I was reading some news articles on MSN yesterday and was not shocked to see headlines about our economic downslide, inflation up by 1.1% etc. etc.  We get it.  Times are tough!  But one article actually commented on Canada’s food costs increasing and how this was going to affect Canadian households in the upcoming year.  That one got my attention.

The rising cost of food is, in my opinion, a fairly universal one.  This doesn’t just manifest itself from a downturn in the economy, but also from an increase in population demand.  However, all things aside, I can appreciate that a slow economy means that many households cannot afford as much as they used to, let alone an organic diet.  Ultimately, this means that the average person will be looking for ways to cut-corners at the grocery store.

In an effort to keep everyone healthy, on a budget; I’ll offer up some tips for those of you who may not necessarily be able to afford a completely “organic’ grocery list.

1.  If you’re not a vegetarian, try cutting back on your weekly meat consumption.  It’s not really necessary to eat meat daily anyways, and some would argue it’s healthier to avoid it altogether.  There’s plenty of ways to get adequate protein at a lesser cost, such as combining vegetables with beans and legumes.

2.  Organic produce is ideal, but it can be costly.  If you cannot afford to buy everything organic, try to buy as much locally grown produce and products as possible.  Also, you can try buying only what’s coined as the “Dirty Dozen” organic.  These include: apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, raspberries, spinach and strawberries.

3.  Switch to Almond or Soy milk.  Often, these are less expensive to purchase than organic milk, and just as healthy.

I’m looking forward to receiving my organic basket of produce today.  I was thinking about what this container would hold, since the majority of the items they put in are grown locally and seasonally.  You’re probably wondering what on earth is considered “seasonal” at this time of the year?!  Unless you live in a warmer climate, getting anything to grow in the middle of winter would be a challenge.  But there are many vegetables and fruits that are considered seasonal for this time of the year because they have a longer growing time and can be stored over the winter months.

Seasonal foods for this time of the year include: apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, leeks, onions, turnips, sweet potatoes, shallots, potatoes, rutabaga, and parsnips.

If you want to adopt a more seasonal diet, which I highly encourage everyone to do, the easiest way to do it is to simply start shopping for seasonal produce and to plan out your meals to reflect the seasons accordingly.  For example, during the winter months we crave richer, more warming foods.  Plan your meals to include things like hearty soups and stews.  As spring begins to come upon us, you can gradually start to plan a spring cleanse, and begin to incorporate more sprouts and greens into your menus.  The variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet increases as the weather warms.

If you really want to do this but don’t want the hassle of having to research out what is seasonal or not, try subscribing to a local organic produce delivery service.  Not only will you be keeping your local farmers in business, but you’re guaranteed to get items that are seasonal in your basket every week.  Here in Toronto there are a few different companies that provide the service.  I use Mama Earth Organics @ www.mamaearth.ca