13 Ways to Eat More Sustainably

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Happy Earth Day! I wanted to share with you a few ways you can eat healthier and help save the earth at the same time! Can't get much better than that!

1. Buy Organic Whenever Possible

·    Organic food is made without pesticides and are not genetically modified.

·    It is better for us, the soil, the environment, and is more sustainable compared to conventional farming.

Make buying organic more affordable by using coupons and waiting until things go on sale. I once got bags of organic frozen vegetables for $1 each. You bet I bought a ton of them!

The Dirty Dozen- These are the foods with the highest amounts of pesticides. 

If you are on a tight budget but want to buy some organic produce this is a great place to start.

·    Celery
·    Peaches
·    Strawberries
·    Apples
    Domestic blueberries
·    Nectarines
·    Sweet bell peppers
·    Spinach, kale and collard greens
·    Cherries
·    Potatoes
·    Imported grapes
·    Lettuce
Cnn.com

2. Choose Local Produce:

·    Food has to travel less distance using less gas.

·    Usually picked the day or day before making it fresher and more nutritious

·    Usually use more sustainable practices

3. Shop local farmers markets

And/Or

4. Join a Community Supported Agriculture

Supports local farmers

Many are organic just have to ask

Visit http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ to find a CSA near you!

5.Grow a garden

Don’t have room? Use containers

Cheaper, can be organic, full of nutrients, uses very little energy to produce.

6. Choose Whole Foods Over Processed Foods

Process foods

Foods that have been altered from its natural state

·    Processed foods are usually higher in fat, salt, and sugar.

·    Contains many food additives, artificial colors, hydrogenated oils (trans fat) are bodies do not need.

·    Usually lack nutritional value

·    Shipped long distances creating a larger carbon footprint

Use a lot of fossil fuels to produce

Whole Foods

·    Unprocessed or less processed and usually use less energy to produce

·    Contains more nutrients, fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidant

·    Have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and many other chronic diseases.

·    Ex) Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds

7. Use reusable bags

When you go to the grocery store don't forget your reusable bags! You can even get reusable fruit and vegetable bags. I got these for Christmas and I love them!

8. Bike or Walk to the Store

Do you live close to a grocery store or farmers market? How about walking? Not only will you get exercise but you will also save money on gas. This is one thing we are looking for when we buy a house

9. Eat Out Less

Not only are you wasting gas driving to pick it up but that food took a lot of engineering and power to create. 

Plus its anything but natural! (for fast food that is)

10. When you do eat out look for more sustainable restaurants!

They are becoming more and more common. Here in Southern Illinois we have a few!

11. Buy free range, grass fed, organic, and local raised meat and eggs as much as possible

Have you ever seen what commercial beef, dairy, and chicken farms do to their poor animals? Its terrible and as stewards of this land we are responsible for the meat, dairy, and eggs we buy!

12. Eat Less Meat!

Yep sorry but meat production takes a lot of energy to produce. If its conventionally raised meat it makes a lot of waste and a lot of grain to feed a cow compared to a fruit of vegetable. 

Make vegetarian meals a couple nights a week. You can get protein from beans, nuts, legumes, and some other sources. You don't need to eat meat everyday.

I thought of one more after I published this!

13. Start a compost
I keep a bowl in our fridge and throw any food scraps we have (peals, the unusable ends, etc) into the bowl and then add it to the compost at the end of the week!

Here are just a couple ways you can become a more sustainable eater today. These changes don't have to be hard and you can start by making baby steps. Start thinking about where your food comes from and what you are putting into your body!

This was part of the Homestead Barn Hop, the Morris Tribe, Sew Chatty, Sew Can Do, Craft-O- Maniac, Homemaker on a Dime, Frugally Sustainable, Thrifty Decorating, The Girl Creative, Inspire Me Monday, Homestead Helps