The last post in my series about eating healthy and finding deals on health food addresses a question many of us have had at one time or another: What does it mean to “go organic,” and, “why buy organic?” Once again, Victoria has an awesome and informative post that addresses these questions, then finishes with mouth-watering recipe chock full of organic food.  Thank you for sharing your passion with us Victoria!

Making the choice to purchase and consume organic food is a personal one. However, it is a choice that you should feel very good about making. By purchasing organic foods, you are choosing to support farmers whose crops are grown without anything contaminating the ground or water.

Only three percent of the food products in America are organic products. Nevertheless, many people are becoming more interested in organic products and the importance of consuming them instead of conventional products. Awareness of the toxic chemicals being used when growing crops is increasing and people are more and more concerned about the toxins they are ingesting, as well as what is happening to the environment.

When you choose to eat organically, you join the likes of many celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Christian Slater, Daryl Hannah, Christina Aguilera, Gwyneth Paltrow, along with many others. These celebrities all care about their health and the pesticide and chemical levels that non-organic food may possess, and have chosen to help the environment through their support of organic grown food.

There are many recipes available using organic products that are quick and easy to create for you or your family. You can start with something simple like an organic salad with fresh herbs using the following ingredients:

Organic greens
Baby greens
Arugula
Spinach
Mixed greens
Organic tomatoes, diced
Sunflower sprouts
Mushrooms , sliced
Yellow peppers, sliced
Basil, minced
Oregano
Mint
Thyme
Parsley
1/4 cup Non-fat Italian dressing
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

Simply mix equal amounts of the greens, and place the tomatoes, sunflower sprouts, mushrooms, peppers, and any other fresh produce items on top.

Sprinkle the herbs on top to your liking, and just before serving, mix the dressing and vinegar together and drizzle over the salad. You can also add ground pepper or peppercorns for additional flavor.

An option for a super easy meal for the family could be made with an organic chicken, organic rice, and sauteing organic vegetables to go along with it. There are countless recipes on the Internet, and even organic cookbooks you can purchase to give you endless ideas for meals. Of course, many of your
current recipes can be fixed organically, simply by using organic items in place of what you would normally use.

Whether you’ve chosen to eat organically for many years, or you are a newcomer to the idea, there are many resources and options available to help you continue with your healthy lifestyle. Certainly, with more and more awareness, the organic market will only continue to improve.

Written by Victoria, financial researcher and blogger at Ratelines, a financial portal for the best cd rates and insurance rates.

In part 3 of our series, Healthy Eating on the Cheap, financial blogger Victoria, happens to also be a health food nut who is passionate about organic eating. She has some great tips for buying organic foods if you are buying on a budget.  Thank you for blogging for me today Victoria!

Buying Organics on a Budget

Perhaps you have decided that purchasing organic foods is going to be a
priority for your family. Although your budget may not have much wiggle room,
there are ways to make this lifestyle work. Fortunately with more and more
interest in organically grown food, there are many options available.

Many chain grocery stores, and even some warehouse type stores are beginning to offer more organic options than they once did. These items will be labeled, but make sure they say “USDA Organic”, as they are the only ones that have met USDA standards. Although organic items will typically be higher in price than conventional items, by purchasing them at places like Wal-Mart and Costco, you may find that they will still fit into your budget.

There are also some smaller, local organic grocery stores. Typically these stores will have prices quite a bit higher, just as any local, non-chain based grocery store would. However, if you are fortunate enough to live in an area that offers a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market you may have better luck cost-wise. These larger organic chain stores have endless options, and prices are a bit more affordable. Whole Food Markets even offer a 10% discount if you
buy items in bulk.

Buying items that are in season will save you money. Don’t be afraid to ask your grocer what days certain fruits and vegetables arrive to the store. By purchasing those items as soon as they arrive, they will stay fresher longer. Make sure you only buy what you need for fresh foods. This way, you don’t have unnecessary food going to waste. However, if it is an item that can be frozen and it is at a good price, buy in bulk and stock up! Meat can be difficult to buy when trying to stick to a budget. Try to come up with meals that are “meatless.” By eating a few meals a week that don’t require any meat, you can save money easily.

Consider getting a CSA membership. Community Shared Agriculture or CSA, is available for you to order food from a local farmer, much like you would order a subscription to a magazine. When available, you will receive a share of local fruits, vegetables, eggs, and meats, all depending upon what is in season. However, you don’t necessarily get to choose what types of products you will receive, so if you have picky eaters in your family this may not be the best option. Also, you may have to get creative with some of your recipes to incorporate the items in your share.

Farmer’s Markets are also a great place to find locally, organic grown foods. Although items may seem pricey, there are ways to obtain some things more affordably. If you wait until close to the end of the day, many of the prices
at the Farmer’s Markets are marked down in order to sell them before the market closes. You could even consider growing some of your own food. Items like cherry tomatoes and herbs are very easy to grow and can be done in a
sunny window, or on a patio. As you get used to growing simpler items, you can learn how to grow even more complicated foods.

With a little research and comparison of prices, organic foods can fit into your budget. If eating organically is important to you, finding other places in your budget to make sacrifices may be helpful as well.

Written by Victoria, financial researcher and blogger at Ratelines, a financial portal for the best cdrates and insurance rates

We stump, stoop, slouch…so much so that the quality of our everyday lives can be directly affected from these posture problems.  I thought of this while sitting at the computer working, and had to stretch to relieve that nagging tightness between my shoulder blades. At the same time, I noticed a whole slew of other bad habits I was committing, and quickly set about practicing what I preach.

Why good posture is important:

Practicing good posture can improve your breathing, decrease your risk of injury, help you move more easily through the tasks of daily living, and also improve your sports performance.

Some signs you might need to improve your posture?

-      Do you have one hip higher than another?

-      Do you have one shoulder higher than another?

-      Does one side of your body rotate slightly more to one side?

-       Does your pelvis tip forward, back, or to one side when you stand?

-       Does your head juts forward beyond neutral alignment?

-       Do your chest and shoulders roll inward, as if your slouching, even when you’re trying not to?

-       Are the arches of feet are collapsed?

9  Pointers for Improving Posture

1. Check your posture throughout the day, and note some of your back habits.
2. If you spend a lot of time hunched over your computer keyboard, take time to stretch your chest muscles, lower your shoulders, stretch your neck, and roll  your shoulders down and back into proper position.
3. If you have a habit of crossing your arms in front of you, try clasping them behind you.
4. If your pelvis tips forward, try engaging your glutes. Standing in line at the grocery or a check out line is a good time to practice this, or even while driving in your car.
5. Take time every day to stretch muscles that tend to be tighter for most people: chest, hip flexors, hamstrings: too much tightness in these areas can cause posture problems
6. If you always sit or stand in the same position, vary your position from time to time.
7. Shoulders have a tendency to creep up toward our ears…try to keep them rolled back, and down, as if your placing your shoulder blades into the back pockets of your pants.
8. Consider yoga or Pilates – both help realign the body and strengthen the muscles that improve posture.
9. If you continue to have problems, see a physical therapist, chiropractor, or orthopedic specialist.