks about in his book, it has now been estimated that drinking just one glass of commercially processed and packaged milk from your local grocery store will provide you with the residues of up to one hundred different antibiotics. A daily exposure to these antibiotics has paved the way for the new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacterias and super bugs that are difficult to treat. While these antibiotics can be helpful in killing off bad bacteria, they also will blindly kill off all the good bacteria as well. This creates an internal imbalance as the normal "good" bacteria in your body is destroyed. This beneficial bacteria in your gut has the key purpose of defending your body against foreign harmful substances which lead to disease.
Dr. Rubin also goes into great detail to promote the use of a kosher diet. This diet is based off of Old Testament Biblical laws that under the New Testament we are no longer legalistically bound to follow, BUT if we study the why behind the reason God gave us these laws in the first place, we will see they were actually for our own good. The kosher laws that are recorded in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 show which animals are considered clean to eat and which animals should not be eaten. In other words, animals that have a cloven, split hooves and chew cud (cows, sheep, goats, oxen, deer, buffalo and more) are clean. Animals that do not fall in this category are horses, rats, dogs, monkeys, pigs, etc. Dr. Rubin makes an excellent point by pointing to the fact that many truly heinous disease such as Ebola, AIDS and SARS have come directly from the transmission of eating these animals. Other guidelines cover seafood, and can be found more in detail in his book. Dr. Rubin also points out how the Jewish Nation was the only nation in the entire world that escaped the bubonic plague. Over one-fourth of the entire population in Europe did not survive this devastating illness, while the Jewish people remained completely unscathed. Perhaps, there is more to the kosher dietary customs than God just banning food to be overbearing and controlling.
In a nutshell, the widespread use of stripping our soil of HSO's and injecting meat with added steroids, antibiotics and hormones (with no added benefit to the consumer) has led to many people having an imbalanced immune system, with very little beneficial bacteria left to fight infection and disease. The added food options in our diet that do not conform to kosher dietary laws, has really only served to bring more disease to our already faltering immune system. Dr. Rubin speculates that this diet is the beginning of the cause of wide spread diseases such as Crohn's, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Cancer and many other diseases that are autoimmune in nature. In his book, he goes into great detail, using many studies that are both horrifying and provocative to read. If you have not already read it, I would encourage you to get a copy of it at the store or your local library. It may change your life...or save it!
Welcome to My Organic Life
In 2000, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a digestive disease that is theoretically assumed to be caused by a malfunctioning immune system and/ or is of a genetic nature. Crohn's Disease is considered "incurable", although with various treatment options can be "managed" to help those suffering with it to have a "normal" life. Since that time of diagnosis, I have faced many painful obstructions, hospitalizations, botched IV attempts, and challenging side effects from these so called helpful treatments ranging from weight gain, migraines, nausea, and widespread bodily bruising, to name a few. Finally, in 2008 I agreed to a very painful bowel surgery so that I would be able to be healthy enough to start a family following surgery. Thinking the surgery would also help me find a peaceful state of remission for years to come, I was devastated when the disease came back 13 months following surgery. In denial, my husband called the doctor for me who sent me in for some testing and confirmed that the disease had woken up from its brief slumber and was showing the beginning signs of inflammation again. I became depressed at the thought of facing more hospitalizations, long emergency room waits, debilitating symptoms and more intrusive testing. With the help of my doctor we began to search for a long term drug that would be able to put the disease back into a state of remission. The Remicaid treatment left me struggling to breathe. The Immuran pill left me with severe joint inflammation that left me unable to walk, bend over, or move my fingers without great pain and difficulty. There is now one more treatment option left, Humira, which can also have some very scary side effects. Feeling like we would be trading one evil for another by taking our chances with yet another drug with unique side effects to me and my body, my husband and I began to pray and research for alternative medicines. I read a copy of “The Maker’s Diet” by Jordan Rubin and was inspired to try his organic and kosher way of life. Like me, Jordan had been diagnosed with Crohn’s, but had been on his deathbed at a very young age. His radical approach to eliminate all toxins from his lifestyle while incorporating healthy soil microorganisms into his diet to help his immune system become more efficient at fighting infection and disease, not only “cured” this “incurable” disease, but left him healthy for years to come. I was inspired. In this blog, I am going to document my attempt to follow this extreme way of life for three months for me and my family. Since I was recently weaned off my maintenance steroid medicine (Entocort), I should normally expect to get sick pretty quickly without having a drug to fight the disease off in my body. I am going to, for the next 3 months (starting January 1, 2011) follow an organic and kosher way of life as recommended by Dr. Rubin's Maker's Diet. I hope this blog is helpful for those of you who are struggling with the same feelings of hopelessness and frustration I have felt. Here’s to My Organic Life…and hopefully yours!
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