Recession Eating

Wednesday, May 13

Let’s face it.  Organic produce and grass-fed meats can be expensive, so it’s time to be reasonable and monitor spending.  For example, if you can’t afford organic scallions at $3.39 a bunch, don’t get it.  Make substitutions where appropriate.  You don’t always have to get the priciest cuts of meat, opt for ground beef instead of a porterhouse steak.  Dark meat chicken is less expensive than white meat.  And here’s an added benefit:  Dark meat contains more nutrients than white meat such as iron and zinc.  Personally, I think thigh meat is the tastiest part of the chicken.  Canned salmon is less expensive than fresh.  And it’s often from Alaska—which is wild (you’ll see this engraved on the lid of the can).  Make some salmon salad with small white beans, thinly sliced red onion, some chopped parsley and dill, olive oil, and plenty of fresh lemon juice.  This on top of a bed of salad greens is a favorite lunch of mine.  Or stuff half an avocado with it.    

During hard times, our circumstances dictate what we can and cannot afford.  Don’t feel bad if you can’t afford to eat all organic foods right now (as if you need to feel bad on top of everything else you may be enduring!)  When times are tough, we have to make do and that’s that.