Some people on here eat organic most of the time, some try to eat organic some of the time. I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread where we could discuss organic food. Here are some things I would like opinions on:
---What do you think THE most important foods to buy organic are?
---Tips for organic eating on a tight budget
---Does orgainc mean it's good for you?

I'd also like to know if there is organic Bisquick (or a similar product for making pancakes, biscuits, etc).

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One of the reasons I asked, "Does organic mean it's good for you?" is b/c of a couple of comments I've heard recently. On Jon & Kate Plus 8, she buys organic food for the whole family. There is an episode where they go buy a cow. In the farm store, she buys organic macaroons and lets the twins pick a treat. Then she says, "Whenever we're at an organic store, I always let the girls pick a treat b/c it's healthy for them." Also, a girl I teach with is very into organics. She told me she used to weigh 200lbs before she started eating organic but she has organic coke, organic cookies, stuff like that. I think - you're going to weigh 200lbs again if you keep eating stuff like that, even if it is organic.

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I think it is funny that people think things that are marked "natural" or "organic" are good for you. I have seen organic chocolate and macaroni and cheese in a box. I guess if I were going to spend money on organics I would spend it on meats/milk and things that you can't peal or wash real well.

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As far as organic goes I buy as much organic as I can. But with exceptions though. I get my milk from an organic dairy, as well as most of all my dairy products. I buy organic meats only. I feel really strongly about these items. I do buy some organic pantry products. However, I do believe that organic snacks such as granola bars, fruit snacks, cookies, and bulk products need to be eating in restricted amounts. They are still a "treat" not a regular item for my family. I agree that natural and organic items don't have all the extras our bodies do not need (artifical colors/flavorings/preservitives), but I don't agree with organic sodas and such. They are still not good to drink in a large amounts. They are still empty calories. I have struggled with my weight for years and I find that you need to eliminate or highly reduce these items (organic or not) to see a constant weight loss.

I have seen natural pancake mixes and organic mixes. I have only used the pancake mixes for camping though. They were fine. I don't use them regularly. My favorite whole foods store is Wild Oats. However, this is not one close to me. I normally shop when I am in Ohio at my girlfriends or have her ship me things I can't find locally. Since I make most of our items from scratch I have control of most things that go into my families bodies. One website I love is Just Tomatoes, ETC.!
I order alot from them, my kids love their products for snacks. Anyway, hope that helps.

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Kelly - What a fantastic idea. I have to agree totally with Vicki. The most important ones are your meats (because regular grocery store meat is loaded with growth hormones), dairy (growth hormones again) and your staples (whole grains etc) and eggs. I don't buy organic fruits/vegetables very often. Even though I wash them thoroughly, I'm sure the pesticides and such can still seep into the fruit through the skins. As far as sodas, snacks, cookies etc, they're just not good for you period - organic or not. If you're going to eat candies and cookies, you may as well eat the ones that you like and not the ones that cost an arm and a leg. My sister's friend is a nutritionist and she made the comment that a candy bar is not a snack, it's a treat. A snack should be an apple or carrot sticks, or something like that.

You just have to watch what you buy and from where. There are a lot of good 'natural/organic' stores out there, but some are ridiculously expensive. You still need to check your lables, too - look for sugar, fat, and sodium - artificial colors, preservative, flavors etc.

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Kelly-have you ever eaten at the restaurant Spiral Diner in FW? It's completely vegan and organic and super yummy! I would love to be buying more organic, but right now the only thing that I do consistently buy organic is our milk. It lasts a lot longer than regular milk so I've never had to throw any out.

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Bina, that is interesting about the milk. I will have to buy a gallon and try it out. I just wasted 1/3 gallon yesterday because it smelled bad but the date was January 5th.

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kedney-always store your milk in glass containers not plastic also. It helps retain the nutrients and it lasts longer. You can find some great glass containers with strong seals.

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We are slowly switching over to organic. I'm interested in doing a CSA (community supported agriculture), but I think this year I'll just use the farmer's market instead. As for fruits/veggies, I use this list as a guide at the store: Environmental Working Group || foodnews.org Any of the baby food I make is definitely organic.

I'd like to start getting organic meat. I've been looking into various farms. I think we have a store out here that sells it but I have yet to find it.

As for dairy, I bought a carton of organic milk the other day and it cost over $7! I'm still searching for better prices on that.

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sarah-I'm just lucky the area I live in has many organic farmers. I get my pork from a butcher up the road. I get my beef/chicken from a farmer about 3hours from here. I pay $2.25 per pound for all my beef, cut, wrapped. Which is super cheap when you think about everything you get when you purchase a 1/2 or 1/4 side of beef. The milk is a lucky one for me as well as eggs. I pay $1.00 per dozen for eggs from a employee of my dh who has organic free range chickens. So it is mainly luck, HOWEVER I wish I had a real whole food store in the area. There is nothing except what is in the few food stores. Not much though.

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Here is a great web site that will help you find a CSA Community Supported Agriculture - LocalHarvest in my area you can have a box of organic fruits and veggies delivered near your house for even to it. Some places will even customize you box. Say you don't want beets and you would like more apples.

Sarah - I have a farmers market near by that I just love. It uses all the local growers. The apples are to die for. I am thinking about getting a box delivered to my house but I just love the farmers market.

Vicki - That is crazy great prices. Costco just got in organic meat but it is so expensive.

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Vicki- Those prices are awesome! The only thing that has held me back from buying organic meat is the price. There are a lot of farms out here for produce, but I'm having a heck of a time finding meat. I know I can order online, but it's a lot of money.
I know a lot of big chain grocery stores are starting to carry a lot more organic, but really, I'm as much about local grown as I am about the organic thing. I really like the idea of supporting local agriculture. I can't wait for the seasons to change so I can start going to the Farmer's Market!

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sarah-I am complete with you on local growers. We also try to follow eating what is in season too. As much as you can with kids. But for me it started with purchasing from the local growers, then I expanded on more of the organics. You are right, then are super expensive in the store.

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Sarah, a few years back we bought a side of beef from a local butcher and at the time we had the option to buy organic. I didnt at the time because I knew NOTHING about the differance but if I remember correctly the cost differance wasnt very much. You may want to call around and see if you could find something like that.

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I get a newsletter every couple of days from Dr. Mercola. This was in last week's letter. I thought I'd share.

Here are the 14 top tips you need to know to find healthy food, even on a tight budget:


1. Choose local foods over organic foods.

2. If all that’s available or affordable is fresh, conventionally grown produce, buy it, wash it well at home, and eat it.

3. Look for local farms and food coops offering raw dairy products, eggs, produce, and grass-fed meat. This will allow you to cut out the middleman and save money. Buying in large quantities, such as a side of grass-fed beef, can also save you money in the long run as long as you have room to freeze it (and you consume it before it goes bad).

4. Skip prepared or pre-cut foods, which can cost up to double the amount as the unprepared versions.

5. Plan your meals ahead of time (including cooking large batches and freezing some for later) so you don’t splurge on expensive, unhealthy fast-food at the last minute.

6. Pass on junk foods like potato chips, soda, cookies, candy, and other snacks. These are a complete waste of money.

7. Buy lots of fresh veggies, they’re usually less expensive than canned versions (just make sure you use them before they go bad).

8. Only buy what you need. Keep track of what’s in your pantry so you don’t double-up on foods unnecessarily.

9. Clip coupons and use them when you can (but don’t buy something unhealthy just because it’s on sale).

10. Watch the register when you check out of the grocery store. They often ring up wrong prices, at your expense.

11. Shop with a calculator so you can determine if it’s really a better deal to buy something in bulk.

12. Watch weekly specials, and be aware of what’s really a good price. You can often find organic produce on sale for less than conventional produce if you know what prices to watch for.

13. If you have the space, grow your own fresh veggies such as greens, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans, etc.

14. Remember this rule of thumb: Fresh food is always better than frozen, but frozen is better than canned.

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rac-thank you for posting that, I'm gonna forward that one to friends if you don't mind. We try to live by most of that already, but there is something for everyone of us in that.

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