Not going organic?

Three_Dancing_Dragons

I really wanted to go organic this year but am on a limited income due to disability. Today I got my sainsburys online delivery and paid £1 for 3kg of penne pasta. Organic it would be that for 500g.

With that kind of price difference I really can't justify it. I'll stay organic in my milk (I have enough hormones already) and just free range my meat. Wish I could go full organic but I really can't justify the cost and I don't have garden to grow much of my own (although I hope to try herbs this year).

Fortunately I live very close to a weekly farmers marked ... although I haven't found that the prices are much cheaper and it's really difficult to obtain chicken or eggs (venison though, not a problem).

Is this a common experience? Is there an Old Style solution?

Queenie

Three_Dancing_Dragons wrote:

...

Is this a common experience? Is there an Old Style solution?

You could keep a couple of chickens in your back garden and "grow your own" organic eggs.

Even with some types of disabilities it is possible to grow your own veggies in tubs. (If you search the forums for "square foot gardening" there was a discussion about this method and it's amazing what you can grow in just one square foot!).

There is an interesting article in this months Top Sante on which organic items are worth paying that little bit extra for and it basically boils down to carrots, salmon, soup (why not make your own?), chicken, milk, tea and tomatoes. If you grew your own carrots and tomatoes you've already knocked 2 off that list.
On the other side of the coin, it was suggested that organic potatoes, cereals and beef really aren't worth splashing out on for all the difference they make - in the case of cereals it does say that organic one's don't have the added vitamins and minerals added and that you could be missing out.

If meat is too pricey, perhaps you could compromise and reduce the number of meat meals you eat and substitute those meals with lentils and pulses as the main form of protein? Cheaper, healthier and with a little planning very do-able and with lentils, just as speedy as a meat based dinner.

I doubt any of us can afford to be totally organic, I know I can't, but just do what you can and where you can.

All the best

Three_Dancing_Dragons

Queenie wrote:

You could keep a couple of chickens in your back garden and "grow your own" organic eggs.

:rotfl:

ROTFLMAO

Sorry Queenie. You couldn't know, but I live in a flat in a tenement in Edinburgh's Old Town. Because of special protection status we're not allowed a satellite dish or recycling bins. Can't imagine what the reaction would be to an application to keep livestock!

But thanks for the suggestion. Was wondering if this classed as a 'chatty' post and I should delete it.

Queenie

Chickens roost ... you got a chimney pot?

Actually there is a website that sells nappies for chooks, so you could in fact buy a couple for pets and keep them indoors

fluffalo

Queenie wrote:

Chickens roost ... you got a chimney pot?

Actually there is a website that sells nappies for chooks, so you could in fact buy a couple for pets and keep them indoors

How do they lay eggs with a nappy on ?

Mrs_Froogle

I'm almost completely organic/free range and I do it by buying everything when it is hugely reduced at waitrose. I make up meals with whatever I've managed to buy and put them on a meal plan as I put things in the freezer. You could start by buying things as you find them and you should have plenty of meals ready prepared before you know it. It's a bit embarrassing but my two small freezers now hold meals until the end of March!!

Queenie

fluffalo wrote:

How do they lay eggs with a nappy on ?

Never used them myself :rotfl:

http://www.chickendiapers.com/index.html (only in America )

Fryn

We are almost completely organic, and there are eight of us. I manage to buy organic because I cook everything from scratch, I get an organic box and fruit boxes once a week, which are brilliant value, and cook a lot of meals with these boxes, including at least two rice dishes ( org rice doesnt cost much and goes a long way, and I just put loads of veg in with it), I bake my own bread with org flour, and we eat very little meat. I find the basics don't actually cost that much more.

earthmother

We started to go organic about 9 months ago, and are also on disability benefits.

Our reason wasn't only the organic status, but that organic food is, on the whole, the only real option for additive-free stuff (you wouldn't believe the difference it's made to the kids).


We started with milk, cheese and dairy (always the biggest chunk of our weekly budget), then once our budget and diet had adjusted to that, we did the veg (which we hope to container grow this year and save even more), then some cereals (not basics like weetabix, but the kids 'treat' ones - Koala Crisp instead of Coco Pops, Choco Stars instead of Weetos) and drinks (Schweppes is a rude word in this house).

We also use biodegradeable plastic bags and nappies (2 kids), toiletries and cleaning products without the chemicals, and recycled paper products where we can't get rid altogether.

Overall, with some careful shopping and stocking up on deals, and a fair bit of OSing, it's not costing us much different than before - so it can be done - you just have to pick your battles and take baby steps.

Sarahsaver

There is a theory that going organic is better if you have specific health issues because your body is already having to fight off a disease/illness/condition then it gets bombarded with chemicals from non org. food. SUrely if it makes you feel better then it is moneysaving. I would NEVER advocate doing anything you cannot afford, and I am with the OP on the massive bag of pasta;)

Pandora123_2

According to BBC Food magazine, here are the ten veggies which are the highest in pesticide residues:
* celery
* pre-packed salad
* potatoes
* peas (podded)
* beans
* plantain
* lettuce
* sweet potato
* tomatoes
* cucumber

And the top fruits are:
* pears
* strawberries
* apricots
* cherries
* raspberries
* apples
* grapes

I always try to buy those items organic.

I find some organic groceries are a lot more expensive than non-organic, while there is not much difference in other things. Keep your eye out for organic fruit and veg in the reduced section of your supermarkets and for special half-price deals (Tesco this week had organic grapes and organic spinach half price.)

p.s. if you buy the store-brand organic pasta (eg. Tesco or Sainsbury's own brand), it is around 46p for 500g. Still a lot more than the non-organic, but half the price of the other brands. Also, if there is a Lidl near you, they have started to do a few organic produce items for reasonable prices.

:A