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Recession busting tips to maintain natural health
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My articles often reflect stories about ways to eat and maintain natural health within a budget. Despite the naysayers, we have as a nation been in a deep recession for quite a long time and must curtail spending to survive. My budget is excessively tight too, and I seek each day to find a way to save even more money and pass that on to you.
There are sensible ways to maintain health. Eat a healthy, balanced diet of mostly fruits and vegetables with only one serving of red meat per week. Use herbs and cut salt by never using more expensive microwave dinners, processed food, or fast food. That may seem extreme for some, but will save significantly on the grocery bill and will help boost the immune system, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, so lower medical bills.
Most herbs you can grow on your windowsill and clip them when needed to add flavor to vegetables and some meats. In prior articles, I have written about eating the weeds and flowers found commonly in most yards. They are FREE for the taking and eating, so do not let them pass you by before the seasons change.
Organics are expensive, but there are ways to get good, wholesome foods and still stay in the budget. Natural Foods Warehouse in Alpharetta and Johns Creek (near Duluth) has warehouse prices on good, organic and whole foods. Sadly, there is no fresh produce, but the soymilk, frozen and canned foods, wines and more are all budget conscious and better for you than most items offered in chain grocery stores.
Belong to a co-op! There are co-op farms in the Atlanta area like Serenbe or grocers like Sevanada and Life Grocery. You get deals on good, whole foods, classes, specials and discounts.
Pick your own foods! There are many pick-your-own farms in the Atlanta area. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has a publication called the Farmers and Consumers Bulletin that often lists them as do the local newspapers. By picking your own fruits and vegetables, you will certainly know who picked and processed it! There is less chance of contamination and the vitamins are at their peak. I have done this for years and can my produce to last the whole year. A short trip to South Carolina or South Georgia during peach season is a worthwhile picking excursion that the whole family can do together!
Local home growers, who are often organic growers, tend to set up tents each Saturday morning from spring through summer in towns all over the metro Atlanta area. My town of Duluth has local growers sharing their produce a couple of weekends a month. The town hall or chamber of commerce for your town should be able to tell you when and where there will be fresh produce for sale. Your purchase of foods from local growers helps encourage and support them while providing a nourishing, economical food source for your family.
Grow your own! If you want good fresh foods and do not mind a little “sweat equity”, find a good location in your yard or patio and sow a few seeds. Right now, it might also be a good idea to purchase some seedlings that are already started. Raised beds are best, but there does not need to be a lot of money spent to make a garden. Locally, Farmer D is one of the best places to get tips, hints, and organic starters!
It’s time to take the lead and take care of ourselves to bust this recession. Pick your own, grow your own, join co-ops and support local growers. You will save money, eat healthier, and avoid costly imported foods that might be contaminated.
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