Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic - Anna Getty [9]
a few money-saving tips
Until the supply of organic food increases and becomes less expensive, you can try these money-saving tips when shopping for organic food:
1. Many stores carry their own brands, which they sell at a lower price point than name brands. This is called private labeling. No matter where you shop, look for organic private and store brands; they will be less expensive.
2. Buy in season and, once again, buy locally. Local, seasonal produce will always be cheaper than produce that is out of season and flown or trucked in from miles away.
3. Buy in bulk and buy only what you need.
4. Purchase from community farms.
5. Buy larger sizes. Prices per unit drop when you purchase bigger jars, bags, or boxes.
6. Look for items on sale.
7. Compare prices at competing stores before making a purchase.
8. Start your own organic garden, of course.
Chapter 1
greening your kitchen
One of the first things I did when I decided to green my kitchen was give it a complete overhaul. That meant opening up my cupboards and taking a good look at what was in them to see exactly what was toxic to my family. I wanted only energy-efficient, green, sustainable, and organic products. I dug through cleaning products, cookware, storage containers, appliances, servingware, and anything else that had to do with my life in the kitchen.
I also embraced a process commonly known as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Restore. I got rid of things, gave a few old things a new life by using them for a different purpose, recycled things, and fixed things. In this chapter I will show you what you need to get rid of, what you can keep, and what you need to bring into your home. I’m not suggesting that you go into your kitchen, throw everything out, and replace it all. This is not about being dogmatic, but rather about making changes you feel comfortable with. Start small and then over time make more changes, like I did. I am still making changes every single day.
Remember, you don’t have to do everything described in this chapter all at once. Start with one thing that makes sense, get really comfortable with it, and then move on to your next goal and keep going from there. No one is perfect—we do what we can. The goal, of course, is to create a green, safe, inviting, and inspiring place to cook, where all senses come alive. Let’s do it!
reduce
First, let’s look at what you need to reduce: In today’s consumer society it’s all about getting the newest, the latest, and the greatest. We all want the cool toaster oven, cappuccino maker, and bread maker, and all the kitchen gadgets that keep our kitchens both well equipped and up to date. As a cook, I love all those things as well. But is it necessary to trade in an older hand mixer with five settings for the new and shiny hand mixer with ten settings, when the old mixer works perfectly well? Will it really improve the whipped potatoes?
Before you decide to buy a new item for your kitchen, ask yourself, Does it operate well? Is it safe to use? Will it make my life easier? In other words, do you simply want it, or do you really need it? If you decide to purchase it, think about where the item comes from. Does the manufacturer have sustainable and environmental standards of production? I encourage you to go online and find out about the company’s manufacturing and environmental standards.
One of the goals of a green lifestyle is reducing the amount of waste that comes into our homes. Whenever we make a purchase, the item comes in packaging, which is usually a petroleum-based packing material, such as Styrofoam or plastic. To reduce this waste, consider purchasing the item secondhand (in good condition), or maybe even trading or borrowing