Want weekly fresh produce? Join the Bountiful Baskets Co-op!

It's that time again!  Local produce markets and co-ops are filling with fresh fruits and vegetables to feed your family.  Last year, we mentioned four reasons you should shop local produce.  We also shared the 2012 "dirty dozen" list, and what produce is best to buy organic.  They are great posts to check out as you begin shopping seasonally this spring and summer.

We wanted to share with you Bountiful Baskets Co-Op, which is operated throughout the country in various cities, and here, locally, in Vancouver and Camas.  It's a great, grass roots organization to support!  And it is a great support for your healthy lifestyle!

What you get if you join the Bountiful Baskets Co-Op:

• Every week that you choose to participate, you receive $50 of fresh produce for $15.  Each participant's $15 of contribution money is pooled together to buy high-quality produce in bulk at a wholesale prices.
• You help support local produce growers and farms.
• This co-op encourages a healthier lifestyle
• You get to meet great people!

To participate:

• Use the website www.bountifulbaskets.org to make your monetary contributions toward the pools to purchase produce.
• Log into the website between Noon on Monday to 10pm on Tuesday for the following Saturday pickup.
• Choose organic or conventional (non-organic) produce--$15.00 with first time charge of $3.00 per basket.
• Choose your site pick up according to state, city and location.  East county location: Liberty Middle School, 1612 NE Garfield Street, Camas.  South parking lot (between Liberty MS and the Joyce Garver Performing Arts Center). Camas contact: Sabrina LeFevre 360-635-1365
• Pick up is every Saturday morning at 7am
• Volunteer!  Without volunteers the co-op is not possible.
• Contribute the amount required for each item desired by the deadline listed.

Join and enjoy!

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Habits of Healthy Eaters

Since taking up Crossfit and recently beginning the transition to a Paleo diet, I've had to take a close look at the food in my fridge and cupboards.  Many items had to go, while alternatives to certain foods had to be purchased.  However, and interestingly enough, shopping has become easier and more straight to the point.   

Did you know that the route you take in the grocery store can help you make healthy eating choices and better help you avoid weight gain?  This article explains how shopping the outer perimeter will help you make healthy food purchases, along with giving strategies to help keep you on the healthy track while shopping in a store full of many not-so-healthy foods.  

Have you read about the grocery store's Dirty Dozen?  

Read here about what produce is best to buy organic.

Do you have strategies in place for when you grocery shop?

I'd love to know!

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The 2012 Dirty Dozen: Produce You Should Only Buy Organic

By Cassie McCully

Since we've been talking produce and the four reasons you should shop local produce, it seems appropriate to pass along the list of produce that you should buy organic. 

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization, advocates for health-protective policies, while supplying consumers with useful resources, such as the annual EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides.  This list informs consumers of what foods are testing at high levels of pesticides, even though they've made it into the supermarket.

The tests and results are not to sway consumers from eating their fruits and vegetables, as the EWG states, "the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure."  Moreso, the information is used as a resource to educate consumers as a means to limit pesticide intake.

The Dirty Dozen (plus):
Buy these organic

1.  Apples

2.  Celery

3.  Sweet Bell Peppers

4.  Peaches

5.  Strawberries

6.  Nectarines (imported)

7.  Grapes

8.  Spinach

9.  Lettuce

10. Cucumbers

11.  Blueberries (domestic)

12.  Potatoes

Plus:

Green Beans

Kale/Greens

 

Are you interested in learning about the Clean 15?  Visit the EWG's 2012 Executive Summary. 

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4 Reasons You Should Shop Local Produce

By Cassie McCully

 The season for shopping your local farmers market has arrived.  Do you take advantage of fresh grown produce?  For many, grocery shopping in general, is a chore, so one-stop-shopping is convenient. 
But we all know, convenience isn't always the best option.

Here's four reasons why you should buy
your produce local:

1.  Taste the difference

You've heard people say, there's something different about farm-fresh produce. 
And it is true.  The produce that is taken to farmers markets is usually harvested 1-2 days before sale.
On the other hand, produce that is being sent to grocery stores, enter a distribution network that can last from days to even weeks before the produce hits the shelves and is sold. 
There is no denying the freshness of recently harvested produce.

2.  Know where & how your food is grown

Local farmers have years of experience cultivating healthy foods that are
organic and pesticide-free.  If you don't have access to a local farm or farmer's market, aim to buy organic items when possible, to reduce possible pesticide consumption.

3. Support local farms

It's a pleasure to give back to where you come from, and help keep farmers in business! If local farms are not accessible, CSA (community supported agriculture) programs may be an option, or if you have the space, you could jump in and start growing your own harvest.

4. Save money by shopping locally & seasonally

If foods don't have to be transported to a far destination, costs remain relatively low.  The same is if you shop seasonally.  The price that it takes to have access to produce is always dependant on harvest location and if the produce is in season.  See the chart below to shop seasonally. 

Seasons may vary by region.

Farmers Markets in the area:

Today is the opening day of the Camas Farmers Market. 
It runs from 3-7:30pm every Wednesday through October 10th.

The Vancouver Farmers Market
Runs Saturday 9-3pm and Sunday 10-3pm through October 28th.

In Portland?  Check out this list of Portland Farmers Markets.

image credits 1 & 2 3

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Shocking Display of Sugar

When the urge hits, it isn't always easy to resist the temptation of sugar. 

However, these photos put sugar consumption into perspective, and do so rather quickly.

4.2 grams = 1 teaspoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of sugar = 1 cube

Would you like to see more?

Visit Sugar Stacks for more information.

Want to read more on sugar?

Read the article, "Is Sugar Toxic?"

and decide where you stand.

Image 1

Sugar Cube Images

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