Reply #92: Buying only... [View All]

[orwell]

...what is in season is really important. It lowers produce costs dramatically. Not only is the produce ripe, but it is far cheaper than buying even slightly out of season.

Two weeks ago peaches were almost $2.50 per pound, and they weren't even ripe. Now they are less than a buck and sweet, ripe, and juicy.

Asparagus in season is 1.00 per pound, out of season 3.00 to 4.00 per pound.

It is also important to buy nutritionally dense foods. Green beans, brocolli, peas, cabbage are far more nutritionally dense than vegetables like corn. Here is a wesite that lists the nutrtional composition of a lot of fruits and vegetables.

http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

Another trick is to juice homegrown produce that many will give away during the summer months. I live in a somewhat poor rural community where a lot of people have small gardens. Everyone has too much zuchinni and tomatoes this time of year. I take all that they can give me, juice it up into tasty summer drinks and give some back to them as a finished product. It takes very little time and none of the excess goes to waste. You can find juicers at thrift shops for less than 10 dollars.

You can also make delicious soups and stews out of the excess. It really does require very little time.

Peace through vegetables!