Heavenly Homemakers

Happy New Year! I figured we should begin 2015 with a little chat about vegetables and butter. Good idea, don’t you think?

After seeing some pictures of my grocery store purchases a few weeks ago, Nancy wrote:

Do I see that you don’t buy everything organic? Your butter and cheese are not. I struggle because as much as I have changed our lifestyle, make so much on my own, and buy so much organic, I cannot afford for the butter to be (organic). With the amount we consume in a week, my husband would need a second job! :)  Your ministry continues to be a blessing. Thank you!

Second job, indeed! I was excited to see that our grocery store is carrying organic butter now, but at almost $5 for a tiny little 1/2 pound, that’s awfully hard to take in – even for a butter lover like me. :)

My short answer is, “No, I do not buy everything organic.” And now the long answer…

From meat to milk and fruits to vegetables, organic truly is best. But you know what’s also best? Staying within our budget and taking the stress out of feeding our families whole foods.

I used to be super afraid of anything that wasn’t completely clean – so much so that if a food item wasn’t organic, I simply would not buy it or feed it to my family. This became very stressful, mostly because it was practically impossible and very limiting.  Because I live in a small town without many organic resources (and can only get food from a food co-op once per month), fresh fruits and vegetables were rare around here at that time. Wow, were we missing out.

Here’s what I do now:

1. I strive to fill our table with as much variety of whole food as possible, especially fruits and vegetables. Organic or not, this is my first priority.
2. If an organic option of the food we want/need is available and within our budget, I am very happy to buy it.
3. If an organic option is not available but the food will nourish us, give us variety, and is within our budget, I am still very happy to buy it.

I prefer organic, free range, locally grown, and sustainably raised versions of every single food – I do. I’m so thankful for every bit of meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable, and grain I can get my hands on that has been produced with care. This really is best for us.

But I no longer feel guilt or anxt about eating whole foods that are not organic. I know that God is bigger than pesticides and that doing the best we can with what we have is a more important focus. Our bodies crave nourishment, so I’ll continue to work on filling my family with goodness in any form I can find and afford.

One final thought:  Just because a fruit snack or cookie carries an “organic” label, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s nourishing. I’d rather have a non-organic peach than an organic cheddar bunny. Just something to chew on (literally).

How about you? Do you prefer organic? How much of the food you feed your family is organic? What’s your stand on this topic?