I thought I had a healthy diet with some occasional indulgences. Yet the more I learn about some of the needless inclusions of certain ingredients that can actually be a detriment to my health the more my diet changes. Along with my shopping habits. I want fructose corn syrup out of my life, just as a start. And without a doubt no GMOs.
On my way to the North Rim for the summer I stayed in Flagstaff for a couple days. I usually stock up on certain items there as my grocery shopping options from the park are over 100 miles away. I took advantage of the huge New Frontiers that offers many options for the organic, vegetarian, gluten free shopper. The prices are higher than the usual chain grocery stores that barely carry anything for the above choices.
This stop included more than just shopping. I did a major purging of my food stocks, fridge, freezer and pantry. I read all the labels, sometimes not even knowing what those long words I can’t pronounce are doing in food. Usually within the first three ingredients I knew to throw it out. Yes, I literally threw away three large trash bags of food. I couldn’t in all consciousness give the poison away.
I’m still learning what foods can replace my wanton desires. It takes me longer to shop, reading labels and learning my way around the health food stores. Staff has been very helpful. I discovered a great Natural Grocers in St. George, Utah, only 160 miles away. In fact I shopped on a day off, all day. First to Costco for a few items, again slowly to read labels, and not much snacking from their teaser trays of goodies. Though I give them credit for carrying some organic products. Most of my list was filled at the natural food store. And their prices are almost comparable to a chain store. Because of an inside tip of Tuesday deliveries I shopped on my Wednesday off and bought fresh and tasty organic fruits and vegetables. Did go to a chain grocery store but only bought about three items then returned to Natural Grocers to finish off my list.
I am horrified by the thought of major chemical companies like Monsanto being in control of food around the world. Highly recommend watching Genetic Roulette if you don’t know about Monsanto’s atrocities.
It’s not possible to buy organics at the North Rim but I’ll drive the extra miles and spend a little more in an effort to enjoy a healthy diet. If we don’t buy GMOs the manufacturers don’t make any money. We have a right to eat healthy and know what’s in our food. Say NO to GMO! Here’s a list of companies to stay away from.
How are you managing to eat healthy foods? I’m open to suggestions.
We’re very much into our food, and two key things we’ve done are to eat whole (unprocessed) foods and to buy locally wherever possible. By eliminating pre-made foods and getting back to whole, raw ingredients (real veggies, real meat, seafood, nuts, fruit etc.) you pretty much eliminate most of the bad stuff. And by buying local (farms, farmers markets) you know where your food is coming from. If we want mayonnaise, we make it from scratch…if we want meat I search for a local farm. It’s not perfect, but it works fairly well 🙂
Nina
You set a good example and make great suggestions. I’m learning to cook differently. Just wish the local farm/market was a little closer.
I’ve been inspired by my visitor Roxanne, and I’m on a “different road” in respect to food. One *does* have to be a knowledgeable consumer and read labels…
Roxanne sets a wonderful example of eating healthy. Nice to have friends help us learn.
Good for your, Gaelyn….!! I do almost all my shopping at New Frontier in Prescott (and sometimes at Trader Joes)….Larry is gluten free so we don’t do any processed (almost EVERYTHING contains wheat if you don’t cook it from scratch). There is so much to learn..but I like the way you call food poison and you could not pass it on to someone else. We absolutely don’t need to be eating things grown from seed with ROUNDUP built into the seed!…It is like opening a bottle of poison and pouring it down your throat to me. Then Monsanto. On July 7 there is going to be a meeting in Yarnell on GMO’S…I’m going to try and make it and see who who is leading the charge. The pic of Paul Newmen oreo’s made me laugh…that is on my shopping list for this week…And it is a myth that organic…non-GMO cost more in the long run….if you cut out the junk you can buy good nutricious food that satisfies you…looking forward to posts from you about this!
Thanks for the encouragement. I wish I could be at the Yarnell meeting and bet my friend Berta will be there too. Newman’s are even better than Oreos, one of my go-to foods forever.
I’ve been reading labels for years. Gaelyn, many who think they have gluten allergy actually are allergic to wheat. While wheat is stored, it is also treated with pesticide. Since my DD stopped eating wheat, all the nasty symptoms like joint pain and cramps have disappeared. She uses spelt instead and can therefore eat bread and still make cakes and schnitzels.
I mainly shop at our farmer’s market. I don’t mind the occasional grub in my cabbage, at least i know it has not been sprayed.
I’d rather eat clean grubs than chemical food.
My pantry used to look like that too (I also used to eat most of the foods on that GMO-avoid list). But, thankfully, early last year, some RVing friends encouraged me to read “Eat to Live” by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. It’s an easy read with tons of reference-sited nutritional information. He advocates a plant-strong diet (i.e. around 90% vegan but still encouraging you to eat the old foods you love in moderation & special occasions such as meats/dairy/fish & sweets). Within a month of purging my pantry and going plant-strong, all my health numbers improved significantly and I was no longer at the brink of diabetes or high blood pressure. I also lost weight without exercise or feeling starved.
I’ve never been a very good cook, so I downloaded a bunch of vegan e-cookbooks (and explored websites and FB pages) to find new recipes that would be quick/easy to make. Have yet to be bored with any of these new dishes!
I’m sure fresh produce is difficult to get up on the North Rim, so you might need to rely on low/no sodium canned items (like beans), frozen fruits/veggies, nuts, rice/grains, and dehydrated items. You might also look into growing some of your own salad produce and herbs via small vertical or wall containers that could grow well inside or out. I haven’t tried that yet (as I’m still in Chicago with a great Whole Foods nearby), but will give it a shot when I start volunteering at remote parks.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I should be looking up new recipes for the lazy. I thought about trying container gardening for greens and tomatoes but worry about seed dispersal in a national park plus my RV is parked in a forest (not complaining).
Very true. I wonder if something smaller and indoors would work (with a grow light perhaps?). Might not be worth the hassle, but when you’re 150 miles from a grocery store….desperation might call for more drastic efforts 🙂
I’ll be thinking of a way for inside the RV for next summer for sure. I think I could build a shelf behind the couch in a big window.
My wife Heather has changed over almost completely to organic, no dyes, etc and fresh plus she and Logan are gluten free which makes me partial gluten free since I don’t want her cooking two meals and the gluten free stuff is not bad food.
Even here in Tulsa we now have several options for such food and now the regular grocery stores are starting to stock more healthy foods.
Glad to hear more people are eating healthy. Guess I come in late in the game. I’ve eaten several gluten free items and they taste great.
I’ve noticed on FB that you have been campaigning quite hard for this cause
I feel the need to speak out. Glad you’ve noticed. Is GMO big in SA?
I agree, Monsanto and and Big Agriculture being in charge of so much of our food supply is scary. We know money driven corporations are a whole lot more interested in making a buck than in keeping us healthy.
I really started reading labels when my granddaughter had a soy allergy. Almost everything has soy in it. Who would’ve thought?
Anyway, consumers need to beware. No one is going to do the looking for us.
We certainly have to take of our own healthy and be aware of what we’re eating. Soy, wheat and high fructose corn syrup are in almost everything, and they are usually GMO.
Hello warrior Goddess,
You are on kick! I know exactly what you’re saying about this whole genetic manipulation thing. We will become mutants of some kind down the road. A carrot/human hybrid is about to happen. Lots of great info here and I hope people will read what you are presenting. This has been an issue for me for some time. But my energy is spent on the birds and their habitat. This company came into my awareness last year during my studies on cranes and the seed used by farmers. They mine for ingredients to make their Roundup destroying all kinds of habitat. But who gives a shit. It’s Monsanto. They can do whatever they like because it’s all about profit. Capitalism will destroy this planet. How much is too much? You and I will be dead when this planet becomes truly ^%&$%. Sadly, it will only be at that point when people come together but at that point it will be too late. We also need to do something about this world population growth. Just how many humans can Earth support? How much habitat and resources will they be using? How much are they using now? It’s a bit scary. I see some areas being squeezed too much. There won’t be much left for anything else. This is one massive problem and as you can see by this comment……it’s all rolled up into the way people think. And things are slow to change, but habitat and chemicals etc are really taking its toll on this planet. Sorry for the ramble but I agree with you:)
It’s really sad that people typically and only come together at crisis. These chemicals not only effect us humans but the birds and animals as well. Monsanto MUST be stopped. Great rant from you today.
Plan meals around vegetables and fruits then add the protein, instead of the other way around like we used to. Farmer’s Markets and local produce as much as humanly possible. Seafood and meat local only. Cut way back on carbs; if I buy crackers, I get the gluten free organic kind, try instead to use nuts or veggies to nibble. Do eat fiber cereal, hope the kind I buy isn’t on that X list. I need to find a better copy of it (all those carrots don’t seem to be helping my old eyes too much ;>))!
Good post, thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sallie, all great recommendations. I’m learning, even if slowly.
My Grandmother told me to eat my carrots so I’d have curly hair. Didn’t work.
Gaelyn – You’ve become me – good luck! PS Thanks for the list.
Thanks Barb. You set a good example.
I really enjoyed reading your post and the comments. There’s a farmers’ market one block from me in Belgrade and I shop there, local stuff, they say not sprayed. But tofu and soy…are they all GMO?
Watch out for soy, there’s a lot of GMO. Make sure it’s organic.
Nice to have a farmers’ market so close by, plus I’m sure they’re near you in Seattle too.
I agree and we do the best we can. We grow a lot of our own food and buy mostly organic or naturally grown and mostly local. We are lucky to live in an area where there are lots of farms and CSA’s . I have been reading labels for lots of years now. Embrace it!! MB
I guess I’m a little behind, but I’m learning. Sure wish for local grown, a little closer yet that’s the trade off of living at the canyon.