Food for thought

For the last 6 months, I have been eating a lot healthier. I've cut out fried foods, fast food, soda, trans fats, chips and snack goods, and cut down on my alcohol consumption. I've increased the amount of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, lean meats and all around healthy foods. I've tried to cook the majority of the food that I eat and not eat processed foods. Since changing my diet, I have definitely come to the point where when I eat unhealthy, processed foods that my body revolts against me. As a result, I have cut those foods out of my system (except bacon, I can't give up bacon...) and I am feeling much better because of it. I've lost a bunch of weight (though, that is also attributed to exercising a bunch as well).

As I was grocery shopping last night, it hit me how expensive it is to eat healthier. Lean meats cost way more than fattier, unhealthy meats, fresh fruits and vegetables are more than their canned counterparts (which tend to have preservatives, excess sugar or sodium added to them). Stores have specials all the time on pre-packaged processed pastas, like 10 for $10 Pasta Roni that have enough sodium to desiccate a grown human being in one serving. No wonder why we have an obesity problem in this country. People cannot afford to purchase fresh, healthy food and instead buy the cheaper junk for their bodies.

I definitely think something needs to be done to combat rising food prices, especially for fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether it be to keep costs low, educate people more about the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, advertise more for local community farmer markets, etc.

For my part, this summer I am planting a community garden in a 20x20 foot plot. I am growing tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, summer squash, onions, cucumbers, carrots, green beans, wax beans, snap peas, watermelon, a bunch of herbs, sunflowers (because they are pretty!), lettuce, and pumpkins (probably forgetting a few). I bought all my seeds last night for the direct sow plants and my other plants should be coming soon. All in all, I spent less than $100 on plants and seeds for my garden, which adds up to a huge savings. I am currently spending about that much each month on fresh fruit and vegetables at the grocery store.


With my fresh bounty throughout the summer, I am going to either eat it myself, give it to friends for free, or donate my excess to the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) for my community garden which will donate it to people in need. I want to can a lot of my vegetables (especially the tomatoes) to use throughout the year, try my hand at pickling and making jelly. If I don't have the vegetables and fruit that I need, I will go to the local farm markets in Denver to help out local farms. 


I know that this is only a small step, but I hope that it helps! And if you want any excess produce this summer, feel free to let me know!! :)