Comments on: The Price of Real Food http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:24:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Lee http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3107 Lee Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:17:55 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3107 What a great post, Kristin. Thanks for breaking it down in an easy to digest (!) way. You make a great point in the post and in your comments. Buying in bulk, eating the whole animal, and cooking more are great ways to eat better and save money. Thank you! .-= Lee What a great post, Kristin. Thanks for breaking it down in an easy to digest (!) way. You make a great point in the post and in your comments. Buying in bulk, eating the whole animal, and cooking more are great ways to eat better and save money. Thank you!
.-= Lee

]]> By: KristenM http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3106 KristenM Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:53:20 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3106 Walter -- I didn't mean to imply that other pastured meats aren't also higher in Omega 3s and other good vitamins and nutrients when compared to their feedlot counterparts. I was simply comparing the nutrient density of grassfed beef to cereal. That's why the other meats were omitted. I do believe, though, that the only significant sources of CLA are in the meat, milk, and cheese made from pastured cows and other ruminants. I think that's because the amount of CLA in the fat is a direct result of eating grass, and cows, by nature, eat A LOT of grass when compared to chickens or hogs. Of course, if those animals are pastured, they too will have CLA in their fat, but simply not enough to be truly significant since usually their diets are supplemented with all kinds of other stuff besides grass (particularly in the case of hogs). Walter — I didn’t mean to imply that other pastured meats aren’t also higher in Omega 3s and other good vitamins and nutrients when compared to their feedlot counterparts. I was simply comparing the nutrient density of grassfed beef to cereal. That’s why the other meats were omitted.

I do believe, though, that the only significant sources of CLA are in the meat, milk, and cheese made from pastured cows and other ruminants. I think that’s because the amount of CLA in the fat is a direct result of eating grass, and cows, by nature, eat A LOT of grass when compared to chickens or hogs. Of course, if those animals are pastured, they too will have CLA in their fat, but simply not enough to be truly significant since usually their diets are supplemented with all kinds of other stuff besides grass (particularly in the case of hogs).

]]> By: Walter Jeffries http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3105 Walter Jeffries Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:05:00 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3105 Good post but I have a question on one thing. You say: <i>It Good post but I have a question on one thing. You say: It

]]> By: Earth Friendly Goodies http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3104 Earth Friendly Goodies Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:07:44 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3104 Thanks Kristen for the links, I'll certainly check those out. However if I could get all meats for $3.80/lb. I would throw out my entire freezer and buy all new food, but alas from what I've seen in this area and online grass fed meats are way more than that (and I do see "regular" roasts on sale for 1.99/lb now and then). Buying in the kind of bulk that would get those low prices on grass fed meat really isn't an option when all you have is a tiny freezer on top of the fridge. (not to be a curmudgeon just stating the situation for many people in the country) Since I'm just starting to look into buying grass fed meat perhaps I'll find a better source but so far it isn't anywhere close to what you are fortunate to get in your area. We splurged and bought a couple of sirloins for $10/lb (on sale) the other day so maybe the grass fed bug (or lack of bugs) has hit us. :) Thanks Kristen for the links, I’ll certainly check those out. However if I could get all meats for $3.80/lb. I would throw out my entire freezer and buy all new food, but alas from what I’ve seen in this area and online grass fed meats are way more than that (and I do see “regular” roasts on sale for 1.99/lb now and then). Buying in the kind of bulk that would get those low prices on grass fed meat really isn’t an option when all you have is a tiny freezer on top of the fridge. (not to be a curmudgeon just stating the situation for many people in the country)

Since I’m just starting to look into buying grass fed meat perhaps I’ll find a better source but so far it isn’t anywhere close to what you are fortunate to get in your area. We splurged and bought a couple of sirloins for $10/lb (on sale) the other day so maybe the grass fed bug (or lack of bugs) has hit us. :)

]]> By: KristenM http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3103 KristenM Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:04:43 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3103 Earth Friendly Goodies -- I understand where you're coming from, and not all that long ago I was in your boat. It was only AFTER I started buying this way that I realized all the savings! For example, I buy grass-fed beef AND pay considerably less than supermarket prices. Consider that I get EVERY CUT OF MEAT (including steaks, roasts, etc.) for $3.80/lb. While it IS possible to get ground beef for less at the supermarket, I rarely (if ever!) see steaks or roasts for less. So, on the whole, buying this way is saving me hundreds of dollars a year. By buying in bulk, cooking from scratch, and making my own convenience foods rather than buying them, I feed a family of four on less than the federal food stamp allotment for a family my size! And we're talking about raw milk, grass-fed butters and cheeses, grass-fed/pastured/wild animal meats, quality fats & oils, etc. My point is that if you are determined, you will probably be able to find a way to eat frugally while eating well. For us, we place the priority on eating grass-fed/pastured dairy & meats and try to buy organic for the rest when we are able. I have quite a few posts in the Food Savings category. Would you consider checking those out? Here are a couple of links to get you started: <a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/real-food-on-a-budget/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foodrenegade.com/real-food-on-a-budget/</a> <a href="http://www.foodrenegade.com/4-meal-planning-tips-for-busy-people/" rel="nofollow">http://www.foodrenegade.com/4-meal-planning-tips-for-busy-people/</a> Earth Friendly Goodies — I understand where you’re coming from, and not all that long ago I was in your boat. It was only AFTER I started buying this way that I realized all the savings!

For example, I buy grass-fed beef AND pay considerably less than supermarket prices. Consider that I get EVERY CUT OF MEAT (including steaks, roasts, etc.) for $3.80/lb. While it IS possible to get ground beef for less at the supermarket, I rarely (if ever!) see steaks or roasts for less. So, on the whole, buying this way is saving me hundreds of dollars a year.

By buying in bulk, cooking from scratch, and making my own convenience foods rather than buying them, I feed a family of four on less than the federal food stamp allotment for a family my size! And we’re talking about raw milk, grass-fed butters and cheeses, grass-fed/pastured/wild animal meats, quality fats & oils, etc. My point is that if you are determined, you will probably be able to find a way to eat frugally while eating well. For us, we place the priority on eating grass-fed/pastured dairy & meats and try to buy organic for the rest when we are able. I have quite a few posts in the Food Savings category. Would you consider checking those out?

Here are a couple of links to get you started:

http://www.foodrenegade.com/real-food-on-a-budget/

http://www.foodrenegade.com/4-meal-planning-tips-for-busy-people/

]]> By: Earth Friendly Goodies http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3102 Earth Friendly Goodies Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:59:56 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3102 Intellectually I see the benefit of eating all organic and grass fed, but my wallet is rug burned just thinking about how fast I'd have to pull out money to buy grass fed meat. I get very discouraged looking over grass fed meat prices where I live and at the US Wellness Meats site you recommend on one of your grass fed meat posts. Everyone here says it is so worth it to pay that extra amount but for a frugal buyer (aka cheep) who only buys products when they are on sale thinking about paying 3-4 times more for grass fed makes my stomach do gymnastics. Sure the health benefits are significant but for a healthy family who rarely gets sick despite our "bad eating habits" it is hard to justify the expense. We've mostly changed over cleaning and skincare products in our house to natural and organic, but switching the food is a toughy, I'm still a bit shell shocked with the price difference. Intellectually I see the benefit of eating all organic and grass fed, but my wallet is rug burned just thinking about how fast I’d have to pull out money to buy grass fed meat. I get very discouraged looking over grass fed meat prices where I live and at the US Wellness Meats site you recommend on one of your grass fed meat posts. Everyone here says it is so worth it to pay that extra amount but for a frugal buyer (aka cheep) who only buys products when they are on sale thinking about paying 3-4 times more for grass fed makes my stomach do gymnastics. Sure the health benefits are significant but for a healthy family who rarely gets sick despite our “bad eating habits” it is hard to justify the expense.

We’ve mostly changed over cleaning and skincare products in our house to natural and organic, but switching the food is a toughy, I’m still a bit shell shocked with the price difference.

]]> By: pjcooper http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3110 pjcooper Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:47:37 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3110 <p>Is real food really that much more expensive? Think value instead. <a href="http://tr.im/tTlU" rel="nofollow">http://tr.im/tTlU</a></p> <p><i>This comment was originally posted on <a href="http://twitter.com/pjcooper/statuses/2823544762" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></i></p> Is real food really that much more expensive? Think value instead. http://tr.im/tTlU

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

]]> By: Deb http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3101 Deb Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:22:12 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3101 Here in Australia, the cost of pastured beef is aroung $12 per kilo (about 2.2 lbs) if you by in bulk (around 20 kgs). Otherwise we pay between $30 per kg for rump/sirloin up to about $40 per kg for eye fillet. And for chicken, about $13 for a 1.5 kg whole chicken. And I still think it's worth every cent. Here in Australia, the cost of pastured beef is aroung $12 per kilo (about 2.2 lbs) if you by in bulk (around 20 kgs). Otherwise we pay between $30 per kg for rump/sirloin up to about $40 per kg for eye fillet.

And for chicken, about $13 for a 1.5 kg whole chicken.

And I still think it’s worth every cent.

]]> By: Morta Di Fame http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3100 Morta Di Fame Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:35:39 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3100 Great points you are making here. I agree about cereal completely. Cereal and its healthiness is just a marketing gimmick leftover from the 50s. I grew up thinking that cereal was healthy, but when you think about it cereal is really processed food devoid of nutrition to the point where they have to add it back it. My favorite breakfast is some fresh fruit, blueberries at the moment. Ever since I joined the CSA and supplement with the farmer's market, and I save a TON of money. The reason: when I got to the grocery store, I stock up on crap like cereal and crackers, processed junk, but at the Farmer's Market I only have unprocessed healthy options. I feel more healthy than I ever have in my entire life and I am saving money. Its the greatest thing! Thanks for the info on phytic acid, too. Very interesting. Great points you are making here. I agree about cereal completely. Cereal and its healthiness is just a marketing gimmick leftover from the 50s. I grew up thinking that cereal was healthy, but when you think about it cereal is really processed food devoid of nutrition to the point where they have to add it back it. My favorite breakfast is some fresh fruit, blueberries at the moment. Ever since I joined the CSA and supplement with the farmer’s market, and I save a TON of money. The reason: when I got to the grocery store, I stock up on crap like cereal and crackers, processed junk, but at the Farmer’s Market I only have unprocessed healthy options. I feel more healthy than I ever have in my entire life and I am saving money. Its the greatest thing! Thanks for the info on phytic acid, too. Very interesting.

]]> By: Jenny @ Nourished Kitchen http://www.foodrenegade.com/the-price-of-real-food/#comment-3099 Jenny @ Nourished Kitchen Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:18:19 +0000 http://www.foodrenegade.com/?p=1111#comment-3099 This is a subject near and dear to my heart: I firmly believe that purchasing the best quality ingredients all the time pays off in the long run. Sure, my grass-fed beef might cost $6.50 / lb for the cheap cuts but it's WORTH it. I might pay upwards of $4.50 / lb for pastured chicken and $8.50 a gallon for raw milk, but it's WORTH it. What you don't spend on food, you end up spending on health care. Real food costs real money. Farmers deserve to be paid decent wages for their work, and my family deserves the best nutrition available. Moreover, cost-cutting in the kitchen shouldn't come from purchasing shoddy foods; rather, it should come from proper kitchen management that doesn't waste such precious nutrients. This is a subject near and dear to my heart: I firmly believe that purchasing the best quality ingredients all the time pays off in the long run. Sure, my grass-fed beef might cost $6.50 / lb for the cheap cuts but it’s WORTH it. I might pay upwards of $4.50 / lb for pastured chicken and $8.50 a gallon for raw milk, but it’s WORTH it. What you don’t spend on food, you end up spending on health care. Real food costs real money. Farmers deserve to be paid decent wages for their work, and my family deserves the best nutrition available. Moreover, cost-cutting in the kitchen shouldn’t come from purchasing shoddy foods; rather, it should come from proper kitchen management that doesn’t waste such precious nutrients.

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