Go Organic for New Year's

With New Year's around the corner, it is an ideal time to make a lasting resolution to eating healthier in 2014.  I for one have gotten wrapped up in fad diets desperate for quick results that I lose sight of the resolution itself. These diets not only can harm your health, but are unsustainable, in the end causing a toxic lifestyle.

Here on 'Into the Great Unknown,' we will be blogging throughout 2014 on easy tips for your health and diet.  I have struggled with a sluggish metabolism my entire life and have learned that diet isn't about starvation, it is about fuelling your body with the best nutrients to keep your entire system from head to heart functioning.  Eating healthy doesn't mean giving up tasty, scrumptious foods, but rethinking your approach to food.  Anti-inflammatory foods like salmon, nuts and olive oil and flaxseed...vegetables and fruits...fiber rich foods that taste delicious.

A key starting step to improving health is going organic.  Processed foods and artificial foods are scientifically proven to harm the body and also are not as filling as protein, fiber and nutrient rich counterparts.  For years organic was a priority, but I thought artificial ingredients were safe.  It took developing a severe allergy to sulfites and histamine intolerance to shift my way of thinking.  I also am allergic to soy, which is extremely processed and GMO, as well as gluten-intolerant.  These allergies/intolerances jolted me to the realities of dangers of GMO and artificial foods. 

A common misconception is that is costs more to go organic.  Granted it isn't cheap to eat organic, but isn't expensive.  I live on a fixed budget and my mom is on Social Security and we both eat organic for equal to or less than it costs to eat processed/artificial food.  It is all about planning, budgeting and buying local foods.  The Farm to Local, Farmer's Market movement is picking up steam across the nation. Even national chains like Safeway, Cost-Co, Kroger have organic certified products.  Our local Co-Op has cheaper prices on many foods compared to national chains.  Many major brands have started to offer organic equivalents.  Granted I prefer brands that are fully committed to non-GMO/staying organic, but this is a great option for those on a budget or life in an area with limited organic options.

So get creative, read labels, make sure that you know the origin of your food.  For instance some Salmon is caught in the US then processed in China?  In Montana many of our stores have made a commitment to Montana-American made beef only.  After the Tesco - horsemeat scandal in the UK isn't it worth finding out the origin of your meat and vegetables?

I will routinely feature organic foods and companies in future posts - brands that I find are a great price for the money.

Safeway Organics - Safeway's organic brand is excellent quality for the price and is Organic!  They have a lot of locally sourced foods from Washington state in our Montana store - including organic WA state wines.

Cost-Co: I am continually impressed by Cost-Co's commitment to having a wide selection of organic foods, from yogurts to their Kirkland Organic Chocolate Milk, sweet potatoes, grapes...the list is extensive.  Plus Cost-Co always has an affordable price.

Co-Op - search for your local Co-Op: Our Bozeman Co-Op

Rosauers: A Pacific NW chain, their brand, Huckleberry's sells an extensive selection of organic food for a fair price.

Whole Foods

Newman's Organic - is sold at most stores - not only is it organic, all of the profits go to charity!

You can order a great deal of products online, saving money if you order in bulk.

Stay tuned to 'Into the Great Unknown' for our favorite Organic/Green brands.