With the recession and uncertainty in the economy, how can anyone offer to eat organic food? Well, here is how I try and incorporate organic food into my family meals. For me, it's all about trade offs and opportunity costs.
First, we only eat at restaurants on a monthly basis (not even fast food chains) because the cost for the cheapest meal is at least $5 when you include tax. This does not include the cost of driving to/from the restaurant. When we do eat at restaurants, we do not order any drinks (we drink the tap water that they give us) and most restaurants let you bring in your own drinks for your kids (especially when you have them in cute sippy cups or reusable bottles). We skip dessert as well most of the time (if we do order dessert, we order one and share among ourselves).
Second, we have a designated left over meal day (e.g. when you cook meals in bulk, it's usually cheaper and more convenient). I also limit the amount of meat we eat. If you think about it, the cheapest non-organic chicken will cost you at least $3.99/lb when the per pound cost of organic strawberries will run you the same price or less. In general, I've done quite a bit of research on this, organic fruits and vegetables will cost you much less than non-organic meat. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense of reduce your meat intake while increasing your organic fruits and vegetables intake (with a net cash savings for yourself). If you don't believe me, try gradually reducing your meat intake while increasing your organic fruits and vegetables purchase and track how much you wind up spending on groceries. You'll be happy with the results.
Third, buy organic fruits and vegetables on sale. However, do not over purchase, unless you remember to put the extra ones in the freezer.
Fourth, grow your own organic food. This takes quite a bit of time, but the hassle factor is almost completely gone once you've planted the plants and initially tended your garden.
Fifth, limit or reduce purchase of small gadgets or toys. I know a lot of parents who are fond of the local dollar stores and use it to treat their kids for good behavior, etc. I am totally supportive of rewarding and recognizing good efforts from my kids. I just don't purchase things from the dollar stores. Instead, I scribble a star on a board and keep track of their behavior, then, when they reach the pre-agreed upon number of stars, I bring them to the zoo or museum. This way, I eliminate the collection of extra stuff at home (thereby, reducing the "where is my_____ , mommy?" conversations) and we get to go on a cool family outing.
Finally, I would rather save money from movie rentals (I borrow what we want to watch from the local library) and use the savings towards organic food. Yes, that is how much I believe in consuming organic food.
First, we only eat at restaurants on a monthly basis (not even fast food chains) because the cost for the cheapest meal is at least $5 when you include tax. This does not include the cost of driving to/from the restaurant. When we do eat at restaurants, we do not order any drinks (we drink the tap water that they give us) and most restaurants let you bring in your own drinks for your kids (especially when you have them in cute sippy cups or reusable bottles). We skip dessert as well most of the time (if we do order dessert, we order one and share among ourselves).
Second, we have a designated left over meal day (e.g. when you cook meals in bulk, it's usually cheaper and more convenient). I also limit the amount of meat we eat. If you think about it, the cheapest non-organic chicken will cost you at least $3.99/lb when the per pound cost of organic strawberries will run you the same price or less. In general, I've done quite a bit of research on this, organic fruits and vegetables will cost you much less than non-organic meat. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense of reduce your meat intake while increasing your organic fruits and vegetables intake (with a net cash savings for yourself). If you don't believe me, try gradually reducing your meat intake while increasing your organic fruits and vegetables purchase and track how much you wind up spending on groceries. You'll be happy with the results.
Third, buy organic fruits and vegetables on sale. However, do not over purchase, unless you remember to put the extra ones in the freezer.
Fourth, grow your own organic food. This takes quite a bit of time, but the hassle factor is almost completely gone once you've planted the plants and initially tended your garden.
Fifth, limit or reduce purchase of small gadgets or toys. I know a lot of parents who are fond of the local dollar stores and use it to treat their kids for good behavior, etc. I am totally supportive of rewarding and recognizing good efforts from my kids. I just don't purchase things from the dollar stores. Instead, I scribble a star on a board and keep track of their behavior, then, when they reach the pre-agreed upon number of stars, I bring them to the zoo or museum. This way, I eliminate the collection of extra stuff at home (thereby, reducing the "where is my_____ , mommy?" conversations) and we get to go on a cool family outing.
Finally, I would rather save money from movie rentals (I borrow what we want to watch from the local library) and use the savings towards organic food. Yes, that is how much I believe in consuming organic food.
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