Sprouts & Mexican Produce

So we made our weekly grocery trip to Sprouts today... and we are completely supporting mexican farmers...

I am not saying that this is bad just an observation. My cantaloupe was from Guatemala but the tomatoes, celery, apples and broccoli were all from Mexico. I tried really hard to purchase the organic options but they just weren't priced right for me this week.

I know that living close to Mexico means that the amount of gas that is used to bring our fruits and vegetables to us is less than other states but I would really like to continue to purchase locally but like I said that will have to wait until I either have the baby or get someone else to shop for me.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year and hope that you make the commitment to try to purchase your produce locally and your meats organically (and grass fed).

L

No More Farmers Market

for the time being!

Since I am a month away from my due date of our second child I have decided to end my trips to the farmers market. Just the thought of walking two blocks for groceries and then heading to the supermarket for items I couldn't get is a little scary to me. So I am going to continue to shop for groceries at either Henry's or Sprouts and be more conscience of where my food comes from.

I have noticed that Henry's has started marking their produce that is purchased locally and that is helping out a lot. I am going to continue my blog but just won't go to the farmers markets... until the baby is born.

Farmer Market - Round 2

So my trip to the Farmers Market this week proved to be more of a challenge than the previous. Since I am in my 34th week of pregnancy (8 months) walking around is becoming more of a challenge. While I did make a round before making any purchases I did not have the patience to browse like I did the week before.

Instead I went to the same vendors as the previous week since their produce was great and seemed to be the best priced. So I ended up purchasing the following...

• $2.50 - ciabatta (2)
• $1.25 - carrots (with greens)
• $1.00 - jalapenos (large bag)
• $1.00 - cilantro
• $8.00 - green drink

I purchase the items that I needed in order to make fresh pico de gallo for my family. It is one of my favorite condiments to put on chicken, fish or anything else you choose. Simply chop some tomatoes, cilantro, red onion and a jalapeno... then put some lime juice, salt and pepper and you have the most deliciously fresh condiment for your food.

The "green drink" I purchased is mainly for the new baby. It tastes like grapefruit juice but is essentially a prenatal vitamin in a cup... and I a no good at taking pills so I figured that I would give it a try.

I am pretty sure that next week will be my last shot at going to the farmers market until the baby is born... but I will continue my blog and keep track of where my food comes from. I will do my best to purchase the organic equivalents and more locally grown items.

Is it in season?

I know that living in San Diego gives a different variety of fruits and vegetables that are available at the local farmers markets. So I may just be lucky to live in this climate. Here is a simple chart to help you know what is in season and what is not... hopefully you can use this to help your family get the freshest and most nutritional fruits and vegetables.

Spring	Summer	Fall	Winter
Asparagus	Apricots	Apples	Beets
Blackberries	Blueberries	Broccoli	Cabbage
Green Onions	Cherries	Brussels Sprouts	Carrots
Leeks	Eggplant	Cauliflower	Citrus
Lettuces	Fresh Herbs	Collards	Daikon Radishes
New Potatoes	Green Beans	Grapes	Onions
Peas	Hot Peppers	Kale	Rutabagas
Red Radishes	Melons	Pears	Turnips
Rhubarb	Okra	Persimmons	Winter Squash
Spinach	Peaches	Pumpkins
Strawberries	Plums	Winter Squash
Watercress	Sweet Corn	Yams
	Sweet Peppers
	Tomatoes
	Zucchini

Please remember that just because your grocery store carries it that is might not be in season. Some tomatoes are picked green and ripened with a gas... which I can't imagine is good.

Happy Shopping!!

Sprouts

So I did go to Sprouts this week to purchase some things that were not available at the farmers market...

• organic yogurt - $1 each
  
• organic fruit leather - $0.50 each
  
• organic, grass-fed ground beef - $4.99 lb
  
• organic broccoli - $0.77 lb
  
• cantaloupe - $0.77 each
  
• bananas - $0.69 lb
  

So I knew the yogurt and ground beef were going to cost a little more but I figure that we can just make the beef stretch... but the organic broccoli was the same price that I pay for regular broccoli so I figured why not get the better for me one!

The cantaloupe and bananas are from Mexico... which isn't bad but I will keep looking to see if that organic versions are closer... but my son loves his cantaloupe... so I couldn't really tell him no yet...

Happy shopping... just remember that it is possible to give your family the best!

Buy Local Challenge

I just took the "Buy Local" Challenge to pledge my support for local food. I made this commitment to buy food from local farmers because I believe local food tastes better and is fresher than foods shipped long distances. Purchasing food from local farmers also strengthens my local economy, supports endangered family farms, safeguards my family's health, and protects the environment.

To make your own customized pledge to local food and farmers, just go to http://www.foodroutes.org/buy-local-challenge.jsp

Farmers Market

My first trip to the farmers market was a complete success... it was nice to be shopping out in the open air and much less stressful than having to stand in line and fight the crowds. Everyone was happy and extremely nice. I absolutely loved it.

I purchased the following items...

• $1 - tomatillos
• $1 - cilantro
• $2 - ciabatta (2)
• $2.50 - cabbage (enormous)
• $1.25 - carrots (greens included)
• $2 - vine ripened tomatoes
• $5 - garlic paste (vegan)
• $2 - red onion
• $1 - basil
• $3 - tangerine

All in all I spent... $20.75

I feel so great about my purchases. Tonight's menu includes fresh tomatillo salsa... yummy!

So far I think this is something that I can definitely keep up for my family!

Food Inc.

On Sunday, December 13, 2009 I watched Food Inc. I had not heard anything about this movie but for some reason I put it in my Netflix queue. It seemed that I was never going to get to this movie and then it became available on to watch on my computer. So I did.

I was aware of the inhumane practices that went along in the meat industry and used to purchase free-range chicken and grass fed beef. I was unaware of organic food at the time but I was trying to do my part and send my message. But I lost my way and haven't found my way back.

Until now...

Food Inc is an amazing documentary that made me aware of where my food comes from. Some of it isn't shocking but most of it is. I always knew that purchasing food locally was better for my family and my environment but I never knew that it could save my family.

I am going to start going to the farmers market tomorrow and continue to go every Tuesday. My grocery budget is $40 a week and I am going to do my best to show you and myself that it is possible to feed a family with 2 adults, a 2 year old and a newborn with great organic food.

I am not going to throw out everything in my cupboards but am going to use what I have (since wasting is pointless) and slowly integrate local fruits and vegetables along with grass fed beef and free-range chickens. I will also be planting a garden in the summer... so stay tuned...

Please take the time to watch the movie and research your local farmers markets... and plant a garden.