Shannon Goes Organic

I am always shocked by things people say when they dont really know anything about what organic really means.  I have had people tell me they thought organic was something that was added to make a product organic. Or I have heard people say, “Ew, I don’t want any of that organic stuff”, like it is a bad thing.  Prior to the 20th century, food as been prepared organically. 

So what is required for a food to be called organic? (this info was found on wikipedia)

1. Organic foods must be made in ways that comply with standards set by national governments and international organizations.
2. Use of conventional non-organic pesticides are precluded.
3. If livestock are involved, the livestock must be reared with regular access to pasture and without the routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones.
4.  In most countries, organic produce may not be genetically modified. It has been suggested that the application of nanotechnology to food and agriculture is a further technology that needs to be excluded from certified organic food.

So, please share this article with some you love that turns down your food because it is “organic”.  They just are not sure what it means.

For the last few years, I have been making pumpkin loaf and muffins during the holidays for family gatherings.  This year, I had to make an organic version and they were 10 times better than my standard recipe. 

Here is the recipe…this is on the cheap, but I am not giving a price break down, because the only thing I did not already have in my pantry was the canned pumpkin which was only $2.  You can also add nuts or raisins if you like.  I love grinding my own spices when possible because it makes the kitchen smell incredible and the taste is that much fresher.

Here is the recipe (makes 24 muffins)

Sift together the following ingredients:

1. 2.5 cups of organic flour
2. 2 cups organic evaporated cane sugar
3. 2 tsp baking soda
4. 1 Tbsp cinnamon
5. 1/4 tsp freshly ground cloves
6. 1/4 tsp all spice
7. 1 tsp salt

In another bowl wisk together:

1. 3 large organic eggs
2. 1/2 cup canola oil
3. 1 can organic pumpkin

After the pumpkin is mixed in with the eggs and oil,  add by graduation the dry ingredients.  Spoon mixture in prepared muffin pans,  Take 1 Tbsp of cinnamon and 1 Tbsp of the organic sugar and sprinkle on top of the muffins before baking at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

I posted earlier this week how I needed to get back on track.  Before going to the store, I looked through my cabinets and made a list of everything that I could use this week.  I also cleaned out my fridge of all the old produce and washed out the bins.  I made a menu for the week and then my shopping list.  I got mostly frozen veggies because they are more cost effective for me.  I just make what I need and the rest goes back to the freezer.  I also made sure I was drinking more water at work and eating breakfast before I leave the house.

I also made a great meal last night and the recipe is posted on the Organic Recipes on the Cheap section.  This meal is less than 2 bucks per serving and really hit the spot.  Stay tuned for more recipes and updates on my progress!

I haven’t posted in awhile and am getting back on track. This happens to everyone and instead of making excuses, I’ll jump right back into it.  I started a new job in mid-September and my whole life felt like it was turned upside down. I went from just caring for me and my daughter  going to the gym 5 days a week, and preparing all our foods to becoming dehydrated, skipping meals (usually only eating once a day), to becoming desperate and eating whatever I could find. My new job requires me to move and be on my feet all day. Though I haven’t lost any weight since starting the job, I haven’t gained any and I have lost a pants size. I have started going to bed very early so I can get my daughter to the babysitter before 6am and myself to work by 6:30 am. I was working long hours without taking breaks, but now I have an assistant to help take a load off and am getting back on track.

I wont go into great detail, but just these changes in my life caused some shock to my body and I ended up needing to go to the doctor to check out awful pains I was having. Though, I didn’t realize it at the time, I found out I was constipated from not drinking enough water and my change in eating habits. This was very interesting to me because it really showed me how what you eat and drink can effect your health.

The first thing I am doing to get back on track is to drink lots of water. I am making a shopping list and meal plan for the next few weeks and will post it with recipes if anyone would like to join me. I am also going to commit to 2 days a week at the gym for now and work in some exercise on my lunch breaks at least once a week.

Today I added two new sections to my blog.  One is “Organic Recipes on the Cheap”.  In this section, I will be adding recipes as I make them for myself.  I will include a photo, ingredients, how to make, and a breakdown of the cost per serving.  I will not include a few ingredients in the cost, such as spices or oils, unless they take up a substantial amount of the dish.  I love to cook, but am not a gourmet chef nor do I have time to make elaborate meals.  I try to keep it simple, tasty, and healthy while keeping the cost down.

I have also added a section for “Amazing Products” and  will be adding more products as I learn about them or as I use them.  I already added my first amazing product tonight, Agave Syrup.  I would love to hear about your favorite Amazing Products or how you use ones that I have listed. 

Look forward to updates in these sections and new pages are in the works and will be out very soon!

I created this blog to tell the world about  obstacles I face in my small, Alabama town to go organic.  I’d like to share a little story of a frustrating event I had yesterday.

 My daughter was born  almost a year ago and I am now looking for a day care to put her in as soon as I go back to work.  I checked out some places about 6 months ago and narrowed it down to one that I really liked.  I went back yesterday, after a promising job interview, and the lady that I spoke with didn’t remember me from my prior visit.  Now, this day care is a lovely place with a great environment.  The price for tuition is $600 a month (and in my town, that is a house payment).  When she asked me if I would like to leave a deposit to hold a place for my daughter, I asked her, “What did you feed the toddlers today?”.  She said, “saltines and juice”..then she named other items that they have that were not foods I plan to feed my girl.  I asked her if any items were all natural or organic and she rolled her eyes at me and said, “OH, NOW I remember YOU.”.  To her, I was a problem parent ready to criticize her establishment.  I asked her if my daughter could bring her own food for lunch and snacks and she said, “No, not without a doctor’s note for being a diabetic or for religious reasons.”.   I was astounded that such a reputable day care had such low standards when it comes to the nutrition of children.  I am sure they strictly follow government regulations, but I think that is minimal for my child.  I do believe our educators need some education.

$600 a month..that is $7200 a year.   I am not rich, but would rather go without certain luxuries like cable or eating out if I had to do so.  For $7200 a year, could you please give me a choice of an organic meal and snack for my child.  Heck, I’d even pay extra.

So, my obstacle now is, where do I find a day care that would embrace my beliefs instead of rolling their eyes to my face.  But I dont want pressure from society to keep me from providing the best care or nutrition for my family. 

As you will soon find out, my favorite grocery store is Earth Fare.  We do not have many choices here for organic foods.  We have the mainstream stores, but I find  slim selections and high prices. Earth Fare has many types of and choices.  The offer their own brand with many foods at a substantially lower price than the name brands.  I now shop exclusively there and drive a ways once or twice a week to do my food shopping.  They have a mission to educate children about nutrition and to end child obesity.  This goal is almost too incredible to imagine achievable.  I have sent the company an email challenging them to work with preschools to have organic options.  I also challenge any parent or child reading my post to demand natural and organic food choices or pack a lunch and not pay a penny towards the funding of these meals that you may consider unfit for yourself or your child.