My Saturday? It was heavenly. A glorious afternoon of getting (only slightly) lost, trying to find a particular farmer’s market.
Oh, was the meandering journey worth it! Once there, I spent hours picking through the extraordinary display of offerings – from fiery red tomatoes to leafy spinach and perfect peaches, seeds and spices I’d never seen or heard of before, a fish market with an astonishing display, and of course breads to slay the skeptic in all of us when it comes to tasty and healthy in the same mouthful.
And more. So much more.
As for the price tag? Approximately $54, for nearly a week’s worth of food. And trust me – that is far less than “usual” with teenagers around the place.
Not a fascinating topic? Really? Then can we agree that it’s a critical topic – for those of us who wish to eat better rather than worse, as we find our dwindling dollars disappearing at an accelerating pace?
And what about the issues of health? Preventing heart disease and cancer? Now have I got your attention?
Let’s consider the provocative article on yesterday’s New York Times Opinion pages, by Mark Bittman, with the following teaser:
Taxing junk food and making healthy food more affordable would save millions of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs.
Mr. Bittman takes on the food industry and its marketing, and goes on to say:
Their mission is not public health but profit, so they’ll continue to sell the health-damaging food that’s most profitable, until the market or another force skews things otherwise. That “other force” should be the federal government, fulfilling its role as an agent of the public good…
Pop over to the Times and read. Please. Be sure to read the comments. It’s a worthy discussion; an essential discussion, and I, too, believe it is indisputable that the quality of the food that we consume – or lack thereof – is killing us. And costing us a bloody fortune as a nation in the process.
Examples In Eating, Spending, And Action Over Apathy
Not long ago I wrote about obesity in America. I wrote about our need to learn more and do more when it comes to the food we eat, which we know is a critical factor in growing health problems and long-term costs. I am sharing what I’m learning about eating healthier on a tight budget.
I realize that a “restricted shopping budget” for one household of three isn’t the same as another, and this is food only – not other necessities. Moreover, ask me again in a month, and I’m likely to be slashing deeper still. But for now, let me say I spent far less than anticipated, bought quality and quantity, and I estimate my savings (yesterday) at $30, possibly more.
And yes, I’m fortunate in having a number of accessible locations to choose from. Not everyone has these options, and this is one of the problems we face when it comes to what we consume – lack of access, along with lack of education about what we’re putting in our mouths.
As for my glorious food treasure, my purchases are as follows:
- cage-free brown eggs (a dozen), Gouda (Dutch) cheese
- sock-eye salmon fillets (enough for 3), 1 pound of fresh (wild) shrimp (enough for 3)
- baby field greens, baby spinach, carrots, red potatoes, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, Chinese eggplant, Italian eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, green onion
- white nectarines, strawberries, 1 avocado
- tumeric (poor woman’s saffron), green olives stuffed with garlic, elephant garlic, Dijon mustard
- 2 baguettes rustic bread, organic farm multigrain (delicious and filling)
Note that I didn’t buy meat, chicken, milk, yogurt or juice (I was able to find those elsewhere a few days ago – about $25 – all standard for our household). Note, too that inexpensive cuts of meat tenderize in pressure cooker recipes in no time, and I’ve previously mentioned that I’m doing more pressure cooker meals, most for $8 or less, feeding approximately four.
As for the olives ($1.39) and the nice chunk of cheese ($2.32), they were an indulgence. Hey! It’s the weekend!
You Are What You Eat
Over the past weeks I’ve learned the prices and selections of local markets, and I make the rounds. Yes, it’s time-consuming, but it’s been worth it. And as many of you may already know – if you’re willing to trim your own meats and clean your own shrimp and fish, you can eat wonderfully at a lower price – by being less squeamish.
I believe in the expression “you are what you eat” – now, more than ever. In the past six weeks or so I’ve changed my diet significantly, and I feel more energetic, am never hungry, and I’ve lost weight. I continue to eat some meat, some chicken, whatever fish I can afford (that hasn’t been much lately). I’m eating a great deal of fruits and veggies, and tons of cabbage in a variety of soups and stews.
Does that mean there isn’t a chip or piece of cake to be found in our pantry? Of course not. Life is too short to be crazed over every bite, or – in my opinion – to deny oneself sensual pleasures like chocolate, or whatever treat comes to mind. But they’re treats – not staples.
My health and the health of my family are the priority. I’m not quite over-the-hill yet (on the contrary!), but nor am I a spring chicken. Healthy eating is a must, a non-negotiable – over clothing, over gadgets, over cars, over going out.
This is about priorities – and also enjoyment. The pleasure of food, when you eat quality. The sensuality of the colors and textures and aromas, not to mention the taste, and taking time to savor it.
What Are Your Kids Really Eating?
Did you ever read a food label? Really read a food label?
If you won’t do it for yourself, will you improve your food knowledge for your kids? Are you sure you want them on a steady diet of chemicals you can’t even pronounce? Isn’t it worth a closer look? Isn’t it worth putting your money where your mouth is – literally?
I’ll say it again. It’s about priorities. It’s about Americans in a hurry, Americans looking the other way, Americans accepting what is easy, Americans with blinders on until it “happens to them,” American money – and money better spent on a bigger picture, a longer-term picture, a healthier picture for all of us.
I’ll still enjoy my occasional Big Mac, and my chunk of chocolate, and some processed foods – of course. Part of my real world requires it. But I strongly believe we can all do so much better, with a bit of education and a whole lot of insistence. We are what we eat. We need to own the responsibility for our actions, including getting what we deserve, when it comes to quality food.
As for Mark Bittman’s suggestion that we insist on government forcing the food industry into better / healthier practices, I’d be curious to know what you think.
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Taxing junk food is a no-brainer, just as raising the taxes on cigarettes was. Might be easier to pass at a state level. One more reason to get the corporations out of Congress.
I find it’s easier to eat healthy in the summer with all the fresh veggies/fruit options. Our garden isn’t going to provide much for canning for the winter, so we are enjoying what we can now. It seems like a cruel, vicious cycle with the affordability of junk food and obesity. Add food stamps and it’s no wonder there are health issues among those that need to use that type of assistance. But even with all that, there is another serious problem with our culture today. It’s a lack of motivation to move! Most of us lead very sedentary lives, which doesn’t help matters regardless of what kind of calories go into our mouths.
Yes, to the abundance of summer fruits and vegetables! But what’s interesting Lisa, is that I’m normally pretty active – a brisk walker – daily, I’ve had a broken toe these past few weeks, and haven’t been able to get any exercise. And I’ve lost weight, while eating a good deal – but differently.
That said, I generally agree with you that a sedentary life isn’t helpful, and exercise of some sort has mental as well as physical benefits. But I’m more convinced than ever that the quality of what we’re eating plays a bigger role in our health (and weight and energy) than we realize.
I do agree with Wolf above…easier at the state level…or even local level. Philadelphia is trying to pass the imposing of a soda tax (like how I said “soda”…can tell where I live?! :))
However, I think Bittman is correct in saying that we should push it on a federal level as well because they are the ones subsidizing what farmers are producing.
I am in awe and admiration over your vigilance with finding inexpensive healthy food for your family. Being a single parent on a low income, I understand the need completely! Time, though, is a killer. Once school begins again and I’m back to my full-time business of teaching, I will be opting for quick and easy. I think my crock pot will be getting a considerable workout!
Wish me well! As I wish you well! Please post some of your recipes, I’d love to try them:)
Yes, time – as you say, Tina – is the issue. At the moment, I’m spending more time with this chasing-down affordable and healthy food, because I’m in between projects which of course makes it even more of a must, financially.
By the way, Tina – the investment in the pressure cooker has paid for itself many, many times over. And speaking of time – everything cooks incredibly quickly – so that’s a time saver to offset some of the time spent scouring each market for their great deals.
Wonderful post, BLW. And, while the balance of my comment will focus on the social impact of our food system, I want you to know that my overriding emotion while reading this post was happiness for you! Happy that you’ve found ways to incorporate such wonderful produce into your budget, and happy that you’re feeling better for it!
As for the food system – yes, I’m all for the tax. Like you, I still indulge in the fast food burger every now and then, so I’m not perfect. But I’d be willing to pay an extra price for the burger if there’s a beneficial social impact.
My only concern about the tax is that it would be levied without a companion educational program for low-income families. Many of these folks (unfortunately) rely on fast food to keep their bellies full. You (and Corbyn Hightower) are shining examples of how families on strict budgets can continue to eat healthfully and without reliance on fast food. But the difference here is that you are both EDUCATED!! You know how the food system works. You know how to cook. You have the financial and culinary savvy to work with fresh ingredients that are inexpensive. (This is where I start singing the praises of dried beans…) But most low-income families do not have those advantages. If we were to levy a tax on fast food without launching a sister educational campaign, I worry that low-income families would be unduly punished; that they would find their fallback meals growing more expensive without any knowledge of how to seek an alternative. I adamantly believe that there should be a huge PR and advertising campaign to teach low-income families how to shop and how to cook in a way that meets both their budgetary and nutritional needs.
This is a big, big problem in our culture. While I certainly appreciate her efforts, it’s going to take much more than the First Lady’s organic White House garden to solve it. The food lobby is a juggernaut and I don’t have any idea how we begin to dismantle it, but I think that component will have to be addressed. In the meantime, congrats on your farmer’s market successes, and enjoy all those wonderful meals!!
I agree with you that some sort of educational program is essential. And the other thing is – healthy food can be delicious. I think we need to learn to taste what we eat – and that also requires a small amount of “slow-down” – tough in our current cultural climate.
Our choices nearby are limited, but we do have standard fresh fruits and vegetables available. I’m working at eating more fruit because I like it – it just doesn’t pop into my mind when I’m looking for a nibble. Retraining my thinking is what I think I need. Salads are easy for me and would be my main course, with perhaps some tuna or chicken, during summer months if I were cooking only for myself.