Memorial Day has come and gone, and the beginning of June ushers in the unofficial start of Summer. To celebrate, I am launching a new, month-long project aimed at making the most of summer’s bounty of fruits and vegetables.
Also ushering in this Summer are the countless articles and reports of rising food prices, especially meat products. CNN recently ran a very informative report “Stretching Your Food Budget with Healthy Choices,” highlighting the somewhat conflicting needs for food that is healthy and a grocery bill that doesn’t break the bank.
The number one piece of advice? Shop the produce section, and look for fruits and vegetables that are in season. Also on the list is replacing meat in recipes with pantry staples like beans, utilizing other non-perishable items such as canned tomatoes, and checking your pantry before shopping to avoid over-purchasing and food waste.
Along with shopping for seasonal produce, another trend in food right now is shopping as local as possible. Farmer’s Markets have gained popularity in the past couple years, for both the reduced prices and the environmental benefits. Shopping locally reduces or eliminates transportation costs and uses less energy, making it part of the eco-friendly “Go Green” revolution that has been sweeping the country.
All of this leads me to my latest endeavour: Veganomics, a 30-day experiment celebrating foods that are good for your health, your world, and your pocketbook. These economically friendly and ecologically responsible recipes will also be excellent for your health. Who can ask for more?
It is important to note that these recipes will not always be “vegan,” which is devoid of any animal product. In Veganomics, I am attempting to make meat-free dishes, but will still use limited amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy products such as milk, butter, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. The CNN report advises that while dairy prices are rising, the nutritional benefits still outweigh the financial costs.
Speaking of financial costs, the report notes that the average family loses about $600 a year in expired food products. To track my own “food loss,” I will be purging my refrigerator and pantry today and taking stock of what I have on hand. Each week, I will summarize my food purchases, the overall costs, and any food waste. For each recipe, I will breakdown the following aspects: Economically Friendly, Ecologically Responsible, and Excellently Healthy. Also, for the bulk of the 30 days, I will attempt to shop locally and avoid eating out or on-the-go food purchases.
Another goal of this project is to reduce the amount of non-food waste I create, such as paper towels and napkins, disposable plates and cups, zip-lock bags, plastic wrap, and other food-related garbage. While “Go Green” has become somewhat of a marketing gimmick for some companies, green living simply refers to small things each of us can do to help the environment. Throughout the project, I will “test-drive” some green living tips and attempt to integrate them into my everyday life.
Veganomics is now in session!
June 1st, 2008 at 12:39 am
[…] _ wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Memorial Day has come and gone, and the beginning of June ushers in the unofficial start of Summer. To celebrate, I am launching a new, month-long project aimed at making the most of summer’s bounty of fruits and vegetables. Also ushering in this Summer are the countless articles and reports of rising food prices, especially meat products. CNN recently ran a very informative report “Stretching Your Food Budget with Healthy Choices,” highlighting the somewhat conflicting needs for food that i […]
June 7th, 2008 at 10:43 am
[…] Produce Map and getting the Scoop on Spices. Here is a breakdown of how well I followed the Veganomics guidelines, starting with food purchases from June […]