Who Controls Our Food
Do you know who controls your food? Joki, a University of Montreal student, compiled the above graph which shows that Pepisco, Nestle, and Kraft control the lion share. (See here to view a larger picture.) Joki’s research paints a soap opera full of villains and scandal. In reality, we control our food destiny. Here are some easy ideas on how to kick the box top habit and reign in control. Be sure to add your ideas in the comments.
Reigning in the Box Tops.
Now, I completely understand life is busy and grabbing an off the shelf product is easier. I hear you. I am guilty as charged as well. However, consider the following food hacks that I have weaved into my life:
- Double your recipes so you can eat one meal and freeze the other for another day.
- Consider prepping for two different meals. Instead of browning a pound of meat, brown 2 lbs and freeze the balance.
- Start shopping at your local farmer’s market to source fresh fruits and vegetables. Many times, you will also find organic grass fed beef, locally made cheese and milk.
- Consider buying vegetables on sale and freezing them. See here on how to freeze tomatoes. (A canning video is forth coming.)
- Consider growing your own vegetables. (Be sure to check out how to grow your own seedlings.) Container growing is easy if you don’t have room for a garden. (For expert advice, check out Mike’s site, the Urban Organic Gardener.) I use potato bags from Gardeners’ Supply to grow beets, peppers, and potatoes. Consider growing tomatoes in them as well.
- Make your own broth from your leftover peels or meat/chicken bones. So easy, especially if you use your crock pot. (Check out my chicken or vegetable broth recipes) Ditch the plastic lined aesthetic containers and/or the added unhealthy MSG laden broths.
- Mill your own grain. Seriously. I use my Kitchen Aid mill attachment and mill my own buckwheat, rice, and sorghum grains. (Yes. I grow buckwheat and sorghum.) By the way, the mill does all the work and it is so much less expensive than buying specialty grain. (Check out Sarah of the Healthy Home Economist’s video on milling your own grains. My video is still on my computer. *Sigh*)
- Add more greens to your diet. Here is an easy to follow smoothie recipe. Or consider simply throwing in your favorite greens in the oven with a drizzle of oil. Use my roasted greens recipe. By the way, I have tried almost every green in this recipe. So easy but yet so delish. (Quick tip: You can score tons of fresh broccoli and cauliflower leaves at a farmer’s market. Many of the farmers just throw them away since people just want the vegetable. Just ask!)
Join the Conversation:
- What are your favorite food hacks so you can ditch the store bought packages?
- What is your favorite on the run home cooked recipe?
- Do you garden? If so, what are your favorite veggies to grow?
- Have you decreased your store bought package consumption lately? If so, what have you stopped buying and why?
- What are your thoughts about Kraft, Pepsico, and Nestle?
Thanks to Mary at In Women We Trust for the tip.
kay says
I have my own organic garden. I plant lettuce and tomatoes and make healthy organic vegetable salads.
Anna@Green Talk says
Kay, what is your favorite salad? Do you make your own dressing too? Anna
Kristina (The Greening of Westford) says
Unfortunately, I am NOT a gardener. I have tried for several years and just don’t have the passion. I love the idea of going out to the garden to pick fresh veggies, but I do not like tending to the garden.
That said, I stick to my local farmers market when possible and organic options (when I can) at the grocery store, or buy lower pesticide “clean 15” items.
I have recently mastered granola bars! Could not be more excited since I was buying these by the case, individually packaged crap and all! This is my version: http://thegreeningofwestford.b.....-bars.html
We love these too: http://www.livingcrunchy.com/2.....lara-bars/