Author Topic: Regarding food and expenses. (Read 4184 times)

parentsfortruth · « **on:** September 10, 2010, 12:00:42 PM »

I didn't want to post this in the how much does a family cost thread, so I decided to start a new one.

Once you know what is in the "conventional" food, and you know it's poison, things get a lot more expensive, because you can't bring yourself to buy the garbage.

We spend between $600-$700 a month here on food, and sometimes more.

If you understand that buying conventional food will end up costing you more in the long run, especially as far as medical bills go, you'll start to really look at the ingredients in your food and feed your family the way they're supposed to be fed.

I would recommend to everyone here to look up a few docuмentaries about the food. One of the most popular is Food, Inc. That is the most publicized one. You can rent it at the video store.

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

If you want to watch online, I would recommend "The Future of Food" seen here.

http://www.thefutureoffood.com/onlinevideo.html

The World According to Monsanto can be seen here:

http://twilightearth.com/environment-archive-2/the-world-according-to-monsanto-full-docuмentary/

Patent for a Pig can be seen here:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1669587865067156619#

There is a lot of information here about the milk. This one I consider to be the most valuable one in terms of taking the first step. People talk about how their daughters are going through puberty (thank God mine are not) early. This may answer your questions as to why, and a simple solution of not buying milk with the rBGH hormone in it would be it.

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/GMODangers/rGBHinDairy/index.cfm

I'd love to discuss this further if anyone else wants to. I've been researching this for some time.

Alexandria · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2010, 12:14:38 PM »

How long will you be prolonging your life by eating this way?

Some people barely eke out an existence as it is and simply cannot afford to spend any more money on food because there is no more to spend.

Some people have no medical insurance and, by the time they find out that they have a life-threatening disease, they will only have a matter of weeks to live.

Not to attack you, just to give you another perspective on things.

It doesn't matter what you do or don't eat. You can't change what the Eternal Father has deemed for you. :pop:

EcceAgnusDei · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2010, 01:20:36 PM »

Quote from: Alexandria

How long will you be prolonging your life by eating this way?

Some people barely eke out an existence as it is and simply cannot afford to spend any more money on food because there is no more to spend.

Some people have no medical insurance and, by the time they find out that they have a life-threatening disease, they will only have a matter of weeks to live.

Not to attack you, just to give you another perspective on things.

It doesn't matter what you do or don't eat. You can't change what the Eternal Father has deemed for you. :pop:

You also have free will and you can choose to eat twinkies every day and sit on the couch or exercise and eat healthy food. God might factor that into your plan or if he doesn't you'll just have to live the length of life God planned for you very sick/unhealthy. So really, eating healthy is worth it and so is spending that extra money for the best quality you can afford. It really makes a difference.

Alexandria · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2010, 01:24:28 PM »

Quote from: EcceAgnusDei

Quote from: Alexandria
How long will you be prolonging your life by eating this way?

Some people barely eke out an existence as it is and simply cannot afford to spend any more money on food because there is no more to spend.

Some people have no medical insurance and, by the time they find out that they have a life-threatening disease, they will only have a matter of weeks to live.

Not to attack you, just to give you another perspective on things.

It doesn't matter what you do or don't eat. You can't change what the Eternal Father has deemed for you. :pop:

You also have free will and you can choose to eat twinkies every day and sit on the couch or exercise and eat healthy food. God might factor that into your plan or if he doesn't you'll just have to live the length of life God planned for you very sick/unhealthy. So really, eating healthy is worth it and so is spending that extra money for the best quality you can afford. It really makes a difference.

I knew that my post would be misunderstood and shouldn't have gotten involved in this.

Such are the times in which we live.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2010, 02:43:01 PM »

I agree with you Alexandria.

Eating on a tight budget doesn't mean eating Twinkies, but it does mean drinking the milk on the store shelf rather than buying raw milk from the local farm (we have that choice here, but paying over 2x more just isn't an option). It does mean buying the pesticide-laden celery & peaches (top 2 produce in terms of pesticide content, btw), washing them well, and praying such doesn't kill you rather than buying the organic ones. Although, I do keep an eye on produce prices as depending on sales & seasons, the organics sometimes aren't much more.

Meat is one I haven't figured out. We buy our meat at a local meat market rather than WalMart, but I really don't know to what extent it's any different. The prices at the meat market are the same if not cheaper and we're supporting a local business. I've seen one organic, grass-fed operation in the area, but you have to buy 1/2 a cow minimum and we don't normally eat the more expensive cuts of meat -- mostly just hamburger -- so it would be way more money for us.

When an organic product costs about the same as a non-organic product (I see this sometimes, cereal is probably a good example), it usually means the non-organic really isn't that bad for you anyhow. I'll grab the organic one when the price is the same (this usually has to do with having a coupon for the organic item).

There are plenty of useful tips out there for eating better on a tight budget. I'm sure PFT can give us some tips in that respect even if her family thinks raw milk and grass-fed beef (those are just examples, I could be totally wrong about what she actually buys) are worth the cost while some others would disagree... even after watching Food Inc! :wink:

Matthew · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2010, 02:44:38 PM »

Alexandria is right that some people can't afford anything other than the cheapest food. Coupons are only for processed food -- you don't get a coupon for "buy 1 lb. carrots, get a pound free!" More like "50 cents off Red Baron frozen pizza".

It's true that none of us, rich or poor, should eat based on taste. Many things that simply taste good are horrible for you. High Fructose Corn Syrup-laden soda and MSG-loaded flavored potato chips come to mind. Those things aren't cheap, either!

Moving on to the world in general (NOT speaking about Alexandria here! :wink:)...

In fact, many poor people eat MUCH WORSE than they need to. I've seen countless poor families load up their carts at Wal-mart with junk food, potato chips, cases of soda, blue/green/red jugs of artificial drinks (0% fruit juice) and so forth. Some even go so far as to buy alcohol and cigarettes! They certainly can't blame their bad health on their income, since many of those things cost QUITE A BIT! Some people are even dumb enough to buy single serve packages of food/snacks/drinks.

Just like there's no excuse for a poor person's house to look like a dump. Throwing away garbage doesn't cost you anything. Bleach/water/newspaper/paper towels are pretty cheap. If you can't afford paper towels, use old towels or rags. Go to garage sales and buy old clothes and use those to clean. It doesn't cost ANYTHING to pick up a broom and dustpan, or to put your used clothes in a box or hamper or something. Baking soda is dirt cheap, and will solve cat urine and other odor problems. When there's a will there's a way. Some people just "don't care" (they don't have the will to live clean) but decent people WILL care.

I even believe it's charitable to dab some baking soda under your armpits if you're going to forego deodorant as a penance -- there's giving up vanity, and then there's consideration/charity for others! Baking soda is a perfect compromise -- you smell neutral, but you don't smell fragrant. Baking soda is dirt cheap.

Padre Pio lived under the vow of poverty -- but you can bet his cell wouldn't have been described as a "s###hole" or a dump. It was simple, spartan, frugal, poor -- but there's never an excuse for "dirty". He didn't have food crusts on the floor, old pizza boxes, stinky robes from last week in piles on the floor, piles of junk on his desk -- you get the picture.

We aren't supposed to scandalize our clean Puritan-protestant brethren. Being Catholic doesn't mean living in chaos, disorder, filth and germs. The Jesuits actually dealt with THIS VERY PROBLEM when they tried to evangelize India. The Portuguese ate more meat (and had body odor to reflect this) and didn't bathe much. The Indians bathed often and ate a completely different diet. It was a huge (and un-necessary) obstacle for the Indians' conversion to the Catholic Faith.

Read about Roberto De Nobili:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_de_Nobili

Matthew

MaterDominici · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2010, 02:53:03 PM »

I'm not sure you could have gotten much further off the topic of food. :smile:

Cheryl · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2010, 02:53:28 PM »

Quote from: Alexandria

Quote from: EcceAgnusDei
Quote from: Alexandria
How long will you be prolonging your life by eating this way?

Some people barely eke out an existence as it is and simply cannot afford to spend any more money on food because there is no more to spend.

Some people have no medical insurance and, by the time they find out that they have a life-threatening disease, they will only have a matter of weeks to live.

Not to attack you, just to give you another perspective on things.

It doesn't matter what you do or don't eat. You can't change what the Eternal Father has deemed for you. :pop:

You also have free will and you can choose to eat twinkies every day and sit on the couch or exercise and eat healthy food. God might factor that into your plan or if he doesn't you'll just have to live the length of life God planned for you very sick/unhealthy. So really, eating healthy is worth it and so is spending that extra money for the best quality you can afford. It really makes a difference.

I knew that my post would be misunderstood and shouldn't have gotten involved in this.

Such are the times in which we live.

I understood you perfectly dear. I've always tried to eat healthy and raised my children the same. But sometimes, outside or even inside influences (husband) don't help. But that aside, as whole foods become trendy, they become expensive. I never thought they I would see the day, that dry pinto beans would cost over a dollar a pound, ouch! When the food budget is small, the best way to go, is ethnic grocery store shopping. Those expensive grocery store pintos are half the cost at the Latino market. Low sodium soy at an Asian market is the same price for a liter than the eight ounce bottle at your local supermarket. Farmers' market are good options, but even cheaper than that, roadside stands. If you can, grow your own. I grow enough tomatoes, beans, and hot peppers in a very small backyard to put up for the winter. There's always a way around most things darling, you just have to find it. And a few prayers don't hurt either.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2010, 03:02:19 PM »

Here's a tip (we did this a few times this past summer)...

Go to the farmers market, but don't necessarily buy off the table. Ask if the have any "rejects" they'll sell for less. Matthew brought home a big bag of Roma tomatoes for about 1/2 price. They had all split with a sudden weather change, but were really perfectly fine for eating in their entirety. We cut a few of the splits away, but they were very superficial.

He also picked up a few "overgrown" cucuмbers for less than asking price. They weren't quite as tasty as a perfectly-sized one, but the difference was very minimal. (and you got more cucuмber, too!)

You might have to call the farmer the day before and make sure they bring you some "junk" to buy. Some produce is more worth this effort than others -- I think fresh, organic tomatoes are WAY worth it! :ready-to-eat:

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2010, 10:09:55 AM »

Personally, I think we have all become overly obsessed with our food. We are spending far too much time worrying about whether this will kill you, if this has pesticides, if these are grown with hormones, if this, if that. Enough. For most of us that live on a very tight budget and/or food stamps, we have very few choices. We simply cannot purchase fresh fish 5 days a week at the local market. Last week I bought fresh Alaskan Whitefish. It was $20 just for two of us. I can't afford organic anything unless it's on sale and even then I'm not certain it's that much better. What I can do is buy my produce from local farmers, which is what we do in the growing season. That is quickly coming to a close. We have also eliminated all junk food and sodas. We don't eat out unless we absolutely must. When I can, I buy whole chickens which usually aren't pumped up with hormones to make 4lb breasts. I don't buy ANY prepackaged food like macaroni and cheese, boxed rice, boxed potatoes, etc. I do buy prepackaged pasta noodles though. I make my own bread, except for sandwich loaves because I can get that cheaper. I buy dried or fresh beans. We purchase our eggs from a friend who has a farm--I only buy grocery store eggs if necessary. We can buy fresh milk here, but it is very expensive. We can't afford $40 a week for milk.

We are totally aware that the food industry in America is a product of government intervention and big corporations. It's suppressive to the poor. It's one sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance. God will hear our cries. Until then, we must all do the best we can. But we can not stop paying our mortgage to buy expensive food so that we can live healthier lives. We must do the best we can, try harder, think rationally, and pray to God to end this insanity.

Buy local when you can. Stop frequenting McDonald's, Burger King, Applebee's, etc. Grow a garden. Befriend people with farms. Plan carefully.

parentsfortruth · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2010, 11:51:58 AM »

I've been busy schooling and worrying about the primary election, so I've not been here much. I will try to be brief.

First, people complain about how their young daughers are going through puberty early--- that issue is MOSTLY LINKED TO MILK. So when you say you don't worry about the hormones in the milk, then don't complain when your daughter has her period at 8, 9 years old. I'm trying to give solutions, not cause you a headache, cause you to obsess, or cause you to spend more of your hard earned money.

When I warn about the pesticides, if you are not worried about it, then don't complain when one of your children comes down with severe asthma or very bad allergies. Those are two effects of pesticides.

Third: Lots of people complain about illegal immigration. Two reasons why food is cheaper not organic: 1) Illegal immigrants pick it rather than the farmers and their small amount of hired hands themselves, and 2) Government subsidies. Our tax money is going to subsidize the big gigantic farms, and by buying their stuff, you give them more power, and fewer options for yourself. You are casting a vote every time you buy food.

It's not just the health effects we should be concerned about. The people writing the laws as what is GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) are the big multinationals that are pushing all these chemicals and genetically altered food.

Every year, in a city south of where I live, the science teacher does an experiment with rats. One group of 3 rats per cage is given genetically modified VEGETABLES, the other is given organic vegetables, for 3 months.

The first group, one of the rats inevitably ends up dead, and they are quite frequently fighting with each other.... hardly normal behavior for rats. The other, acts normally, as rats normally act.

If this experiment illustrates anything about RATS, WHAT could it be telling us about the attitudes of our children.

As the old adage says, "You are what you eat."

Sometimes I can't buy organic. Certain items organically grown are scarce, and very expensive, even when in season. Some things are just completely out of the question because of their cost. You just do what you can do... and it makes it a lot easier if you do it a little at a time. Start with milk, for instance. That's what my parents did, and my dad swore up and down that he couldn't afford organic on his limited income. He does now. He found a way.

God finds a way. Sure, you might not get AS MUCH food as you were getting before, but you learn to mortify yourself by not having as much and getting by with what you CAN get. I mean, you don't starve yourself getting the stuff, but you can manage it if you pay attention and stay within a budget. Get things when they're on sale. I do that especially with granola. You watch out for coupons, and use them when you can. It can be done.

I'm not making a blanket statement. Many probably cannot afford it, but really, most people can afford it. They just have to know how to be creative.

Making a menu for the week is also a good way to be able to control what you spend. Instead of getting mercury laced soda and juices, get organic juices and serve GOOD OLD WATER (FILTERED water, get it in the gallon jugs and refill them at the store if you have a dispenser for reverse osmosis) instead of sugary drinks. Drinks are expensive and unnecessary! Instead of getting MSG laden boxed meals that cause nervous system problems (it's been proven!) get something else. Those conveniences can get expensive too.

Cook in bulk when you can. Freeze things so that you make one meal and you package the leftovers individually, so you can thaw them and spend no time on cooking for a few nights.

Get veggies and fruits when they are in season. And canned stuff is super cheap (even organic stuff is really reasonable.)

The "well something is going to kill you eventually" argument is really tired out. People say that about cigarettes too, and alcohol. This is something you actually need. We know the government is allowing these things to sterilize people, to infect people... They're thinking of adding VACCINES to corn in stealth because of how cheap it is, they can make it into syrup and starch and add it to just about anything! But if you KNOW they're doing this, and you know it's going to affect you (EVEN NEUROLOGICALLY) I don't know how you can NOT try to avoid it.

/endrant

Alexandria · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2010, 11:57:48 AM »

I find people like you tiresome as well, PTF.

Unless you have walked a mile in someone's shoes, don't presume to know what "most people" can and cannot afford.

Would that everyone cared as much for the purity and spotlessness of their souls as they do about the food they eat.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2010, 11:58:32 AM »

Quote from: parentsfortruth

First, people complain about how their young daughers are going through puberty early--- that issue is MOSTLY LINKED TO MILK. So when you say you don't worry about the hormones in the milk, then don't complain when your daughter has her period at 8, 9 years old. I'm trying to give solutions, not cause you a headache, cause you to obsess, or cause you to spend more of your hard earned money.

Sorry, I don't have time right now to read through your whole post, but wanted to ask about this...
Is growth hormones in milk really that big of a deal TODAY? I would have to HUNT to find milk that doesn't say rbst-free. And, I buy the cheapest milk on the shelf.
Is this only true in this area or is this becoming a remote issue?

CathMomof7 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2010, 05:36:18 PM »

Quote from: parentsfortruth

I'm trying to give solutions, not cause you a headache, cause you to obsess, or cause you to spend more of your hard earned money.

/endrant

No, you are not. In Truth and Charity, I am confronting you. You are overly obsessed with food and the things that are going into your body and you are trying to convince us of the same.

Gluttony: According to the Baltimore Catechism, gluttony involves more than just eating too much. It also involves being overly concerned with our food--complaining because it's not what we want or what we think is "healthy". Obesity falls under this category of course but so does anorexia. Worrying about how many hormones are in our milk or how many pesticides are on our potatoes, in my opinion, is really treading closely here.

We should be more concerned with our souls getting to heaven than with our bodies living on this earth. Of course, I don't mean we should neglect our bodies. On the contrary, that too would be sinful. We are only asked to do the best we can and be responsible. God requires us to make reasonable choices.

If you are eating corn, rice, soybeans, etc. chances are your are eating genetically modified food. So what can you do about it? Quit eating these things or quit thinking about it. Does it really matter anyway?

As for the early puberty in girls....clearly weight is a factor. I was looking at girls yesterday at the elementary school where my 6 y/o daughter has cheerleader practice. They are huge. Why? Because AT LEAST 4 days a week they are eating crap from fast food places. The local Catholic school does not have a hot cafeteria and the children eat from Pizza Hut, Burger King, Subway, and McDonald's. This is promoted upon registration. A few kids pack lunch but most just order out.

Also, chemicals in clothing, plastics, and cleaning products are known to be causing early puberty.

Also, study after study after study links social family roles to early puberty in girls. Girls who have no father at home are KNOWN to go into puberty early. Other stress factors at home are also indicated.

Also, the entire water system is filled with estrogen from birth control pills, antibiotics from the pills we take regularly for infection, and God knows what else from the medications old people pee out in the toilet. My mother takes 3 meds for her anxiety and/or depression, 2 meds for "pain", something to help her sleep and a blood pressure pill. Are we supposed to all boil our water now before we drink it???

Look, I don't mean to offend, but this is obsessive. Is our environment affecting our lives and health? Yes. But we can only do so much.

80% of the world's population lives BELOW the poverty line. BELOW.

If you look at the U.S., 77% of families whose household actually makes more than 60K a year are TWO INCOME FAMILIES. One income families fall between 30K and 50K a year, with about 15% falling below 20K. I can ASSURE you these people are NOT looking for places to by hormone free milk. They are picking up checks at the WIC office.

We live in a technological age. 95% of Americans shop at the supermarket. Very few people know how to grow their own food, can, or bake from scratch. This includes lots of modern Catholics. Our family is just trying to survive.

In case you don't get it yet--we make less than 50K a year.
15% of that income goes to pay our health insurance premiums. 30% goes to pay our mortgage and property taxes (we are lucky). Currently, 12% of our income goes to food.
Almost 50% of our income goes just to pay for 2 things--a roof over our heads and visits to see the Dr. We struggle and the LAST thing I'm going to do is spend twice as much on milk, meat, and vegetables because I'm overly concerned that my tomatoes have pesticides on them and I might develop allergies.

Wanna know what really causes allergies and diseases??? Our inadequate immune systems. We are so concerned these days about what we eat, who we are exposed to, and how clean our kitchen counters are that our bodies can build natural immunity to common bacteria--BECAUSE we AREN'T EXPOSED anymore.

Now, MY rant is over...sorry all.

Emerentiana · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2010, 05:38:14 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

Quote from: parentsfortruth
First, people complain about how their young daughers are going through puberty early--- that issue is MOSTLY LINKED TO MILK. So when you say you don't worry about the hormones in the milk, then don't complain when your daughter has her period at 8, 9 years old. I'm trying to give solutions, not cause you a headache, cause you to obsess, or cause you to spend more of your hard earned money.

Sorry, I don't have time right now to read through your whole post, but wanted to ask about this...
Is growth hormones in milk really that big of a deal TODAY? I would have to HUNT to find milk that doesn't say rbst-free. And, I buy the cheapest milk on the shelf.
Is this only true in this area or is this becoming a remote issue?

This may come as a surprise to all of you, but MiLK should be eliminated or sharply curtailed from the diet of children after they get their eye teeth. The old testement people had a weaning ceremony when the child was weaned from the breast. It never drank milk again!
Yes, there are growth hormones in milk that are there for the calf! They are detrimential to a growing body.
No child or adult either.should be drinking glasses of milk. A little in cereal, a little in cooking and coffee......thats it! Will save a bunch on the grocery bill.
Juices should always be diluted beefore serving (1/2 water). The sugar content is to high. They should be drank slowly, and each mouthful swished in the mouth before swallowing.
Good old water is what everyone should be drinking! No one seems to get enough of it.
Drink water or any liquids 20 min before ot 20 min after a meal.......not with the meal. Liquids dilute the digestive juices in the stomach, preventing proper digestion of food.