What To Do When You Can’t Get Organic?!

Should I say welcome to my small town in Northern Minnesota?!? This post should provide some ideas for you when you struggle with not having organic options.

Ugh! I have one small grocery store in my town. I pay a premium for organic foods (Mamas-- I still cringe paying $2.98 for one tiny organic cucumber that just a few months ago grew in my own garden!). The supply here is quite inconsistent. This is challenging as one week there may be a good selection, but none the next week. So far I've found grass fed beef and chicken once (with no artificial hormones). But since, that has dissapeared, I’ve talked to the meat manager a few times about purchasing the grass fed beef and free range organic chickens. He said he can't purchase it anymore because he can't sell enough of it for the large quantity he has buy! So guess what?! I don’t buy the non-organic meat options. We have had to give it up for a season. We eat fish (wild caught Atlantic salmon and some other local kinds), beans, farm eggs, nuts and tofu. An occasional turkey burger too. Below are some suggestions for the question, What to do when you can’t get organic?!

When I can’t find organic I do the following:

1) Don’t buy it! Instead I find a good protein substitute until I can find what I need from another source.

2) Shop online (Amazon Prime: see info below on this!).

3) Post a request on a local Facebook or Craigs list site (i.e. your community’s sell and swap) asking for a local organic options to purchase eggs and meat from a farmer.

4) Read labels more meticulously and choose Non-Gmo products!

5) Look for packaging that says: No pesticides or locally grown, Antibiotic and growth hormone free (chicken, eggs, dairy, meats) **DON’T fall for the “ALL NATURAL” labeling and just because one item within a brand is good to MRL standards doesn’t mean a different variety is good. Examples of this: Peanuts (just check Planters salted vs. unsalted), chips ( plain original Lays vs. Bacon Cheddar Sour Cream), Dressings and Vinegars, Hot sauces, Dips, etc. The more” flavoring” added to “make something more exciting”, the more ingredients your will find full of non-healthy additives.

6) Buy Non-GMO Items (Thanks to the Non Gmo Project and you can check and extensive product list here: http://www.nongmoproject.org/) Also there is a FREE App in the Apple App store for scanning items in the grocery store!

7) Remember to stick to the Clean 15 vs. Dirty Dozen rules for produce choices and just don't buy the non-organic of the dirty dozen when its not available in organic! Remember Mamas, pesticide residues found on the drity dozen are even more harmful to the developing bodies of our children than our own.

Finally, I recommend spending the yearly fee to have FREE shipping from Amazon.com. Amazon Prime is what it is called if you are unfamiliar with it. Any item that is listed with the “PRIME” emblem is free 2 day shipping! It is my godsend here in “da North”. You can even try a free 30 day trial Click Here to check it out!

I know you are doing the best you can with what resources you have!

Thanks Mamas!

Sarah